Search

Purpose of the study: to determine the individual psychological characteristics and features of coping with the disease in patients with the first psychotic episode and post-psychotic depression in order to identify targets for subsequent psychosocial interventions. We examined 1112 patients who underwent the first psychotic episode, of which, after the introduction of inclusion/exclusion criteria, two groups were formed in the final design: 243 patients with postpsychotic depression and 119 patients without depression in partial remission. Clinical and psychopathological method with objectification by PANSS, CDSS scales, clinical and psychological method with diagnostics of coping, psychological defense mechanisms, perfectionism and self-stigmatization by standardized questionnaires were used, regression analysis was carried out using the method of multiple linear regression with stepwise inclusion. From the numerical characteristics of the samples, the arithmetic mean was determined with the calculation of the standard error of the mean, standard deviation. Statistically significant results were accepted at the p

The study of psychological defense mechanisms is relevant due to their significance in the development of personality self-regulation as well as their importance in teaching and personal development of high school students and university students. The objective of the study is to identify and compare the features of psychological defense and its dominant communication strategies in high school students and first-year students. The theoretical analysis of the problem showed that it is insufficiently studied. The research hypothesizes that psychological defense of high school students and university students has a similar character, since they can be attributed to the same age group. The study involved high school students of comprehensive schools (n=50, aged 16-17, 30 of them were boys and 20 were girls) and first-year university students (n=100, aged 17-19, 65 of them were boys and 35 were girls) living in the city of Bryansk. To identify the most common types of psychological defense, the “Life Style Index” methodology was used (R. Plutchik, G. Kellerman, H. R. Conte); the study of psychological defense strategies was conducted using the questionnaire “Diagnosis of the dominant strategy of psychological defense in communication” (V. V. Boyko). The obtained data indicate that the manifestation of different types of psychological defense and their dominant communication strategies in the two groups of subjects has a similar character. Statistically signifi cant differences between the indicators (according to the F-test) were not found either, which emphasizes that the subjects belong to the same psychological age – youth. Indeed, the mechanisms of regression and displacement are the center of psychological defense in high school students, and displacement is dominant in university students. The data also show that such psychological defense strategies as placidity and withdrawal (avoidance) prevail in adolescence. The research has revealed significant correlation between non-constructive defense communication strategies and immature, non-adaptive types of psychological defense in high school students and university students. The gathered data contribute to a more complete understanding of the patterns of behavior self-regulation in senior schoolchildren and first-year students. The results can be used in counseling and psychocorrective work of a psychologist, as well as in the process of teaching and personal development of high school students and university students.

Copyright of Bulletin of Ablai Khan KazUIRandWL: Series 'Pedagogical Sciences' is the property of Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations & World Languages and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The specifics of professional burnout of teachers engaged, in addition to their direct pedagogical activities, in the administration of their educational organizations are studied. The relevance of the raised research problem is determined by the significant socio-economic and political changes taking place in the modern education system: its intensive modernization and the introduction of innovative technologies in education have an impact not only on the content side of the educational process but also on its organization. The implementation of these innovations falls on the shoulders of the administrative and managerial personnel of schools, demanding huge emotional, intellectual and mental costs from the latter. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of professional burnout and its symptoms in administrative and managerial personnel of educational organizations in relation to the severity of their psychological defenses and personality motivational profile. The sample was composed of 75 teachers (54 women, 21 men) in the position of school deputy director for studies and educational work. Their administrative work experience in an educational organization ranged from 1 to 23 years, the average age was 37.5 years. The study used a set of valid and reliable psychodiagnostic methods, including The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) Questionnaire by Ch. Maslach and S.E. Jackson (adapted by N.E. Vodopyanova), The Life Style Index (LSI) by R. Plutchik, H. Kellerman and H.R. Conte (adapted by E.S. Romanov and L.R. Grebenshchikov) and Diagnosis of the Motivational Structure of Personality by V. Milman. The correlation analysis revealed that among teachers who additionally occupy in an educational institution, professional burnout is interconnected with the manifestation of psychological defenses of suppression, projection and intellectualization. Also, a relationship was established between professional burnout and a decrease in motivation for communication, general activity, creative activity and social usefulness of activities. The revealed specifics of professional activity and burnout of school deputy directors as well as the characteristics of their strategies for overcoming crisis situations in professional activity under conditions of changes and uncertainties open up opportunities for us to develop and implement programs on preventing professional burnout in this category of teachers and providing psychological support for their professional activities.

