Personal Growth Initiative Lab

Christine Robitschek, Ph.D.

Lab Director

chris.robitschek@ttu.edu

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is PGI?

                Personal growth initiative (PGI) is a person’s global inclination to intentionally improve one’s self in different areas of his or her life. It is a skill set that every person carries into life experiences that influences each person to seek out opportunities for growth and to capitalize on those opportunities by engaging in intentional efforts to personally change and improve.

Recent research on PGI has identified four areas that are essential to the intentional personal growth process. These areas are:

- Planfulness: Intentions and actions related to planning for personal change

- Readiness for Change: Aspects of preparedness for making specific changes in one’s self

- Using Resources: Obtaining assistance from resources outside one’s self

- Intentional Behavior: Intentional action aimed at producing personal growth

The PGI research lab focuses on research investigating the theory and application of PGI and we welcome opportunities for collaboration. Specific areas of inquiry that we are engaged in:

 

1.      PGI Theory and Measurement: This track includes validity studies on our measures of PGI; development of new measures (although we just developed a new one so we probably won’t be doing that again soon); and theoretical papers and projects, including book chapters.

 

2.       Multicultural topics related to PGI: This track includes understanding the role of PGI across and within cultures; examining the cultural validity of our measures; and understanding the role of culture in the expression of PGI.

 

3.      Health and Wellness: This track is quite broad. It includes both physical and mental domains and both negative and positive aspects of these domains. For example, we study the role of PGI as a protective factor for depression and the role of PGI in promoting life satisfaction. This track also includes role functioning; thus, the role of PGI in vocational psychology/career development falls within this track.

 

4.      PGI and Interventions: There are two aspects to this track. First, we are developing interventions to increase PGI. The second aspect considers how to use PGI within established interventions.

 

How can I get access to the PGIS-II?

                  If you would like to use the PGIS-II, see the "PGIS-II Information" tab or contact the PGI Lab:  pgi.psychology@ttu.edu

 

For all other questions, feel free to email the PGI Lab (pgi.psychology@ttu.edu)

 
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