Museum Psychology in the Exhibition Space: From Visitor Differentiation to Effective Therapy

The author of the article analyses the modern understanding and interpretation of museum psychology, an interdisciplinary field of knowledge that reveals the psychological foundations of museum communication and the specifics of the audience’s perception of the museum space. Museum psychology explores the peculiarities of visitors’ activities and behaviour, their routes within the museum exposition, differentiates visitors by various characteristics, and actively focuses on the study of their mental processes, states and properties in the museum space. The author reveals the significance of three components of museum communication in the context of museum psychology – functional, personal and identification, which are related to the formation of the psychological atmosphere of the museum, the emotional involvement of visitors in the subject matter of the expositions, and the determination of their belonging to a certain social community. The most important aspects of the museum’s educational environment are highlighted, which contributes to the formation of a psychologically comfortable atmosphere in the museum, is distinguished by its solemnity, festivity and sophistication, and forms the aesthetic needs of the individual. The psychological atmosphere of the museum is manifested in the clear and consistent organisation of the museum space by implementing various communication models in museum practice based on modern concepts of science education, smart museum, edutainment, open museum, and participatory museum. The author of the article emphasises the special role of museum psychology in the process of interpreting museum exhibits at various types of classes and deploying museum activities in order to actualise tangible and intangible cultural heritage, form relevant impressions and create unique museum events. The article summarises the prospects of implementing museum psychology in the process of applying various psychological methods in the exhibition space, interaction of various scientific disciplines and actualisation of cultural and educational activities of museums.