Proposal on Perceived Resilience: Ecological Theory and Traits

This report presents a research proposal focused on perceived resilience, examining its relationship with ecological theory and various social-psychological traits, including self-awareness, self-concept, self-determination, and self-esteem. The study aims to investigate how these factors contribute to an individual's ability to overcome setbacks. The proposal outlines a literature review discussing the origins and development of resilience within ecological studies and its application to psychological resources. The research methodology involves a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative questionnaires to gather data on sources of negative experiences, satisfaction, and resilience levels among a sample of students. The expected results include comparisons between male and female respondents, correlations between social encouragement and adaptation, and the identification of sources of motivation and stress. The study also addresses ethical considerations and data collection processes, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding resilience within a socio-ecological context.

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Running Head: Proposal on Perceived Resilience
A study on perceived Resilience using the Ecological theory (EEA) and the degree of one’s
social psychological traits, e.g. self-awareness, self-concept, self- determination and self-
esteem, in ability to overcome setbacks.
Name
Institution
Date

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Proposal on Perceived Resilience
Abstract
The perception of resilience is growing in the public domain with much attention drawn to its
meaning and categories. There is a great need to understand the link between resilience and
ecological concepts and socio-psychological traits such as self-esteem, motivation, coping,
persistence and success. The proposed dissertation investigates resilience as a key factor to
ensuring a stable ecosystem despite the ecological factors such as disturbances. Data components
will be obtained from surveys as well as questionnaires that will target information on sources of
negative experience and satisfaction. The results will show that the perspective of resilience in
association to social-ecological principles comprise of the concepts of self-organization,
adaptation and learning and strength to tolerate negative encounters. Thus, considerably,
resilience is systematic approach and a pathway to thought that enables guidance and
organization of cognitive abilities and generally provides resourceful background to study socio-
ecological approaches like being able to overcome setbacks (Folke, 2006).
Literature review
The concept of resilience originated in the 1960s and 1970s from ecological studies through
interdependence of communities such as predators and prey, and their reaction role relating to
theories of ecological equilibrium (May, 1972). Previous research from ecologists such as
Holling C. S. (1961) indicates that perceived resilience and balance of ecological approach
implies the availability of several stable domains in an ecosystem and their relationships with
processes of ecology such randomness of events or rather disturbances. Resilience came about to
refer to persistence of interactions in an ecosystem and also the extent to absorb alterations of
variables and processes (Holling, 1973). In essence the viewpoint of resilience modifies systems

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Proposal on Perceived Resilience
that aim to control changes and bring about equilibrium through management of the potential to
adapt, cope and modify changes of socio-ecological approaches (Folke, 2006).
Similarly, resilience perspective is applied to determine how cognitive features interact with
events of disturbances while resilience tries to stabilize through reducing the effect of the events.
Therefore, a study on resilience approach relating to social psychological characteristics of
people tries to investigate the average response to phenomena that are encountered and could be
negative, but evaluate recovery methods (Maltby et al. 2015). Further research to resilience
shows that there are measures of resilience that work together in theory of interaction such as
positive feelings, good relationships, adaptability, self-efficacy, mastery and many more
(Pangello, et al. 2014).
There are a number of techniques to determine the characteristics of resilience through a
complex framework of concepts and empirical designs. For example, ecology enthusiasts like
Holling and his team developed an integrated system that explains resilience through ecological
principles (Maltby et al. 2015). Holling’s approach comprised of interrelated concepts of
resilience including, ecological resilience, engineering resilience and adaptive capacity.
Whereby, engineering resilience refers to an individual’s ability to recover stability in an event
of disturbance, while ecological resilience implies the capability of an individual to tolerate and
prevent harm during disturbances before establishing equilibrium. Lastly, adaptive strength
refers to an individual’s ability to tolerate and manage alterations and thus, adapt to changes
(Maltby et al. 2015; Folke, 2006). In a nut shell, cognitive theory combines these systems to
explain human beings capacity to overcome setbacks or negative experiences as well as
portraying potential to remain robust and determination to overcome and also showing flexibility

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Proposal on Perceived Resilience
to adjust to changes and response to disturbances (Smith et al. 2008). Therefore, the proposed
dissertation investigates the human character in the realm of these three principles of resilience.
The background of the study examines resilience perspective and its advancement and hence
applied to psychological resource as an item to apply resilience. The proposed dissertation
intends to review and determine the interrelationship of concepts of resilience in a workplace.
Resilience can be enhanced through checking significant components in an individual such as
understanding, personal motivation and positive attitude (Luthans, 2002). Employment is an area
where resilience has attracted much interest especially in businesses. Waller (2001) confirms that
“ majority of people who confront negative experiences end up getting better results that are
relatively expected to happen based on the risks in their lives” (p. 291). Risk factors such as
disturbances and negative encounters can both be challenges and development opportunities.
Thus, the capacity to recover from setbacks (bounce back) that is linked to resilience often than
not results to successful development better than the previous status (Luthans et al. 2007).
Positive cognitive influence has been another asset towards reliance perspective whereby there
has been investment of skills and cognitive strength. A good example is the in the workplace
where positive psychology is highly required to foster resilience. Therefore, an individual is
characterized by having confidence to succeed in challenging duties, optimism, perseverance and
resiliency to achieve objectives (Luthans et al. 2007). Although, according to Maltby et al (2015)
there are several conventional measuring scales for resilience, such as Hardiness scale, Ego
Resiliency scale, Psychological Resilience Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Brief
Resilience Scale (p. 2).

