Psyche- a function of the brain that consists in reflecting objective reality in ideal images, on the basis of which the vital activity of the body is regulated.
Psychology studies that property of the brain, which consists in the mental reflection of material reality, as a result of which ideal images of reality are formed, necessary for regulating the interaction of the body with environment.
The basic concept of psychology is the concept of mental image. Mental image- a holistic, integrative reflection of a relatively independent, discrete part of reality; this is an information model of reality used by higher animals and humans to regulate their life activities.
Mental images ensure the achievement of certain goals, and their content is determined by these goals. Most common property mental images are their adequacy to reality, and the universal function is the regulation of activity.
Mental reflection of the world by a person is connected with his social nature, it is mediated by socially developed knowledge. Animals also have psyche as a reflective ability. But the highest form of the psyche is human consciousness, which arose in the process of social and labor practice. Consciousness is inextricably linked with language and speech. Thanks to consciousness, a person voluntarily regulates his behavior.
Consciousness does not photographically reflect the phenomena of reality. It reveals objective internal communications between phenomena.
Contents of the psyche are ideal images of objectively existing phenomena. But these images arise from different people peculiar.
They depend on past experience, knowledge, needs, interests, mental state, etc. In other words, psyche is a subjective reflection of the objective world. However, the subjective nature of a reflection does not mean that the reflection is incorrect; verification of socio-historical and personal practice provides an objective reflection of the surrounding world.
So, psyche- this is a subjective reflection of objective reality in ideal images, on the basis of which human interaction with the external environment is regulated.
Contents of the psyche includes not only mental images, but also extra-imagery components - general value orientations of the individual, meanings and meanings of phenomena, mental action.
The psyche is inherent in humans and animals. However, the human psyche, as the highest form of psyche, is also designated by the concept of “consciousness”. But the concept of the psyche is broader than the concept of consciousness, since the psyche includes the sphere of the subconscious and superconscious (“Super Ego”).
Psychic reflection is not a mirror, mechanically passive copying of the world (like a mirror or a camera), it is associated with a search, a choice; in mental reflection, incoming information is subjected to specific processing, i.e. mental reflection is an active reflection of the world in connection with some necessity, with needs, it is a subjective selective reflection of the objective world, since it always belongs to the subject, does not exist outside the subject, depends on subjective characteristics. The psyche is a “subjective image of the objective world.”
The psyche cannot be reduced simply to nervous system. Mental properties are the result of the neurophysiological activity of the brain, but they contain the characteristics of external objects, not internal ones. physiological processes, with the help of which the psyche arises. Signal transformations taking place in the brain are perceived by a person as events taking place outside him, in external space and the world. The brain secretes psyche, thought, just as the liver secretes bile. The disadvantage of this theory is that it identifies the psyche with nervous processes, do not see qualitative differences between them.
Psychic phenomena correlate not with a separate neurophysiological process, but with organized sets of such processes, i.e. psyche is a systemic quality of the brain, realized through multi-level functional systems brain, which are formed in a person in the process of life and his mastery of historically established forms of activity and experience of mankind through his own active activity. Thus, specifically human qualities (consciousness, speech, work, etc.), the human psyche are formed in a person only during his lifetime, in the process of assimilating the culture created by previous generations. Thus, the human psyche includes at least three components: external world, nature, its reflection- full-fledged activity brain - interaction with people, active transmission of human culture and human abilities to new generations.
Mental reflection is characterized by a number of features:
- it makes it possible to correctly reflect the surrounding reality, and the correctness of the reflection is confirmed by practice;
- the mental image itself is formed in the process of active human activity;
- mental reflection deepens and improves;
- ensures the appropriateness of behavior and activity;
- refracted through a person’s individuality;
- is anticipatory.
At the stage of elementary sensitivity, the animal reacts only to individual properties objects of the external world and its behavior is determined by innate instincts (nutrition, self-preservation, reproduction, etc.). At the stage of objective perception, reflection of reality is carried out in the form of holistic images of objects and the animal is able to learn, individually acquired behavioral skills appear.
Stage III of intelligence is characterized by the animal’s ability to reflect interdisciplinary connections, to reflect the situation as a whole; as a result, the animal is able to bypass obstacles and “invent” new ways to solve two-phase problems that require preliminary preparatory actions for their solution. The intellectual behavior of animals does not go beyond the scope of biological needs and operates only within the limits of a visual situation.
