What is mentality and mentality?

Very often, the concepts of mentality and mentality are used interchangeably. Despite attempts by researchers to specify each of the categories, it is difficult to identify any significant difference Between them. Therefore, identifying these concepts, we will try to find out what mentality (or mentality) is.

Under the mentality is understood the complex of individual cultural, emotional, intellectual and mental characteristics, characteristic of a particular nation, nationality or ethnic group. The term was born of historical science, but its use has become frequent in sociology and psychology. In fact, the concept of mentality is quite large and covers such aspects as morality and behavior, religious affiliation, mentality, assessments and many other moments inherent in a particular social group.

Having become acquainted with the concept and learning what a mentality is, let's look at its manifestations in the social environment.

Mentality expresses not only the individual characteristics of the individual, but also the impersonal attitudes of social consciousness. Forming and forming on the basis of a common cultural, historical and socio-economic development of the community, the features of the mentality are manifested in the adaptation of a group of people to the surrounding Environment, natural and social. Being unconscious, these ideas determine the character and mode of human action in the world. Mental features are particularly noticeable when a person enters another cultural environment. Mentality manifests itself in behavior, traditions, customs, beliefs, verbal and non-verbal languages.

About what is the mentality, in Russia they started talking quite late - in the XIX - early XX century. In addition, scientists at that time did not use the term "mentality", but used such concepts as "national soul", "national character", "national consciousness", which in general reflects the essence of this concept. Under them they meant the spiritual structure of society. Today, scientists have moved to a comprehensive interpretation of the concept of "mentality", which includes socio-cultural and historical and psychological definitions of the term.

The mentality of Russians was formed against the background of the struggle with the stern and mean Russian nature, which taught them patience and obedience. Dexterity, rationality, practicality of mind Russians have acquired through various kinds of crafts

And fisheries, which have long been engaged. The Orthodox faith has brought up spirituality, responsiveness, love, and kindness in our person.

Disregard for formalism, including legal, came from the dislike of merchants to formal agreements. Making a deal, they "beat on the hands", trusting the partner for a word. The predominance of the general over the personal always existed in Russia, being one of the criteria of our morality. Today's individualism, which has taken on exaggerated forms in the country, shows that it was not in Russian traditions.

Knowledge of what a mentality is, are important for understanding the specific behavior of an individual in a particular context and the life of the nation, the nation as a whole.