The article explores the topical issue of the study of psychological factors in the formation of national identity, and the evaluation criteria for its constructiveness and destructiveness. The article presents the results of the empirical investigation held under the auspices of the research team of Russian State Social Institute in a number of countries within the former Soviet Union and beyond. The interpretation of the empiric data has enabled the authors to reveal the existing regular correlation between the national consciousness of a person and the characteristics of his/her psychosocial development. The authors familiarize the readers with their view of the nature and psychological mechanisms of formation of the destructive national identity.