Human psyche- better quality high level than the psyche of animals (Homo sapiens - Homo sapiens). Consciousness and the human mind developed in the process of labor activity, which arises out of necessity, the implementation of joint actions to obtain food when sudden change living conditions primitive man. And although the specific biological and morphological characteristics of humans have been stable for 40 thousand years, the development of the human psyche occurred in the process of labor activity. Thus, the material, spiritual culture of humanity is an objective form of embodiment of achievements mental development humanity.
In progress historical development society, a person changes the ways and techniques of his behavior, transforms natural inclinations and functions into higher mental functions - specifically human, socio-historically determined forms of memory, thinking, perception (logical memory, abstract-logical thinking), mediated by the use of aids, speech signs created in the process of historical development. The unity of higher mental functions forms human consciousness.
The emergence of a living being's own activity (including response, i.e. reactive) opens up new opportunities for interaction with surrounding objects, presented to the subject of activity as objects in the field of his action (useful or harmful). Now Living being may strive to provide intentional physical contact with certain objects (for example, food) or avoid physical contact with objects dangerous to living things. The possibility arises of moving from a chance encounter with an object to a deliberate search for an object or avoiding physical contact with it. This search activity is not caused by external factors, but internal reasons a living being, its life tasks (needs).
In other words, the task arises of determining the presence and location in space of the desired object and distinguishing it as different from other objects.
Help in solving this problem can be the ability of objects to directly come into physical contact with living objects, independently emit some energy or reflect external radiation, i.e. the energy of any intermediary (for example, radiation from the Sun and other luminous objects, sound and ultrasonic radiation, etc.). In this case, a living creature often generates energy flows itself (ultrasound, electromagnetic field, etc.). These radiations, reflected from objects, begin to bear the signs of these objects and can come into contact with the sensory organs of living beings before there is actual physical contact between the objects and the living being, i.e. remotely. But biological reflection, which can only create a signal of impact on a living being, provides information only about the presence of a source of physical (chemical) impact in the environment. It often cannot indicate either the direction or location of the influencing object in the field of action of a living being, or the shape and size of the object. We need a new form of reflection. The possibility of its appearance is determined by the ability nerve tissue to the transformation of biological signals (biocurrents) into subjective feelings (experiences or states). It must be assumed that nerve impulses, due to the characteristics of nerve cells, can be transformed into the subjective states of the living being itself, i.e. into light, sound, heat and other sensations (experiences).
Now we have to understand the following.
- 1. How does this transformation of nerve impulses into subjective experiences occur and what features do they differ from? nerve cells to give subjective states (experiences)?
- 2. Does subjective experience remain only the state of a living being or is it capable of separating the bearer of the experience and the external world? If subjective experience (state) is initially unable to separate the subject and the external world, then what is the mechanism of such separation and how is it formed?
- 3. What is the participation of subjective feelings (the result of the transformation of nerve impulses) in ensuring the localization of the desired object constructed by the subject in space? How is this subjective space created? How are the direction and location of an object determined? How is the image of an object generally constructed, i.e. an object as a representative of an object, based on subjective feeling?
Not all the answers are visible to us today, but without them the value of ideas about the transformation of biological signals into subjective states (feelings) turns out to be small. We know that the ability for subjective experiences (states) as feelings, which emerged in evolution, is somehow involved in providing a living being with information about the shape, size and location of the desired object in space, its movements and other properties. To explain these processes, we are forced to enter the realm of assumptions that have only partial grounds for their confirmation or do not have them at all.
Today we know quite definitely how the primary traces of interaction in the senses are formed. It is known in more or less detail how the secondary transformation of primary traces into biological impulses occurs (for example, into nerve impulses from the organs of hearing, vision, temperature and tactile receptors, etc.). But we do not know the mechanism for transferring (transforming) nerve impulses into a subjective state. We do not know what is the mechanism of separation in the generated images of the state of a living being and information about the external world.
