Methodological Principles of Information Materials Research in Forensic Psychology

The article addresses the basic methodological principles of psychological analysis of information materials applied during the forensic psychological examination of a new direction established in the system of forensic institutions of the Ministry of Justice of Russia in 2017. The foundation of the direction is the general methodology of forensic psychological examination, deeply elaborated by F.S. Safuanov. At the same time, the features of objects (information materials and communications included in social activities and human behavior that are subject to legal assessment and can be recognized as criminal) and the subject of research (forensically and legally significant features of information materials) determine the number of particular methodological principles, methods, and procedures for their application. These distinguish the study of information materials from the study of the mental activity of investigated persons (accused, victims, witnesses) during the legally significant period.The author notes a connection of psychological research of information materials with the general methodology of forensic psychological examination. At the same time, methodological features are determined due to the interdisciplinary connections of a new kind of forensic examination with other sciences and practical expert tasks. Next, the article describes the main methodological approaches of psychological research of information materials: system-structural, activity-based, phenomenological, and hermeneutic, as well as level, communicative, qualitative, and discursive analysis.

THE WAYS TO IMPROVE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF EMPLOYEES OF THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, EXPECTED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PERSONNEL RESERVE OF AN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIN

The article discusses topical problems of ensuring the psychological selection of employees for inclusion in the personnel reserve of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation. The sample of the study consists of 47 people: the first group of police officers appointed to leading positions in the educational organization of the Ministry of Internal Affairs from the personnel reserve (n = 25), and the second group of employees included in the personnel reserve of the educational organization, but who were not appointed to senior positions for various reasons (n = 22). In order to increase the effectiveness of the examination of the individual psychological characteristics of employees recommended for inclusion in the personnel reserve of an educational organization, we propose to study them in blocks (potentials), which, in our opinion, will increase the reliability of the data obtained and reduce subjectivity. The authors of the article identified the following blocks: intellectual, leadership, adaptive and executive potential. The article presents the results of a study of the potentials and competencies of employees of the personnel reserve of the internal affairs bodies. Recommendations for improving the work on the selection of employees included in the personnel reserve of an educational organization are presented. An analysis of the psychological characteristics of employees of internal affairs bodies included in the personnel reserve and subsequently appointed to leading positions gives us reason to believe that psychological diagnostics and, in general, forecasting the professional success of police officers requires a revision of existing approaches to diagnostic and prognostic indicators, and possibly and psychodiagnostic methods and procedures

On the differential diagnostic prospects of determining the profile of the lateral organization of the personality during assessment of the systematic alcohol abuse

The article is devoted to the question of the possible improvement of the psychological examination of persons previously examined in alcoholic intoxication (hereinafter—PEAI). The authors propose an original view on the definition of the target of «alcohol screening», the principles and methods of assessing psychological markers of the systematic substance abuse. Purpose of the study: to determine the differential diagnostic significance of identifying the profile of the lateral organization (hereinafter—PLO) when assessing of the systematic of alcohol abuse in those previously examined in a state of alcoholic intoxication. The researchers made an attempt to highlight the features of PLO of such a «risk group» as those previously examined in a state of alcoholic intoxication (based on data obtained during the study according to the typology of E.D. Khomskaya (with a combination of three types of asymmetries: manual, auditory-verbal and visual) of lateral preferences of 19 PEAI patients of the branch of the Moscow Research and Practical Center for Narcology). As a result, the tendency of those previously examined in the state of intoxication to the lack of a «leading ear» and «leading eye», significant differences in the distribution of the attribute «leading hand» among those previously examined in a state of alcoholic intoxication and in the population were revealed. Conclusion. According to the results of this study, it is difficult to assume the presence of a significant differential diagnostic significance of PLO detection during «alcohol screening» among those previously examined in a state of alcoholic intoxication. At the same time, it should be noted that taking into account lateral preferences can contribute to the improvement of preventive work programs in the narcological service, providing greater individualization of psychological support measures. Directly in the rehabilitation work with PEAI, it is advisable to actively apply social and psychological training (because of a significant part of the contingent among the main factors of relapse with a high degree of probability has social stressors). The creation of short-term (3-5 meetings) programs of group exercises of a preventive orientation, which have different targets depending on the «vulnerability factors» of the owners of certain lateral profiles, also seems justified.

