Abstract: The article presents part of the results of a complex empirical research of socio-psychological adaptation of Russians migrating to Russia from other countries. The research involved 228 people (107 men and 121 women aged 17 - 63 years old, M=29.59, SD=9.54). Respondents from the Ukraine (Donetsk and Lugansk Regions) were 112 people (51 men and 61 women) and respondents from other countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldavia, Tadjikistan, Turkeminstan, and Uzbekistan) were 116 people (56 men and 60 women). The purpose of the research was to analyze their expectations under the conditions of their socio-psychological adaptation to living in Russia. The authors make an assumption that those who come from the Ukraine and other countries have different expectations as a result of the former's forced and fast migration caused by the military conflict in the Ukraine. Empirical data was collected using the opinion poll. In particular, the authors have analyzed data obtained using free-answer and yes-no questions that respondents answered as part of the questionnaire prepared by the authors. Data were processed using the methods of descriptive statistics, frequency and content analysis, and Fisher angular transformation (φ* criteria). As a result of this empirical research, the authors have discovered differences in migrants' expectations of those who came from the Ukraine and those who came from other countries. Migrants from the Ukraine more frequently tended to expect help and support from others than from themselves and were in a greater need of information, help with employment and accomodation. They also believed they needed compensations from the government of the country they had left and had a better idea of what help and support they could use from the receiving country to adapt to life in Russia. On the whole, expectations of the majority of those who came from the Ukraine and other countries have been satisfied. Many of them had realistic expectations and the right idea of conditions, advantages and challenges they would have in Russia which was most likely to be one of the factors of their successful adaptation (based on self-reports of respondents). However, the results have also demonstrated that respondents felt their adaptation was incomplete or were too focused on challenges and negative emotions experienced in the process of their adaptation which could cause additional emotional tension and make them seek for social and psychological assistance. Another traumatic and destructive feeling that could hinder their successful socio-psychological adaptation was their expectations of conflicts from the local population. The results of the research can be used as guidelines to improve socio-psychological adaptation of migrants as well as to create a program of psychological assistance of migrants from the former Soviet republics.

Abstract: The present article contains the results of the empirical social and psychological survey. The object of the research was the youth as actors of social knowledge. The research involved 314 young people living in the Smolensk Region (157 men and 157 women). The subject of the research is the social representations of youth about patriotism. The theoretical basis of the research included works of Russian and foreign psychologists who studied social and personal representations (Serge Moscovici, Ivana Markova, Jean-Claude Abric, Tatiana Emelianova, Ksenia Abulkhanova and others). The methodological basis of the research involved the interdisciplinary, system and activity approaches as they are described in the Russian academic literature on psychology. The research methods included: analysis, synthesis, generalization, survey, descriptive statistics methods, content analysis and Fisher's angular transformation (φ* criteria). As a result of the research, the author has defined features of social representations about patriotism, patriotism manifestations and functions as demonstrated by young people living in the Smolensk Region. Very few respondents have demonstrated the xenophobic component of their representations about patriotism, however, very few respondents have associated manifestations and functions of patriotism with effective inter-ethic communication and tolerance. Consequently, the vector of representations about patriotism is rather indefinite for young people. The results of the research prove the importance of further social and psychological researches on the matter and can be used in the process of preparing programs and educational activities aimed at developing the feeling of patriotism of young people. 

Abstract: This article presents the results of an empirical psychological research conducted on 314 residents of the Smolensk region (including youth), who regard themselves as of Russian descent and state that they have no experience of participation in extremist organizations. The subject of this research is the social perception of the youth on extremism. The theoretical basis for this research consisted in the works of Russian and foreign psychologists that are aimed at studying the social and personal perceptions. The results of the conducted empirical research reveal the peculiarities of the social perceptions of young people of the Smolensk region on extremism, its manifestations and functions, as well as the attitude of the youth towards the extremist activity in the country. The acquired data confirms the relevance and importance of conducting further socio-psychological research concerning this issue. The results can be used to develop programs and specific educational events in order to prevent extremism among youth.