Detecting and overcoming infantilism in students at teachers colleges

Abstract

Background. One of the obstacles to developing professionals which is encountered among students in higher education is a special form of infantilization. The present study focuses on academic and professional infantilism. While numerous papers by domestic and foreign scientists have analyzed infantilism, there is a clear lack of research on how to overcome this problem in students. Objective. This article deals with the problem of infantilism in the context of the academic and professional activities of students at teachers colleges (known in Russia as pedagogical higher education institutions). We have analyzed domestic and foreign research on problems of infantilism, and have developed a diagnostic system to distinguish the various levels of academic and professional infantilism. Structural components of students’ academic and professional infantilism are described. Design. Four groups of students are identified, presenting different levels of infantilism. We have theoretically clarified and experimentally demonstrated the special conditions that make it possible to overcome infantilism in students in higher educational institutions. Results. Two groups of conditions, external and internal, are distinguished. A special program which contributes to overcoming infantilism in students has been theoretically identified and experimentally substantiated. Conclusions. We describe three stages of the decrease in infantilism as a result of the special program, and present the dynamics of the declining infantilism level as a result of the special program.

Keywords

• infantilism
• overcoming academic and professional infantilism
• self-actualization
• internality
• structural components of infantilism
• conditions to overcome infantilism