THE CONNECTION OF LEARNED HELPLESSNESS, WILL-POWER DEVELOPMENT AND SOMATIC HEALTH OF PRE-SCHOOLERS: THE CORE AND WAYS OF PROBLEM SOLVING

Abstract

The article concerns the detailed theoretically-methodological analysis of the modern psychological researches devoted to studying of a “helplessness” phenomenon. The question of studying the relevance of “learned helplessness” phenomenon interrelation with somatic health of the person in the course of his human development is raised. The problem of interrelation of will-power development level with specifics of formation the phenomenon of "learned helplessness" is raised. The special role in this research is given to the pre-school age (the object of the study) as one of the most important periods in the process of human development. The presented integrative approach includes both inter and intra personal factors determining children’s development in the pre-school age, in particular specific features of the age, somatic health, specific child’s health and disease perception, special type of parental attitude to the child’s state of health, special type of parental attitude to the child determining the learned helplessness formation. Expediency of mechanisms specifics of formation the "learned helplessness" from the position of psychosomatic approaches, also taking into account basic provisions of the modern cultural and historical concept is proved. Purpose of the research is to study the connection between the phenomena of “learned helplessness” and the level of will-power development in the pre-school age combined with the weakened somatic health, also developing the special program aimed to prevent the formation of learned helplessness in the pre-school age. Methodology. The theoretical and methodological basis of the research is presented with culturally historical approach in Psychology, principle of system and psycho-somatic approach, ideas of L.S. Vygotsky about the social situation of development and the zone of nearest development as the most important circumstances of child’s personality formation, conceptual theory of “learned helplessness” phenomena systemized by M. Seligman, conceptual theory of “personal helplessness” phenomena systemized by D.A. Ciring, basically theoretical points concerning regulatory functions of psycho, laws and mechanisms of all types activity regulations, theoretical issues concerning the fixed forms of family behavior and their connection with development of children having weakened health, the latest data about the interpersonal perception of phenomenon “health” and “disease”. Results. As a result of research the author presents the principles and the direction of building a special developing program, aimed to optimize the perception of own somatic status by children and their parents, will-power development and prevention of learned helplessness formation. The article presents the results of the program approbation. Practical implications. The data and the results of described research are to be used in the process of brining up and educational process in kindergartens, can be implemented in special programs of child psychologists, in the course of family therapy, by pediatricians as well. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12731/2218-7405-2013-8-12