Value Orientations of Chechen and Ingush People: Sources and Determinants

This cros-cultural research was aimed at exploring value orientations of two Russian ethnic groups — Chechen and Ingush people — and the changes in these orientations according to the age and place of living of the respondents. The sample consisted of 508 Chechens and 478 Ingush living in Chechen Republic, Ingush Republic, Moscow and Saint-Petersburg. The study revealed that in the value structure of Nakh peoples the most significant ones were Conservatism, Equality of Rights and Harmony, whereas Hedonism and Hierarchy are increasingly significant to young Chechens and Ingush. Nakh peoples living in major cities appreciate Mastery and Intellectual Autonomy. The author concludes that the value structure of Chechen and Ingush people is determined by collectivism, the sense of belonging to one's ethnic group, by ethnic traditions and customs, moral norms of Muslim ethics and Islamic values, as well as by values of traditional ethno-ethics.