The results of a theoretical and empirical study of psychological defenses and coping strategies of behaviour among employees of social service institutions are presented. The following methods were used in diagnostic procedures: “Life style Index” (R. Plutchik, G. Kellerman) and “Methods of coping behavior” (R. Lazarus and S. Folkman). As a result of the study, the respondents revealed the intensity of psychological defenses of the type “intellectualization”, “reactive education”, “denial” and coping strategies “problem solving planning”, “positive reassessment” and “search for social support”. The correlations of psychological defenses and coping strategies of respondents are interpreted. The specific differences of protective-coping behaviour among employees with different professional experience are shown: employees with up to ten years of experience are more inclined to compensated behaviour, and employees with ten years of experience or more – to self-control, a rational approach to solving difficulties, a responsible attitude to what is happening. The results of the study may be useful in the placement of personnel, in career counseling, in the framework of discourses on professional psychology. And further study of psychological defenses and coping strategies will help to understand the specifics of the professional identity of employees of a socionomic profile.

The aim of this paper is to reveal the specifics of spatial perception among the Greeks of the 8th century BC in terms of the mental reconstruction of imaginary mythical space by way of an example of their representation of the spatial direction of the west. The first part of our research is devoted to a consideration of the problem of the perception of the extreme west as a source of danger to the world order and the analysis of mental spatial images performing the function of psychological defense. In the second part of the paper, the opposite qualitative characteristics of the west as mythical space in its interconnection with mythical time are considered. We have thus attempted to demonstrate ambivalence in the perception of the west inherent in people with mythological thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jiamin Li,1,2 Zhenchao Zhong,1,2 Lei Mo1,2 1Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510631, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lei MoSchool of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail molei@m.scnu.edu.cnBackground: Recently, a study revealed that people liked others significantly more than they estimated that others liked them. Thus, the study found that people tended to underestimate how much others liked them, a phenomenon the authors called the Liking Gap. However, the logic and testing of the study existed unclear nature. In order to show whether people underestimate the positivity of impression they left on others, we directly compare the estimate of the impression we left on others with others’ actual impression of us, which make the logic clear. Besides, we explored the new findings with regard to the mechanism of the effect.Methods: Based on this idea, in study 1, we explored whether there is indeed a negative deviation effect in the estimate of the impression people left on others in short interpersonal communication. In study 2, we investigated the potential psychological mechanisms of that effect.Results: In Study 1, the results revealed that people estimated that others liked them significantly less than others actually liked them. That is, a negative deviation effect did occur, and even if people were clear about their liking for others, the effect still existed. In Study 2, we provided evidence that a negative deviation effect existed not just because people are too focused on their own-negative thoughts in conversational performance but rather because people had a psychological defense towards others in their first communication.Conclusion: People significantly underestimate how much they are liked and its reason is that their psychological defense towards others in their initial communication. The results of the study are beneficial for people in social interaction and provide them with new ways of thinking in interpersonal communication and mutual contact.Keywords: impression, negative deviation, negative thoughts, psychological defense

The publication reveals the cause-effect relationships that are the basis of the psychological difficulties in communicating between future teachers and students and also substantiates the importance of using the method of active social psychological training (ASPT) for their professional training, reveals the peculiarities of functioning of “psychological defense”, which has negative impact on pedagogical teaching skills of the future teacher. The article shows that the most important condition for pedagogical professionalism is not only the teachers’ perfect knowledge of their subject but also such qualities as openness, goodwill, empathy, sincerity, ability to accept and understand others. To provide these personal preconditions for pedagogical professionalism, special training is required, which gives more than mastering academic knowledge and obtaining a set of recommendations. The article argues that the formation of the necessary personal qualities in the teacher is a very complex and emotionally rich process. It is noted that only by virtue of the actual emotional experience of the communication situation the future teacher can reach productive conclusions that will contribute to his or her personal development. The psycho-correction work presented in the article is ensured by the method of active social-psychological training (ASPT). Particular attention in the article is paid to the analysis of the integrity of the subject’s psyche in the process of communication, as well as the discovery of unconscious contradictory components that define it as a contradiction. It is argued that helping a subject in the realization of discrepancy (conditioned by “protection”) allows to make a transition into contradictions and thus contributes to personal development. It is noted that the way to this lies through the knowledge of human behavior since it expresses both conscious and unconscious phenomena, reveals the objective contradictions of the phenomena themselves, which are not yet realized. All of the above-mentioned is impossible to implement without scientific management of the process of personality development and timely disclosure of disproportionality, which is characterized by the presence of diverse motivational tendencies in order to help the individual in their awareness and constructive resolution.

Disruptive developments in the field of information and communication technology have enabled malicious actors to turn elements of the digital ecosystem into information weapons in hybrid conflict. Estonia has tackled the new security realm with comprehensive national defence that is built upon understanding that the society itself is object of security and should provide appropriate safeguards and responses. Estonian conceptualisations of national cybersecurity, cyber psychological defence, strategic communications are elaborated in the light of actual seminal threat situations. Analysis of evolvement of the strategic documents guides the recommendations for even deeper blend of the technical cybersecurity culture with value-centric psychological defence and internationalisation of information security situational awareness and planning.

