Modifications of ethnic identity: prevention of extremism among students

The article deals with modifications of ethnic identity, escalating in the era of society instability; psychological nature of ethnic identity extreme forms was revealed. We first identified a typology of ethnic identity extreme forms, including extreme and marginal types. Modification of ethnic self-consciousness leads to development of xenophobia and extremist attitudes as socially dangerous psychological phenomenon. It was established that extreme types of modifications of person's ethnic identity (hyperidentity, marginality) caused extremist attitudes formation. The research within the project "Student youth about international contacts", carried out on the territory of Irkutsk Oblast (638 respondents) and the Republic of Buryatia (342 respondents), revealed the presence of xenophobia, prejudice among students. On the base of the research analysis directions of extremism prevention among students were identified.