Types and structure of volitional action

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Will is a quality that is especially necessary in difficult life situations. It manifests itself in solving problems, overcoming obstacles, the need to make the right choice. At present, science has more than one concept of will. The structure of volitional action also includes many components, the definitions of which are being developed by modern scientists.

Will in life and in science

When a person learns to overcome obstacles - both external and internal, he develops willpower in himself, becomes more independent, independent, disciplined and self-possessed. No wonder the structure of volitional action has recently become the object of research by many scientists.

What is willpower? Subjectively, it is experienced by a person as a kind of emotional stress. At the same time, creating additional motivation for action, all its forces are mobilized: attention, imagination and thinking. Through this tensionthere is a victory over oneself. In general, in general psychology, one of the most important is the concept of will. The structure of volitional action makes it possible to isolate the various components of this, at first glance, indivisible phenomenon.

What are the functions of the will?

In many life circumstances, a well-trained will is necessary. At the same time, the structure of volitional action remains hidden for the understanding of an ordinary person. The main functions of the will are the regulation of behavior when the motivation to perform certain actions is either too small or, conversely, too strong; the choice of certain motives; organization of thinking, memory, attention and emotions in such a way that the activity of these mental processes contributes to the achievement of the goal; and mobilization of mental and physical resources.

Psychological structure of volitional action

All volitional actions are divided into two categories: simple and complex. This division is the most generalized. As can be seen from the definition, the structure of a simple volitional action does not include additional components. In this case, a person is clearly aware of what his goal is and how it can be achieved. He simply takes the right action to get him to the right place.

The structure of volitional action consists of two parts or stages. The first stage is preparatory, the second is the direct implementation of actions.

Complex volitional action

The structure of a complex volitional action is arranged differently. It has several stages, the isolation of which is due to the difficulties that stand in the way of achieving the desired goal, as well as the internal conflict of a person, the struggle of his motives. The first stage is the awareness of the goal, as well as the opportunities that are available to achieve it. At the next stage, those motives are noted that confirm or deny the possibilities indicated at the first stage. The turning point is the struggle of motives within the personality and the adoption of a final decision. This is followed by the choice of a certain opportunity, which acts as a means to achieve the goal, the implementation of the decision, and, finally, overcoming the existing obstacles on the way to the goal. The final stage is its achievement. The structure, characteristics of volitional action were revealed as a result of the long work of many scientists: S. L. Rubinshtein, A. N. Leontiev, V. A. Ivannikov.

Goal Thinking Stage

It would seem, what difficulties may arise during this period? If there is a goal, then its achievement is real under certain circumstances, and also if a person has a trained will. The structure of volitional action, however, includes this stage for a reason. The fact is that it is not always possible to quickly assess the current situation and realize how achievable the goal is. If the physical and psychological capabilities of a person really do not correspond to this level, then perhaps another goal will be of greater importance - not sohigh, but more meaningful.

Struggle of motives in volitional action

Such a complex structure of volitional action is due precisely to the ability of a person to choose between several goals. The fact is that often a person may have several desires or needs, but almost always they cannot be satisfied at the same time. In such a situation, a struggle of motives arises, which is also a volitional activity. Over time, needs can also change, new ones are added. Some motives, generated by needs, can promote certain actions and hinder others.

Formulation of the decision made

Decision making is one of the key components that the structure of volitional action has. Psychology comes to the rescue here in practical and everyday situations. The fact is that the decision made may often need to be confirmed multiple times. Initially, the accepted statement is formed in the form of a specific phrase, which expresses its entire essence. These can be the words “Let it be so”, “I decided, period”, “Negotiable”. Then these statements will become a source of additional motivation in the implementation of the plan. For example, a person decides to give up sugary or fatty foods. But after a while, when he is again faced with the desire to eat something high-calorie, he will have to resort to the original statement in order not to give up.

Planning

One of the most important parts of the volitional processis the planning of specific goals to achieve the goal. The structure of volitional action, according to the views of some scientists, may not include this particular stage. But in order to achieve what is planned, it is necessary to properly represent all those actions through which the movement towards the goal will actually be carried out.

Often in everyday and work activities it is recommended to use the simplest items - a notebook and a pen. By making a to-do list, you can increase the likelihood of their execution by an order of magnitude.

Quality of Will

The structure of volitional action also does not properly cover such indicators characterizing the volitional process as its dynamic component and perseverance. The first is a kind of energy indicator and is needed to perform tasks that require large investments of forces per unit of time. Persistence allows you to achieve long-term goals and not give up in the face of current obstacles. Different people may have these qualities to varying degrees. Ideally, of course, the will should have both a high dynamic potential and a high indicator of perseverance.

Will and the unconscious

Some researchers point out that the structure of volitional action can be influenced by unconscious motives that control a person without his control. However, the ultimate purpose of volitional efforts is precisely the opposition to the pleasure principle, which requires its "here and now".

A mature person is alwaysunderstands that he cannot be given everything at once. And so every time he must choose one of the possibilities. At the same time, he resists temptation, restrains his desires. The decision to act one way and not another is preceded by an assessment of the situation, the possibilities that exist in reality, as well as the consequences of a certain course of action.

External and internal locus of control

To characterize a person in terms of the presence or absence of volitional qualities, an indicator such as locus of control is often used. This definition simply means the attribution of events occurring in a person's life to external or internal forces. If a person believes that all good and bad events in his life are generated by external forces, then his locus of control can be characterized as external. If he realizes that he himself contributed a considerable share in the implementation of this or that scenario, then such a person, rather, has an internal locus of control. It is closely related to the development of willpower.

How to train the will?

The first condition for this, of course, is the mobilization of energy. To begin to perform a task, you need to be ready to devote some amount of your time and effort to it. The latter usually means the work of higher mental functions - perception, memory, thinking, speech. Some people, when they hear that the first step in training the will must be the mobilization of energy, often respond with the same indignation. They point out that for this mobilization they just do notenough willpower. This "argument" can be very easily refuted: every person has at least a minimal volitional potential. Even if in its infancy, but people have it. Therefore, these words are either self-deception or outright lies.

Daily life provides many opportunities to train the will. This may be the need for an early rise, timely cleaning of the house, the development of the ability to concentrate on a particular type of activity. Both simple household chores and work issues can serve as an excellent springboard for training this wonderful quality.

At first, it may not be useful to a person. But in certain situations, he will be very glad that he once developed good willpower in himself in a timely manner. Thus, such training is very similar to he alth insurance. Every month, paying a certain amount of money, a person does not seem to see the point in this. But if such a need arises, he is very grateful to himself that he acted wisely and purchased this insurance.