Social imagination as a psychological phenomenon

The article analyzes psychological phenomenology, prerequisites and mechanisms of social imagination, the structure of which includes the readiness of the individual and group to relate their lives to the socio-historical context, as well as to imagine and analyze alternative options for social interaction in the past and future. Sociological and psychological interpretations of this phenomenon are considered. The results of a series of empirical studies (N = 1950; N = 775; N = 2183) are presented, which made it possible to identify the socio-psychological prerequisites for scenario thinking, i.e. orientation towards the generation and analysis of alternative options for the collective future, as well as the cognitive closure in representations about it, namely the belief in its predetermination and lack of alternatives. A relationship was found between the perceived diversity of the possible futures of Russia and social complexity, interest in the long-term future, the value of continuous development, perceived collective political self-efficacy, as well as anxiety about the future of Russia and the frequency of discussion of political topics. It is shown that the perceived lack of alternatives in representations about the collective future is related with the experience of a threat, the need for cognitive closure, fatalistic attitudes, social cynicism and intolerance towards other social groups. Methods for developing social imagination in groups and organizations are proposed, which help to imagine alternative versions of the past and future, place one's biography and career in the context of corporate and national history, and also look at one's activities through the eyes of representatives of other social groups. Promising directions for further research in this area are outlined.