PERSONAL FACTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL READINESS OF SPECIAL PURPOSE UNITS’ POLICE OFFICERS TO PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES IN EXTREME CONDITIONS

Abstract

The authors of the article have analyzed the concepts and content of psychological readiness of a person for professional and official activities in extreme conditions. Approaches to understanding the essence of psychological readiness have been determined. Based on the comparative empirical study 34 officers of special purpose units and 34 officers of the police personnel divisions the authors have determined the range of personal traits and manifestations underlying in the high level of psychological readiness for the professional and official activities of the officers of special purpose units. They are:

1) the crooked type of stress response, constant readiness for sympathetic, motor reaction to stimuli, which causes excessive control of behavior and is a symptom of chronic professional stress;

2) rational attitude to risk, avoidance of unmotivated, risky behavior with a high level of readiness for actions in the risk conditions and uncertainty;

3) the predominance of rational forms of thinking and behavior, strong control of emotions, a lack of imagination. It has been suggested that the sphere of compensation for emotional control may be reduced moral and normative control of behavior, skepticism of attitude towards restrictions and regulations, irresponsible attitude towards requirements that are perceived as superfluous and unreasonable.