Zhou Zh., Grishina N.V. Goal-setting in the Life space of the Individual: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experience of Representatives of Russian and Chinese Cultures

The relevance of this study lies in the need to better understand how life goals are formed and realized within an individual’s life situation, as well as in the limited development of this issue in phenomenological and cross-cultural research. The aim is to explore the experience of setting and realizing life goals in key life domains among representatives of Russian and Chinese cultures, and to identify the structural characteristics of the personality’s goal system.

The study was conducted using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The empirical basis included semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 participants aged 25 to 38 (M = 27.75) from Russian and Chinese cultural groups. The theoretical framework draws on Lewin’s field theory and contemporary views of goals as a dynamic system.

The results show that life goals function as an integrated, dynamic, and context-dependent system within the individual’s life space. Three structural characteristics were identified: tension, hierarchy, and sequence. Goal setting emerges as a process of continuous coordination between internal needs and perceived situational opportunities and constraints.

These findings suggest that the goal system serves as a mechanism organizing the individual’s interaction with their life situation, reflecting the dynamic unity of the person and their life space, and contributing to cross-cultural research on goal setting.

Key words: goals, goal system, contextuality of goals, life situation, culture

For citation: Zhou, Zh., Grishina, N.V. (2026). Goal-setting in the Life space of the Individual: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experience of Representatives of Russian and Chinese Cultures. New Psychological Research, No. 2, 79–100. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2026_06_02_04