Browsing by Author "Kojonen-Kyllönen, Tiina"

Sensitivity is a very multifaceted concept, which has mostly been studied from a trait theoretical perspective within temperament research, whereas less attention has been directed to the phenomenological side of sensitivity. This study focuses on emotional and social sensitivity as experienced by adults. The study uses the results of temperament research as a starting point and the principles of phenomenological research as a framework for forming and investigating the research questions from a social psychological viewpoint. The research material consists of writings on personal experiences of sensitivity by adults who are actively involved in writing or who study writing. The applied research method was interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The study focuses on investigating and answering the following questions: 1) How do the respondents experience sensitivity a) emotionally, b) socially, in their relationships, and c) specifically in the working environment? 2) How did the respondents become aware of their sensitivity? 3) How do the respondents react to their sensitivity and explain it, based on their experience? Sensitivity is experienced as strong feelings and reactions, which are aroused by stimulation from the inner and outer environment. Experiences of sensitivity include detailed perceptions of other people's feelings and the atmosphere of interaction. Experiences of emotional sensitivity are in many ways intertwined with experiences of social sensitivity. In the research material sensitivity experienced in human relations is most often connected with empathy. Respondents experience human relations as impressive and meaningful and regulate the number, quality and distance of their relationships in different ways. The majority of respondents found their experiences of sensitivity both positively enriching and negatively burdening their private and working life. Respondents have varied ways of expressing their sensitivity. According to the respondents their experiences of sensitivity may be reflected in behaviour in different ways ranging from reactions barely perceptible to others to strong expression of emotions. In other words, perceived sensitivity is different from experienced sensitivity. Emotional skills and life skills in general seem to be significant in whether the respondents feel in control or out of control of their strong feelings and reactions and to what extent they feel they can realize their own goals in life.