The Study of Semantic Constructs Reflecting the Attitude towards Nationalities and Nationalism in Juvenile Offenders

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Abstract

Wide distribution of xenophobia and hostility towards other nationalities among adolescents is a danger to society. The problem of relations of adolescents with illegal conduct towards nationalism and ethnic groups is poorly understood. Clarification of the nature of semantic constructs that reflect the attitude toward nationality and nationalism in juvenile offenders without nationalistic motivation, and those who have committed the crime of aggression on a national basis, is important to choose the right correction and rehabilitation work with juvenile offenders. The current study involved 62 adolescent males aged 14 to 18 years. We used color relations test as a psychosemantic technique. As a result, it was found that solidarisation with ideology of nationalism, negative attitudes towards other nationalities, and problematic gender identity formation increase the risk of delinquency on a national basis and contribute to them. At the same time, the lack of focus on the nationalism values and identification with the group of "skinheads" restrains offenses on a national basis.

General Information

Keywords: deviant behavior, nationalism, xenophobia, adolescents, juvenile offenders, semantic constructs

Journal rubric: Juridical Psychology

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/psyedu.2014060308

For citation: Gurina O.D. The Study of Semantic Constructs Reflecting the Attitude towards Nationalities and Nationalism in Juvenile Offenders [Elektronnyi resurs]. Psikhologicheskaya nauka i obrazovanie psyedu.ru [Psychological Science and Education psyedu.ru], 2014. Vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 70–81. DOI: 10.17759/psyedu.2014060308. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

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Information About the Authors

Oksana D. Gurina, PhD in Psychology, Main Expert, Moscow Research Center, Associate Professor, Department of Legal Psychology and Law, Faculty of Legal Psyсhology, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4369-5450, e-mail: godgur@yandex.ru

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