On the other hand, we understand that subjective feeling (sound, for example) and air vibrations are not the same thing. The first remains a signal external event, although isomorphic to it. But we also understand that behind the ability of an object to consistently reflect light in the green spectrum (or red, yellow, etc.) lies the constant objective quality of the object itself. Therefore, although the subjective experience of the color of a wave of electromagnetic radiation affecting the body is only a signal, a symbol of external influence, the sensation of the color of an object is a reflection of the objective property of the object. And when we receive three different subjective experiences from the same object—brilliance in the light, slipperiness in the tactile sensation, and cold in the temperature sensation—we understand that these are three different descriptions the same quality of an object - its smoothness. Here feelings begin to perform the functions of a language for describing reality that exists outside of us, becoming a sensory language in which we (living beings) try to describe the external world for ourselves. This means that subjective experiences and sensations are the result of two various processes: the first arise as a transformation of bioimpulses, and the second are constructed by the subject of perception as the simplest images of objects.
At the same time, we must remember one more function of subjective experiences - on their basis and with their help, a living being discovers objects located in space, i.e. the subject field in which it operates. Today we can only describe how this process is built in the most general view or, conversely, in individual small details that do not give big picture the formation of what is called the image of an object, the image of a situation and the image of the world, i.e. what is called a mental image.
Let's take a general look at how the visual image of objects is formed in order to see those unresolved problems that still exist in analysis mental reflection. Let us recall our reflection scheme (Fig. 2.4).
Rice. 2.4.
The first stage is physical reflection. But now object A and object B interact not directly, directly, but through an intermediary. An intermediary C appears - a light source. Light interacts with object A (table) and, reflected from it already changed (C + a), falls on the human eye. The structures of the eye interact with light, and we get the primary traces of light (C + a) on the retina (1). Further, these primary traces are transformed into spikes of nerve impulses (2) traveling along optic nerve through the subcortical nuclei to the occipital parts of the cerebral cortex. Reaching the primary visual fields of the brain, nerve impulses are transformed into light sensation (3). But normally, as is known, in this situation we see not light, but table A (4), occupying specific place in space. A natural question arises: “Where did the table come from, if the eye interacted only with light and traces of light, and not the table, were transformed in the brain? Where to look for the solution to this riddle - the eye deals with light, and we see the table?!”
The first thing inquisitive readers noticed: the eye deals not just with light, but with traces of the interaction of light with the table. After such an interaction, the light reflected from the table changes: in its spectrum, in the direction and location of the rays in space and other indicators. So objectively, in the traces of interaction between light and the table there is information about the table. But according to the laws of transformation of traces, the image of a table as a three-dimensional object located in space cannot arise. A picture of color spots with a certain contour may be formed, but not an image of a table, i.e. vision of an object taking its place in space. What makes a transformed subjectively experienced picture a visible space with three-dimensional objects? In other words, we must ask ourselves the question: “How, through what mechanisms and methods does visual subjective feeling (as a subjective state, as a visual picture) Once again transforms into a visible object space, where desirable and undesirable objects are located?" There can be only one answer - in no way and in no way can this subjective picture turn into an image of an object. Today, the only answer similar to the truth is the recognition of such a mechanism as the own directed activity of the living a being that constructs images of the objective conditions of its behavioral space, i.e., representing the visible external world to the subject; activity that “stretches” the visual sensory picture into the visible spatial field of adaptive activity and creates in it images of physical objects as objects of needs or reference points. objects appear before the subject of activity only when adaptive behavior creates the need for the subject of activity to discover the objective conditions of his behavioral space. In other words, the psyche as a discovery for the subject of his zero actions is initially included in the activity of a living being as a necessary link, as. component adaptive behavior, which was noted by I.M. Sechenov, S.L. Rubinshtein and A.N. Leontiev.
Since, along with response activity to interaction with objects of the world, a living being has the ability to search initiative, i.e. activity coming from himself, we can assume that this search activity and special additional activity ensure the creation of images of objects in the spatial field of action of a living being. Somehow, the response activity of a living creature is also involved in constructing the image of the situation - its behavior, which takes into account the presence of a real object and its properties. In other words, to form a sample of an objective spatial field of action, a special activity of a living creature is required, i.e. special interaction with the environment. We still don’t know very well how this process of mental reflection occurs, but we have a lot of evidence that without the own activity of a living being, aimed at building an image of the situation (i.e., the objective field of the subject’s action), the opening of a behavioral space with objects is not formed. Mental reflection, as we see, corresponds to its own type of interaction with the world.
This position remains true not only for the simple situation of constructing a spatial image of an object, but also for more complex cases of acquiring ready-made knowledge (learning) and constructing a picture of the world (science). Without one's own active work, a student or scientist will not be successful. A natural question arises about the nature of this special activity. For now, the answer to this question is only speculative.
