Dynamics of value Orientations of pupils of the Suvorov Military School of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia

Introduction. Value orientations of Suvorov military school cadets and their role in forming professional self-determination are considered. The aim is to analyze the dynamics of values of the cadets of the Suvorov military school of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in the course of studies. Маterials and Methods. The basis of the research is Sh. Schwartz and Bilsky’s theory. The renewed version of Sh. Schwartz psychodiagnostics method (PVQ-R2) was employed to conduct longitudinal study during one year. At the first stage — at the initial phase of studying — sixty-four first-year cadets and forty-four second-year cadets were surveyed. At the second stage first- and second-year cadets were retested to reveal dynamics of their value orientations. Results and Discussion. The prevailing values for the respondents proved to be kindness and independence. The contradiction of value and motivational type between necessity of avoiding threats (demand for safety) and seeking for cognitive and behavioural autonomy (independence) was revealed. The values of power and traditions rank low among the first- and second-year cadets in their value hierarchy. The first-year cadets have value priorities of independence, kindness and safety on the level of normative ideals, while independence, hedonism and kindness — on the level of individual priorities. Conclusions. In the course of studies at the Suvorov Military School of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs values of the cadets undergo certain dynamics. First-year cadets show positive dynamics in values of independence, kindness and stimulation and negative — in the value of universalism. Second-year cadets show positive dynamics in the value “achievements”, while the value of universalism in behaviour has a negative dynamics. The values of power and traditions rank low among first- and second-year cadets in their value hierarchy.