The article considers the adaptive behavior of school-aged children with learning difficulties and communication difficulties. The sample included children with typical development, children with signs of school and social exclusion, as well as children with visual impairments. It was found that the coping strategies of children with learning difficulties focused on externalization and passive avoiding difficulties, unlike social-oriented strategies achievers students. Children with visual impairments less aware and deliberately overcome communication difficulties, unlike their peers with typical development.

This research is focused on studying the types of education, parental attitudes and characteristics of defending strategies in families with pediatric asthma. Families with pediatric asthma have discovered a rigid system of family functioning and an existence of strict familiarly rules and roles. Based on the study results, where the factor analysis was applied, three groups of families with pediatric asthma were defined depending on to what degree the family functioning is violated. The correlation has been found between the characteristics of family functioning and severity of pediatric asthma.

The present article is devoted to the issue of correlation between scholars’ academic achievement and defense mechanisms. A proprietary diagnostic technique of defense mechanisms is described. The application scope of the method is shown: diagnostics of senior pupils' defense mechanisms. The relationship between pupils’ academic achievement and defense mechanisms is analyzed.

A personal history of being the target of biased negative evaluation may lead individuals to habitually divert attention from negative feedback when it is possible to do so. Two studies tested for the first time the hypothesis that people belonging to a stigmatized group (Black students on a predominantly White campus) will, relative to non-stigmatized people, be more likely to engage inmnemic neglect—that is, they will reveal a greater tendency to insulate themselves from the effects of negative self-relevant feedback by means of motivated forgetting. The results of Study 1 supported that hypothesis. In Study 2, priming the concept of egalitarianism reduced the tendency of Black participants to engage in higher levels of mnemic neglect, consistent with the idea that the higher observed levels of mnemic neglect among stigmatized individuals derives from expecting biased, discriminatory responses from other people. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In modern psychological personality theories of defense concept has gained an important role in enabling explain mental and psychosomatic disorders pathogenesis. However, we're missing Lithuanian scientist analyzing the alcohol-dependent expression of self-defense mechanisms and disease remission relationship. More, psychological defense mechanisms considered foreign scientists to study of alcohol-dependent individuals psychological defense revealed an alcoholic in denial. It was found that the occurrence of immature defense, the subjects showed behavioral difficulties and mature psychological defense was associated with better mental health. Aim of the research. This research aims to determine the alcohol-dependent individuals remission duration and defensive mechanisms of expression of the connection. Methods of the research. Data were collected using a life-style index questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0 statistical software package version tailored to the Windows operating system, using the criteria of Friedman; Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearmen correlation coefficient. Choose the Confidence level: p < 0.05 - statistically significant. Confidence level Q=95 percent. Research design. The research was carried out in Kaunas, Alcoholics Anonymous groups, June 2012 -- September, in line with the psychologist's ethical rules, ensuring the anonymity of the persons involved in the investigation and the confidentiality and self-determination to participate in the study Participants of the research. The research included 93 voluntary alcohol dependent (33 women and 60 men) individuals attending Alcoholics Anonymous groups. The age -- from 22 to 69 years: women's average age -- 46 years old, male -- 44 years old. Results and conclusions of the research. For subjects who did not use alcohol to one year, and subjects who did not use alcohol for more than one year, the defense mechanisms expression of hierarchy are different. Faced with alcohol dependence remission rate, weakening the common defense and primitive (regression and reaction formations) defense mechanisms expression. For subjects who did not use alcohol to one year in total defense and immature (denial, reaction formations) and mature (rationalization) defense mechanisms are more strongly expressed than in subjects who did not use alcohol for more than one year [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the mnemic neglect model, people process non-threatening feedback more deeply than threatening feedback. Tests of the model rely on behavior recall as the primary dependent variable. Similar to other research programs in social psychology, little attention has been paid to determining the optimal recall procedure for testing the model and replicating its predicted findings. Four experiments reveal that the results of mnemic neglect studies are significantly affected by recall period length and how recalled behaviors are reported. A few basic principles (e.g., output interference, output primacy as an index of accessibility) can account for these findings. The lessons learned apply not just to mnemic neglect research, but to any investigation of social-cognitive processes utilizing free recall measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to theories of “psychological defense,” humans are motivated to protect themselves against various types of psychological threat, including death awareness, uncertainty, and other inherently anxiety-provoking experiences. Protective mechanisms include strengthening close relationships; maintaining appraisals of self-worth, accomplishment, and agency; and cultivating meaningful views of the world. Thus, defensiveness theories incorporate research from many areas of psychology (e.g., information-processing biases, attitudes, and interpersonal and intergroup relations), to help explain why people think, feel, and act in the diverse ways that they do. Currently, the study of psychological defense is hindered by contradictory empirical results and a proliferation of theories that make very similar predictions. This article examines a cross-section of defensiveness theories and research, highlighting conclusions that can be drawn and areas where conceptual and research problems linger. It suggests that the field needs methodological innovation (e.g., more reliable and valid manipulations and measures of unconscious constructs, more diverse methodological approaches), a more complete and reliable body of data, and some fresh new ideas from psychological scientists across disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents the author's insights on the analysis made by author Allan Hobson regarding dreams. The author says that Hobson's model has showed that dream is a psychological event which is formed due to the functioning of the brain during sleep. Moreover, she explores Hobson's ideas on dream interpretation.

