The typology of mentality of the Soviet and Post-Soviet generations

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The typology of mentality of the Soviet and Post-Soviet generations

Pishik V.I.

The research of types of mentality of the Soviet, transitive and Post-Soviet generations are presented. The typology sights of mentality and methodical approaches to it are analyzed. The results of the research of the valuable bases, social directions, representations about the I, features of relations and types of mentality of the Soviet, Post-Soviet and transitive generations are considered.

Keywords: mentality, mentality transformation, types of mentality, the Soviet, transitive and Post-Soviet generations, traditional, innovative mentalities.

mentality soviet social

Problem statement

In the modern progressive world when the loss of social guidelines of the development of young generation is observed, there is an acute problem of generational dissociation. Therefore the most urgently needed are the comparative researches of types of mentality of generations in a changing society. The problem of typology of mentality has been reflected in early foreign researches of F. Brodel, F. graus, Z. Djubi, L. Levi-Brul [5, 7, see on 20], But concerned mainly stable structural elements of mentality and the description of changes of artifacts in past cultures. In modern domestic (K.A. Abulhanova, g.V. Akopov, g.M. Andreeva, A.V. Brushlinsky, I.g. Dubov, B.A. Dushkov, Z.I. Levin, T.V. Ivanova, V.F. Petrenko, V.E. Semenov, V.A. Shkuratov, etc.) and foreign researches (j. V.Berri, P.R. Dassen, M.h. Sigal, A.h. Purtingi, g.K. Triandis, D. Fild, etc.) are studied mentality structure, but there is no common opinion what to carry to its elements, it shows the influence of conservative elements of mentality on formation of its types, but to a lesser degree its dynamic elements.

The given problem has defined the purpose of our research - to reveal and compare the types of mentality presented in the Soviet, transitive and Post-Soviet generations. Thus we define mentality as difficult system which is integrated by religious, ethnic and social systems of a society. The basis of mentality is coordination of the dominating, material fixed systems of significances, senses and values of the image of the world of the generation, shown in its vital world.

Typology of mentality

There is a stratum of the works devoted to typology of mentality. The sensual and ideanational (P.A. Sorokin) [15], ethnic (M.I. Volovikova, R.A. Dodonov, N.M. Lebedev, L.g. Pochebut, E.N. Reznikov, A.N. Tatarko) [1], urban, provincial (g.V. Akopov, T.V. Ivanova) [8], political (V.F. Petrenko) [10], polymentality (V.E. Semenov) [14], construct, secluded, convergent (V.I. Tjupa) [17], preliterate, written and media mentality (V.A. Shkuratov) [18]. In the concept of three mental stages of V.A. Shkuratov [18] mentality is defined as «human measurement of historical macro weights or human activity, objectified in cultural monuments» [19, p. 59]. At the heart of change of mental stages lies the ways of thinking changes, features of communications. Preliterate mentality of a primitive society which is based on mystical thinking and direct communication. Written mentality assumes coexistence of irrational and rational thinking of subjects. The process of communication is regulated by communicators. Media mentality is characterized by the communication mediated by transmitting terminal. The given approach considers mentality widely without its attachment to a certain society [20].

From the concept of polymentality of V.E. Semenova [13, 14], supposing that there is a big variety of mentalities in culture. V.E.S emenov defines mentality as historically developed group long-term unity (alloy) of conscious and unconscious values, norms, installations in them cognitive, emotional and behavioral expression of certain levels of population [13]. he allocated collectivistic -social, West capitalistic, orthodox, criminal- mafia-controlled and mosaic-conformist mentality in Russia. In his opinion they are supported by cultural-historical sociopsychological realities and facts. In our opinion the author has most approached a question of communication in a social situation of the development of levels of population and mentality.

The next typologies of mentalities cover the following phenomena, in which mentality is represented: consciousness, perception, interpretation, identification, valuable orientations, installations, ways of thinking and communication, social representations, strategy and character of interaction of collective subjects. Two poles of mentality in P.A. Sorokin [15] were transformed in multilateral typologies in other authors. We suppose that it must be two initial poles, those are - traditions as the form of social inheritance, communication and an innovation as «the form of a deviation, nonconformist» (S. Moskovichi), and others are as their continuations. Thus, the basis of contrasts lies in S. Moskovichi influence process as actions and counteractions [16].

In our typology of mentality the criteria of distinctions were parameters of the I-concept, significances of an image of the world, values of a way of life, a discourse [11]. Their combination has defined traditional, transitive, innovative and postinnovative mentalities. The name «traditional mentality» was accepted by analogy with confirmed in crosscultural psychology by the name of «traditional culture». In traditional culture the transfer of traditions, well-established experience of the way of life is passed on generations on direct transmission. «Innovative mentality» as opposed to traditional is innovative culture in which the transmission of tradition is already “indirect” and tradition is leveled. The tradition is multiplied, stops to be definite and homogeneous in the period of innovations. Transitive and post innovative mentality is transitive types of mentality. During various epochs these types of mentality have various substantial filling. Based on the previous researches, it is possible to suppose that today we observe a transitive epoch in an orientation of transformations of mentality from collectivism to individualism.

The methodical bases of research of types of mentality

The various methodical bases are presented in works [1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17, 19]. The “Annales” School in the beginning of XX century offered their methods of historic-cultural reconstruction of mentality of last epochs [4, 5, 7], developed by modern writers [3, 19].