98 Takotsubo syndrome in COVID-19 era: is psycological distress the key?

Covid-19 pandemic, starting from Wuhan, China has spread all over the word and Italy was one of the most affected countries, especially in Lombardy, where, on 20 February the first case was confirmed. Italian Government ordered a national lockdown on the 9 March 2020, forcing the population to severe restrictive isolation measures. The burden on mental health of the medical emergency related to COVID-19 is progressively been revealed. Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), is estimated to represent 1–3% of patients admitted with suspected STEMI, mostly affecting elderly women with emotional stress and/or acute illness preceding the presentation. Comparing patients hospitalized from February to May 2020 with those of the corresponding period in 2019 we observed a significantly increased number of TTS diagnosis in 2020 (11 patients in 2020 vs. 3 in 2019), especially during the first period of lockdown. The only two males were patients with COVID-19 and were the only two who died in hospital. At psychological examination all patients enrolled report to have lived a particularly stressful experience at IES-R in the last year, without presenting the symptoms of a post-traumatic stress disorder. Most patients were positive to the allostatic overload. Only one patient showed a clinical cut-off for HADS and no one for the fear COVID-19 scale. We finally concluded that subjects with pre-pandemic psychological distress may have experienced additional psychological overload, opening the door to TTS by a series of physiological alterations as the secretion of cortisol and catecholamines, making the subject more vulnerable to the onset of TTS.

Potential Use of Intelligent Machine Vision Systems in Forensic Psychological Examination

The objective of this study is to develop and experimentally verify the expert method of non-contact psychological and physiological diagnostics of emotional and mental state of a person by measuring complex patterns of facial micro-movements beyond the conscious control of the person through the use of special software, as well as to determine the opportunities and limitations of using this method in forensic psychological examinations. The authors substantiate the prospects of unbiased methods for assessing a person’s emotional and mental state by measuring behavioural patterns using modern digital technologies. The paper identifies the key factors that determine the effectiveness of forensic psychological examination methods. The results of the study revealed both general regularities to distinguish patterns and their individual characteristics. However, there were no consistently repeated facial patterns that would allow differentiating the initial stimuli of emotional reactions. It was established that the essential factor subject to the evaluation through the analysis of facial expressions is the level of cognitive load, representing the weight of the situation for a certain person. By applying machine-learning method, the authors developed a technology of the binary classification of questions according to the degree of their subjective cognitive complexity based on the facial micro-­movements when a person answers the interview questions. The predictive model served as the basis for the development of a pilot version of the expert study method to assess the subjective cognitive complexity of the interview questions. The paper provides minimum technical requirements of “Systems of Psychological and Physiolo­gical Studies” software for the analysis of video footage in forensic psychological examination, including standardized requirements for recording an examined person’s facial expressions during the interview. The authors also developed the sequence of the expert’s actions. The paper includes the legal rationale for a new expert study method to be implemented.

HMD-Based VR Tool for Traffic Psychological Examination: Conceptualization and Design Proposition

In the present theoretical paper, the current body of knowledge regarding the use of wearable virtual reality (VR) technologies for traffic psychological examination (TPE) is introduced, critically discussed and a specific application is suggested. The combination of wearable head-mounted displays for VR with an interactive and cost-effective haptic driving interface is emphasized as a valid and viable platform for a driving skills psychological assessment, which is in several aspects superior to standard TPE as well as driving simulators. For this purpose, existing psychological examination methods and psychological phenomena relevant in the process of driving are discussed together with VR technology’s properties and options. Special focus is dedicated to situation awareness as a crucial, but currently hardly measurable construct, where VR in combination with embedded eye-tracking (ET) technology represents a promising solution. Furthermore, the suitability and possibilities of these VR tools for valid traffic psychological examination are analyzed and discussed. Additionally, potentially desirable measures for driving assessment based on recent advances of VR are outlined and practical applications are suggested. The aim of this article is to bring together recent advances in TPE, VR and ET; revise previous relevant studies in the field; and to propose concept of the cost effective, mobile and expandable HMD-based driving simulator, which can be suitable for an ecologically valid driving assessment and follow-up TPE in common practice.

Distance form of acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic insomnia minimization

Introduction. For the last year chronic insomnia is one of the most widespread sleeping disorders among the population in general. About 30-54% of population report about symptoms of insomnia and about 27% of them comply with diagnosis criteria of chronic insomnia. The aim of this article is to introduce Russian specialists to specificity of application of acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of chronic insomnia. Results. In this article for the first time, we show the limitations of distance forms of the ‘first’ and the ‘second’ wave cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of chronic insomnia. The aims, therapeutic targets, forms of holding acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic insomnia (ACT-I) are described in this paper. Transdiagnostic approach for support of patients with chronic insomnia is detailed on the example of integrative distance protocol of acceptance and commitment therapy with CBT-I by M. Chapoutot and L. Peter-Derex. This approach increases adherence to treatment, provides good remission and reduces the risks of uncontrolled using of hypnotic drugs, decreases insomnia symptoms and improves the quality of patient’s life. There is presented the innovated form of distance psychological examination of patients suffering from chronic insomnia and the accent is made on the features of somatic and cognitive hyperexcitation, mental flexibility and ability to suppress chronic disadaptive thoughts. We demonstrated specificity, efficiency and limitations of acceptance and commitment distance therapy existing in foreign practice and aimed for minimization of chronic insomnia in the structure of depression and chronic pain syndrome by P. Lappalainen et al. Conclusions. Current distance protocols of acceptance and commitment therapy for treatment of chronic insomnia in the structure of depression and pain syndrome demonstrate efficiency in increasing in sleep quality and duration, and also in decreasing of dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes related to sleep. Furthermore, therapy decreases symptoms of depression and significantly influences on thoughts suppression.

