Ethnic identity - a view of themselves, formed in humans in the knowledge their own involvement in a particular social group, ie,in the process of socialization.Speech in this case is a question of belonging to a national-ethnic community.This awareness, of course, does not happen by itself, but is linked to the surrounding reality.Therefore, in the case of growing up and socialization in an ethnically mixed environment is often difficult finding identity or differentiated, that is, it has no clear reference to a single nationality or culture.
Ethnic identity is extremely important for people gaining social community.On the basis of its identity is formed, which allows members of certain social groups to distinguish themselves from others, provided the need for protection and, if necessary, mobilization along ethnic lines.
Another basic concept is ethnic identity.This basic concept of which is precisely the consequence of ethnic identity.Divide these two categories is quite difficult.Ethnic considered a form of social consciousness, characterized by belonging to a particular ethnic and cultural space.The concept of "ethnicity" in common parlance means a set of national and cultural traditions, rituals, customs, lifestyle and specific folklore.
The formation of ethnic identity is greatly influenced by the ideology of the state, as well as socio-political ideas formed the elite of the ethnic group.An example is a change of the majority of the peoples of the USSR in the 80-90 years under the influence of the leaders of national movements.Investigating this phenomenon, scientists have even coined the term "imposed on ethnicity."
Ethnic identity, according ethnopsychologists, can be differentiated into seven different types.Normal type of identity has a positive attitude to the image of its people, its culture and values.Ethnocentric - has elements of isolation, exaggerated values of ethnicity and uncritical attitude to it.Etnodominiruyuschy type is characterized by notions of the superiority of their nation and discrimination of other nations.Ethnic fanaticism - a complete and utter domination of ethnic interests, readiness for sacrifice for them.
other types are etnoindifferentny (indifferent to the values and concerns of the ethnic group), ethnonihilism (complete negation of those values) and ambivalent.The latter type is inherent in dimly expressed identity (sometimes double), which often happens in a mixed environment.
No less important part of consciousness - civic identity, t. E. Awareness of their involvement in the soobschnosti of a State.Civil identification is necessary to form in the minds of human social and legal status and correlate with the actual status of the declared.The origin and the maintenance of its need to consider the legal policy of the state structures.Especially difficult it is the formation takes place in a multi-ethnic state.Every state in this matter has its own unique experience.
In Russia, with its multicultural way of Russian ethnic identity is original enough combined with the state.The reasons for this are many - from imperial past to many historical upheavals of the Soviet era.Concepts such as ethnicity and nation for a long time were inferior in the public consciousness of our fellow citizens concepts of statehood and social values of the Soviet system.
Many researchers agree that the Russian national idea should be free from imperial units and narrow national interests and must be a search for new ways of co-existence of many ethnic groups of the Russian state to overcome the economic crisis and external threats.