Abstract: Different hypotheses exist for the relationship among trauma, dissociation, and recovered memory. According to one view, recovered memory results from dissociation that a survivor adopts as a defense mechanism during a traumatizing event to avoid emotional pain. From this perspective, trauma is a necessary antecedent to relate dissociative symptoms with recovered memory. Another view emphasizes the characteristics of the victim, such as fantasy proneness and atypical cognitive operations. This alternate view holds that trauma is not necessary in relating dissociation to recovered memory. We tested these two hypotheses, measuring recovered memory, dissociative symptoms, childhood interpersonal adversity, and fantasy proneness in a nonclinical sample of college students. Our results showed a significant correlation between recovered memory and dissociative symptoms; the correlation cannot be accounted for by childhood interpersonal adversity, fantasy proneness, or absorption. Recovered events can be negative, neutral, or even positive. Trauma is not necessary in relating recovered memory to dissociative symptoms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The neuropathologies of the self (NPS) are disorders of the self and identity that occur in association with neuropathology and include perturbations of the bodily, relational, and narrative self. Right, especially medial-frontal and orbitofrontal lesions, are associated with these conditions. The ego disequilibrium theory proposes this brain pathology causes a disturbance of ego boundaries and functions and the emergence of developmentally immature styles of thought, ego functioning, and psychological defenses including denial, projection, splitting, and fantasy that the NPS patient has in common with the child. I hypothesize that during brain development between approximately ages 3 and 7 immature defensive functions and fantasies tend to be replaced by mature defenses and the inhibition of fantasy a process that depends upon maturational processes within the right hemisphere. I propose a four-tiered model of the NPS that emphasizes a multifactorial approach and includes both negative and positive, bottom up and top down, and neuropsychological and psychological factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on face identification, perception, and emotional expressions by patients suffering from Schizophrenia. It is stated that the recognition of human facial expressions, and their configurations is based on the creation of the polysemantic interpersonal relationships; and this ability is lost in schizophrenic patients. It is stated that these patients are not competent to feel the human nature of faces; and faces cause emotional tension among them.

Abstract: Evidence is mixed concerning whether individuals with a repressive coping style can actually selectively avoid threatening stimuli. Recent research (Calvo & Eysenck, 2000) on repressors’ threat processing suggests that it is necessary to take into account the timeline of this bias. A spontaneous trait inference paradigm was used here to test the hypothesis that repressors would, relative to others, be less likely to infer unfavorable and threatening traits. However, if pressured to make trait inferences quickly, it was predicted that they would be less likely than others to infer favorable and unthreatening traits. Repressors and nonrepressors were presented with passages that could have supported positive or negative trait inferences. In Study 1, they were asked to respond to trait words as quickly as possible but were not held accountable for doing so. In Study 2, time pressure was increased to capture uncorrected trait inferences. Results indicated that repressors were more likely to make positive trait inferences than others when simply asked to respond quickly. Under time pressure, this bias disappeared. Results point to the importance of taking into account an important moderator between coping style and threat, namely, the stage of processing at which differences in threat processing are being assessed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is widely assumed that emotionally avoidant or defensive individuals will have a difficult time adjusting to the loss of a loved one. However, recent research suggests that defensive individuals tend to adapt quite well to loss. Such findings pose a number of challenges to attachment theory--a theory that has traditionally held that emotional avoidance is indicative of poor psychological adjustment. In this article, the authors argue that contemporary models of individual differences in adult attachment allow the derivation of at least three competing hypotheses regarding the relationship between avoidant attachment and adaptation to loss. These hypotheses are tested using two-wave data on 59 bereaved adults. Results indicate that whereas some avoidant individuals (i.e., those who are fearfully avoidant) have a difficult time adapting to the loss of a loved one, other avoidant adults (i.e., those who are dismissingly avoidant) show a pattern of resilience to loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]