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Proposal on Perceived Resilience
It is with this reason that the perspective of resilience in association to social-ecological
principles that comprise the concepts of self-organization, adaptation and learning. Additionally,
the general strength to tolerate negative encounters. Thus, considerably, resilience is systematic
approach and a pathway to thought that enables guidance and organization of cognitive abilities
and generally provides resourceful background to study socio-ecological approaches like being
able to overcome setbacks (Folke, 2006). This can be interpreted as the quantity of disturbance
an individual or system can take and remain unchanged. The degree of self-regulation by an
individual and ability to develop adaptation and learning capabilities.
Research aims
The purpose of this proposed dissertation is to make available information on the possibility of
resilience perspective emergence and development. The dissertation also aims to present a
narrative of the ecological resilience concept and its effect on other approaches. There will be
measurements conducted to assess resilience and the dynamic systems such as engineering and
adaptive resilience. There will be an assessment of the characteristic of resilience and the task for
perception to manage cognitive response and inquiry (Maltby et al. 2015).
Moreover, there will be reporting of efforts and current studies on resilience studies and this is
will be geared towards comprehending the dynamics of social-ecology and its effects to stability.
The dissertation will also highlight research obstacles and implications of policies in regards to
resilience perspective (Folke, 2006).
Research methodology:
The proposed dissertation will adopt a mixture of both quantitative and qualitative research
methodology. As both elements of research will be used, this is because it is believed to provide

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Proposal on Perceived Resilience
the better information that is satisfactory and useful for reporting (Johnson et al. 2007). Although
the dissertation will focus more on quantitative research designs. Quantitative research approach
will enable measurements and assessments in regards to resilience, coping, self-esteem and
engagement. However, qualitative data will be equally important to assess perception for
resilience and provide valuable information on sources of disturbances or negative experiences
as well as success and satisfaction to over those challenges (Lees, 2009).
Ethical considerations
The proposed dissertation will be conducted in accordance to the University’s Ethical
Requirements. Involved participants will be required to provide consents to participate with clear
knowledge that the research is entirely voluntary.
Data components will be absolutely confidential and documents will be made available for
consent of anonymity of the data collected.
Data collection process
A sample of approximately 50 students will be invited to take part in the research.
Materials: Data elements will be collected using surveys and filled on papers that will be
distributed to selected classes of Psychology and Management. Estimated time for data
collection will be 30 minutes for the survey, immediately when lectures begin.
Participants
The selected 50 participants will be involved in the survey, whereby both female and male will
take part in the research. The target age group is between 20 and 30 years old. Both workers and

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Proposal on Perceived Resilience
non-workers will be involved in the surveys. Questionnaires will be used for open-ended
questions such as: What are the sources of satisfaction and stress?
Data analysis
Descriptive analysis and correlations will be conducted to compare the groups and further tests
and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be considered where appropriate.
Expected Results
The proposed dissertation is expected to have results on comparison tests performed whereby
male and female respondents are expected to show difference in level of resilience.
The results expected will show indifferent levels of resilience to participants with commonalities
such as students on regular programme or workers who got employed at the same time.
Additionally age differences is expected to show zero disparities in resilience levels (Lees,
2009).
Correlation analysis will be able to show assessment of social encouragement and adaptation.
Self-esteem and encouragement is expected to show a positive correlation with activities and
experiences that help individuals to cope with setbacks (Edwards and Cooper, 1988).
Success and accomplishment among others are expected to feature as sources of motivation from
the respondents whereas, increased competition is expected to be the most selected source of
stress or setback. These analyses will be determined using T-tests to compare significance
between subjects (Lee, 2009).
References

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Proposal on Perceived Resilience
Edwards, J., & Cooper, C. (1988). The impacts of positive psychological states on physical
health:
A review and theoretical framework. Social Science Medicine, vol. 27 (12), pp. 1447-
1459
Folke, C. (2006). Resilience: The emergence of a perspective for social-ecological systems
analyses. Global Environmental Changes, vol. 16, pp. 253-267
Holling, C. S. (1961). Principles of insect predation. Annual Review of Entomology, vol. 6, pp.
163-182
Holling, C. S. (1973). Resilience and stability of ecological systems. Annual Review of Ecology
and Systematics, vol. 4, pp. 1-23
Lees, N. F. (2009). The ability to bounce back: the relationship between resilience, coping, and
positive outcomes. New Zealand, Master of Arts in Psychology, pp. 1-115
Luthans, F. (2002). The need for meaning of positive organizational behavior. Journal of
Organizational Behavior, vol. 23, pp. 695-706
Luthans, F., Youssef, C., & Avolio, B. (2007). Psychological capital: Developing the human
competitive edge. New York, Oxford University Press.
May, R. M. (1972). Will a large complex ecosystem be stable? Nature, vol. 238, pp. 413-414
Maltby, J., Day, L., and Hall, S. (2015). Refining trait Resilience: Identifying Engineering,

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Proposal on Perceived Resilience
Ecological, and Adaptive Facets from Extant Measures of Resilience. PLoS ONE, vol. 10
(7), pp. 1-27
Pangello, A., Zibarass, L., Lewis, R., & Flaxman, P. (2014). Resilience through the lens of
interactionism: A systematic Review. Psychol Assessment. Advance online publication.
Retrieved from, http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/4810/
Smith, B. W., Dalen, J., Wiggins, K., Tooley, E., Christopher, P., & Bernard, J. (2008). The
Brief
Resilience Scale: Assessing the ability to bounce back. International Journal for
Behavioral Medicine, vol. 15 (3), pp. 194-200
Waller, M. (2001). Resilience in ecosystemic context: Evolution of the concept. American
Journal
of Orthopsychiatry, vol. 71 (3), pp. 290-297