Georgian Psychological Journal

THE ISSUES OF THE SCIENTIFIC SYSTEM OF PSYCHO-LEGAL STUDIES

2025-01-24T21:18:45+04:00

The purpose of the given article is to define the place and importance of psychological science in increasing the effectiveness of theoretical and practical activity directed at normative regulation of social relationships. In particular, the article reviews modern directions of psycho-legal studies, defines the areas of cooperation between psychology and legal studies, identifies the important themes/problem issues, as well as the promising directions in this kind of cooperation. The article also aims to highlight the productivity of a full utilization of the potential of these two areas (psychology and law), as well as of the productivity of multidisciplinary approach, stimulate cooperation between these two areas for the purpose of social security, stability and progress, strengthening legality and law and order, as well as the fight against crime and protection of human rights.

STIGMA – GASLIGHTING SEMANTICS: LANGUAGE, MANIPULATION AND CULTURAL STEREOTYPES IN GEORGIA

2025-01-24T21:28:59+04:00

The present article concerns the issues of linguistic semantics in the context of gaslighting mobilized through the cultural stereotypes widely accepted in Georgia. Empirical material was obtained from the students of Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences). The theoretical framework of the study is linguistic semantics, in particular, Leech’s theory of meaning. The value of the study is in its focus on the unconscious form of gaslighting which is widespread in different social contexts. Despite the growing interest in mental health and psychological manipulation, the fact that unconscious gaslighting, which often remains unnoticed, is no less harmful than conscious, preplanned manipulation, is often neglected.

The study shows that most respondents had personally experienced a negative influence of gaslighting especially when they were criticized and shamed by older generation in Georgia. Specific cases of gaslighting are mostly related to gender and cultural issues (politics, religion) and contribute to stigmatization. The analysis of empirical material demonstrates that certain semantic changes are observed in such discourse. In particular, the social meaning of the lexical units used by the speaker (manipulator) acquires affective connotation, which has a negative influence on the listener’s (victim’s) self-confidence and makes them question correctness of their perceptions.

The study also demonstrates that the Georgian youth is aware of the above manipulations, can identify them and is less susceptible to the negative influence of gaslighting.

NATELA IMEDADZE – RESEARCHER AND PEDAGOGIST

2025-01-24T21:44:07+04:00

NATELA IMEDADZE – RESEARCHER AND PEDAGOGIST

ISSUES OF CRIMINOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

2025-01-24T13:06:08+04:00

The article reviews parts of sociological, criminological and psychological approaches concerning the research into the factors instigating and restraining criminality. An attempt is made to identify the spheres within the competence of the science of psychology that focus on the study of crime in traditional theories and mark prospective research directions.

The following is a description and analysis of some subfields of criminological psychology as one of the branches of psycho-legal studies. Social control and strain are regarded from different theoretical perspectives including D. Uznadze’s theory representing the Georgian school of psychology. In particular, the article discusses the following: (a) establishing connection between the efficacy of social sanctions and motivational models in psychology, including the models of ‘expected values’ and ‘behaviour potential’; (b) explanation of strain as a leading factor of criminality, as proposed by sociological and criminological theories, from the perspective of psychological Theory of Set and its connection with the concept of readiness in Set Theory, where readiness is understood as a state of tension; (c) differences in social integration and social regulation and the advantages of each in terms of their ability to exercise control; defining the specificity of the two forms of social control by types of underlying mental formations (i.e. situational set and dispositional set), their differential psychological characteristics (stability, steadiness, excitability, reactualization potential) and the dynamics of interaction.

It is assumed that the elaboration on the issues of criminological psychology and psycholegal studies in general, will not only stimulate the development of different sub-disciplines of psychology, but will also ensure social stability and security as well as the productivity of multidisciplinary efforts.

THE SELF AND THE WORLD AS SEEN FROM THE WHEELCHAIR: SOCIAL ADAPTATION AFTER PHYSICAL TRAUMA AND THE SENSE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

2025-01-24T13:55:34+04:00

The study aimed to explore the processes of positive psychological changes and the underlying factors following an extremely stressful life event – spinal cord trauma – in the life stories of 15 socially active individuals who use the wheelchair. The data were collected using life story interviews. The qualitative part of the study involved thematic and structural analysis of narratives, while for the quantitative analysis, each interview transcript was recoded and processed for target variables such as autobiographical reasoning, narrative structure and consistency, and psychological well-being. The analysis of the results revealed that the more consistently and rich in autobiographical reflection individuals narrate their life stories, the more psychological well-being indicators emerge in their accounts. Additionally, during the process of post-traumatic rehabilitation/resocialization and re-adaptation, they have to reconstruct their own identity, reassess their self-image, body – image, values, and relationships with others, as well as their broader environment and perceive it from a different perspective. The personal narratives of study participants were saturated with the themes of discontinued lives, disturbed body image and attitudes towards wheelchair use, self-reconstruction and adaptation, motivators and resources, finding a place in life, and returning as full members of society.