A living being is an active being. It maintains its existence without any external reasons, having a program for renewing itself (i.e., a program of self-construction), for the implementation of which appropriate external and internal conditions. This initially existing activity of a living being in evolution is transformed into external motor activity and into activity in the internal plane, generated on the basis of subjective states as feelings and images of the objective conditions of the behavioral space. Activity is manifested primarily in responses adaptive reactions, in research initiative behavior and in adaptive behavior to satisfy various needs (life tasks) of a living being.
Since, as we see, the image of objects and the situation as a whole is impossible without the independent activity of a living being, we must assume that primary activity penetrates into the sphere of subjective experiences. It manifests itself not only in the movements of the whole body, limbs and sensory organs, “feeling” the object, but also in special activity in terms of subjective phenomena. It is precisely this kind of activity that the great G. Helmholtz could designate when analyzing perceptions as “unconscious inference.” Evaluating the results of its directed interaction with an object, a living being builds an image of the object of its field of action on the basis of subjective states (feelings) of certain modalities.
With this understanding of mental reflection, a serious question arises about the content of the concept “psyche”. What is considered psyche? A subjective state (experience as a feeling), an image of an object, or all together?
The answer is not easy to give, and it cannot be unambiguous.
We have established that on the basis of mental reflection, it is no longer a response that takes place, but behavior - a complexly constructed activity of a living being, delayed in time from the primary interaction, deciding its life problems, often initiated by the living being itself.
Biological reflection serves the reactions of a living being, and complex behavior that lasts over time, with the achievement of intermediate results, can only be based on mental reflection, which provides knowledge about the conditions of behavior and regulates behavior.
Understanding the psyche as one of the forms of reflection allows us to say that the psyche does not appear in the world unexpectedly, as something unclear in nature and origin, but is one of the forms of reflection and has its analogues in the living and inanimate world (physical and biological reflection). Mental reflection can be considered as the transformation of secondary traces into a subjective state (experience), and on its basis the construction by the subject of activity of an objective spatial image of the action field. We see that the basis of mental reflection is the primary interaction with the outside world, but for mental reflection a special additional activity of a living being is needed to construct images of objects in the field of the subject’s behavior.
We have already talked about how, above the primary traces of the interaction of objects (energy flows and objects), which we can consider as a physical reflection, a biological reflection is built on in the form of primary traces of interaction with the outside world transformed into the own processes of a living being and in the form of adequate responses body.
Traces of primary interaction transformed into nerve impulses are further transformed into subjective states (sensory experiences) of external influences. This subjective form of reflection becomes the basis for the discovery of the objective field of action of a living being, acting adequately in this objective space taking into account the properties of objects, or, in other words, on the basis of subjective images of objects and the situation as a whole.
It is clear that images of objects and situations can be attributed to mental reflection. But the question arises about the subjective experience itself as feeling. Can it be attributed to a psychic reflection or should it be isolated? special form– subjective reflection (experience), which is not the psyche? To answer this question, we need to consider the concept of the psyche in more detail.
- Spinoza B. (1632–1677) – Dutch materialist philosopher.
- Spinoza B. Ethics // Selected works. T. 1. M., 1957. P. 429.
- Right there.
- Spinoza B. Ethics // Selected works. T. 1. M., 1957. P. 423.
Psychology as a science
I. Definition of psychology as a science
Psychologyis the science of mental processes, mental states and mental properties of an individual. She studies the patterns of development and functioning mental activity person.
II. The concept of the psyche. Fundamentals of mental function. Features of mental reflection.
Psyche -this is a property of highly organized living matter, which consists in the subject’s active reflection of the objective world, in the subject’s construction of an inalienable picture of this world and the regulation of behavior and activity on this basis
1) psyche is a property only of living matter; 2) main feature psyche lies in the ability to reflect the objective world.
