Representations about Russia and identity with the country: the analysis in the context of a structural approach

The article presents the results of an empirical study on the representations about Russia among the respondents with different level of identity with the country. The methodological basis of the study is a structural approach of J.-C. Abric. The data collection methods include free verbal associations technique and “Who am I?” test developed by M. Kuhn and T. McPartland. The results obtained are processed with the help of the prototypical analysis (according to P. Verges), frequency and content analysis. The study describes the core and the periphery of representation about Russia in groups with different level of identity with the country, defines the generalized conceptual categories that synthesize the structural elements of representations. It is established that the ideas about Russia of two groups under review are different. The group with low level of identity with the country focuses on the external image of Russia while the group with high identity level is characterized by emotional experience and involvement.