Quasi-experimental modeling of cognitive trajectories and personality factors of youth radicalization and extremalization psychoprophylaxis

Abstract

The authors divide, clarify and define the concepts of radicalism and extremism. With regard to youth activities, the idea of "radicalism" does not have such negative connotations as the idea of "extremism" (or similar connotations are inherent in it to a lesser extent). That is why radicalism can be considered as a more or less neutral phenomenon. De-radicalization is a necessary and effective way to prevent destructive (extremist) behavior of young people. In order to study how exactly destructive information influences on young people, a three-stage research experiment was implemented. The data obtained highlight low reflection of young people in relation to radical (extremist) topics. That way, the authors consider that young people are vulnerable to the influence of extremism ideology. An experimental study using visual stimuli that reflect socially significant problems showed that the reaction of young people to the stimulus depends on the quality of content, mental state, level of self-awareness, value orientations and cognitive abilities. When we studied perception process of the destructive images using eye tracking, we found that subjects with higher values on a scale of "Purpose in life" showed quicker look on the picture, and people with lower values of "Locus of control - I" fixed eyes at the more remote from each other parts of the image. Empirical evidence suggests that the process of youth de-radicalization is possible in case of taking psychoprophylactic actions with personal aspirations and cognitive patterns of youth. It is noted that there is an urgent objective need to develop young people's skills in making conscious personal choices in conditions of avalanche increasing of the information and the uncertain development of the globalizing world. In this regard, the flow of negative content can be opposed by conscious choice of the life trajectory, critical thinking, and orientation to universal values, which will serve as a condition to form subjectivity, to manifest one's inner freedom and responsible social anti-extremist and anti-radical behavior.