Ethno-cultural identity as an indicator of the formation of future psychologists’ professional readiness for multicultural interaction

Abstract

The paper examines the psychological and pedagogical aspects of future psychologists’ readiness for professional activities in the conditions of multiculturalism. The aim of the study is to substantiate the possibility of using ethno-cultural identity types as indicators of future psychologists’ readiness for professional activities in multicultural conditions. Various approaches to the category of readiness in psychology and pedagogy are considered. Professional readiness is understood as an integral personal characteristic that includes awareness of one’s abilities, preparedness and the desire to realize them in professional activities. The scientific novelty lies in elaborating the essence of the notion of “future psychologists’ professional readiness for multicultural interaction”, as well as in identifying the relationship between ethno-cultural identity and the formation of future psychologists’ professional readiness for multicultural interaction. The results of the study showed that that the high level of readiness for professional activities in multicultural conditions is observed only among students with positive ethno-cultural identity. The more pronounced positive ethno-cultural identity is, the higher the level of future psychologists’ professional readiness for multicultural interaction is, which determines the importance of developing this type of identity among specialists working in multicultural conditions. Ethnonigilism is associated with the low level of future psychologists’ readiness for multicultural interaction. Expectations, attitude to another culture and its assessment, confidence in one’s abilities and competencies are important aspects of professional readiness for multicultural interaction, but its strongest indicator is intercultural interest.