Formation of Moral Self-Consciousness in Adolescents in the Process of Psychological Counselling

Abstract

The article reveals issues related to formation of moral self-awareness in the process of psychological counselling. The meaning of the concepts: “consciousness”, “moral”, “moral self-awareness”, “counselling”, “psychology”, “psychological counselling” is clarified. A classification of psychological counselling is presented. A review of literature by domestic and foreign researchers on fostering moral self-awareness in adolescents is made. It is investigated that the American psychologist Hall (1904) first covered the issue of formation of moral self-consciousness in adolescents. It is determined that the functions of moral self-consciousness include self-control, self-perception, self-approval, self-understanding, self-improvement. It is found that scientists distinguish 2 types of self-awareness: subjective and objective. It is emphasized that self-awareness is the ability to clearly and realistically evaluate one’s behavior. The moral self-consciousness of adolescents with high, medium and low levels of self-esteem is considered. In addition, emphasis is placed on the fact that moral traits are the factors that shape a person. It has been found that moral self-awareness is based on the following factors: cognitive, emotional and behavioral. It is noted that the ability to communicate plays an important role in formation of moral self-awareness. The signs that prompt a teenager think about visiting a psychologist have been identified. It is proved that knowledge about one’s strengths in moral self-awareness helps adolescents to form their own moral well-being. It is found that conducting simulation games by a psychologist during a group training allows a specialist to determine the level of moral self-awareness of an adolescent, as well as to form strong moral virtues. It is proved that a game helps to conduct an effective psychological counselling, because a child feels comfortable, relaxed, openly shares thoughts and feelings. A remote form of psychological counseling is considered. It is emphasized that a psychologist works with a teenager, as well as with his/her parents. It was found that psychological counseling comprises a diagnostic and a therapeutic part.