The political identity of modern youth as a result of political perception

Abstract

Introduction. Information wars unfolding in social networks and other communication channels lead to mass political maladaptation. It is especially difficult for young people to interpret the proposed political information, they need a repeater, which is often played by political actors pursuing certain goals. In this regard, it is especially important for modern youth to understand the patterns of functioning of political perception, consciousness, and self-awareness in order to be able to manage them, objectively perceive and navigate political reality. Purpose. To analyze the self-awareness of modern students as a result of political perception. Materials and methods. In 2023-2024, a survey of 1,487 students of the Presidential Academy aged 18 to 24 was conducted. The sample was not representative of the whole of Russia, but a cross-section was presented that was valid for the central regions. The sample was balanced by age and education of the respondents. The main measurements were carried out in the Vladimir, Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod, Ivanovo, and Moscow regions. The gender ratio of the survey participants is a ratio of 67% (girls) to 33% (boys). The introspection method was also used. Results. A larger percentage of the survey participants feel confident and certain about their perception of political reality. A smaller percentage of respondents are convinced of misinformation and the inability to see the real political picture, they feel a sense of discomfort associated with disorientation in political events. In the minds of Russian citizens, the idea is clearly formulated that an active civic position is manifested through participation in elections. A negative trend is the confirmation by 20% of respondents of political indifference, which indicates unwillingness to perceive political changes and participate in political processes. The largest percentage of respondents (63%) believe that they are at the initial stage of political socialization. The majority (75%) do not express an active political position. A smaller percentage of the respondents (20%) do not feel satisfied with their socio-political status, such participants have expressed and manifested a will to power and influence other people. The largest percentage of respondents (43%) believe that it would be more correct to define their own political activity as limited, 35% of respondents who defined their political position as indifferent. More than half of the respondents (52%) believe that their political perception is influenced by the value system passed down by previous generations and their personal attitude to the current political situation. Conclusions. It can be argued that the consciousness of the participants is politicized, that is, it "adjusts to politics" in situations in which it becomes significant. Respondents experience ambivalent feelings when assessing their own political perceptions. There is a manifestation of the patriotic zone, which is periodically replaced by an apathetic and indifferent attitude towards political events. Moreover, a sharp change of moods as a result of political perception occurs among the same individuals. The cognitive component can be characterized as a formed component of political self-awareness. The cognitive and volitional components are always accompanied by an affective component. In subsequent discussions, the majority of respondents admit to ambivalent, that is, contradictory, and not always understandable feelings, images, and conclusions formed during political perception. The respondents characterized their own political identity by using the phrase "zone of concern and zone of responsibility." The respondents understand that awareness and self-perception are necessary in the political world, but at the same time they are stressed by the certainty that the outcome of political events in the country and the world does not depend on their opinions, emotions and volitional efforts.