The relationship of basic human values and voting behavior

The present study is aimed at investigating the relations between the basic individual values of Russians and their political behavior, which based on electoral behavior and electoral attitudes. In our study we use a method based on the theory of basic human values in order to understand by which universal human values Russians are guided and driven when choosing a particular candidate for the presidency of the Russian Federation. An empirical study based on the results of a representative survey in two Federal districts of Russia, held shortly after the elections. The empirical analysis showed basic values of respondents are related to their political preferences. The study showed that, firstly, the main opposition of values associated with the results of the election, is "conservation" — "openness to change". Secondly, voting for most candidates is associated with the values of "conservation", which indicates the absence of significant differences in the values transmitted by Russian policies. This paper considers which of the values are prompted the electorate to vote for each of the candidates (Putin, Zuganov, Prokhorov, Zhirinovsy, and Mironov)

Relationship between Trust and Acculturation Attitudes (With Ukrainians in Russia and Russians in Latvia as an Example)

This research focuses on the relationship between various types of trust and acculturation strategies (according to J. Berry’s model) in ethnic minorities and migrants. Trust is a major resource both of an individual and society. On the individual level it is considered as a component of the social psychological capital of personality, and on the societal level — as a core part of the social capital of the society. This study aimed to test the assumption that generalized trust in migrants or minorities is related to their preferred acculturation strategies and that this relationship is mediated by more particular types of trust, such as trust in representa- tives of own ethnic group and trust in representatives of other ethnic groups. The study involved Russians living in Riga, Latvia (N=336) and Ukrainian migrants who have been living in Moscow for approximately 1,5 years (N=80). The outcomes show that generalized trust and trust in representative of non-ethnic groups correlate with the choice of acculturation strategies aimed at integration with the society. Trust in representatives of own ethnic group correlates positively with the choice of the “Separation” strategy

Social capital and acculturation strategies as factors of socio-cultural adaptation of migrants from Central and Central Asia in the Moscow region

The article presents the study of the relationship of social capital of migrants from the Asian former USSR republics with their acculturation strategies and their socio-cultural adaptation. Based on the wide literature review, we suggested that two types of individual social capital of migrants (“bridging” and “bonding”), depending on the combination of their levels (high-low), may lead to the preference of one of the four acculturation strategies (integration, assimilation, separation, marginalization) and further contribute to or hinder socio-cultural adaptation. This study demonstrated that these two types of individual social capital (“bridging” and “bonding”) associated with three of the four acculturation strategies. In addition, the “bridging” social capital has an indirect positive effect on socio-cultural adaptation in which the mediator is the integration strategy. The “bonding” social capital has not demonstrated a statistically significant indirect effect on socio-cultural adaptation of migrants from the Asian former USSR republics

Testing Integration Hypotheses in Dagestan: The Meditative Role of Individual Social Capital

The results of meditational analysis role of outgroup social capital when testing the integration hypothesis are presented. We considered how acculturation strategies, individual social capital and subjective well-being of persons living in a multicultural environment are related. The sample included representatives of three ethnic groups, living in the Republic of Dagestan: Avars (N=105), Dargins (N=121), and Russians (N=100). We used a modified method of "resource generator" to study the individual social capital. Also we used a Russian version of Berry's method of assessing acculturation strategies and subjective well-being. The obtained empirical data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. We hypothesized that the choice of integration strategy does not only promote harmonious intergroup relationships, but also has positive effects on well-being on the individual level. Those who choose the integration strategy end up with stronger social capital that works as a protective factor against various negative life events, promoting the overall well-being. However, our hypothesis was supported with Russians only, with Avars and Dargins it was supported with some restrictions. The results of this study shed light onto the socio-psychological mechanisms of integration of ethnic groups in a multicultural region, where integration is closely linked with mutual help and support across the ethnic boundaries

Adaptation and modification of John Berry’s measure of acculturation expectations