Conducting Psychological Examinations for Citizens in Possession of Weapons: Strengthening State Control Over Circulation of Weapons

In the article, in connection with the introduction of amendments to the federal legislation, specific issues regarding the conducting of a psychological survey of citizens gun owners and candidates for gun ownership are considered. A battery of psychodiagnostic techniques that can be used in the course of a psychological examination (progressive matrices of J. Raven, a questionnaire of the Level of subjective control, and a method for diagnosing frustration tolerance from Rosenzweig, Minnesota Multidisciplinary Personality Questionnaire) is proposed and justified, as is an algorithm for conducting psychodiagnostic research. Furthermore, a proposal to include in the psychological examination, a psychological analysis of social networks (provided that the subject is a member of their group) has been made. The possible participation in the psychological survey gun owners and candidates for gun ownership psychologists of Rosgvardiya are justified and the specific form of their participation in the survey is indicated.

Manajemen Seleksi pada Posisi Education Administrator di Global Art Education Denpasar

ABSTRACT. In the development of the world of education, education management is needed, one of which is the placement of human resources. Global Art as one of the companies engaged in the world of education requires Education Administrator staff for this reason, employee selection is carried out to fulfill the administrator position. In the selection, selection is carried out using the psychological test method or psychological examination. The research was conducted to find out how education management uses psychological tests in placing employees according to needs. Psikotest results found that prospective employees meet the requirements for the position of Education Administrator at Global Art

ENERGY AND VIITALITY IN PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS

Depressive disorders are one of the most clinically and socially challenging diseases resulting from diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties and significant socio-psychological maladaptation. Therefore, investigating the characteristics of energy and vitality in patients with depressive disorders, taking into account age and sex can contribute to comprehensive understanding of the etiopathogenetic and pathopsychological mechanisms of depressive disorders. The aim of this study is to assess the peculiarities of vitality and its components in patients with depressive disorders considering their age and sex. The study involved 107 men and 138 women with depressive disorders, who underwent clinical and psychological examination and were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their live energy and health components of vitality. The findings obtained demonstrated the low level of vitality in patients with depression. In men, the level of social engagement was 22.2±5.9 scores in the age group up to 30 years; 19.0±6.8 scores in the age group of 30-44 year participants, and 11.6±10.0 scores in the age group of 45 year old and over; while in the control groups this value was 20.9±4.4 scores, 19.5±5.9 scores and 13.2±9.2 scores respectively. The assumption of risk was in the test groups was scored 9.9±3.4, 8.7±3.2, and 5.6±4.3 respectively; vitality rate made up 53.1±11.7 scores, 47.2±13.4 scores and 30.4 ± 22.7 scores respectively. The women demonstrated significantly (p<0.05) higher rates of social engagement: 25.6±7.5 scores, 22.4±7.2 scores, and 14.7±6.6 points, respectively vs. 23.5±5.0 scores, 22.1±6.0 scores, and 17.9±4.7 scores in the controls, respectively; the assumption of risk equalled 10.7±3.1 scores, 9.9±4.0 scores, and 7.8±3.6 scores respectively. The vitality was scored 59.8±13.3, 54.3±15.2, and 40.5±13.2 respectively. There has been found a tendency towards the decrease in the indicators of vitality, both its integral and individual components, with age, and this is more pronounced in the age group of 45 years and over. Significant (p<0.01) inverse correlations have been found between the severity of depression and the social life engagement (rS=0.683), control (rS=0.668), assumption of risks (rS=0.599) and vitality (rS=0.695); between the reactive anxiety and the social engagement (rS=0.608), control (rS=0.567), assumption of risks (rS=0.520) and vitality (rS=0.651); and between personal anxiety and social engagement (rS=0.336), control (rS=0.295), assumption of risks (rS=0.208) and vitality (rS=0.339). Conclusions. Depressive disorders are accompanied by a significant decrease in the energy and vitality of the patients that impacts both the overall vitality and its components: social engagement, control, and assumption of risks. The level of vitality goes down with the age of the individuals, and is more pronounced in the aged group (45 years and over). The men demonstrate significantly lower levels of social engagement, control, and vitality in all age groups compared to the women, and a lower level of the assumption of risks in the age group 45 years and over. There have been found out moderate inverse correlations between vitality, social engagement, control, and the assumption of risk and the severity of depressive symptoms, reactive anxiety, and weak inverse correlations with personal anxiety.