Radicalization of youth vision of the role of religion in society by methods of cognitive warfare

Introduction. Analysis of foreign publications indicates that recently in the field of information and psychological impact on various categories of the population special attention has been paid to methods of cognitive warfare. Cognitive warfare is aimed at changing the worldview of the country's population in order to seize the state power. To counteract actively public administration systems and law enforcement agencies, the subjects of cognitive warfare employ religious ideas of youth. The problem being of great social importance, it has not been systematically explored. The aim of the present research is to analyze the changes in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan youth visions of the role of religion in the society caused by methods of cognitive warfare. Materials and Methods. The analysis of psychological literature, Internet resources, which reveal the theoretical foundations of radicalization of youth, theory and technologies of cognitive warfare were used. Two questionnaires were employed, revealing the idea of the role of religion in society and evaluating interaction with the social environment. The sample included 269 respondents (the Kyrgyz part covered 134 people (average age = 21.8 years, SD=4.61 years), men made up 60.1%, the Uzbek part involved 135 people (average age = 20.4 years, SD= 2.36 years), men - 56.6%). The samples are equivalent in gender, age, and education. Results and Discussion. According to the study, the methods of cognitive warfare lead to the radicalization of Kyrgyz and Uzbek youth, which is expressed in the increased number of clerical and sacred beliefs, religious xenophobia. Radicalized youth is characterized by less sociability and stability of social connections, and their environment is homogeneous in its values and beliefs. Conclusions. Cognitive warfare methods have a significant impact on the level of religious radicalization of Kyrgyz and Uzbek youth, giving their views and beliefs an anti-state orientation. Young people, for whom national identity is closely linked to religious identity, are particularly vulnerable to destructive influence.