Psychology in Russia: State of the Art
<p>After a hiatus of several years, the Russian Psychological Society starting publishing their annual peer-reviewed academic journal, “Psychology in Russia: State of the Art” in 2008. Unlike the journals from earlier in this exhibit, this journal is highly scientific and empirical in its nature and largely focuses solely on furthering the field of psychological research in Russia as well as gaining credibility for Russian psychological research on the global stage. Thus, this publication rounds out the arc of the history of psychology in Russia – specifically, “Psychology in Russia: State of the Art” represents the current state of the development of the field of psychology not only in the way that the Russian Psychological Society wants to present it to fellow scholars, but to the rest of the world. Truly, this publication is one of the best examples of Russian psychology in modern, global as well as domestic perspective. <br /><br />An excerpt from the 2011 publication’s introduction by Editors Yury Zinchenko and Viktor Petrenko perfectly encapsulates the importance of this publication as well as the current state of psychology in Russia today: “The year which passed since the last issue of this yearbook was published was marked by a considerable amount of activity by the professional community of Russian psychologists. This clearly reflects the growing role psychology as a discipline and a profession plays in the life of Russian society. Today, psychology has become very visible in Russia. It has made a miraculous transformation from a rather exotic – if not marginal – academic discipline to almost a mass occupation” (Zinchenko & Petrenko).</p>
Rena Wang
Zinchenko, Yury & Petrenko, Viktor. " Introduction." <em>Psychology in Russia: State of the Art</em> 4 (2011): 6-12. Online.
Russian Psychological Society
2008 - Present
Publication cover
Academic journal
Problems of Idealism (collection of essays)
“Problems of Idealism” is by far one of the most directly socio-politically motivated texts to have been produced by or in relation to the Moscow Psychological Society. Thus, this text is an excellent example of just how interwoven the early relationship between the field of psychology and the development of socio-political ideals truly was. This is important to keep in mind particularly when thinking about some of the later events of the Psychological Society and how they came to pass.
This set of 12 essays focused on cementing the on-going philosophical and more theoretical motivations behind many of the Society’s other publications during the turn of the century. Namely, “Problems of Idealism” was a landmark socio-political publication because it made the argument for liberalism in relation to neo-liberalism (Poole). In fact, some scholars claim that not only did “Problems of Idealism” build the philosophical foundation for the later Liberation Movement in Russia, but also helped further the “social and intellectual history of Russian liberalism” as it relates to the development of the Moscow Psychological Society (Poole).
Note: although the main individuals behind the publication of this set of essays were “looser” members of the Psychological Society at the time, they were still members of the Society.
Rena Wang
Poole, Randall. Problems of Idealism: Essays in Russian Social Philosophy. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003. Print.
Yale University Press
1902
Prof. Randall Poole
Book (collection of essays)
Questions of Philosophy and Psychology (early publication)
Published between 1889 and 1918 and founded by the second Chairman of the Moscow Psychological Society and Professor and Philosophy, Nikolai Grotto, “Questions of Philosophy and Psychology” is one of the most important social and psychological publications of its time. As the beginning of a set of items on this page that reflect upon the meaning and context of a selection of the Russian Psychological Society (or the equivalent)’s publications over time, “Questions of Philosophy and Psychology” encompasses unique issues, observations, and academic inquiries regarding a broad scope of issues. Overall, this publication is particularly important because of what it represents in thinking about psychology and the evolution of the Russian Psychological Society in a global and historical context – namely, the fact that psychology, philosophy, and intricate socio-political development are always interconnected.
Because the research and journalistic endeavors that fall under the umbrella of this publication’s “scope” is far from limited to just to the field of psychological research, it is excellent for tracing how intricately linked the birth of the science of psychology and the Moscow Psychological Society was to other fields, like philosophy, journalism, and politics. Although specific socio-political issues were not addressed head-on in this publication, this journal encompasses many types of articles focused on philosophy and supposed spiritual development (Zakutnyaya). In fact, even Leo Tolstoy was known to have several items published in this journal!
Rena Wang
Grotto, Nikolai. Questions of Philosophy and Psychology: Book 1. Runivers. Web. 1 May 2014. <http://www.runivers.ru/lib/book3201/10269/>.
Runivers
1889 - 1918
Lithography
Originally in Russian, online translated into English
Academic journal