Horenko M. Gender peculiarities of forming the readiness of future psychologists to pursue a professional career

The author carried out a theoretical analysis of the state of study of the problem of psychological readiness of applicants to pursue a professional career and gender characteristics in psychology. It has been established that psychological readiness is the primary condition for the successful performance of a certain activity. An important factor in the formation of psychological readiness for a specific type of activity is the presence of appropriate inclinations, abilities and personal qualities. It is formed on the basis of assimilation of general and professional knowledge, formation of abilities and skills, improvement of professionally important qualities. The psychological readiness of future psychologists to pursue a professional career is a complex, integrated system of properties, professional knowledge and experience; systemic psychological education in the personality structure of the future specialist. Such readiness includes formed motives for choosing the profession of a psychologist, professional orientation, professionally significant personality qualities; a wide range of special knowledge and skills; the presence of emotional and volitional personality properties that contribute to its realisation. The effectiveness of the professional career of a psychologist depends on the formation of such interconnected components of psychological readiness as motivational and targeted, cognitive, operational, communicative, regulatory and volitional, and reflective. In the context of the study, the concept of ‘gender’ reflects the conventionality of differences between men and women in sociopsychological and professional aspects. The study of the peculiarities of the formation of the psychological readiness of future psychologists to pursue a professional career in the gender aspect aims to identify differences depending on the type of gender identity. In this context, the research was based on the scientific achievements of S. Bem about the main types of gender identity (masculinity, femininity and androgyny). There were gender characteristics researched regardless of gender, taking into account the psychological features of its individual gender identity. Empirically determined criteria and indicators of psychological readiness: motivation of educational activity; motives of educational and professional activity of future psychologists; understanding of the main concepts related to the implementation of a career; cognitive activity; emotional stability; subjective control; behavioural activity in general; activity in preparation for a professional career; successful application of professional skills during internship at the higher education institution; communicative competence; emotional intelligence; the ability to analyse one’s own behaviour; the ability to evaluate the results of one’s activities. Levels of formation are also defined components of psychological readiness of future psychologists to pursue a professional career: high, medium, low.