Civil and Ethnic Identity of Russians: the Role of Values in their Development

Background. Person’s civil and ethnic identity, which are components of social identity, develop during socialization under the influence of a number of factors. J. Berry identifies cultural, political, economic and historical factors as the basis for identity formation. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the study of the role of the cultural factor, namely the structure of values, in the formation of a positive civic and ethnic identity of Russians.

Objectives. The purpose of this work is to study the structure of the ethnic and civic identity of Russians as well as the influence of individual values on their formation.

Study Participants. The study was conducted with the participation of 1014 respondents, ethnic Russians, aged from 19 to 83 years (Mage = 41 years; SD = 13.04; 527 women and 487 men).

Methods. J. Finney’s MEIM-R methods were used to measure ethnic identity. S. Schwartz’s PVQ-R value structure questionnaire was also applied. Civic identity was measured using the methodology from the International Social Survey Program, adapted into Russian by L.K. Grigoryan.

Results. It was found that the civic identity of Russians as the individual’s awareness of belonging to the citizens of the country is more pronounced than ethnic identity. Nationalism is expressed more than the ideology of patriotism. The affective component of ethnic identity is more pronounced than the cognitive one. Among the surveyed respondents, the values of independence, security, reputation and benevolence prevail. The values of security, benevolence and universalism increase the level of civic identity in Russians. The key positive regressor in relation to both civic and ethnic identity is the value “Tradition”.

Conclusions. Socially oriented values (preservation and self-overcoming) have a positive impact on the formation of positive civic and ethnic identity of Russians. The values of personal orientation (openness to change and self-affirmation) have a negative impact on their formation.

References

Asmolov, A. G. (2008). The strategy of socio-cultural modernization of education: on the way to overcoming ideals and building society. Voprosy Obrazovanija (Questions of Education), (1), 65–85. (In Russ.).

Berry, J. W. (2013). Research on multiculturalism in Canada. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 37(6), 663–675.

Berry, J. W., Phinney, J. S., Sam, D. L., Vedder, P. (2006). Immigrant youth: Acculturation, identity, and adaptation. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 55(3), 303–332. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464- 0597.2006.00256.x

Betil’merzaeva, M. M. (2022). Ethnic identity as a factor in the formation of civic identity. Obshhestvo: Filosofija, Istorija, Kul’tura (Society: Philosophy, History, Culture), 100(8), 193–197. https://doi.org/10.24158/fik.2022.8.31 (In Russ.).

Blank, T., Schmidt, P. (1997). Constructive patriotism in the reunified Germany? Results of a representative study. In: A. Mummendey, B. Simon (Eds.), Identity and Difference. Social Psychology of Identities in Complex Societies (pp. 127–148). Bern: Huber.

Bugajchuk, T. V. (2022). Politological aspect of the formation of civic identity and features of socio-cultural transformation in modern Russia. Mir Russkogovorjashhih Stran (World of Russian-speaking Countries), 11(1), 5–22. (In Russ.).

Gorshkov, M.K. (2013) Russian identity in the context of Western European culture. Vlast’ (Power), 1(21), 9–14. (In Russ.).

D’jakova, V. V. (2016). Civic identity of the modern Russian generation X (on the example of the Astrakhan region). Vektor Nauki Tol’jattinskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta (Vector of Science of Togliatti State University), 37(3), 28–31. https://doi. org/10.18323/2073-5073-2016-3-28-31 (In Russ.).

Drobovceva, M. V., Kotova, M. V. (2016). Interrelationship between the civil and ethnic identity of Russians: factors of the socio-cultural context. Psihologicheskie Issledovanija (Psychological Research), 47(9), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.54359/ps.v9i47.464 (In Russ.).

Fedotova, V. A. (2016). The influence of values on attitudes towards innovation among representatives of different generations of Russians. St. Petersburg: SCIENTIA. (In Russ.).

Galjapina, V. N. (2021). The relationship between values, identity and attitude towards multicultural ideology among Russians in the Krasnodar Territory: an intergenerational analysis. Psihologicheskie issledovanija (Psychological Research), 14(78), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.54359/ps.v14i78.128 (In Russ.).

Grigorjan, L. K. (2013). Patriotism and nationalism in Russia: an analysis of economic independence. Kul’turno-istoricheskaja Psihologija (Cultural-historical Psychology), 9(3), 22–31. https://doi.org/10.54359/ps.v14i78.128 (In Russ.).

Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture’s consequences: International differences in work related values. Beverly Hills: SAGE Publications Kosterman, R., Feshbach, S. (1989). Toward measure of patriotic and nationalistic attitudes. Political Psychology, 10(2), 257–274.

Motorina, P. A., Dzhembek, Ju. I., Efremova, A. V., Basalaeva, N. V. (2022). Factors and mechanisms of formation of ethnic identity. Perspektivy Nauki (Prospects of Science), 157(10), 273–275. (In Russ.).

Phinney, J., Ong, A. (2007). Conceptualization and Measurement of Ethnic Identity: Current Status and Future Directions. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 54(3), 271–281.

Shvarc, Sh., Butenko, T. P., Sedova, D. S. (2012). A refined theory of basic individual values: application in Russia. Psikhologiya. Zhurnal Vysshei Shkoly Ekonomiki (Psychology. Journal of the Higher School of Economics), (2), 24–43. (In Russ.).

Stefanenko, T. G. (2004). Components of ethnic identity: cognitive, affective, behavioral. Mir psikhologii (World of Psychology), 39(3), 38–43. (In Russ.).

Trofimova, V. S. (2017). Study of the Relationship between the Development of Positive Ethnic and Civil Identity and the System of Meaningful Life Orientations of DPR Students. Gumanitarnyj Vestnik (Gorlovka) (Humanitarian Bulletin (Gorlovka)), (5), 167–171. (In Russ.).