Reflection is understood as a skill that allows not only to control the focus of attention, but also to realize one’s own thoughts, sensation and general condition. Thanks to reflection, a person has the opportunity to observe himself from the side and see himself through the eyes of the people who surround him. Reflection in psychology implies any creeps of the personality aimed at introspection. They can be manifested in the assessment of their actions, thoughts and current events. The depth of reflection will depend on how educated a person is and how to control himself.
Psychological content
Reflection in psychology occupies an important place in the integral structure of the personality, as evidenced by a wide range of signs and its multifunctionality. Similar processes occur in almost every area of psychological activity.
Reflection in thinking is proof that a person can control his thoughts and actions, and his mental activity is productive.
Philosophical aspect
Many philosophers are convinced that reflection in psychology is one of the sources of knowledge. Thought itself becomes its subject. In order for the mechanism to work efficiently, objectification must be present. It is necessary to compare the results with the methods and process of reflective presentation.
The role of this phenomenon
Reflection is necessary so that a person has the opportunity to establish and regulate adequate requirements for himself, which are based on criteria established from the outside, and the specifics of the object itself. The concept of reflection in psychology makes it possible to perform self-observation, introspection and self-reflection.
Types of reflection
Due to the fact that specialists cannot come to a unified approach to the study of this phenomenon, there are several types and classifications:
- Cooperative. In this case, reflection refers to the "liberation" of the subject and his "exit" into a new position in relation to past activities. The emphasis is on the results, and not on the procedural subtleties of the mechanism.
- Communicative. Reflection is the most important component of the harmonious development of communication and interpersonal perception. This indicator is most often used to solve issues that are related to problems of perception and empathy in communication between people. The functions of the phenomenon in this case are as follows: regulatory, cognitive and development. They are expressed in the change of ideas about the object to more adequate in this situation.
- Personal. It makes it possible to study one’s own actions, analyze images and the inner “I”. It is used in cases where there is a self-decay of the personality, correction of self-consciousness and the construction of a new "I" are required.
- Intellectual. The object is knowledge relating to a particular subject, and how to interact with it. This type of reflection is used in engineering and educational psychology.
- Existential. The object is the deepest meanings of the personality.
- Sanogenic. The main function is the regulation of emotional states and the reduction of suffering and feelings.
- Reflection in the psychology of communication. It implies a complex system of relations that arise in the process of interaction of individuals.
Forms of the phenomenon
It is customary to consider reflection in three main forms, which differ depending on the functions that are performed:
- Situational. It ensures the involvement of the subject in what is happening and encourages him to analyze and comprehend "here and now."
- Retrospective. Used to evaluate those actions and events that have already occurred. This form is necessary for structuring and better assimilation of experience, recognition of one's own mistakes and weaknesses. Using retrospective reflection, you can identify the causes of their failures and defeats.
- Promising. Used to ponder future activities, involves planning and determining constructive ways of influencing.
Why reflection is useful
Experts are sure that it is reflection in psychology that is considered the generator of new ideas. It allows you to build a realistic picture and process the information received. As a result of introspection, a person changes and improves himself. The reflexive mechanism allows you to convert implicit thoughts into explicit ones and gain deeper knowledge.
This phenomenon applies to all spheres of human life, including professional. The concept of reflection in psychology is necessary in order to learn how to take control of your own life and not go with the flow. People who are not familiar with this phenomenon do not know how to organize their actions and clearly realize where to move on.
It is very important not to confuse reflection with self-awareness. It implies self-orientation. Reflection focuses on what has already happened. It is necessary for every person, especially those people who are engaged in intellectual work and have interpersonal contact and group relationships.
How to train and develop reflection
It has long been no secret that reflection in psychology is very important . Exercises that help to develop it, you need to do it regularly, only then they will bring results. This will help to change for the better and learn to adequately perceive your own actions and thoughts.
- Action analysis. After making decisions or difficult situations, you need to think about your actions and look at yourself from the outside. You need to think, maybe there was another way, more successful under the circumstances. It is also necessary to analyze what conclusions can be made and what mistakes should not be repeated the next time. This will help to understand what reflection is in psychology. Examples may be different, but the purpose of the exercises is the same: to realize the fact of their own uniqueness and be able to control their actions.
- Evaluation of the past day. A person should take it as a habit at the end of each day to analyze all the events and mentally “chase” away the episodes that have occurred. Concentration should be on those that cause a feeling of dissatisfaction. It is worth looking at them through the eyes of an uninterested observer, perhaps this will help to identify their own shortcomings.
- Communication with people. Social reflection in psychology involves communicating with people and constantly improving their own communication skills. From time to time it is necessary to compare the opinion of a person that has developed with reality. For open people, this will not become a problem, but a closed person will have to work more on himself.
It is worth expanding the circle of acquaintances and chatting with people who have a separate and cardinally dissimilar point of view. Attempts to understand such a person make reflection become more active. This makes the mind more flexible and vision wider. As a result of such an exercise, a person will learn to make informed and informed decisions, as well as see various ways to solve a problem.
Social reflection in psychology is a rather powerful weapon that helps to better understand yourself and other people. Over time, the ability to predict other people's thoughts and predict actions appears.
Signs of reflection
Psychologists distinguish several fundamental signs of such a phenomenon as reflection:
- Depth. It is characterized by the degree of penetration into the inner world of a person who already contains the worlds of other people.
- Vastness. This indicator reflects the number of people whose worlds are considered.
What processes are associated with reflection
The ability to regulate, control and manage your thinking is impossible without processes such as synthesis, analysis and evaluation.
Using analysis, you can break down all the information into blocks and structure it. Equally important is the definition of the main and establishing a relationship with the secondary. Synthesis helps to combine all the elements and get a whole new object. Evaluation makes it possible to determine the importance of the material and the goal itself. Criteria may vary, they are determined depending on the current situation.
Types of listening
Not everyone knows what the main meaning is and what this definition is fraught with. Reflection in psychology is the ability to control oneself. To help develop this skill helps listening:
- Non-reflective listening is active silence. Technique involves encouraging phrases and gestures, as well as those that will encourage a person to open up.
- Reflective listening is the feedback from the person who is speaking. You can achieve it with the help of such techniques: clarification, rephrasing, reflection of feelings and summarizing.