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Summaries
ADVANCES
IN THE
A. A. Nikolskaya, L. A. Radzikhovsky
Principal
stages in the evolution of the Soviet developmental and educational psychology
are presented in chronological succession. Main results obtained by Soviet
psychologists in the above fields are given as well as leading methodological
principles on which corresponding researches have been based. Urgent problems
which are to be resolved in the nearest future are also discussed in some
detail.
DEVELOPMENT
OF PERSONALITY AND THE PROBLEM OF THE LEADING ACTIVITY
A. V. Petrovsky
The
concept of "the leading activity" constituting basic ontogenetical stages in the development of personality is a
result of the unlawful reduction of the personality development to the
development of psyche, and of the development of psyche — to the development of
cognitive processes. Comprehensive and harmonious development of personality
can not be determined only by a "leading activity".
Historical-psychological analysis makes it possible to reveal causes of the
above-mentioned double reduction.
STUDY
OF TOLERANCE TO DIFFICULT SITUATIONS AS A FEATURE IN THE PERSONALITY OF
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
M. Tyshkowa
Psychological
tolerance to frustrating and stress-inducing factors present in difficult
situations has been experimentally studied as a comprehensive causal characteristic
of personality. Behavior of schoolchildren in difficult school-life situations
is discussed both in terms of different manifestations of the above
characteristics, and in terms of the interpersonal scheme suggested by the
author. Some pedagogical recommendations are given concerning adequate means of
revealing the manifestations under study, means of reduction of the undesirable
stress-inducing factors, and means of constructive manipulation of the latter
with the view to promote the growth of desirable personality features.
EFFECTS
OF METHODS AND FORMS OF TEACHING ON INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS OF
VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOLS
A. B. Batarshev
It has been
experimentally proved that 1) teaching methods of higher levels of problematicity (heuristic, research-oriented, etc.) provide
more favourable conditions for promotion of
intellectual development than such methods as explanatory-instructional,
reproductive, etc.; 2) unlike the ordinary school in vocational-training
schools (VTS) it is more fruitful to use such teaching methods as
lessons-lectures, lessons-talks, excursions to all kinds of production works;
3) in VTS where students significantly differ in the scope of acquired
intellectual skills and in the capacity for self-regulation group methods of
instructional work are especially effective.
RSYCHOLOGICAL
PECULIARITIES OF THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION OF A FOREMAN IN A VOCATIONAL
TRAINING SCHOOL
T. L. Yadryshnikova
Professional
education of a foreman in a vocational training school includes: 1) learning
the operational structure of the professional activity, 2) acquisition of the professional
motives, and 3) acquisition of the craftsmanship as such. Some indicators of
the professional growth are suggested (objective measures of productivity, level
of professionally significant qualities, level of professional motivation,
self-appraisal of results of one's own activity); their dynamics in the process
of professional study is presented.
WAYS OF
PROMOTING IMAGINATION IN SCHOOLCHILDREN
О. М. Dyatchenko
Several
basic types of imagination in 3-7 years old pre-schoolers
have been experimentally revealed. The data was further used for elaboration of
an educational programme capable of stimulating
imagination in children. The programme is described
in sufficient length. Its application proved efficient in all age groups.
Theoretical analysis of underlying psychological processes is provided.
LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF
DEVELOPMENT OF SOME PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS IN CHILDREN
J. Kotaskova
A brief
critical review of longitudinal studies in developmental psychology is followed
by presentation of the author's own extensive cross-cultural research of this
type (social communication in the "mother — child" unit has been
studied). Results of the study are in conflict with some
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oversimplistic behavioristic
schemes of the process of socialization which assume the same valence of
positive and negative reinforcement in the ontogenesis. It is possible to
conclude therefore that the role of the identification and social imitation
mechanisms in the development of personality and behavior becomes progressively
greater with age.
SOME
ISSUES IN THE LEARNING MOTIVATION OF SCHOOLCHILDREN
V. Hrabal
Motivational
aspects of the "teacher — pupil" interaction are considered. Role of
the teacher in promotion of a system of constructive learning motivation in a
pupil is stressed. Different educational needs of pupils and ways of meeting
them in the process of the interaction are discussed in some detail.
COMPUTERIZATION
OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AS A COMPLEX PROBLEM
L. V. Shenshev
Computerization
of school suggests a) ability to use computers, and b) application of computers
as means of adaptive teaching. An attempt is made to consider both aspects from
the same viewpoint — i. e. in connection with
problems resulting from the psychological irreversibility of compression of imformation in semiotic and algorithmic processes.
Optimistic expectations concerning positive influence of algorithms on mental
development of pupils are questioned by the author; it is pointed out though
that adaptive teaching may neutralize undesirable effects of the information
compression (while inadequate ways of teaching how to use computers may
aggravate them). Particular psychological, semiotic, and technical aspects of
computerization of school are also considered and illustrated.
WAYS TO
INCREASE PUPILS' ACTIVITY AT THE LESSONS ON
“ETHICS
AND PSYCHOLOGY OF THE FAMILY LIFE”
M. I. Nikoliukina
Some
social-psychological methods and devices (particularly — group assessment, role
games, play situations, etc.) have been modified for use in teaching the course
"Ethics and psychology of the family life". The leading idea behind
the integration of the above devices into the teaching process consists in
providing the students with efficient feed-back and thus in assuring deeper
understanding of the subject-matter they have to master.
