SCIENTIFIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING THE PHENOMENON OF REFLECTION

Abstract

The publication presents the research of the scientific concepts and the
theoretical approaches to the phenomenon of reflection in domestic and foreign psychological
science. The study results of “reflection” as a life-cycle factor of personality are defined. The main
approaches to the definition of its semantic characteristics are highlighted.
The article reveals the essence of the psychological meaning of reflection, its versatility,
notes the importance and unique role of this phenomenon in the structure of the person’s identity.
Reflection is determined as a mechanism of self-awareness, as a special research act that directs a
person to comprehend and understand their forms of consciousness to objectively consider
knowledge about themselves and others, critical analysis of its content, and methods of cognition.
An analysis of the current state of the issue of reflection is presented; the established approaches in
this field are listed.
The main difficulties in the research of reflection and their connection with the studying
consciousness and general methodological problems of psychology are identified. The
interdisciplinary aspect is studied, which gives a broad understanding of reflection as one of the
fundamental issues of modern science. It is found out that reflection is one of the mechanisms of
self-development and self-improvement of a personality. It is proved that self-improvement and
reflective processes allow a personality to actualize self-organization, mobilizing their potential,
intellectual, and spiritual resources.