Comparative characteristics of life-meaning orientations among student teachers of different courses

Abstract

The article examines the features of the life-meaning orientations of future teachers studying in junior and senior courses in the direction of «Pedagogical Education» in the humanities at Moscow Pedagogical State University. The author analyzes various approaches to defining the concepts of life-meaning orientations and the meaning of life. The process, content, results and comparative analysis of an experimental study on the study of life-meaning orientations of students of various courses are presented. The study used the method «Meaning in Life Orientations» by D.A. Leontyev. Analysis of the results obtained during the study showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Indicators for all five subscales are within the average statistical norm. However, the results of senior students tend to approach the upper limit of the average, while the results of junior students are close to the lower limit of the average. The majority of students who took part in the study have a fairly high level of meaningfulness in life. Students studying in their fourth and fifth years consider themselves responsible, free and confident people, capable of setting realistic goals and achieving them. They understand what they want to achieve in life, strive for self-development, lead an active lifestyle, can make conscious, rational decisions and control their implementation. Freshmen and sophomores have a lower level of meaningfulness in life, but they have certain plans and goals regarding their future. Many people consider themselves purposeful and strong individuals who can make important and responsible decisions in their lives. Analysis of the research results allows us to state that the indicators of life-meaning orientations in the group of senior students are slightly higher than in the group of junior students.