Psychological profiling of participants at the Miss World contest via combined methodology: psychometric assessments and projective drawing
Psychological profiling of participants at the Miss World contest via combined methodology: psychometric assessments and projective drawing

Summary/Abstract: Objectives. We are discussing psychological consequences of consequences of embracing dominant cultural values.Among them, beauty and its constant visual (and superficial) presentation become imperative criteria for self-evaluation during the growing up process for young girls. Visual criteria are more strongly connected to the perception of self-image compared to the self-evaluation criteria that was relevant for adolescents in the recent past. Material and methods. On the sample of 20 young women, in the process of competition for Miss World their individual aspirations and profiles were analyzed and compared with the cultural trend. Profiling was done via Machover test and diagnostic interview in line with the drawing output as well as the psychometric evaluation based on the Driver test (35Q) dominant defense mechanisms of personality. Comparative analysis of cultural trends and individual profiles was conducted through interpretative analysis of results collected during psychological profiling of contestants through the theoretical model of Transactional analysis. Transactional analysis of the famous fairy tale Cinderella was reinterpreted in the classical Berne approach in order to make it more relevant for the current problems and issues of young girls. Results. The central theme is the self-image that is not matching calendar age. Graphical and phenomenological self-reports show that many participants perceived themselves as a child. Self-validation and social context interpretation come from the regressive frame of reference.Conclusions. The results strongly support the hypothesis that beauty contestants need to be carefully selected, motivated and supported in this personality challenging qualification and evaluation process based on one dimension.

• Details
• Contents