Reflection in Practice and Science

In modern science, authors within various scientific branches and practical approaches actively research the reflective processes. This article provides an outlook of understanding "reflection" concept in Russian pedagogy, psychology and analyses it in the framework of network approach as a dialogical, co-creative process.

 

The author of this approach recommends the principle of 'psychotherapeutic maieutic' for guidance on working with this level of reflection. Maieutic is the 'method of dialectical debates of Socrates that consists of finding contradiction in an interlocutor's argumentations and bringing him to the truth by skillfully asked questions' (Vasiljuk, 1984).

Self-reflection and self-consciousness

Modem therapy practice regards reflection as a necessary foundation for personal growth, responsible choice, peace of mind and psychosomatic health. In the reflective layer of consciousness, an understanding of meanings takes place; meanings become objective, actions correlate with motives, and processes with personal specifics take place. In this case, self-reflection is when an individual his or her self, his or her needs, motives and meanings become the subject of reflection. Self-reflection is closely connected with self-consciousness. The renowned Russian psychologist L. S. Vygotskiy considered self-reflection as one of the leading factors in the development of personality and pointed out the 'deep difference between a non-reflecting, naive personality structure, on the one hand, and a reflecting personality structure, on the other. Reflection can have a restructuring influence on the individual (self-setting).'

In this context, reflection is not only self-understanding and self-knowledge; it also includes such processes as understanding and correlation with others. Reflection helps to reach a correlation of one's own consciousness, values and opinions with the values, opinions and relations of other people, groups, society and, finally, the whole of humankind.

To reflect something means to 'endure', to 'sift through one's inner world', to 'over-think'. In the network process, to reflect means to give a non-evaluative, empathic reverse connection to what was heard, seen and deeply felt at a session.

We see reality, not the way it is, but the way we are able to see it being the way we are and through the means of vision at our disposal. Yet, we often lack an understanding of our own point of view and the restriction of our own vision and may be convinced that our world vision is the only right and possible one. One person alone cannot construct a holistic picture of the world, and one person alone cannot explain it. We perceive the world uniquely and problems arise when we start arguing over whose perception is the right one.

Often, the problem is that the individual, due to certain reasons, does not accept suggestions by someone else as options for problem solving. Such reasons can be economic, political, cultural, religious, theoretical, practical and/or relate to differences in ethnicity or culture. Accordingly, for a learned person, there is a great amount of 'truths' that are, at times, mutually exclusive.

The world of reflection is diverse, plentiful and unique to every person. In particular, the ability to reflect gives the individual the opportunity to form images and meanings of life and actions and to block what he or she considers ineffective 'schemes'. An important characteristic of reflective individuals is their ability to control their own activities in accordance with their personal values and meanings and to form and switch to new mechanisms to change circumstances, goals and tasks or activities. Reflection provides a comprehension of the past and the ability to anticipate the future.

Modem therapy practice regards reflection as a necessary foundation for personal growth, responsible choice, peace of mind and psychosomatic health. In the reflective layer of consciousness, an understanding of meanings takes place; meanings become objective, actions correlate with motives, and processes with personal specifics take place. In this case, self-reflection is when an individual his or her self, his or her needs, motives and meanings become the subject of reflection. Self-reflection is closely connected with self-consciousness. The renowned Russian psychologist L. S. Vygotskiy considered self-reflection as one of the leading factors in the development of personality and pointed out the 'deep difference between a non-reflecting, naive personality structure, on the one hand, and a reflecting personality structure, on the other. Reflection can have a restructuring influence on the individual (self-setting).'

In this context, reflection is not only self-understanding and self-knowledge; it also includes such processes as understanding and correlation with others. Reflection helps to reach a correlation of one's own consciousness, values and opinions with the values, opinions and relations of other people, groups, society and, finally, the whole of humankind.

To reflect something means to 'endure', to 'sift through one's inner world', to 'over-think'. In the network process, to reflect means to give a non-evaluative, empathic reverse connection to what was heard, seen and deeply felt at a session.

We see reality, not the way it is, but the way we are able to see it being the way we are and through the means of vision at our disposal. Yet, we often lack an understanding of our own point of view and the restriction of our own vision and may be convinced that our world vision is the only right and possible one. One person alone cannot construct a holistic picture of the world, and one person alone cannot explain it. We perceive the world uniquely and problems arise when we start arguing over whose perception is the right one.

Often, the problem is that the individual, due to certain reasons, does not accept suggestions by someone else as options for problem solving. Such reasons can be economic, political, cultural, religious, theoretical, practical and/or relate to differences in ethnicity or culture. Accordingly, for a learned person, there is a great amount of 'truths' that are, at times, mutually exclusive.

The world of reflection is diverse, plentiful and unique to every person. In particular, the ability to reflect gives the individual the opportunity to form images and meanings of life and actions and to block what he or she considers ineffective 'schemes'. An important characteristic of reflective individuals is their ability to control their own activities in accordance with their personal values and meanings and to form and switch to new mechanisms to change circumstances, goals and tasks or activities. Reflection provides a comprehension of the past and the ability to anticipate the future.

1. Davydov V.V., Neverovich S.D., Samokhina I.V. (1972) K probleme psikhologii refleksii i organizatsii funktsiy. (On the psychology of reflection and the organization of functions).
2. Semyonov I.N., Stepanov S.Y. (1992) Refleksivnaya psikhologiya i pedagogika tvorcheskogo myshleniya. (Reflexive psychology and pedagogy of creative thinking).
3. Semyonov I.N., Stepanov S.Y. (1990) Refleksivnie protsessy i tvorchestvo. (Reflexive processes and creativity).
4. Vasilyuk F.E. (1984) Psikhologiya perezhivaniya (analiz preodoleniya kriticheskih situatsiy) (The psychology of emotional experiences (analysis of critical situations overcoming).
5. Vygotskiy L.S. Psikhologia iskusstva (The psychology of art)