Features of social groups of adolescents with the deviant orientation

The article presents the theoretical analysis of the category "social group" from the standpoint of sociological and general psychological approaches. The authors conclude that a social group is a system of activity that: 1) acts as a social environment that affects the personality and 2) is affected by individuals. In this connection, group influences act as a mediating system between a person and a society. Social groups of adolescents with a deviant orientation are shown. The authors analyze the content characteristics of such groups, their significance for each individual member of the group and the orientation of adolescents on interaction within the framework of this group. They also describe the characteristic traits peculiar to adolescents with deviant orientation as subjects of activity (group needs, norms, values, attitudes). It is concluded that, firstly, adolescents prone to deviant behavior have personal and individual characteristics that determine the manifestation of deviations in their behavior and grouping in associations of adolescents with similar characteristics...