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Virtual Reality technologies have been established as an effective tool for the treatment of a variety of mental health disorders. Despite those positive results, it remains unclear whether these findings can generalize to the healthy population. In the current study, we assessed to what degree a virtual scenario consisting of a tropical beach can be successfully applied for the reduction of state anxiety and negative mood in healthy individuals. The study was performed on 50 volunteers aged 18 to 45 that were individually exposed to virtual reality. Before and after the virtual reality session, the emotional state of the participants was measured through questionnaires. Using linear mixed effect models, we obtained evidence for the effectivity of a single virtual reality session for negative state reduction, namely, we observed a decrease in state anxiety and negative mood. Additionally, a positive mood of participants increased after the session, however, no statistical evidence was obtained. The results confirm our hypothesis that state anxiety and negative mood can be decreased using a low-cost virtual reality device. Based on our findings, we suggest that virtual scenarios can improve the emotional well-being and the quality of life of the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to studying mental operations while solving memorization task. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is a theory of abilities (V.D. Shadrikov). Intellectual activity deployment method was used for qualitative analysis of participants‘ mental activity when finding adequate mental operations. To program the experiment, we used the SR Research platform for building experiments in the EyeLink 1000 Plus. An empirical fact, obtained from the results of the first stage was that majority of the subjects (65 %) didn‘t use mental operations. The participants who used mental operations (35%) when giving self-reports did not report that they used mental operation but instead mentioned the activities they performed. Furthermore, when analyzing eye tracking data we got overall the same patterns as described in the self-reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topicality of the study is based on the contradiction between women‘s intensive participation in professional activity and the idea of «male» and «female» professions existence, which is due to gender stereotypes, as well as the lack of studies on scientific and methodological aspects of formation of professional identity as a basis for person‘s selfactualization, professional and personal realization and successful professional activity. The aim of the current study is to identify a connection between gender identity, professional orientation and professional identity in Armenian students and to test a professional identity development program. The empirical methods (focus group research, testing, experiment) allowed us to view the dynamic of professional identity development in connection with professional motivation and professional orientation. The results of the analysis connection between gender identity, professional identity and professional orientation are presented in the article, as well as the results ofa training course aimed at students‘ professional identity development, the realization of professional goals and prospects and increasing the achievement motivation. The practical significance of the study is due to the fact that we created and approbated a training program aimed at the development of participants‘ professional identity, professional orientation and motivation through realizing their gender features within the context of educational system reforms in Armenia. The data opens up new opportunities for the further examination of gender differences within the professional field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]