About Laboratory of Cyberpsychology

Laboratory of Cyberpsychology is at the forefront of modern psychology and pedagogy sciences, explores the psychological problems of the design and use of computer learning systems. 

In 2022, the laboratory celebrated its 50th anniversary.

The laboratory was established in 1972. As a base, it had the research group engaged, together with scholars from Cybernetics Institute AS UkrSSR, in the development of the problem of non-professional users training. A series of handbooks intended for this type users was prepared, and the programming language EDPL (Extended Data Processing Language) created, which became popular both in Ukraine and abroad. The laboratory conducts a study of psychological and pedagogical problems related to instructional systems design and use.

The Laboratory developed the concept of instruction as learning activity management. This conception is the core of the new approach to the technology of instruction, it enables eliciting of correlation between the theory and technology of instruction. Specific features of new information technologies of instruction (NITI) were analyzed.

The conception of hierarchical NITI design (Ye.I.Mashbitz) was also worked out here. On its basis some experimental instructional systems were developed; prepared were manuals for designers of instructional systems, whatever the system type: 1st generation or hypertext.

The staff of the Laboratory has developed certain tools for instructional systems design, published the manual for teachers on the design of hypertext and intelligent instructional systems, and produced the hypertext system for training on text composition.

In the period 1993-2003, Laboratory developed psychological problems mechanisms of instruction. These mechanisms help to elicit relationships between the computer and students on the level of activity pursued by the student and simulated by the system. We focus our attention on such mechanisms as feedback, further definition of the learning task, and dynamic distribution of managerial functions between the student and the tutor (computer).

In 2004-2007, Laboratory developed the problem of teacher training for effective use of telecommunications technology in learning activities. Theoretical aspects of the impact of telecommunications networks in the education system, studies the theoretical and methodological foundations of research on teacher training for effective use of telecommunications in the learning process specified educational potential of computer hypertext environment, formed by network technology. Considered psychological principles using the Internet as a means of training teachers, problems of training and counseling teachers in the Internet. According to a study published the educational methodical manual "The Use of Telecommunication Tools in the Educational Process: Psychological and Pedagogical Aspects" (Kyiv, "Pedahohichna Dumka", 2008).

In 2008, the Laboratory began researching the psychological foundations of learning effectiveness (see publications).

In the years 2008-2011 studied the psychological foundations of learning effectiveness, the results of which in 2012 published a monograph "Distance Learning: Psychological Foundations" (edited by M.L. Smulson).

In 2009 the Laboratory conducted interdisciplinary scientific-practical conference «Technologies of intellectual activity», professional collection is given out "Psychological Theory and Learning Technology" (Series "Current Issues in Psychology", Vol. 8).

In 2012, the Laboratory of New Information Technologies started a new direction of – the research of adult intellectual development in virtual learning space. Theoretical and methodological analysis and concept development of research conception is conducted in the following main areas: the design of technology development and self-development of intelligence adults and the elderly, identifying psychological mechanisms to improve the quality of life of adults by means of intellectual development in virtual learning space, an analysis of project activity as a factor of intellectual development of adults of Adults virtual learning space, identifying psychological characteristics of group work in virtual learning space and more.

In 2012-2015, the laboratory conducted a study of the intellectual development of adults in a virtual educational space. As a result of theoretical and methodological analysis, as well as experimental research, significant results were obtained in the following main areas: designing technologies for the development and self-development of the intellect of adults and the elderly, determining the psychological mechanisms of improving the quality of life of adults by means of intellectual development in the virtual educational space, analysis of project activities as factors of intellectual development of adults in a virtual educational space, determination of psychological features of group work in a virtual educational space, etc. In 2015, the collective monograph "Development of the intelligence of Adults in the Virtual Educational Space" (edited by M.L. Smulson) was published, which took first place in the competition of scientific works of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine for 2015.

During 2016-2021, the laboratory carried out two large-scale studies devoted to the development of the subjectness of adults and the elderly in the virtual educational space. The specificity of subjectness activity in the modern transitive world is determined, the connection of subjectness and subjectness activity of adults with leading intellectual metacognitions, as well as with the functions of intelligence, is shown. Technologies for the formation of the subjectness activity of adults in the virtual space have been developed, in particular, the technology for the formation of the subjectness activity of adult users of social networks, the technology for the development of subjectness activity in the process of conflict resolution, the technology for the development of subjectness activity by creating the space of elections. The role of subjectness activity in intellectual development of adults and remote educational group work with them, in psychological support of adults and the elderly has been clarified.

The specificity of the subjectness of an adult is shown, as well as the connection of subjectness with the maturity of an adult personality. The leading psychological mechanisms of the formation of subjectness of adults, as well as specific psychological mechanisms of the formation of subjectness in gerontogenesis, have been determined. The principles of the formation of subjectness in the virtual space on the material of psychological work in social networks during the period of quarantine self-isolation, the regularities of the formation of subjectness in the conditions of group distance learning are clarified. Features of design are considered a psychological mechanism of forming the professional subjectness of the military.

Based on the research results, the monographs "Development of Subjectness Activity of Adults in Virtual Space" (2018, edited by M.L. Smulson) and "Psychological Mechanisms of the Formation of Subjectness of Adults in Virtual Space" (2021, edited by M.L. Smulson) were published.

In 2022, the Laboratory began researching the problem of designing a virtual space for the development of adult subjectness. Unfortunately, the beginning of the research coincided with the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Employees of the laboratory actively work as volunteers in various directions, in particular, in the direction of psychological training of the military, as well as rehabilitation work with families (women with children) who were particularly affected as a result of military operations in Ukraine (loss of loved ones, occupation, evacuation, shelling, etc.). See more about the Wartime Recovery program.

A series of annual international scientific and practical online conferences titled "Virtual Educational Space: Psychological Issues" (the 12th conference was held in 2024) is organized at the laboratory, along with national scientific and practical online conferences "Cyberpsychology in the Information Society: Support, Education, Development" (the 2nd conference was held in 2024). The electronic professional journal of category B, "Technologies of Intellect Development", is regularly published and is indexed in various scientometric databases.

The electronic scientific edition of the Laboratory of Cyberpsychology of the G.S. Kostiuk Institute of Psychology, Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine, Technologies of Intellect Development, is included in the list of professional publications in psychology ratified by the Ministry of Education and Science (MON) of Ukraine.

From 2022, the laboratory is headed by M.M. Nazar, Ph.D. in Psychology, Senior Researcher.

The Laboratory cooperates with the Institute of Artificial Intelligence Problems under MES and NAS of Ukraine, Institute of Cybernetics of them. Acad. V.M. Glushkov NAS of Ukraine, National Pedagogic University Dragomanov, Department of Psychology, National University "KPI" and other research centers in Ukraine and abroad.