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Anticipation in Uznadze’s Theory of Set and Some Findings in Applied Psychology

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Anticipation: Learning from the Past

Part of the book series: Cognitive Systems Monographs ((COSMOS,volume 25))

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Abstract

This paper presents an overview of Dimitri Uznadze’s theory of set and its applied aspects. This theory recognizes the need to study processes which lie beyond the boundaries of consciousness from a nomothetic perspective. According to Uznadze, the subject of action is presented by an integral unconscious structure—Set, which encompasses (1) an existing need (subjective factor of the Set), and (2) the situation for its satisfaction (objective factor of the Set). The Set uses mental functions as instruments and prepares consequent behavior. A classical instrument for studying the Set is the fixed Set method, which is revealed in the experimental situation as a lack of adaptation in the subject—perceptual illusions. Jean Piaget highlighted the anticipatory nature of such illusions and named them “Uznadze’s effect”. Results of experiments confirm Uznadze’s basic proposition that the illusion in question is based on unconscious anticipation as an integral state of the personality. A number of experimental studies conducted by Georgian psychologists found that both, the revealing of the fixed Set, as well as its suppression during the change of environment correspond to disorders or disabilities in individuals. Currently the Set-based approach is used in the psychology of thinking and teaching methodology.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The beginning of history of psychological science in Georgia is connected with the name of Dimitri Uznadze. In 1918 D. Uznadze opens the chair and research laboratory of psychology at the Tbilisi University, writes scientific works and textbooks. In 1927 the scientific potential of psychology increases, making it possible to form a society of psychology. Till 1957 (when the society of psychologists of the Soviet Union was created), that was the only civil society organization of psychologists in the entire Soviet Union. In 1941 Uznadze creates the psychology sector within the Academy of Sciences of Georgia, and after two years later founds the Research Institute of Psychology, where the psychological school of Set was developed.

  2. 2.

    1st series of experiments: Pictures of the same big and small circles are given to a test subject for comparison (dynamic grade 0). Equal circles are used in critical exposition [6]. 2nd series of experiments: each pair consists of figures having the same shape and different sizes, no pair given to a test subject for comparison repeats another by shape (dynamic grade 1). Equal circles are used in critical exposition [25]. 3rd series of experiments: When carrying out “set” tests pictures of different animals are given to the test subject: domestic and wild animals, birds, fishes, insects to name different animals (dynamic grade 2) (All the test subjects were aware that these images belonged to animal kingdom and, at the same time, they have emotional relation to them). Then in the critical exposition the test subjects are shown a critical image—a belt [10].

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  1. Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia

    Ketevan D. Makashvili

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  1. Ketevan D. Makashvili
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Correspondence to Ketevan D. Makashvili .

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  1. antÉ—Institute for Research in Anticipatory Systems, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA

    Mihai Nadin

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Makashvili, K.D. (2015). Anticipation in Uznadze’s Theory of Set and Some Findings in Applied Psychology. In: Nadin, M. (eds) Anticipation: Learning from the Past. Cognitive Systems Monographs, vol 25. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19446-2_29

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19446-2_29

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