THE ROLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL CYNICISM IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT, PERCEIVED MEANINGFULNESS OF WORK AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT

2025-01-24T20:56:48+04:00

The present study aims to evaluate the relationships between perceived organizational sup- port, organizational cynicism, meaningful work, and organizational commitment using an integrated, multidimensional model. The research confirms that a lack of organizational support increases the likelihood of forming organizational cynicism. Perceived organizational support plays a significant role in explaining the variance in cognitive, emotional, and behavioral cynicism scores. In the relationship between organizational cynicism and organizational commitment, meaningful work serves as a mediator. The more meaningful the work is, the lower the chance of developing organizational cynicism; also, the weaker is the negative impact of organizational cynicism on organizational commitment. Additionally, meaningful work helps maintain the sense of commitment to the organization, even in the presence of organizational cynicism. The relationship between organizational support and organizational commitment is consistently mediated by two factors (organizational cynicism and meaningful work) through serial mediation. The results of the study are analyzed from the perspective of conservation of resources theory, viewing organizational cynicism as a response to perceived or actual resource loss within the organization. 288 employees participated in the study.

THE STUDY OF THE PEDAGOGICAL ASSESSMENT INDICATORS OF READING DIFFICULTY IN 6-11-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA

2025-01-24T14:08:59+04:00

The study presented in the paper was motivated by the fact that there was no checklist available in the Georgian educational space for assessing reading difficulties (dyslexia) that would allow for the early identification of this problem. As part of the study, we reviewed 11 forms (checklists) of dyslexia assessment indicators used in the educational systems of various countries. These checklists are intended for teachers, parents, school psychologists, and students, and serve the identification of reading difficulties. Since the purpose was to develop a checklist of indicators for assessing reading difficulties (dyslexia) specifically for teachers,
we selected relevant questions designed for educators and based our analysis on them to create an assessment tool.

The study was conducted at Tbilisi Public School # 173, the “International Academy Logos,” and “Tbilisi Free School.” Additionally, with the support of the “Association of Special Educators”, the form for assessing reading difficulties (dyslexia) indicators was completed by special educators working in schools in Tbilisi and the regions. Various school teachers participated in the study via social media. Furthermore, 305 students participated in the study, of which 98 have dyslexia. Data processing was carried out using SPSS 23. It was confirmed that with the use of our checklist of 49 dyslexia assessment indicators, it is possible to identify the 6-11-yearold students (from the first to the fifth grade) who have dyslexia or reading difficulties.

THE TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION OF SELF-EFFICACY AND THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

2025-01-24T16:07:01+04:00

This article concerns teachers’ sense of personal self-efficacy and the attitude to inclusive education. The purpose of the study is the assessment of teachers’ general and professional self-efficacy, identification of the attitude to inclusive education, and the examination of the relationship between the above variables. The process of the introduction and implementation of inclusive education in Georgia has been in place for about 20 years and, as evidenced by reports and studies, it is still a major challenge for the educational sector. Teachers play a crucial role in the successful implementation of inclusive education. The study of the problem of self-efficacy is timely and relevant as long as the qualification of teachers, enabling them to accurately evaluate the outcomes of their actions in the context of professional activities and form a realistic picture of their opportunities has currently acquired especial importance. The study was conducted throughout Georgia and covered 102 teachers in general education: 45 in elementary school and 57 in basic education. The data were processed using basic and multidimensional methods. SPSS-23 software package was employed for the statistical analysis. The data analysis showed that compared to the previous years, teachers now have a better understanding of the importance of inclusion. It also showed that the teachers’ professional efficacy (teaching related tasks, engagement of students in the educational process and class management) is associated with the sense of general self-efficacy. Our hypothesis about the impact of teachers’ self-efficacy level on the relationship between the factors of their attitude to the readiness for inclusive education has been partially confirmed.