ELECTIVE COURSE FOR PROFILE ORIENTATION OF TEENAGERS: PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCEPT OF PERSONAL SELF-DETERMINATION DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The article considers the problem of profile orientation of adolescents in the context of the development of personal self-determination as the leading psychological neoplasm of adolescence. The relevance of the transition from the informative-pedagogical model of career guidance to a psychologically oriented approach aimed at the formation of reflection, value-semantic sphere and subjective position of the individual is substantiated. The psychological concept of an elective course for profile orientation of adolescents is presented, built on the integration of the provisions of the theory of psychosocial development of E. Erikson, the concepts of professional self-determination of J. Holland and D. Super, as well as the humanistic approach of K. Rogers. The structure and content of the program of the elective course “On the Path of Choice” are described, its goals, objectives, principles of implementation, methods and means of corrective influence are determined. Particular attention is paid to psychoeducational, reflective, interactive methods and methods for developing decision-making skills that contribute to adolescents’ awareness of their own interests, abilities and educational and professional prospects. The importance of psychological and pedagogical support and the creation of a psychologically safe educational environment for the effectiveness of profile orientation is shown. The results of an empirical study of the effectiveness of the program, conducted on the basis of comprehensive psychodiagnostics and repeated measurement of personal self-determination indicators, are presented. The use of the G-criterion of signs made it possible to identify statistically significant positive dynamics of professional interests, types of thinking and readiness of ninth-graders to consciously choose a study profile. A conclusion is made about the feasibility of introducing psychologically grounded elective courses as an effective means of supporting the personal and educational self-determination of adolescents.