چکیده (انگلیسی):

The phenomenon of the optimism is aimed at the disclosure of personal and professional human capacities, providing adaptive human interaction with the world and himself, but investigated fragmentary and not always included in the solution of actual life problems of human. The psychological nature, structure and relationship with other mental formations, the “self-concept” remain unrevealed. This becomes especially important in early adulthood, studenthood, when the system of self-concepts and capabilities forms. Humor has been considered as a component of optimism. The empirical study involved a set of methods such as “Personal differential”, Purpose-in-Life test (D.Crumbaugh, L. Maholick), a modified questionnaire of J.Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale, “The coping humor scale”, and “Situational Humor Response Questionnaire” by R. Martin. It was found that optimistic students (high rates of CHS and SHRQ) estimate their process of life to be interesting, emotionally rich (r = 0.684, p = 0.01) and meaningful (r = 0.435, p = 0.001); have sufficient freedom of choice, purposeful behavior (r = 0.885, p = 0.001); have adequate self-esteem (r = 0.669, p = 0.01); tend to perceive themselve as a carrier of positive, socially desirable characteristics (r = 0.768, p = 0.01); have a high level of self-control (r = 0.576, p = 0.01). The study suggests that the use of humor is largely determined by life orientation, self-esteem of students and complements the data obtained by foreign psychologists. Results of the study can be used in practical work with students, in the organization of and during the trainings of personal development.