DOI: 10.7256/2306-0425.2013.4.767

Abstract: The article is devoted to the develpment of dynamic views on self-concept and identity in terms of general, developmental and social psychology. The author of the artile shows that the idea about the changing Self has been established through recognition of social subject's activity, objective numerosity of the grounds for self-identification and potential manifestations of Self structures and their temporary modes. The author underlines the important role of the actual social environment as the situation of social changes in development of these views, especially in social and psychological analysis. She establishes that an important task for a modern human is to understand the meaning of the changing social environment for him personally. This makes the majority of social and psychological approches to studying Self to pay attention to the diversity and probability of personal Self structures which reflects the influence of general gnoseological principles of Post-Modernism on the development of these concepts. In conclusion the author views the manifestations of the identity crisis under the conditions of social changes ongoing in Russia now. 

DOI: 10.7256/2306-0425.2013.4.813

Abstract: Previously psychoanalysis mostly dealt with the analysis of famous myths and legends. However, analysis of fairy-tale characters give as much information about cultural and social development of this or that historical period, too. Fairy-tales about Koschei the Immortal reflect the symbolic struggle between a father and a son for a woman, different types of families (matriarchy and patriarchy) and social relationships. Koschei is the image of the authoritarian father, patriarchy and greed and he is conquered by Ivan Tsarevich who symbolizes one of the rebellious sons, matriarchy and social justice. The fairy-tale also reflects the spheres where the main heroes interact in their psychic reality: the world of the dead symbolizes the unconscious part of the psyche and the living world reflects the consciousness. Koschei the Immortal is the synthesized image of different kinds of Serpents in fairy-tales. All of them symbolize anti-social features of patriarchal totemism. Ivan Tsarevich gets rid of the unconscious psychic influence of the authoritarian ancestor and repeats the process of the delivery of a child by breaking the needle that symbolizes the male genetics.  

DOI: 10.7256/2306-0425.2013.4.697

Abstract: As a marker and an indicator of female gender, menstruation still treated by both men and women rather controversially. Ancient people had many questions about that phenomenon and its origin and therefore made up different hypotheses about menstruation. Our ancestors believed that certain rituals and rites performed during menstruation helped a woman to avoid illness or danger. Others believed that mentruation had a healing effect and even tried to use to cure from diseases.  A woman was both sacred and dangerous during her period. She was considered sacred because she was dangerous and vice versa. She was believed to have wicked forces but at the same time she was raised to a higher level in the social hierarchy. A peasant woman would become a lady, a lady would become a noble woman, a noble woman would become a queen and the queen would be associated with the Holy Mother. Generally speaking, menstruation related all women to the Holy Mother.  Isolation of women during their period shows that they were distinguished from the rest of the humankind in this way or another. Their isolation was associated with the 'honorable' restrictions (etiquette and taboo) held by the governors and other persona sacrosancta. The article deals with the issues of beliefs of ancient people, man's attitude to a woman having her menstruation period and folklore images related to it. The author also describes the primitive theories of the menstruation origin and other phenomena related to menstruation such as virginity taboo and fear of death.   

DOI: 10.7256/2306-0425.2013.4.738

Abstract: The authors of the article analyzes Internet addiction in China at the analytical and empirical levels. The official position of the Chinese government on this matter is compared to pilot data concerning the popularity of this phenomenon and how it is connected with the modern system of education. The authors find out that there is a relation between Internet addiction and the dominating tendency towards collectivism and family relations typical for China. The authors also describe diagnostic methods and criteria as well as psychotherapy from Internet addiction based on the international and Chinese experience. Noteworthy that in China the Internet addiction is based on the conflict betwen the Chinese collectivism traditions and the Western individualism. Moreover, the Internet is believed to be one of the symbols of the Western individualism. This conflict is viewed in terms of technological modernization processes that lead to drastic changes in behavior of Chinese citizens. Socio-cultural factors also have some influence on the development of Internet addiction in South Korea and Taiwan. Moreover, problems associated with the development of the Internet seem to be common for a number of East Asian countries. The authors present the results of research of the Internet addiction that involved Chinese teenagers playing computer and on-line games. The conclusions made by the authors reflect the popularity of the Internet addiction in different groups of teenagers depending in their age, gender, experience in using the Internet an other socio-cultural and psychological parameters. 

DOI: 10.7256/2306-0425.2013.4.122

Abstract: The author of the article analyzes psychological and spiritual reasons of fear and phobia. The author describes the method of entering the altered state of conscoiusness. According to the author, at the state of altered consciousness one can conduct psychological diagnostics, correction and psychotherapy of negative emotions. The main features of the altered state of consciousness are the following: depth of immersion, energy capacity and through-put capacity. All these features show the quantity of energy that can be received and given by an individual. Research hypothesis: at the altered state of consciousness an individual reaches a new level of consciousness that differs from the conscious state by the quality of information, nature of emotions, strength of thining and amount of psychic energy. This encourages self-discovery, psychological correction and psychotherapy. At the altered state of conciousness an individual can receive information about his emotios, physiological and mental processes from himself. The purposes of the research are the following: a) to study different variants of application of giving the attitude, creating the atmosphere of trust, concentration, suggestion, self-hypnosis and hypnosis as methods of entering the altered state of consciousness; b) to study possibilities that offer the altered state of consciousness for psychological diagnostics, correction and psychotherapy of personal fears; c) to learn to control negative emotions at the altered state of consciousness and use this experience in real life; d) to define special features of perceiving and experiencing fear at the altered state of consciousness. The object of research: emotions, in particular, fear and similar emotions. The author develops a comprehensive method of teaching and self-discovery and provides results of the experimental research of experiencing fear at the altered state of consciousness. Conclusions: the method offered by the author allows to discover one's own mental processes, features, states and personal traits as well as their dynamics. The method is also very useful in psychotherapy because it helps to harmonize psychosomatic condition and develop positive personal traits such as patience, balance, calmness and responsibility for one's actions and words.