Monograph by Katarzyna Durniat on the research, teaching, didactics and achievements of Stanislaw A. Witkowski

We would like to introduce you to the contents of the chapter of the monograph 'Wrocław Psychology. People and Ideas" (2024) - "Stanisław A. Witkowski - research, teaching, learning and achievements", by Katarzyna Durniat. This chapter presents the key areas of research interest and the most important achievements of Professor Stanisław A. Witkowski, showing their connection with his academic career, scientific cooperation and practical activities in the field of work and organisational psychology. The article refers to the professor's extensive scientific bibliography, illustrating the wide range of his research and his interdisciplinary approach. The key aspects of Prof Witkowski's activities described in this chapter cover several areas.

Research

His research interests focused on management psychology, human resource management, career counselling, organisational pathologies (job burnout) and international research projects. Early in his career participated in projects concerning the humanisation of worke.g. at the Copper Mining and Smelting Combine (KGHM). He participated in the international GLOBE project, investigating perceptions of leadership in different cultural contexts and coping with culture shock. He has also conducted research in the area of generational management.

Teaching activities

Professor Witkowski was a respected and valued didactician and educator. He has twice been named Lecturer of the Year and has been nominated for an Education Award. He believed that he owed the respect and appreciation of his students to his commitment, passion, authenticity and credibility. He emphasised that his most important achievements were his students - master's and doctoral students who are professionally successful as experts, researchers and teachers. The earlier chapters of the monograph (Kanafa-Chmielewska, 2024) detail his organisational and management activities, including the initiation of postgraduate courses in management psychology, which were very popular.

Cooperation and integration

A key distinguishing feature of the professor was the integration of scientific development with practical activities. He was a staunch promoter of the transfer of scientific knowledge to professional practice and vice versa. His practical activities, e.g. the implementation of competence diagnosis methods (which is further described in Slazyk-Sobol, 2024), enriched his research and didactics. He pioneered an interdisciplinary approach in research on career success and competence assessment.

Achievements and distinctions

Prof Witkowski left an impressive scientific output and made a significant contribution to the development of work and organisational psychology in Poland. He received numerous awards, including Bronze Cross of Merit and Medal of the National Education Commission. He considers the Medal for Long Marriage to be his most valuable award.

In conclusion, the chapter by Katarzyna Durniat shows Prof. Stanisław A. Witkowski as a versatile scientist, didactician and practitioner, whose research work, organisational activities and commitment to student education had an undeniable impact on the development of work and organisational psychology in Poland. His legacy is not only his numerous publications, but above all the people he shaped.

Link to monograph: https://repozytorium.uni.wroc.pl/Content/141567/PDF/Wrocławska psychology. People and ideas.pdf

Publication by our lecturer Iwona Koczanowicz-Dehnel on Mieczysław Kreutz and the beginnings of psychology in Wrocław after World War II

The monograph 'Wrocław Psychology. People and Ideas', published by the Rys Publishing House in 2024, under the scientific editorship of Dr Jolanta Kowal, Professor UWr, and Kiriakos Chatzipentidis, shows the richness of the history and achievements of psychology in Poland. This publication was born out of the need to commemorate the remarkable path of psychology in Wrocław and to pay tribute to the outstanding researchers who shaped its development. Within the framework of this monograph, it is worth bringing A chapter dedicated to the figure and achievements that started the post-war history of psychology in the capital of Lower Silesia: "Mieczysław Kreutz and the beginnings of psychology in Wrocław after World War II", by Dr Iwona Koczanowicz-Dehnel.

Mieczyslaw Kreutz the hero of the publication

The article focuses on the character Mieczyslaw Kreutz (1893-1971), an outstanding psychologist and student of Kazimierz Twardowski, who played a fundamental role in the reconstruction and organisation of psychological studies in Wrocław after the Second World War. In March 1946, Prof. Kreutz gave the first post-war lecture in psychology in Wrocław, and in May of the same year he led to the establishment of the first Chair of Psychology in post-war Poland. He brought from Lviv the tradition of the Lviv-Warsaw school, characterised by a rigorous scientific and didactic approach.

