Reflection as a mechanism for the formation of individual consciousness and activity of a personality

The article covers the essence of the psychological content of the concept of reflection and its polyfunctionality, so as the importance and uniqueness of the role of this phenomenon in the structure of the personality. Reflection is considered to be a mechanism of selfconsciousness, a special research act, which directs a person to processing and realization of their own forms of consciousness to consider, in a substantive fashion, the knowledge about themselves and other people, a critical analysis of its content and methods of cognition. The author analyses features of different types and forms of reflection functioning, which contribute to the formation of many new traits of personality, determine its complete «self-image» and promote self-perfection of personality, success of its activity and communication in relations with other people. It has been defied that reflection acts as the generic ability of a man, manifested in the attitude of consciousness on oneself, on the inner world of a man, in his/her place in relationships with others, on forms and methods of cognitive and transformative activity. Reflection as an opportunity to go beyond the existing situation makes it possible to realize it, the motives of personal actions, the condition, to update personal knowledge, to evaluate the own actions, as well as to find out the position of the partner in the interaction, to understand his/her condition. It has been found out that in the process of the motive creating behavior, the reflection agrees with such fundamental characteristics of the personality as outlook installations, beliefs, and values with the interests, needs, and desires of another person. From the standpoint of the scientific research it has been stated that the reflection as a unity of processes of self-awareness and awareness of the attitude of «I-the Other» serves as the leading mechanism of self-regulation of personality's behaviour. It is established that reflection is one of the mechanisms of self-development and self-improvement of the personality. On the path to self-improvement, reflexive processes enable an individual to actualize the processes of selforganization, to mobilize their own potential, intellectual and spiritual resources in terms of professional activity.