Social Activity of Personality and Groups: Definition, Structure and Mechanisms

Abstract

The problem of social activity of the personality and groups becomes central in modern social, economic and political psychology. The innovative processes in the society, maintaining a dynamic balance in it, entirely depend on the release of the social activity of the individuals and groups, on its freedom and diversity, constructiveness and responsibility. The article presents a theoretical analysis of the problem of operationalization of the phenomena of social activity of the individual and groups, the synthesis of the disparate data on its foundations, motivators, mechanisms and social effects. The definition of social activity as a special case of initiative impact of social actors on the social environment, as the actions aimed at changing and transforming social objects as a result of which there is a change in the personality and the entire social situation, the problem of its operationalization is discussed. It is shown that social activity is the effect of socialization and development of the individual. The differences of social activity in different age periods and its importance for the individual and its sociopsychological status are singled out. The multi-component structure of the social activity, including the cognitive, emotionally-evaluative, motivational, and behavioral components are highlighted. The incentive mechanisms of social activity (motivation, satisfaction/dissatisfaction as an indicator of diachronic mismatch of personality and the social environment) are analyzed. The empirical research aimed at finding out the predictors and basis of the dominant types of social activity of the individual is outlined.

Typical dynamic peculiarities of the spheres of manifestation of social activity among student youth

“…Perhaps, professional (educational and professional) students' selfdetermination as an "accomplished fact" is a factor for initiating educational activity in the relevant activity sphere, which is distinguished by subjective significance and at the same time acts as a factor in limiting the manifestation of other forms of social activity. According to researchers [1], [7], [9], the process of social self-determination in the public (social) area implies the subject's activity in search for his/her own way of life. In this regard, social activity is an important factor for such self-determination.…”

“…First of all, this is due to the modern status of the Russian society, which is distinguished by political, economic, social, and cultural heterogeneity and heterochronism, generating variability in the forms and types of social activity, its orientation, level characteristics of manifestation. A number of works by Russian and foreign researchers [1], [2], [3], [4] have shown that there are not only changes in the object of social reality, but also constant changes in the subject itself, in particular, through intermediate goals, in the process of searching and refining social life goals. Being a key characteristic of the subject, social activity is not only determined by community activities, but also determines and regulates it.…”

“…At the same time, researchers, focusing on the active role of the life-sustaining activity's subject, note that social activity of a person does not proceed mechanically within the logic of cause-and-effect relations [8]: the subject has the power to suspend his/her activity, delay or even "back off" it. Data from a number of studies [1], [9] indicates that selective social activity manifestation is largely determined by the procedural and effective characteristics of personal socialization. On the one hand, social activity is the effect of personal socialization, while on the other hand, it is the effect of subject's development, that is capable of conscious and systematic implementation of his/his social essence in accordance with social ideas, norms, values, and role positions learned during the socialization process.…”

Correlation of academic adaptation and commitment to social activity in university students with chronic diseases

“…Students' social activity may be viewed as a significant factor and indicator of their academic adaptation. A person's social activity is considered in the context of his socialization as its effect characterizing a person's ability to take actions in relation to social objects aimed at their change and transformation in accordance with his social essence, which result in a change in the subject, object and social situation in general [31].…”

Protest Activity and its Psychological Content in the Context of Young People’s Socio-Political Activity

“…Modern socio-psychological investigations aimed at studying the content of social activity include a variety of aspects. Much attention is paid to the definition, structure and mechanisms of social activity [1]. Scientists consider social activity in the context of systemic diachronic approach [2].…”