Values of Russians and the integral threat in inter-ethnic relations

The paper discusses co-relation of basic individual values and the integral threat in inter-ethnic relations. On the basis of U. Stephan and K. Stephan's theory of the integral threat and the theory of basic personal values the authors hypothesized that on the individual level the values "safety", "conformity" and "tradition" serve as predictors of the integral threat; the values "universalism" and "benevolence" are also linked to the integral threat, but negatively. Values of a higher order are also linked to the integral threat: "preservation" positively, "self-determination" negatively. An empirical study was based on the data obtained by the European Social Study (ESS), wave 6, which included data from a representative survey of Russians. The database contained a shortened version of S. Swartz's value questionnaire and a number of questions aimed at assessment of the integral threat. The sample included only Russian respondents (N =1965). The study partly confirmed the hypotheses: the values "safety" and "independence" demonstrated a positive link to the integral threat, "benevolence" demonstrated a negative link. No meaningful link between values of the higher order and the threat was discovered. The article discusses empirical aspects of the study.