Dr Koczanowicz-Dehnel portrays Kreutz as a researcher who defined the direction of psychological research at the new academic centre. Of key importance was his work on the methodology of introspection and his publication of 'The Foundations of Psychology' (1949), in which he recognised conscious phenomena as the subject of psychology and introspection as its fundamental research method. He was a prominent introspectionist, defending this method as essential to the science of psychology.

Other researchers described in the publication

The chapter also presents the contributions of other important figures who co-created the beginnings of psychology in Wrocław, such as Dr Helena Sloniewska, who organised research in applied psychology, founding the Department of Educational Psychology and in charge of the Regional Mental Health Clinic. He also mentions Marian Kulczycki, who initiated the development of clinical psychology, and Maria Porębska and Zbigniew Skorny, important figures in developmental and educational psychology. The complementarity of Kreutz and Sloniewska's work in preparing students both theoretically and for practical work is highlighted. Dr Iwona Koczanowicz-Dehnel's chapter perfectly demonstrates how, against enormous damage and subsequent systemic obstacles, Mieczyslaw Kreutz and his early colleagues and students laid the foundation for the dynamic development of psychology at the University of Wrocław, and Kreutz himself is considered the father of Polish post-war psychology.

The article does not overlook the difficulties and obstacles faced by psychology in post-war Wrocław, including the abolition of psychology studies in 1952 and the transfer of Prof. Kreutz to Warsaw. He describes this time as a "complete void" in Polish psychology, when the Department in Wrocław was reduced in size and focused on teacher training. Despite these challenges, others such as Sloniewska, Kulczycki and Porębska continued their work. We invite you to read this fascinating chapter, showing the determination and contribution of the pioneers to the reconstruction and development of psychology in Poland after the war.

Link to monograph: https://repozytorium.uni.wroc.pl/Content/141567/PDF/Wrocławska psychology. People and ideas.pdf

Monograph on our lecturer Prof. Grażyna Dolińska-Zygmunt - pioneer of health psychology in Poland

The monograph 'Wrocław Psychology. People and Ideas', published by the Rys Publishing House in 2024, under the scientific editorship of Dr Jolanta Kowal, Professor UWr, and Kiriakos Chatzipentidis, shows the wealth of history and achievements of psychology in Poland. This publication was born out of the need to commemorate the extraordinary path of psychology in Wrocław and to pay tribute to the outstanding researchers who have shaped its development.

Monograph recognizes an outstanding researcher for her work in the areas of clinical and health psychology

As part of this monograph, it is worth taking a closer look at one of the chapters of this publication: "Grażyna Dolińska-Zygmunt - pioneer of health psychology in Poland", by Agnieszka Nomejko and Małgorzata Włodarczyk. The article presents the figure of Professor Grażyna Dolińska-Zygmunt, our lecturer, describing her as one of the most important figures in Wroclaw psychology oraz an outstanding researcher in the fields of clinical and health psychology. Her scientific achievements have significantly influenced the development of these fields in Poland. Prof. Dolińska-Zygmunt was affiliated with the Institute of Psychology at the University of Wrocław since the 1970s, moving through successive levels of her academic career, from student and assistant to professor and head of the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology.

Grażyna Dolińska-Zygmunt as a pioneer of health psychology in Poland

 The authors highlight her role as a pioneer of health psychology in Poland. A key achievement was the editing and publication of a textbook "Elements of Health Psychology" (1996), which was published in an updated version in 2001 as "Fundamentals of health psychology". This publication became the foundation of the then developing health psychology in Poland.

2001 also saw the publication of her habilitation monograph "Subjective determinants of health-promoting behaviour', who brought a new and original approach to research on health-seeking behaviour. Prof. Dolińska-Zygmunt's research has focused on a broad spectrum of issues, including psychological determinants of health, psychological well-being, quality of life and risk factors for civilisation diseases. She has also made important contributions to research on sexual satisfaction. Prof. Dolińska-Zygmunt was also a valued mentor and educator, training successive generations of researchers, promoting numerous doctoral and master's students.

The chapter by Agnieszka Nomejko and Małgorzata Włodarczyk shows how the scientific activity of Prof. Grażyna Dolińska-Zygmunt played a key role in the development of health psychology in Poland, and her publications continue to inspire contemporary researchers and practitioners. We invite you to read this chapter to learn more about the profile and momentous contribution of one of the most important figures in Polish clinical and health psychology, who for years co-founded the Wrocław scientific centre.

