The school of practical thinking by Yu.K. Kornilov

Abstract

The Yaroslavl school of practical thinking, founded by Yu.K. Kornilov, has for more than half a century remained one of the most prominent and influential movements in Russian psychology. This paper examines the factors that led to the formation of the school in the second half of the twentieth century, considering the state of psychological science at the time, the demands of applied practice, and the distinctive features of the socio-cultural environment in which the school emerged. Particular attention is given to the role of Yu.K. Kornilov in shaping the school, both through his scientific contributions and his organizational efforts in developing the research team and fostering communication links that integrated the school of practical thinking into the broader context of Russian and international psychology. The paper also outlines the unique characteristics of the school’s object of study – practical thinking – and the methodological and theoretical demands it posed for researchers. The core empirical findings and the central theoretical principles of the school’s conceptual framework are reviewed. Finally, the current state of the school and recent trends in its development are discussed.