2. Psychic reflection– this is: 1) an active reflection of the world; 2) during mental reflection, incoming information is subjected to specific processing, and on its basis psychic is created , i.e. subjective in nature and idealistic (immaterial) in nature image, which, with a certain degree of accuracy, is a copy of material objects of the real world; 3) it's always subjective selective reflection of the objective world , since it always belongs to the subject, does not exist outside the subject, depends on subjective characteristics.
| The psyche is a subjective image of the objective world. |
Mental reflection is not a mirror, mechanically passive copying of the world (like a mirror or a camera), it is associated with a search, a choice; in mental reflection, incoming information is subjected to specific processing, i.e. mental reflection is an active reflection of the world in connection with some necessity, with needs, it is a subjective selective reflection of the objective world, since it always belongs to the subject, does not exist outside the subject, depends on subjective characteristics. Psyche is a “subjective image of the objective world”.
Mental phenomena are correlated not with a separate neurophysiological process, but with organized sets of such processes, i.e. psyche is a systemic quality of the brain, implemented through multi-level functional systems of the brain, which are formed in a person in the process of life and his mastery of historically established forms of activity and experience of mankind through his own active activity. Thus, specifically human qualities (consciousness, speech, work, etc.), the human psyche are formed in a person only during his lifetime, in the process of assimilating the culture created by previous generations. Thus, the human psyche includes at least three components: external world, nature, its reflection - full-fledged brain activity - interaction with people, active transmission to new generations of human culture, human abilities.
Psychic reflection- this is a universal property of matter, which consists in reproducing the signs, properties and relationships of the reflected object.
Mental reflection is characterized by a number of features:
· it makes it possible to correctly reflect the surrounding reality, and the correctness of the reflection is confirmed by practice;
· the mental image itself is formed in the process of active human activity;
· mental reflection deepens and improves;
· ensures the appropriateness of behavior and activity;
· refracted through a person’s individuality;
· is anticipatory in nature.
The most important function of the psyche is regulation of behavior and activity, thanks to which a person not only adequately reflects the surrounding objective world, but has the ability to transform it in the process of purposeful activity. The adequacy of human movements and actions to the conditions, tools and subject of activity is possible only if they are correctly reflected by the subject.
III. Properties of the psyche (mental reflection).
1. Activity. Mental reflection is not mirror-like, not passive, it is associated with the search and choice of methods of action adequate to the conditions, it is active process.
2. Subjectivity.Other a feature of mental reflection is its subjectivity: it is mediated by a person's past experiences and personality. This is expressed primarily in the fact that we see one world, but it appears differently for each of us.
3. Objectivity. At the same time, mental reflection makes it possible to build an “internal picture of the world” that is adequate to objective reality, and here it is necessary to note one more property of the mental - its objectivity. Only through correct reflection is it possible for a person to understand the world around him. The criterion for correctness is Practical activities, in which mental reflection is constantly deepening, improving and developing.
4. Dynamism. The process called mental reflection tends to undergo significant changes over time. The conditions in which an individual operates change, and the approaches to transformation themselves change. We should not forget that each person has distinct individual characteristics, your own desires, needs and desire for development.
5. Continuity. Mental reflection is a continuous process.
6. Anticipatory character. One more important feature mental reflection is his anticipatory character it makes possible anticipation in human activity and behavior, which allows decisions to be made with a certain time-spatial advance regarding the future.
IV. Structure of the human psyche (forms of mental reflection).
Usually there are three large groups of mental phenomena, namely: 1) mental processes, 2) mental states, 3) mental properties.
1. Mental processes – dynamic reflection of reality in various forms mental phenomena. A mental process is the course of a mental phenomenon that has a beginning, development and end, manifesting itself in the form of a reaction.
1) Cognitive mental processes: sensation and perception, representation and memory, thinking and imagination;
2) Emotional mental processes: active and passive experiences;
3) Strong-willed mental processes: decision, execution, volitional effort, etc.
2. Mental state – a relatively stable level of mental activity, which manifests itself in increased or decreased activity of the individual.
Mental states are of a reflex nature: they arise under the influence of the situation, physiological factors, progress of work, time and verbal influences (praise, blame, etc.).
The most studied are:
1) general mental state, for example attention, manifested at the level of active concentration or absent-mindedness,
2) emotional states, or moods (cheerful, enthusiastic, sad, sad, angry, irritable, etc.).
3) a creative state of personality, which is called inspiration.
3. Mental properties of a person are stable formations that provide a certain qualitative and quantitative level of activity and behavior, typical for a given person.
The highest and most stable regulators of mental activity are personality traits.
Each mental property is formed gradually in the process of reflection and is consolidated in practice. It is therefore the result of reflective and practical activity.