Link to monograph: https://repozytorium.uni.wroc.pl/Content/141567/PDF/Wrocławska psychology. People and ideas.pdf

Family patterns and adulthood - meet the new book co-authored by our lecturer Dr Anna Paluszak

A book entitled. "Entangled in family patterns. How childhood influences adult life", authored by Jack Rydlewski, M.A., and Anna Paluszak, Ph. (our full-time lecturer).

Therapeutic parenting - book description

Being a parent is difficult. Although we try with all our might to provide for our children what we did not have ourselves, the results of our efforts are very often far from expectations. This is because no one teaches us how to become a guardian and guide for a child. What we do know is our own homes, the places where we grew up. And things were not always rosy there.

Is it possible to escape the vicious circle of inheriting family patterns, problems and traumas? Yes, it is. Each of us has a tool that really helps. That tool is the systemic perspective presented in this book in a conversation between two experienced therapists - Anna Paluszak and Jacek Rydlewski. Think of this guide as a map on which to find yourself easily, identify your main difficulties and their causes. It will give you concrete guidance on what direction to take and what steps to take to restore peace in your family.

Find the key to healing relationships and changing toxic patterns. Learn about systemic therapy in practice!

Anna Paluszak For more than ten years she taught psychology at the Universities of: Wrocław and Zielona Góra. She has been working as a psychotherapist for five years, remaining in supervision. As a psychologist, she supports people before and after undergoing bariatric surgery, as well as patients with endometriosis. She was the originator and co-host, together with Jacek Rydlewski, of a series of talks on relationship problems; the half-hour programmes were broadcast in 2016-2017 on Wrocław's Academic Radio Luz under the common title "Związki na luzie" and were very popular with listeners.

The economics of motivation in uniform - new article under the affiliation of the School of Vocational Training

How to motivate soldiers effectively? The authors seek the answer to this question the latest scientific articlewhich has just been published by the Upper Silesian Academy Publishing House. The text, entitled. "The Importance of Economic Motivation Tools in Shaping the Attitudes of Uniformed Services Personnel Using the Example of the Army" was prepared by Ewa Chomać-Pierzecka from the Vocational Training College and Stefan Dyrka from the Wojciech Korfanty Upper Silesian Academy in Katowice.

Analysis of the incentive system in uniformed structures

Serving in structures focused on the implementation of security and defence activities requires specific competences - not only knowledge and skills, but above all commitment to the mission. This action largely depends on the level of personal motivation, which is shaped by the value system and support tools used by the organisation.

The specific nature of Armed Forces institutions shapes a unique model of organisational behaviourwhich determine the ability to perform the assigned functions. At the same time, this model determines the scope of competences to be need military services, posing specific challenges to the human resources management system.

The article therefore addresses a key issue in maintaining the organisational efficiency of the military in the modern state. The authors point to the role of the organisational culture of military formations and analyse in detail the impact of motivational tools - particularly economic ones - on the attitudes, commitment and identity of Polish Army soldiers.

The researchers attempted to assess motivational practices in the military based on the literature and the results of their own research. The aim of the study was to show how the motivational system affects the effectiveness and readiness of uniformed personnel - both individually and organisationally. We encourage you to readings:

Report after the conference 'President of the Republic of Poland: Campaign, Elections, Political Position"

New technologies bring great potential for the democratisation of the electoral process, but also new challenges that are not yet fully recognised by the legislator. Internet voting, social media campaigns or the targeting of selected content to specific individuals are issues that need to be regulated, conference participants pointed out 'The President of the Republic: Campaign, Elections, Political Position'.

Our University co-organises the conference

The conference was organised by: Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring and University College of Professional Education in Wrocław. Experts - constitutionalists, political scientists and representatives of public life - discussed the role of the president in the Polish political system, the transparency of the election campaign, the impact of new technologies on elections and many other issues related to the competences of the head of state. The conference was held 13 May, moderated by Dr Kamil Stępniak, President of the Board of the Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring. The Law.pl service was a media patron of the event.

