The ability of a person to think, which allows him to successfully survive in the struggle for existence, to make scientific discoveries, to become aware of himself and the world around him, has always been of special interest to psychologists. Reflection in psychology is a concept that describes complex thought processes, an attempt to penetrate the human soul.
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What is reflection
The word reflection or "reflexus" in Latin means the inside of the sea bay, which reflects the waves. A person manifests himself as a person, when he lives in a conscious mode, applies reflection.
Interestingly, the emphasis in the word on the penultimate vowel “and” (reflection) is deliberately put in order to distinguish it from another concept in psychology with a similar sound (reflex). The reflexes were studied by the Russian scientist I.P. Pavlov. He created the doctrine of higher nervous activity, based on the physiological characteristics of the nervous system. To emphasize that the definition of reflection refers to psychological rather than physiological processes, an emphasis was made.
Definition of a term in psychology
Reflection is the basic skill of practical psychology. This is an important skill that distinguishes a person from an animal, the first one not only knows how to receive information, but also to evaluate it.
This phenomenon has been known to mankind since ancient times, but the concept itself has been used relatively recently.
Various philosophers and scientists have tried to find the right words for this process, calling it differently:
- Aristotle - “thinking over thinking”;
- Thomas Aquinas - “understanding of the inner word”;
- Descartes - "a property of rationality of consciousness."
The first time the concept of reflection is found in John Locke. He described it figuratively, as if a little man was sitting in the consciousness of a big man, and was watching him. This presentation sets a number of important points that are characteristic of reflection as a psychological tool.
There are several phased processes:
- fixing the situation;
- comparison;
- distinction that proceeds in sign form.
You can see the internally situational bifurcation when a person observes himself. This is a complex process that requires a distinction between the observed fact and its own interpretation. For something to become a subject of reflection, it must be objectified, taken out of the subjective. When the inner sensation becomes a subject of reflection, subject to control, the mechanism of reflection acts.
Types and forms
Depending on the circumstances that accompany the interaction of the individual with the outside world, we can talk about these types of reflection:
- physical;
- intellectual;
- sensory;
- spiritual.
There are two forms of reflection: intrasubjective, intersubjective. The latter is carried out only at 3 levels - physical, intellectual and sensory. Spiritual reflection can only be intrasubjective.
In childhood, intersubject reflection is more easily formed. When children can jointly analyze a specific problem, the process of general reflection is easier. Intra-subject reflection is the ability to consciously regulate your behavior and actions, it is formed in older adolescents.
In psychology, there are 3 directions of the phenomenon:
- retrospective reflection, which is associated with past experience;
- situational, she refers to this situation, the possibilities of using the past and present experience at the moment;
- prospective reflection or conscious planning.
The child is dominated by interest in the world. In older teens, there is an interest in self. Much depends on the culture of society in which a person lives. If there are no conditions favorable for the development of personal reflection, then self-awareness remains at a low level.
Manifestation in childhood
While teaching a child something new, it is important to captivate him. But for this enthusiasm to become a significant experience, and not just an interesting emotional event, which is then easily forgotten, reflection is needed. It is important to know how to organize it, when to stop, what to offer the child.
It is necessary to give a brief, understandable, unambiguous fixation, explaining what the essence of the problem is, why a stop is needed. For example, a child who is studying in the 2nd grade, reading and writing skills have not yet been brought to automatism. For him, this is a complex process that requires complete immersion, so fixing on significant theses of the text with their writing will be ineffective. It is better to use color, graphic illustrations and questions on the text.
In order for a child to learn how to plan, evaluate the results of his intellectual work, choose the optimal strategy for self-education, he needs to be taught to think, showing practical examples of reflection. The development of the phenomenon is facilitated by questions directing the child's attention to how something is accomplished.
Depending on the addressee, they step by step develop the possibility of reflective practice. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the age of the child and the skill that he has at the level of automatism (he can be subjected to reflection).
Personality Behavior in Society
The factor contributing to the launch of reflection is an insurmountable obstacle to moving towards the goal.
For example, a person begins to pull the door, and cannot open it, because it opens the other way. Awareness of the problem and a temporary halt of activity is the first basis for the beginning of the process of reflection.
During a stop (fixation), a comprehensive analysis of the problem with the advancement of various hypotheses takes place: "The door does not open because it is locked or you need to push it the other way." Then comes a test in practice of theoretical assumptions.
Introverts are more prone to introspection and reflection. But everyone can develop this useful skill in themselves. The ability to be aware of various aspects of one’s personality and phenomena of reality makes a person successful, independent and purposeful.
Life examples
To understand how reflection is useful, you need to consider the areas of life that fall under its influence. These concepts relate to the personality of a person, his internal essence, but directly affect the ability to act in society.
Thoughts are the main essence of the inner world, their flow can block consciousness. At the same time, it is an important tool of activity, which may be absent at the right time. The ability to control your own thoughts is very important to maintain performance.
The sensations of the body allow us to judge the state of health and the psyche. Correctly interpreting them, a person can do disease prevention. Focusing on his feelings, it is easier for him to choose the optimal mode of existence - active or energy-saving.
Emotions are clues that talk about what is happening inside and around the person. If there is no self-understanding, there is nervous exhaustion, scandals, painful conditions. Understanding your emotions is part of a successful endeavor.
Problems. These are unpleasant events or relationships, to overcome which there is not enough knowledge or strength. Tracking problematic issues allows you to find the right solution in time, which helps to save energy and achieve success in a short time.
Cognitive distortion leads to a distortion of thinking. They automate daily work, but interfere with non-standard tasks. It is important to be able to control and change your style of behavior in time.
Reflection of resources. Difficulties arise when the available resources are not enough to start a new business or solve a problem. Conscious ability to evaluate and use your resources is important for a successful person.
Psychological defenses are special properties of the psyche that help reduce the intensity of emotions and external influences. They reduce stress, but also reduce objectivity. Ignorance of their protective features leads to conflicts with the outside world.
Reflection of needs. Understanding your needs, you can see the goal. Approaching a goal or even moving along this path brings a person a feeling of happiness and prosperity. If there is no understanding of resource-based needs, depression occurs. Correct social reflection enables maximum self-realization.
Reflection as a lifestyle
It is necessary to highlight specific points when the use of reflection is most effective.
There are 4 most relevant points for reflection:
- any undertaking for successful implementation requires awareness, it is necessary to connect the reflection of thoughts and feelings;
- barriers that take a significant amount of energy or are driven into depression require analysis of problems and cognitive distortions;
- personal and work conflicts; to solve them, it is necessary to monitor psychological defenses, needs and emotions;
- exhaustion, fatigue, depression, neurosis depend on how accurately a person can monitor the state of his physical body, needs and resources.
It is impossible to be in constant reflection, it is very tiring. When trying to use this valuable skill for a long time, a person will go into the usual mode of thinking imperceptibly for himself.
Reflection gives such advantages in life:
- effective goal achievement;
- understanding and elimination of erroneous thinking and actions;
- healthy body and spirit.
It is important to be able to apply the skill of analysis to specific aspects of life.It is necessary to choose those areas of reflection that are most relevant at the moment, correspond to the real life situation. It is useful to consistently develop reflection of all kinds to increase the effectiveness of life from childhood.