V. Psyche and features of the brain structure.
Left hemisphere has a huge supply of energy and love of life. This is a happy gift, but in itself it is unproductive. The alarming fears of the right obviously have a sobering effect, returning to the brain not only creative abilities, but also the very ability to work normally, and not soar in the empyrean.
Each hemisphere makes its contribution: the right one sculpts an image, and the left one looks for a verbal expression for it, what is lost in this case (remember Tyutchev’s: “A thought expressed is a lie”) and what is gained, as the interaction of the hemispheres occurs when processing the “truth of nature” into “truth” art" (Balzac).
Subject and tasks of psychology.
Psychology is the science of the laws of development and functioning of the psyche. The object of psychology is the psyche. The subject of the study of psychology is, first of all, the psyche of humans and animals, which includes many phenomena. With the help of such phenomena as sensations and perception, attention and memory, imagination, thinking and speech, a person understands the world. Therefore, they are often called cognitive processes.
Other phenomena regulate his communication with people and directly control his actions and actions. They are called mental properties and personality states (these include needs, motives, goals, interests, will, feelings and emotions, inclinations and abilities, knowledge and consciousness).
In addition, psychology studies human communication and behavior
Tasks of psychology:
1. Qualitative study of all mental phenomena.
2. Analysis of all mental phenomena.
3. Study of psychological mechanisms of mental phenomena.
4. Introduction of psychological knowledge into people’s lives and activities.
The connection between psychology and other sciences. Branches of psychology.
It is impossible to understand the psyche and behavior of a person without knowing his natural and social essence. Therefore, the study of psychology is related to human biology, the structure and functioning of the central nervous system.
Psychology is also closely related to the history of society and its culture, since in the formation of human mental functions vital role played by the main historical achievements - tools and sign systems.
Man is a biosocial being; his psyche is formed only within the framework of society. Accordingly, the specifics of the society in which a person lives determines the characteristics of his psyche, behavior, worldview, and social interactions with other people. In this regard, psychology is also connected with sociology.
Consciousness, thinking and many other mental phenomena are not given to a person from birth, but are formed in the process individual development, in the process of upbringing and education. Therefore, psychology is also related to pedagogy.
The following branches of psychology are distinguished:
1) General psychology - studies cognitive and practical activities.
2) Social psychology - studies the interactions between the individual and society
3) Developmental psychology - studies the development of the psyche from the conception of a person to his death. It has a number of branches: child psychology, psychology of adolescents, youth, adults and gerontology. Pedagogical psychology has as its subject the psyche (student and teacher) in conditions educational process(training and education).
4) Labor psychology - examines the psyche in the conditions of work.
5) Psycholinguistics - deals with the study of speech as a type of psyche.
6) Special psychology: oligophrenopsychology, deaf psychology, typhlopsychology.
7) Differential psychology - studies all kinds of differences in the psyche of people: individual, typological, ethnic, etc. 8) Psychometry - comprehends the issues of mathematical modeling of the psyche, problems of measurement in psychology, methods of quantitative analysis of the results of psychological research.
9) Psychophysiology - studies the relationship between the interaction of biological and mental, higher physiology nervous activity and psychology.
Methods of psychology.
The main methods of psychology, like most other sciences, are observation and experiment. Additional ones are introspection, conversation, survey and biographical method. IN Lately Psychological testing is becoming increasingly popular.
Self-observation is one of the first psychological methods. This is the choice of a method for studying mental phenomena, the advantage of which is the ability to directly, directly observe a person’s thoughts, experiences, and aspirations. The disadvantage of the method is its subjectivity. It is difficult to verify the data obtained and repeat the result.
The most objective method is experiment. There are laboratory and natural types of experiment. The advantage of the method: high accuracy, the ability to study facts, not visible to the eye observer, special instruments.
Questionnaires are used in psychology to obtain data from large group subjects. There are open and closed types questionnaires In open-type questionnaires, the answer to the question is formed by the subject himself; in closed-ended questionnaires, subjects must choose one of the options for the proposed answers.
The interview (or conversation) is conducted with each subject separately, and therefore does not provide an opportunity to obtain detailed information as quickly as using questionnaires. But these conversations allow us to record emotional condition a person, his attitude, opinion on certain issues.
There are also various tests. In addition to tests of intellectual development and creativity, there are also tests aimed at studying individual characteristics person, the structure of his personality.
