Theoretical approaches to the problem of expertise of pacifist convictions of conscripts

The aim of this contribution is the analysis of theoretical approaches to the problem of carrying out the psychological expertise of pacifist convictions of persons subject to call to military service. Legalization of alternative civil service in the Russian Federation and other CIS states makes relevant the problem of verification of pacifist convictions, because it inevitably leads to questionable cases related to making statements of existence or lack of sincere convictions which are incompatible with military service. The contribution analyses the main components of the problem of carrying out the psychological expertise of pacifist convictions which entitle the prescript to avoid military service and to perform alternative service; verification of pacifist convictions; possibility of using special psychological knowledge and methods for this reason. The author classifies and analyses the main criteria used in the course of psychological expertise of pacifist convictions.