Principal Investigator: dr hab. Marcin Bukowski, prof. UJ

Funding Agency: National Agency for Academic Exchange

Funding Scheme: Bekker Mobility Programme

The need to exert personal control has a basic adaptive function. Losing a sense of control over one’s environment is therefore aversive and can enhance a motivation to restore it. Still, prolonged experiences of uncontrollability lead to withdrawal of mental effort. Thus, it is important to identify the conditions that facilitate effort mobilization as an active response to uncontrollability. In this project we focus on contextual (duration of uncontrollability) and personal factors (cognitive conflict and anxiety) that determine the amount of effort invested in cognitive activity after control deprivation. The paradox of effort investment is that it can be both, costly and valued. We propose that mental effort can be valued as a means to regain control. In a set of studies, we will examine the impact of uncontrollability duration, cognitive conflict processing and the perceived value of effort on the tendency to engage in effortful, problem-focused coping strategies.