4. The concept of the psyche and its functions.
Psyche is general concept, denoting the totality of all mental phenomena studied by psychology.
There are 3 main functions of the psyche:
Reflection of the influences of the surrounding world
A person’s awareness of his place in the world around him
This function of the psyche, on the one hand, ensures the correct adaptation of a person in the world. On the other hand, with the help of the psyche, a person realizes himself as a person endowed with certain features, as a representative of a particular society, social group, different from other people and in relationships with them, a person’s correct awareness of his personal characteristics helps to adapt to other people, correctly build communication and interaction with them, achieve common goals in joint activities, and maintain harmony in society as a whole.
Regulation of behavior and activity
Thanks to this function, a person not only adequately reflects the surrounding objective world, but has the ability to transform it.
5. Structure of the psyche (mental processes, conditions, properties and neoplasms).
Psyche is a general concept denoting the totality of all mental phenomena studied by psychology
Typically, the following main components are distinguished in the psyche: mental processes; mental neoplasms; mental states; mental properties.
Mental processes are a component of the human psyche that arises and develops in the interaction of living beings with the outside world. Mental processes are caused by external influences natural and social environment, as well as various desires and diverse needs.
All mental processes are divided into cognitive ones. which include sensations, ideas, attention, memory; emotional, which can be associated with positive or negative experiences, volitional, which ensures decision-making and execution.
The result mental processes is the formation of mental formations in the personality structure.
Mental new formations are certain knowledge, skills and abilities acquired by a person throughout life, including during training.
Mental states are phenomena of vigor or depression, efficiency or fatigue. calmness or irritability, etc. Mental conditions arise due to various factors, such as health status, working conditions, relationships with other people.
Based on mental processes and mental states the properties (qualities) of the personality are gradually formed.
Characteristics of mental reflection.
Mental reflection is a correct, true reflection.
Features of mental reflection:
It makes it possible to correctly reflect the surrounding reality;
Mental reflection deepens and improves;
Ensures the appropriateness of behavior and activities;
Has a proactive character
Different for each person
Mental reflection has a number of properties:
– Activity. Mental reflection is an active process.
Subjectivity. This is expressed in the fact that we see one world, but it appears differently for each of us.
Objectivity. Only through correct reflection is it possible for a person to understand the world around him.
Dynamism. That is, the mental reflection has the property of changing.
Anticipatory character. This allows you to make decisions ahead of the future
Psyche– a systemic property of highly organized matter, which consists in the subject’s active reflection of the objective world, in the subject’s construction of a picture of the world that is inalienable from him and self-regulation on this basis of his behavior and activities.
By, consciousness = psyche.
By, consciousness is a small part of the mind, it includes what we are aware of every moment.
. Consciousness is a reflection of objective reality in its separation from the subject’s existing relations to it, i.e. a reflection that highlights its objective, stable properties. In consciousness, the image of reality does not merge with the subject’s experience: in consciousness, what is reflected appears as “what is coming” to the subject. The prerequisites for such reflection are the division of labor (the task of realizing one’s actions in the structure general activities). There is a separation between the motive of the entire activity and the (conscious) goal. separate action. There is a special task to understand the meaning of this action, which has no biological meaning (pr/r.: beater). The connection between motive and goal is revealed in the form of the activity of the human work collective. An objective and practical attitude towards the subject of activity arises. Thus, between the object of activity and the subject there is awareness of the very activity of producing this object.
Specifics of psychological reflection
Reflection is a change in the state of an object, which begins to carry traces of another object.
Reflection forms: physical, biological, mental.
Physical reflection- direct contact. This process is finite in time. These traces are indifferent for both objects (symmetry of interaction traces). According to A.N. Leontiev, destruction occurs.
Biological reflection – special kind interactions - maintaining the existence of an animal organism. Transformation of traces into specific signals. Based on signal transformation, a response occurs. (to the outside world or to yourself). Selectivity of reflection. Hence the reflection is not symmetrical.
Psychic reflection– as a result, an image of the object appears (cognition of the world).
Images– sensual, rational (knowledge about the world).
Features of mental reflection: a) purely subjective education; b) the psychic is a symbol of reality; c) the mental reflection is more or less correct.
Conditions for constructing an image of the world: a) interaction with the world; b) The presence of a reflection organ; c) full contact with society (for a person).