THE STRUCTURE OF CORPORAL REPRESENTATION AND COGNITIVE STYLES

The problem of alimentary behavior in the context of ability to differentiation/integration of corporal Self is examined. The objective of the study is to reveal correlations between modules of corporal Self (real Self, ideal Self, rejected Self), components of cognitive style (speed, accuracy), adequacy of assessment of own body and tendency to overeating. The hypothesis about correlation of cognitive-style peculiarities (indication of differentiation/integration ability) with modules of corporal Self and alimentary behavior has been tested. Women - visitors of fitness centre (N = 43, Me = 35) participated in the study. Computer procedure "Corporal Self' for register of representations of corporal Self modules (real Self, ideal Self, rejected Self), questionnaire "Thoughts and patterns of behavior" for assessment of alimentary behavior and Kagan's Matching Familiar Figures Test for reflectivity/impulsivity assessment were used. The results confirm the hypothesis that components of cognitive style (speed and accuracy) correlate with different modules of corporal Self (real Self, ideal Self, rejected Self), adequacy of own body size assessment and with peculiarities of alimentary behavior. It has been shown that "overeating" variable correlates first of all with rapid (and not with accurate) components of cognitive style. Interpretation of the results make it possible to suppose that "slow" styles realize at the corporal level avoidance tendency while "rapid" the confluence one.