The Influence of Situational Factors on Changes in Mental State, Depending on the Level of Development of Reflection (Using the Example of Students’ Educational Activities)

When considering the determinants of mental state, the most relevant research appears to be the study of the “situation — mental state” relationship, since this relationship opens up opportunities for understanding the underlying mechanisms of determination and regulation of mental states in situations of life. In this context, the consideration of the category of situation as an element in the structure of mental phenomena remains poorly studied. At the same time, the success of student learning depends on a well-structured educational situation, as a structural unit of educational activity, which includes: diverse factors, mental states of students, their characterological characteristics, etc. Studying the role of the influence of situational factors on the mental states of students in the learning process, it is noted that in different educational situations, factors influencing the mental state are given indirect significance. Based on this, the purpose of this article was to consider the influence of situational factors on changes in state, depending on the level of development of reflection, using the example of students’ educational activities. The empirical study was conducted in two real learning situations (lecture and exam), where the lesson was interrupted and respondents were asked to answer Вестник СПбГУ. Психология. 2024. Т. 14. Вып. 3 559 methodological questions. 130 respondents took part in the study: 98 girls and 32 boys. All students are 1st and 2nd year psychologists whose average age was 21 years. Research methods included logical-theoretical analysis of scientific literature, a testing method and, at the stage of processing the results, methods of mathematical statistics. It was revealed that in a lecture situation states of low levels of mental activity are experienced; in an exam situation — highlevel states. It has been established that in a lecture situation, the following factors influence the change in the mental state of low-reflective and highly reflective respondents: “Social interaction”, “Action and behavior”. In an exam situation respondents with a high level of reflection are influenced by the “Bodily manifestations” factor.

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