Problems of Research of Abilities in Modern Russian Psychology: In Search of a New Theory

The state of the problem of abilities in the modern history of Russian psychological science is discussed. It is argued that despite the recognition by the psychological community of the high functional significance of abilities as a factor of achievement in various types of activity, as a factor in human development, the real productivity of research in the field of the psychology of abilities remains quite low. It is shown that in the recent history of Russian psychology there is a decline in the interest of the scientific community in the development of this problem. This is a consequence of a longer process of low-intensity research of abilities in Soviet psychology. Based on the analysis of publications in leading psychological journals for the period 1991–2022, an attempt has been made to systematize research in the field of psychology of abilities. Two approaches to research analysis were used: methodological analysis (characterization of research by type, subject, method, object), functional analysis (characterization based on the use of abilities as an object of research and as an object of formation). The author substantiates the statement that the decrease in the intensity of research in the field of psychology of abilities is a consequence of the lack of a “working” theory of abilities in psychological science, which allows solving the problems of determining the structure of abilities and their interaction, their development, functioning and formation.

abilities, psychology, ability theory, methodology, explanation, integration