Content of Civil Identity of Students

Abstract

The empirical study featured content-related characteristics of civic identity in university students. According to constructivist approach, civic identity is a cognitive-value formation shaped in the process of personal development. It manifests itself in the subjective significance of one’s nationality. Its structure consists of cognitive (meaningful), affective (emotional-evaluative), and behavioral components. The cognitive component was the first stage in the present study of students’ civic identity conducted in February 2020. The authors used a Citizen’s Questionnaire developed by O. S. Deyneka and analyzed essays "Russia is My Country". The analysis revealed the structure of the substantial component of civic identity: the image of the state, government, fellow citizens, an ideal citizen, etc., and ideas about Russian values, environment, culture, history, etc. The data obtained gave reason to believe that civic identity has worldview, social, and territorial foundations. The respondents admired the nature, territory, and historical achievements of Russia, while the image of the state, fellow citizens, and authorities belonged to problematic representations. The present research can help to develop new technologies for the support of civic identity at university.

Keywords

• personality
• self-concept
• social identity
• ethnic identity
• territorial identity
• civic identity
• patriotism
• contentrelated component of identity