THE IMAGE OF THE STATE AS THE EMBODIMENT OF UKRAINIAN STUDENT’S MENTALITY

Abstract

The article theoretically analyzes the category of "image" as one of the system-forming concepts in modern psychology. It emphasizes that the construction of any mental image is based not only on psychological, personal, and individual factors but al soon various significant social factors. The article distinguishes and compares two types of images: the "image of the state" and the "image of the country." It emphasizes that while the image of the state is predominantly a politically oriented construct associated with the actions of power, the image of the country is a factor and indicator of the identity of the nation as a distinct community. It is stated that in the manifestations of the Ukrainian mentality, both images intersect in terms of morally relevant values.

Based on the results of an empirical study conducted using the specialized semantic differential method "My Country" (28 bipolar scales), the most pronounced psychosemantic dimensions in the consciousness of Ukrainian students are determined to be "Pleasant," "Strong," "Beneficial," and "Progressive." It is found that the closest relationship is observed between the evaluative characteristics of "Pleasant" and "Strong." Therefore, it is concluded that for Ukrainian higher education students, a pleasant state is primarily a strong state, and viceversa. A distinctive psychosemantic core of the researched youth's attitude towards their country is identified, which demonstrates a characteristic combination of affective and rational aspects of the meaning of "pleasantness" as an emotional subjective attitude toward a stimulus and "benefit" as a rational evaluation of the functioning of any phenomenon. An unexpected empirical fact, but theoretically predictable given the peculiarities of our mentality, is the majority of respondents evaluating their own country as "Peaceful".

Ingeneral, it is concluded that the consolidating factor in the image of the state for Ukrainians is notunity around the problem of a "common external enemy," which usually has a temporary, situational content, but rather orientation towards powerful "spiritual coordinates" of the country's development, such as "Democratic," "Caring," "Kind", "Spiritually rich," "Lawful," and "Great".