Protection of the presidential election - identification of the most important provisions and risks by an expert of the JCCC

Dr Damian Wąsik, an expert in criminal law from the Higher School of Vocational Training in Wrocław, discussed the criminal law protection of presidential elections. He cited historical examples of fraud from the interwar period, viz:

• bringing ballot papers to be consecrated in church;
• stamping bread with election slogans;
• satirical chants suggesting election rigging.

The speaker recalled that we have an entire chapter in the Criminal Code dedicated to offences against elections. This inter alia. articles relating to:

• falsification of electoral documents;
• giving false data in order to obtain the right to vote;
• violation of the secrecy of the vote;
• agitation offences, especially on voting day.

In addition to the Penal Code, there are also relevant provisions in:

• the Electoral Code, which provides for inter alia. liability for violating the silence of the electorate or conducting illegal canvassing;
• Act on referendums and certain special laws.

The speaker pointed out that the most serious electoral offences are falsification of voting results, pressure on voters, vote buying or obstruction of voting.

"A very worrying phenomenon is also the organisation of so-called electoral transports, i.e. the transportation of organised groups of voters by committees which, one could say, 'invest' in certain local communities - in order to force a certain electoral result. These practices, although sometimes difficult to prove, can bear the hallmarks of a violation of the principle of free and equal elections, he stressed. He pointed out that there are also situations involving violations of the secrecy of the vote - such as when a third party accompanies a voter to the booth or when a voter is instructed on how to vote."

"I would also like to mention media crimes, i.e. those involving canvassing conducted illegally - for example, during the electoral silence, or using misleading material, such as false information about candidates. We have had cases where manipulated material was published on the eve of the election to discourage people from voting for a particular candidate. And although formally it is sometimes difficult to attribute them to specific individuals, the disinformation effect remains," the speaker said.

Dr Damian Wąsik He also pointed out that all such cases violate citizens' trust in electoral institutions.

Silent destruction in the company. Does bullying block innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises?

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the foundation of the Polish economy, having a significant contribution to GDP creation - 28.2% for micro-enterprises and 17.1% for small and medium-sized companies respectively (according to the Polish Entrepreneurship Agency report, 2024). Unfortunately, these values are lower than a year earlier, which experts explain by the effects of the pandemic and dynamic economic and technological changes.

The SME sector, despite its limited resources, plays an important role in the innovation process - as many as one third of companies with 10 to 49 employees and half of medium-sized companies (50-250 employees) are active in innovation. However, success is not determined solely by financial outlay, but also - and perhaps above all - organisational climate and psychological factors: team creativity, level of commitment, work culture and management style.

Why does the working environment matter for innovation?

As the ICAN Institute points out, companies wishing to stay in the market should take special care of three pillars: organisational culture, leadership i employee involvement. It is these elements that create the space for growth and creativity that underpin innovation in SMEs.

The problem remains the phenomenon of the so-called ''green'. quiet quitting, i.e. quiet withdrawal - employees perform only the bare minimum, forgoing commitment and initiative. According to the report State of the Global Workplace As many as 72% of employees in Europe are in the process, and 15% openly manifests a lack of motivation. In extreme cases there is a phenomenon of revenge quitting, i.e. demonstrative departures in response to toxic conditions - often being the effect of mobbing.

Bullying - a threat to stability and the development of innovation

Bullying not only lowers morale and increases staff turnoverbut can completely stifle innovation processes in an organisation. In the SME sector, where every highly qualified employee has a real impact on the development of the company, Creating a working environment based on trust and cooperation is becoming a necessity.

It was these challenges, determinants and consequences that Dr Marika Szymanska, Director of the Institute of Management and Quality Sciences, and Mehmet Omurlu, M.Sc., Programme Director of the Management and Business Psychology course at the College of Vocational Training, discussed at the online conference. "Bullying as a destructive aspect of the working environment". Experts agreed that understanding the impact of workplace atmosphere on innovation is no longer just a question of ethicsbut a real business need for the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector.

Dr Mariusz Michalski - Assistant Professor at the College of Professional Training on the challenges of modern forensic science

23 April 2025 Dr Mariusz Michalski, Assistant Professor at the University of Vocational Training in Wrocław, took part as a speaker in the Third National Scientific Conference entitled "Forensic science and the changing reality of crime scenes". The event, organised in a remote format by the Academy of Applied Sciences in Radom in cooperation with the Regional Police Headquarters in Radom, brought together a large number of academics, representatives of the uniformed services and crime practitioners.

