The needs-based and motivational factors in personality's social activity in different contexts of socialization

The determination of personality’s social activity has been theoretically analyzed depending on different contexts of socialization. The researchers believe that the low pro-social activity is typical for the Russian youth. The author analyzes the studies on the motivational structure of different types of social activity among young people in the following countries: USA, Germany, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, and Russia. The research reveals the specific nature of social activity in terms of different contexts of socialization in various countries. The motivation for social activity of American and German young people is mainly coordinated and traditional; it focuses on self-fulfillment, integration into society, and the creation of a strong stable close social environment. The Chinese youth’s motivation for social activity is associated with the emotional perception of the new experience, the desire to know new things, and status motives. Motives for managing other people, developing the country and oneself serve as the motivation for social activity of the Japanese youth. The motivation for social activity of the Russian youth is controversial: it implies not only individualistic motives, comfort, and satisfaction of basic and material needs but also humanistic motives based on the pursuit of social justice for oneself and other people and motives for serving the society.