Violence as a Socio-Psychological Phenomenon

Abstract

The study aims to determine the peculiarities of violence manifestation by adolescents based on the empirical study of the psychological microclimate within their groups and the sense of belonging to a group of adolescents. The study was conducted using a quantitative research method and it involved 503 adolescents aged 13-17 years old who were selected from general educational institutions of Tbilisi. The study sample was randomly selected based on census data. Statistical algorithms were used to select the respondents from the population census data. The objectives of the study were defined to be the theoretical analysis and empirical study of factors determining the aggressive behavior of adolescents, based on the selection and development of methodological instruments. The main vector of the study was to identify and describe the features of social characteristics and dimensions of adolescent violence and determine their relationships. Research has confirmed that the peer circle plays a major role in the development of social skills during adolescence age. It is important to have a sense of equality that promotes positive reactions in various crises. Research has shown that a strong sense of danger in adolescents is so closely related to the level of violence that it can be seen as a provoking factor - the danger experienced by an individual is a kind of motivation for the potential abuser to commit a violent act in one form or another. For adolescents, achieving belonging to a group in the social microclimate to gain equal conditions and opportunities and gaining equality of personal characteristics is largely related to the orientation on the external reality (social and practical aspects). Belonging to a group, i.e. external stimulation and equality, is of particular importance. The results of the study demonstrate that psychological climate is a dynamic entity and defines the main microenvironment of the interaction of psychological factors for adolescents. Thus, according to the obtained data, the psychological microclimate within the adolescent group and the feeling of belonging to the group correlates negatively with the violence manifestation by the adolescents. Based on the above results, the structural and functional features of creating effective groups of adolescents are highlighted. Therefore, the intensive work of school psychologists with adolescents is important for the formation of a healthy psychological microclimate in the group.