Features of the Hero’s Image among Modern Teenagers

The article discusses the importance of forming the image of a hero among modern adolescents, and also examines the relationship between the concepts of “hero”, “ideal”, and “idol”, which has developed in Russian psychological science. It presents a psychological and lexical analysis of these terms, as well as a theo-retical examination from the perspective of psychological research. Based on the results, it was concluded that these phenomena cannot be arranged in a synonymous row, since the definition of the hero is broader, deeper and stronger. In addition, the article examines the sources, images of heroes, and their dynamics among adolescents and young men (10–16 years old). The grounds for classifying the heroes of modern teenagers are determined. The authors conclude that it is crucial to pay particular attention to the development of the hero image in public consciousness, emphasizing its role in shaping adolescent identity and value orientations.