Socio-psychological features of the gift-giving phenomenon in the student environment

The non-verbal symbolic language of communication is apparent in the process of exchanging gifts. In the context of interpersonal communications, this is not just an object, but a symbol woven into the configuration of social relations. From the point of view of sociology, the act of giving is one of the oldest, but at the same time one of the least studied modes of interpersonal communication between individuals. In this regard, the multiple meanings of gifts in small social groups that are carriers of the hidden symbolism of etiquette relations, which significantly formalize the act of giving, are of considerable interest to the scientific community. This article is devoted to the study of the social and psychological characteristics of the gift exchange process among students. Modern trends in the ritual of gift-giving are considered, the significance of giving and receiving gifts, as well as reactions in the process of exchanging gifts from the point of view of student youth are assessed. The authors note the multilevel nature of the gift-giving phenomenon. On the one hand, gifts reflect formal and informal communications, acting as a way of establishing and maintaining social relations, calling for peace and mutual understanding among young people. On the other hand, the hidden negative symbolic meaning of a gift can have quite the opposite effect on the outcome of relationships, which underlines the ambiguous interpretation of the gift-giving process as a social phenomenon.