Articles

The paper presents the using of psychological technologies at various psychosomatic diseases. The theoretical approach to the author’s method of mobilization of reserve power systems of the body (AMERSO) is described. The results of studies by the method of AMERSO with 16 patients, indicating the effectiveness of this method, are represented. 

In frameworks cross-cultural research of near-death experience (NDE) comparison of modern western NDE to descriptions of this experience in the Upanishads was carried out (the Brihadaranyaka, Kaushitaki and Katha Upanishads became a material of our analysis). It was revealed, that at Upanishads’ descriptions of NDE alongside with cultural specificity there is the overwhelming majority of elements of the western NDE, thus similarity concerns not so much the concrete contents of elements on itself, but their role in realization of the universal script of travelling to the world of dead. 

Paper is devoted to the medical neuropsychology of cardiovascular diseases. Discussed diseases were: cardiac arrest, coronary artery bypass grafting, especially developed was a nature of cognitive problems and their neuroanatomical correlates resulting from hypertension and atherosclerosis. Author described mentioned diseases in terms of mechanism that leads to brain dysfunctions and a profile of neuropsychological changes. A separated aspect, but connected to the neuropsychological characteristics of cardiovascular diseases, was a hypothetical impact of cognitive decline in adaptation process (or maladjustment) to illness and inability to following medical advices, that is the problem of non-adherence from the standpoint of medical neuropsychology. 

The paper is devoted to approaches to the quality of life in different human sciences (psychology, medicine, economics, sociology) and demands to the methods of the diagnostics. Major types of diagnostic instruments (population-based indicators and indexes, standardized questionnaires, individualized techniques) are reviewed; their strengths and limitations are discussed. 

The article deals with the complex social and cultural motivating systems, which were described in sociology, social psychology and the studies of culture but are hardly known within psychology of motivation. M. Weber’s concept of “ethos”, K. Levin’s concept of “social field” and M. Foucault’s concept of “dispositif” are analyzed in detail. 

The article presents three lines of theoretical and experimental research A.M Matyushkin and his scientific school. The first line is connected with the study of motivational-emotional regulation of thinking, the development of the idea of ​​the subject's activity in the formulation and solution of thinking tasks, his cognitive activity. The second line is devoted to the study of intellectual, creative, personal possibilities of subject. The third line is aimed at studying the conditions under which it becomes possible to a real creative thinking, opening the new (subjectively and objectively). 

The article presents results of the comparative analysis of the features in volitional regulation and motivational-meaningful sphere of personality of students from 1 and 5th courses of different faculties Lomonosov Moscow State University (n=443). According to results of using techniques the age, gender and individual differences were established. The link between indicators of volitional regulation and characteristics of motivational-meaningful sphere of student’s personality was established. 

This article outlines results of a research based on the assessment of 211 top-managers of several large Russian companies by the ability tests and Assessment Centers. Author describes specific character of a relationship of intellectual level and leadership effectiveness. Also, predictive potential of ability tests as personnel selection method for managerial positions is discussed. 

Academic achievements are investigated in connection with IQ, self-evaluation and its combinations with level of aspirations. It is found lowering of academic achievements with reduction of self-evaluation. In case level of aspirations was higher of level self-evaluation academic achievements increased, in contrary case achievements diminished. Self-evaluation is very reliable predictor of studies efficacy, but IQ did not lose its prognostic power as yet. 

In article three realities in which their lives the person — empirical, sociocultural and existential are analyzed. Each matched the reality of social knowledge domains with which they are described — the moral, conventional, and personal. It is proved that realities are understood by people on types of understanding-knowledge, understanding-interpretation and understanding-comprehension. It is shown that the person at the same time exists in different realities, understands them on the unequal psychological bases and uses various types of social knowledge for the description. 

The paper presents the impact of G.I. Chelpanov on the development of university education in Russia and on formation of a system of professional psychological instruction in universities. Milestones of Chelpanov’s scientific biography, features of his philosophical-psychological outlook are reconstructed in socio-cultural and scientific context. Personal traits of Chelpanov as university mentor and founder of the first national scientific-educational school in psychology are represented.

Psychoanalysis presents unique empirical material for the research of the dynamics of personality reflection in altered states of consciousness and its impact on different aspects of vital activity of the personality. Transference and countertransference altered states of consciousness were in focus of interest of the first part of the article. It was shown that as altered states of consciousness become deeper during the psychoanalytical process the reflexive processes of a personality enhance, become more active and change qualitatively, which is expressed in particular in the formation of the active «reflexive I». Reflexive activity of the personality in countertransference and combined transference-countertransference altered states of consciousness was analyzed in this second part of the article. 

Within a framework of a psychoanalytical concept it is not easy to define a single psychological mechanism of a pathological gambling addiction origin and development. Some psychoanalysts state that said addiction is one of manifestations of the risk predisposition attitude. They propose several hypotheses on certain psychological structures, which are involved in forming a pathological behavior and describe mechanisms which these structures are based on. But, visible controversies aside, current theories are not mutually exclusive, they rather supplement, augment and broaden one another. According to researchers, a pathological gambler is unconsciously driven not to win, but to lose. It is a case of autoaggression, differences lie in an interpretation of the guilt feeling origins. Psychological masochism and erotisation of pain are being shown as principal sources for an unconscious anxiety of a gambler. 

Commentary.

This article aims to acquaint the wide community of general and special education teachers, psychologists, speech and language therapists, including those who work in integrative and inclusive environments, with the outlines of child neuropsychology and neuropsychological approach to assessment, prevention, and remediation of learning disabilities. In the last 20 years the field of psychological theory and practice named school neuropsychology which bases itself upon Vygotsky’s and Luria’s ideas has been developing in Russia. It is actively penetrating the psychological and educational practices involving effective research based methods. Unfortunately, many professionals working in educational sphere and even school psychologists are not aware of the goals and methods of this approach to overcoming learning disabilities. This article aims to contribute in closing this gap.