Socio-psychological factors of students’ adherence to various forms of social activity

Saratov State University, Department of Social Psychology of Education and Development, 410012 Saratov, Russian Federation

^* Corresponding author: shamionov@mail.ru

Abstract

Social activity is the most important sphere of students’ socialization. In the process of inclusion into various forms of social activity they learn a new experience of interaction with other people, attitudes and values that are the most important ones for their social self-realization. The purpose of the present study is to investigate social and psychological factors of students adherence to various forms of social activity. 215 students of both genders aged М=20.2; SD=2.4 (42 % male) took part in the study. In order to evaluate socio-demographic indicators, we have developed a questionnaire; to study adherence to a certain form of social activity, conditions and effects of personal socialization, as well as the acceptable role in activity, we used series of 5-point scales. The intensity / diversity of social activity is associated with socio-demographic (gender, age) and socio-psychological (socialization conditions and beliefs in the possibility of free participation in social life) factors. The degree of involvement of students in civil forms of social activity is very low; the highest degree of manifestation can be observed in leisure and Internet-network forms of social activity. The most preferred roles (voluntary and involuntary participation, organization and initiative) are associated with socialization effects.