The article offers a critical evaluation of the data obtained from the presented study on the regulatory function of the human life idealization in adolescent and adult development. The data were obtained from the longitudinal study of a group of 108 people who were interviewed
with Biographical Judgment Interview twice within the two 6-7 years periods. The data were used to test three hypotheses; (i) idealization of human life is performed every time the high value of human life is referred to as an object in order to make choices and decide on actions which are significant for the life course; (ii) the object of this idealization belongs to a set of opaque ideals which may only be made partially clear by means
of interpretation mediating between the mind and the object; and (iii) the interpretation of human life ideal may grow in adequacy with years. The data provide strong evidence for the truth value of the hypotheses. They are implied by the broader theory of individual development, which opposes the mainstream conceptualizations inspired by the biological
model of ontogenetic development.
affiliation:
Wydział Zarządzania i Komunikacji Społecznej : Instytut Spraw Publicznych