Speech by Dr Mariusz Michalski - analysis and reflections

In his speech entitled "'Exclusion of criminal liability in the use or application of direct coercive measures by police officers - some reflections', Dr Michalski carried out a thorough analysis of the statutory counter-narratives that exclude the criminal liability of Police, Border Guard and Military Police officers.

A special place in his lecture was given to the changes introduced by the amendment of the law of 24 May 2013 on means of direct coercion and firearms. Dr Michalski discussed the implications of these changes, pointing out potential violations of the rules on the use of coercive measures. His speech received a lot of attention due to the topicality of the issues raised and their relevance to the practice of the uniformed services.

Forensic science and changing realities - the importance of sharing experience

The conference has become an important space for the exchange of experience between theory and practice. Participants emphasised the need to continuously adapt forensic methods to dynamic social, technological and legal changes. Such events strengthen collaboration between academics and practitioners, enabling a more effective response to the challenges of modern crime.

Cooperation without borders: Professor Soboń and Dr Seleznova at the conference in Szymkent

We would like to inform you that on 22 April this year. Professor Janusz Soboń and Dr. Ruslana Seleznova took part in the International Student Scientific and Practical Conference held in the city of Shymkent, Republic of Kazakhstan.

Together with the lecturers National University of Biological Resources and Natural Economy of Ukraine (Kyiv) prepared student papers on current topics related to the digital economy. Professor Janusz Soboń and Dr Ruslana Seleznova acted as research supervisors for the students as part of the joint international scientific project Poland-Ukraine-Kazakhstan.

Professor Soboń and Dr Seleznova also express their hope for further development of international academic cooperation and invite Polish students to actively participate in scientific activities together with students from other countries.

Silence and loyalty in the uniformed services. Psychosocial mechanisms of victims' failure to report bullying - conference findings

There is a strong culture of loyalty and so-called 'conspiracy of silence' among uniformed services such as the police, border guards and firefighters. As a result of this phenomenon, officers rarely decide to report mobbing, as they fear exclusion from their environment, professional consequences and social stigmatisation. About covert psychological violence in the services during the conference on 23 April 2025, spoke Dr Rafał Guzowski, lecturer and programme director Institute for Homeland Security and Criminology.

Bullying - hidden violence in uniform

Bullying is not just a one-off conflict - it is systematic, long-term psychological harassment in the workplace. It manifests itself through humiliation, ridicule, criticism or obstruction of duties. In the services, where discipline and hierarchy play a key role, distinguishing between command and violence can be difficult - but necessary.

Why are the victims silent?

In his paper, Dr Rafał Guzowski from the University of Vocational Training in Wrocław analysed the complex web of psychosocial conditions that cause officers not to report violence. These include:

• shame, guilt and the need to belong;
• fear of losing one's position, entitlements or even one's job;
• disbelief in the effectiveness of the support system;
• strong pressure to "be tough" and avoid "complaints";
• an organisational culture that prizes loyalty to the group, not to values.

What does the research show?

Surveys among police officers in the Lubelskie Voivodeship showed that:

• 30% experienced verbal aggression;
• 17% received absurd tasks in a systematic way.

In turn, a 2014 Interior Ministry report revealed that:

• Over 40% women in the uniformed services felt discriminated against on the basis of gender, maternity plans or lack of availability outside working hours.

Bullying as the theme of an international conference

This topic was further discussed during the international scientific conference organised by our University and entitled 'The European Union.
"Bullying as a destructive aspect of the work environment"..

This event, aimed at representatives of various professions - not just the uniformed services - addressed the universal issues of bullying:

• How do you recognise the first signs of psychological violence?
• What are its implications for individuals and organisations?
• How to prevent and respond effectively?

Renowned experts from Poland and abroad shared their knowledge, and the conference provided a space for the exchange of experiences, reflections and proposals for viable solutions.

Conclusions

Silence is not the absence of violence - it is the result of it. Loyalty, which is intended to protect the common good, is unfortunately sometimes a tool of intimidation and exclusion. If bullying is operating in the institutions set up to protect society, we must ask a fundamental question: Who protects those who are supposed to protect us?