Formation of the group image as a factor in the manifestation of group self-efficacy in a team of preschoolers

The article presents the experience of using the projective method “Animal Test” by R. Zazzo, modified to diagnose the formation of ideas about the group. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that the formation of the image of the group among the participants of joint activities is an important prerequisite for the development of group self-efficacy in preschoolers, as well as one of the conditions for effective joint activities and the effectiveness of the group. The scientific novelty and practical significance are the results of the study, which showed the possibility of using the projective method of R. Zazzo with preschool children to diagnose ideas about the group as a subject of joint activity. The results of the ascertaining and forming experiment allow us to conclude that the purposeful formation of the image of one's group in the conditions of joint activity, aimed at updating the child's ideas about its group qualities, contributes to the emergence of such a phenomenon as group self-efficacy. The latter manifests itself in children's confidence in the successful implementation of joint activities of all group members and affects its effectiveness and the nature of implementation (interaction of group members with the leader and teacher, motivation for participation, the desire to continue joint actions). The application of R. Zazzo's projective method can be used in the practice of organizing educational and methodological work in preschool institutions to optimize group development.