G.M. Andreeva, g.g. Diligensky, T.g. Stefanenko, etc., recreate «psychological character» of big social groups [2], investigating customs, manners, activity products, language, social representations, applying methods of ethnography, sociology, linguistics, history. The similar methodical bases for carrying out of socially-psychological research of big groups suggest imposing by g.V. Akopov, T.V. Ivanova [8]. The writers allocate mentalities of different levels of subjectivity. Proceeding from this, they suggest to compare different mentalities of one subjectivity level (horizontal cuts).

The following possible methodical basis is application of psychosemantic methods (E.jU. Artemyev, V.F. Petrenko) [10].

Nowadays the solution of a problem of a mentality affirmed psychosocial, typological and cross-cultural approach (K.A. Abulhanova, A.L. Zhuravlyov, M.I. Volovikova, 2005) [1, 12]. The psychosocial approach is based on the mental phenomena on social and mental levels, thus they are considered in all their difficult interrelation and relations, as system, multidimensional formations. K.A. Abulhanova represents the typological approach as a procedural way of its construction when the next stage suggests the set of methodological and theoretical questions. It suggests two strategy of the research of integrity of mentality: from within - partial research of its components and from without - comparative research of mentality of other societies [1]. V.E.Semenov by means of mass polls defines a part of this or that type of mentality among the population [14]. g.L. Voronin has presented a writer's technique of measurement of mentality [6]. As the primary empirical data estimated reactions of respondents on aphorisms, maxims, proverbs. It is the sociological approach in research.

The basis of methodical problem in studying of mentality is that the phenomenon of mentality is complicated and studied mainly its separate making (installations, values, representations), its separate phenomena. But the system integrity of mentality is lost.

Empirical facts

There was a research conducted in Rostov-on-Don, Salsk (june 2006 - May 2007). The empirical base of research was presented by the big social groups differentiated concerning significant social-cultural event - reorganization during the course the social order, pattern of ownership were changed. The sampling was represented by following groups of generations: Post-Soviet 1990-95 of a birth (750 people); transitive 1980-85, 1960-65 (745 people) and Soviet 1940-1945 (740 people). The Post-Soviet generation born after reorganization- is basic, experimental group. The Soviet and transitive generations born on border between two epoch - control group.

The following methodical instrument was applied: the Technique of culturalvaluable differential (g.U. Soldatova, И.М. Kuznetsov, S.V. Ryzhova); the Scale of measurement of social installations (g.K. Triandis, 1995), the test of twenty statements (M. Kun, T. MakPartland); the Technique of research of representation of the person about itself and other people (T. Liri, 2005); the Technique of research of various kinds of tolerance (M.S. Zhamkochjan, V.S. Magun, M.M. Magura, 2000); the Technique of diagnostics of characteristics of generations' mentality (V.I. Pishchik, 2006). By us it has been revealed that at transitive generations in cultural-valuable differential presented horizontal individualism with parameters: hearfulness, dissociation, independence, individualism, mistrust to the power, traditionalism, a collectivism, willfulness, love of freedom, anarchy, coldness, rivalry, propensity to risk (р < 0,05). In group of the Soviet generations is revealed a construct of the horizontal collectivism, characterized by: mutual assistance, fidelity to traditions, an openness, tendency in the past and in the future, warmth, discipline and respect of the power (р < 0,05). Measurement of social installations (g.K. Triandisa's scale), has shown that in group of transitive and Soviet generations the installations focused on a collectivism, and in group of Post-Soviet generations on individualism.

Representations about the “I” were studied. It is revealed that the majority of statements: 35 % at transitive generations and 40 % at the Soviet generations - possess signs of interdependence from group (social answers on g.K. Triandisu). Ethnic and religious representations are less presented in them. The conclusion about domination of social up system of mentalities. In group of Post-Soviet generations there are 60 % of statements independent of group. It follows from this that representations about the “I” in group of the Soviet and transitive generations of a collectivist orientation, and in group of Post-Soviet generations - an individualistic orientation (р < 0,05).

Tolerance/intolerance degree in relations between generations is defined. Ethnic tolerance in transitive generations has got the lowest points. Above an average has received tolerance to complexity and uncertainty of world around. Mean points has received tolerance to different views, tolerance of deviation from the standard norms and non authoritarianism. In group of the Soviet generations low points have been received on tolerance of deviation from the standard norms. Very low tolerance is revealed to different views and non authoritarianism. Mean points have been received on ethnic tolerance. Above an average points on tolerance to complexity and uncertainty of world around are got. As a whole the results of measurement of kinds of tolerance in group of transitive and Soviet generations, significantly differ (a < 0,05). That can indirectly be their precondition intolerance relations. By results of T. Liri's method the transitive generation in relations is characterized by authoritativeness, obstinacy, incompliance and coldness in relations that confirms results of research of their cultural-valuable differential. Representatives of the Soviet generation are more exacting, self-confident, more sympathetic, and obstinate.

As a result of application of an writer's method, it has been revealed that in group of transitive generations innovative mentality is found out in 47 %, transitive in 27 % and traditional in 23 % of the person, post innovative in 3 %. In group of the Soviet generation the majority has traditional mentality. Thus, the deviation from traditions in the environment of young generation is observed.

As a result of research it has been revealed that at the Soviet generations prevails traditional mentality with following socially-psychological characteristics: interdependent representations about the "I", collectivist values, an orientation on social stabilization, prevalence of conformism in relations, discursive homogeneity. At Post-Soviet generations prevails innovative mentality with following socially-psychological characteristics: independent representations about the "I", individualistic values, with an orientation on social changes, discursive heterogeneity.

Thus, we had been spent comparison of components of mentality of Post-Soviet generations of Southern region in Russia and the Soviet generations. As a result the Soviet generation has the traditional type of mentality, and at Post-Soviet generations - innovative type of mentality.

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