Theoretical Model of the Structure of Freedom in Psychology

Abstract

The modern stage of the development of psychological knowledge reveals new opportunities for a more complete consideration of the phenomenon of freedom in psychology, primarily by studying the spiritual dimension of consciousness. There are four layers of consciousness associated with the development of freedom: spiritual, value, reflexive, and existential. It is shown that most authors consider freedom mainly in the reflexive layer of consciousness, linking it with awareness, meaningfulness of life, self-management. There are fewer studies that affect the value layer of consciousness, where freedom is associated with the desire for self-realization, the choice of personal values and meanings; studies of the existential layer, where freedom is considered as a choice of opportunities in the space of culture, the space of social norms and rules. The article presents the approach of V.P. Zinchenko and G.V. Ozhiganova, who showed the importance of the spiritual layer of consciousness, its priority role in relation to the value, reflexive and existential layers. The spiritual layer of consciousness and the corresponding spiritual freedom are poorly studied in psychology, as are the types of freedom and its structural components. Freedom is understood by the author as a component of human consciousness, a product and result of the development of spiritual, value, reflexive and existential layers of consciousness, consisting in the conscious overcoming of external and internal obstacles in the course of life for the purpose of self-realization and spiritual self-improvement. Based on the theoretical analysis of the literature, the author's model of the structure of freedom as a component of human consciousness is proposed, which describes the structure of two types of freedom: external and internal. The appearance of freedom is determined to a greater extent by the existential, reflexive, value-based, to a lesser extent spiritual layers of consciousness, aimed at self-realization and self-actualization. Interior view of freedom is determined to a greater extent by the spiritual, value and reflexive, to a lesser extent by the existential layer of consciousness, aimed at spiritual self-improvement and personal growth. The theoretical model of the structure of freedom as a component of human consciousness proposed by the author can serve as the basis for the study of freedom in psychology.