Ivanova O. Identification as a sign of social maturity of social group

Object of study: large social groups in the transforming society. Target of study: social identification of large social groups and its role in the maturation of these groups. The purpose of the study was to develop sociological conception of identification and to discover the place and role of the processes of social identification in the social groups' maturing. The methods which were used: analysis of special sociological literature, analysis of the texts which are ideologically loaded, auxiliary analysis of the results of empirical sociological research. The academic novelty of the study: we offered the three-dimensional sociological approach to the understanding of person's and groups' social identification and identity which takes into account the current societal processes. In addition, the definitions of person's identity, group's social identity were offered and the one of groups' social maturity was specified. Several factors of the formation of social identity and the maturation of social co nsciousness were explored. Theoretical and practical significance: broadening of the theoretical and methodological framework to be used in further sociological analysis, both theoretical and empirical, and also in the higher education. The degree of implementation: the results of the dissertation are reflected in academic publication. In addition, they were used by the author for the development of courses "Social identification in contemporary society" and "Social psychology" which are taught by the author in Kharkiv State Academy of Culture. The field of application: theoretical and empirical sociological research, academic programs for higher education, especially for the Object of study: large social groups in the transforming society. Target of study: social identification of large social groups and its role in the maturation of these groups. The purpose of the study was to develop sociological conception of identification and to discover the place and role of the processes of social identification in the social groups' maturing. The methods which were used: analysis of special sociological literature, analysis of the texts which are ideologically loaded, auxiliary analysis of the results of empirical sociological research. The academic novelty of the study: we offered the three-dimensional sociological approach to the understanding of person's and groups' social identification and identity which takes into account the current societal processes. In addition, the definitions of person's identity, group's social identity were offered and the one of groups' social maturity was specified. Several factors of the formation of social identity and the maturation of social consciousness were explored. Theoretical and practical significance: broadening of the theoretical and methodological framework to be used in further sociological analysis, both theoretical and empirical, and also in the higher education. The degree of implementation: the results of the dissertation are reflected in academic publication. In addi tion, they were used by the author for the development of courses "Social identification in contemporary society" and "Social psychology" which are taught by the author in Kharkiv State Academy of Culture. The field of application: theoretical and empirical sociological research, academic programs for higher education, especially for the social sciences and humanities.