The paper is devoted to the description of the process of adaptation and modification on the Russian sample Berry’s questionnaire of acculturation expectations. Acculturation expectations are the host population’s (or representatives of dominant ethnic groups) attitudes towards the migrants or members of ethnic minorities. In his own theory of acculturation, John Berry described four acculturation expectations of the host population: “integration” (previously known as “multiculturalism”), “assimilation” (or “the melting pot”), “segregation”, “exclusion”. In addition, Berry developed questionnaire of personal preferences of acculturation attitudes. In our study, we adapted this questionnaire on the Russian sample. In the process of adaptation, we have made some modifications in the questionnaire, increasing twice the number of items, this helps us increase reliability and consistency of the Russian version of this questionnaire. Then we conducted the socio-psychological survey on a sample of the indigenous Russian population of Moscow (total sample size of 198 respondents, including 59 men and 139 women, the average age of respondents 24 years). According to the obtained results, the adapted and modified questionnaire of acculturation expectations can be considered a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the acculturation expectations of host population/ dominant society in the Russian Federation

Trust as a moderator of attitude towards ethnic diversity and acculturation expectations of the host population

We studied the role of generalized trust as a moderator of attitude towards ethnic diversity and acculturation expectations such as «integration» and «assimilation». In the process of theoretical analysis, two assumptions are made. (1) the higher the acceptance of ethnic diversity, the higher the orientation towards acculturation expectation «integration» and the lower the acculturation expectation «assimilation». (2) there is a difference in the relationship between attitudes towards ethnic diversity and acculturation expectations: in the case of negative attitudes towards ethnic diversity, people with higher trust will more prefer integration and less assimilation than people with lower trust. The sample of the study consisted of 198 Russian respondents (59 men and 139 women, mean age 24) who were born or lived more than 10 years in Moscow. Tools of research: methods of trust evaluation by T. Yamagishi [50]; questionnaire to assess the degree of acceptance of the identity of ethnic diversity [23]; an adapted method of assessing acculturation expectations by John. Berry [5]. The study confirmed the assumption that trust is a moderator of the relationship between attitudes towards ethnic diversity and acculturation expectations. The article discusses the meaning of the found moderation

The Relationship between Basic Human Values and Use of Information and Communication Technology among Younger and Older Generations

This article presents the results of a study on the interrelationship between values and the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among younger and older Russians. It was assumed that for these age groups basic values play a different role in encouraging or discouraging the use of ICT. The study was carried out using a socio-psychological survey. The questionnaire included the authors’ methodology for measuring involvement in the use of ICT and a short version of Sh. Schwartz’s questionnaire for assessing basic values (ESS-21). In a comparative perspective, using the moderator analysis, the connection between the active use of ICT and basic values among younger and older Russians (N=990; average age=37.6 years; 31.4% male) were assessed, taking into account their age as a moderator. As a result, it was found that the age of respondents is negatively associated with the active use of ICT, in contrast to the level of education and income level. Nine out of ten values (excluding Stimulation) are associated with the use of ICT. Several values are associated with the use of ICT, regardless of age (Power, Tradition, Benevolence, Universalism). There is also a number of values (Achievement, Hedonism, Stimulation, Conformity, Security) which in a certain way are associated with the use of ICT only among the older generation. The article discusses the results obtained

The Relationship Between Human Values and Acceptability of Corruption in Russia and Greece

Background. In both Russia and Greece, corruption is a serious problem. In Greece, the level of corruption is one of the highest in the EU, and in Russia it is one of the highest in the world. Objective. Three questions were addressed: (1) Are basic human values related to the acceptability of corruption for individuals in both countries? (2) Are these relationships the same in Russia and Greece? (3) Are levels of acceptance of corruption the same in Russia and Greece? Design. Following S.H. Schwartz’s model, four higher-order values were assessed: Conservation versus Openness to Change, and Self-Transcendence versus Self-Enhancement. The studies were conducted in Russia (N = 256) and Greece (N = 469). To analyze the associations of individual values with the acceptability of corruption, we constructed a multigroup regression model using structural equation modelling software. Results. Identical relationships were found in the two countries. Conservation values and Self-Transcendence were negatively related to the acceptability of corruption, whereas Self-Enhancement was positively related to the acceptability of corruption. Russians scored higher on acceptance of corruption. Implications are discussed. Conclusion. The acceptability of corruption seems to be interrelated with basic human values across different cultural conditions. Our study shows that the relationships between higher-order values on the one hand, measured in the framework of Schwartz’s values model, and the acceptability of corruption on the other, are identical in Russia and Greece, suggesting that the acceptability of corruption is related to personal values. © 2020. Lomonosov Moscow State University