LANGUAGE
AS A MEANS OF EDUCATION
N. G. Komlev
Among
different channels and means of education language occupies the most prominent
place. Its functions, particularly in relation to interpersonal processes, are
analyzed. Main attention is given to the so-called emancipatory
function of language specifically instrumental in achieving the primary goal of
education — development of a psychologically, socially, and educationally
mature person. From this standpoint some new light is shed on relations between
language and thought, language and behavior. Learning-education role of
contradictions in the instructional material is shown. The article is concluded
by the author with introduction of a concept of a "persona linguistica".
MODULAR
APPROACH TO PSYCHOLOGICA CLASSIFICATION OF PROFESSIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF
VOCATIONAL ORIENTATION
V. E. Gavrilov
A
modular approach is suggested in order to overcome shortages in the existing
classifications of professions used in vocational orientation (undifferentiated
criteria of fitness, inattention to dynamic aspects, etc.). The approach is
based on isolation of typical structural elements in professional occupations.
The latter may be represented as structures composed of a limited number of
standard elements, or modules, of activity having distinct psychological
characteristics. Such characteristics are compiled through analysis of psychological
descriptions of professions in corresponding literature.
STUDY
OF THE MOTIVATION FOR REFRESHING TRAINING IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
A. V. Filippov, S. V. Kovaliov
Motives
behind the refreshing training activity of the administrative personnel have
been revealed and classified along several dimensions: subjective value, social
value, stability, relevance, etc. The data obtained must be taken into account
by the organizers of corresponding refresher courses and by the teaching staff.
DIAGNOSTICS
OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING IN SIGNIFICANT RELATIONS
A. A. Kronik, E. A. Khoroshilova
An original
psychological game "Intrigue" is described. The game makes it
possible to reveal : on the spot peculiarities of interpersonal attitudes
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and the nature of mutual understanding between
individuals significant for each other. The game is illustrated by a
psychological consultation case. It is shown how it is possible to reveal
through the game the degree of perceptiveness, sincerity and trust of the spouses
in their relations with each other.
SELECTIVITY
IN THE USE OF COMPUTERS
G. A. Adashanskaya, D. M. Ramendik. О. К. Tikhomirov
Users'
selective employment of computers has been studied on the material of logical
problems differing in the degree of complexity. The work in the "man —
computer" dialogue condition is found to be most effective when solving
problems of medium and high complexity and when the general emotional attitude
to the help from a computer is positive; however the process of solving
especially difficult problems exhausts the user. Efficiency in the employment
of computers must be assessed not only by temporal criteria and the number of
correct answers but also by the penetration into the content and into the
performance of the task.
FORMING
PROFESSIONAL ORIENTATION IN STUDENTS BY MEANS OF OPTIMIZATION OF THE LEADERSHIP
STRUCTURE IN THEIR GROUPS
Т. М. Shcheglova
Dynamics
of the interaction between the leader and other students in student groups in
relation to the system of professional values has been studied. Some conditions
for effective influence on the part of the leader on learning and professionalization motivation in the members of his group
have been established. Some psychological-pedagogical recommendations are
offered concerning organization and proper control over the leadership and
administration processes in student groups.
STUDY
OF SOME GROUP PROMISES BY THE METHOD OF FIXED SET
N. I. Sardzhveladze
Social
influence effects have been studied under conditions of double adaptation, i. e. when social pressure on a subject (from either a
social majority or a minority) meets a counterbalancing inner factor — the
fixed perceptual set. It is shown how the two factors interplay in particular
cases to produce different social-psychological effects.
A DEVICE
FOR THE STUDY OF MNEMIC PROCESSES
E. S. Rapatsevitch, V. I. Patchinin
The
device is based on a microchip circuitry. It allows the experimenter to study
memory by means of retrospective and prospective reproduction of rows of
different consecutive visual stimuli (letters, digits, geometric figures,
etc.). The device can be used in psychological laboratories and in the
practical work of students dealing with general, developmental, and educational
psychological problems.
AN ATTEMPT
TO DESIGN A METHOD OF STUDYING INTELLECTUAL ACTIVITY IN GRAPHIC ARTS
D. B. Bogoyavlenskaya, T. P. Tiurin
A new
method is suggested for the study of the intellectual activity. It is based on
employment of a material measuring up to requirements to the professional
graphical art which makes it easy for subjects to get adapted to the
experimental situation. The procedure has been tested on a sample of 135
subjects (90 of them — professional artists). It has been experimentally proved
that the procedure is relevant to existing "Creative field" methods.
A
PROCEDURE FOR MEASURING THE COMMUNICATIVE DISTANCE
A. N. Andreyev, M. O. Mdivani, Yu. Ya. Ryzhonkin
A
procedure for the study of informational interaction between group members in
the process of informal communication is suggested. The procedure makes it
possible to establish intensity of the interaction and the ratio between the
reception and transfer components of a communication act. Communicative
structure in a small group is described at three levels — of a group as a
whole, at the interpersonal level, and at that of an individual.
REVERSAL
THEORY AND HUMAN ACTIVITY
M. J. Apter
A new
general theory of motivation and personality known as "reversal
theory" (Apter, 1982) 'is introduced. It is
argued that this theory, although deriving from the work of Western
psychologists, shares a number of features which have come to characterise much of modern Soviet psychology, including use
of the concept of "activity" in exploring both mental and behavioral
processes. Some of the main concepts of the theory are outlined, especially the
notions of bistability (which is contrasted with
homeostasis), metamotivation and metamotivational
reversal, the telic and paratelic systems, and metamotivational dominance. The empirical research
generated by reversal theory is briefly reviewed, as well as some of its
implications for practice.