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Models of the Self in foreign psychology // Pedagogical Review. 2024. Issue 4 (56). P. 111-123

The models of Self created in foreign psychology are considered. Their place is taken into account in broader theories to classify models of the Self. For this purpose, larger theories are divided into groups. They were separated and refined by psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, socio-psychological, narrative and existential-humanistic models of the Self. In psychodynamic models, the Self refers to the areas of consciousness and subconscious, considering them together. In this case, the Self differentiates and splits through divergence and fragmentation, or, conversely, deals with convergence and the emergence of a holistic Self. Behavioral patterns demonstrate a behavioral view of the Self. It included the Self as ongoing activity, including external behavior, verbal behavior and internal activity. Cognitive models refer to descriptions, prescriptions, and expectations about qualities and goals associated with a person’s sense of self. The cognitive self is a filter of incoming information. Social psychological models view the Self as subject and object, a relationship through which the Self is separated from itself. In narrative models, the Self concerns life stories that reconstruct the past and address the present and imagined future in unity. These are people’s stories about themselves. Existential-humanistic models deal with the Self, which tends to actualize itself. This leads to differentiation, symbolization and experience. A common feature of all models of the Self is their fragmentation. The prospect of their integration points to a hopeful future.

Keywords: foreign models of the Self, differentiation of the Self, psychodynamic Self, behavioral Self, cognitive Self, socio-psychological Self, narrative Self, existential-humanistic Self

Integral individuality as a scientific theory // Pedagogical Review. 2025. Issue 3 (61). P. 130-141

Merlin considered integral individuality as scientific theory. He showed there were many traits with diverse origins. They varied from biochemical to socio-psychological. But their commonality was outside the focus. Merlin based his theory on new criteria. He accepted diversity and plurality of traits. At the same time, he attempted to overcome disunity by integrating them. First, “individuality” reveals unity of traits. Second, connections between traits complement their composition. Third, structure adds to composition. From this view, individual traits can coexist and function together despite diversity. The goal is to test this by integrating traits. Merlin’s approach allows solving this issue. Initial concepts are levels, polymorphism, mediation, and types of regularities. As a result, traits emerge across levels. Causal regularities manage connections within levels. Teleological regularities manage between-level connections. Polymorphic connections can change under mediation. All of this is a basis of the theory of integral individuality. It forms foundation for new field expanding personality and individual differences research. Paper outlines progress of Merlin’s theory and implications for practice. To summarize, Merlin’s theory brings a brief look.

Keywords: integral individuality, scientific, theory, connections, levels, polymorphisms mediation, causal and teleological regularities

Personality and creativity // Pedagogical Review. 2026. Issue 2 (66). P. 153-161

The article outlines the prospect of combining research on personality and creativity. These concepts, although distinct, are related and complementary. Personality and creativity are viewed as multiple constructs. This perspective leads to the concept of the creative personality, which synthesizes and integrates these constructs in a cross-theoretical manner. Personality theories that influence creativity are termed “donor theories.” Their ideas merge with those of creativity theories and modify them, creating hybrid effects. Central to a creative personality is divergence, along with its parallel features of alternatives and complements. This system includes the individual’s self-concept, needs (intrinsic and extrinsic motivation), attitudes, and goals. Creativity itself is a cognitive construct with divergent and plural qualities, making the creative personality both divergent and integrative. A new classification of creative personalities emerges, overlapping with existing personality typologies. Three pathways of personality traits focus on creativity. They may represent a single trait, multiple traits, or a profile that includes polarities of their traits. Personality as a single trait regards a fundamental aspect of personality rather than a cognitive skill. Many authors agree that creativity is a common personality trait, although they disagree on its precise nature. A number of personality traits deliver partly their resource and potential to creativity. These include independence, broad interests, openness to new experiences, flexibility, and a propensity for risk. A personality trait profile is not only a quantity of traits, but also their relationships, including polarities. The concept of creative personality views it along three axes: personality traits, their transfer to creativity, and the changes of creativity itself. Combining these axes yields their integration and the creative personality appears. It includes personality traits as donors and modification of creativity in the form of hybrids. In conclusion, the theoretical study of creative personality yields significant insights.

Keywords: personality, creativity, creative personality, divergence, structure, integration