What is mentality in simple words? Differences from mentality

This article was developed under the heading: Psychology.

Section: Society.

Quite often you can hear the phrase “You are like this because you all have such a mentality.” The peculiarities of mentality are revealed in various works, art, and literature. Many writers write about that very generally accepted mentality of the Russian people. But what does “mentality” mean? Can it affect the human psyche? How does this affect our personality? This is exactly what our article is about today.

Let's look together at what human mentality and mentality are.

What is human mentality

In the scientific literature, the term “mentality” is described in different ways. Some people view this phenomenon as a special worldview. Others define mentality as a concept of the cultural (collective) psyche.

Mentality comes from the Latin word "mens", which means "soul". Mentality is a warehouse of character, ideas, worldview, mental ideas about the world that are characteristic of a particular culture, nation, people.

In this definition, it is important to focus on the fact that the mentality is specific to a people or nationality. What does it mean?

Now there is a large percentage of migration in the world, so countries are mostly multinational. Moreover, at the present stage of history, cultures are mixed, taking on new forms and ideas. Therefore, it is impossible to talk about the original preservation of the “national mentality”. If you look at Russia, you will see how many different nationalities inhabit it. Each such nation or people has its own historical cultural goals and vision of the world. But despite his nationality, a person who has lived in Russia acquires common and characteristic features for all.

Thus, mentality is the characteristics of behavior and outlook on life of a particular nationality or population.

Natural-geographical factors of influence

The dependence of national characteristics on natural and geographical conditions is called geographical determinism. The natural environment affects the mentality of the people through its influence on the way of life (steppe or forests, cold or hot climate), as well as through images of native nature imprinted in the mentality (for example, the love of freedom of the Mongolian peoples was influenced by the lack of physical boundaries of their territory).

Also, three factors such as geographical location, vastness of territory, and climate are separately identified and explained using the example of a Russian person. The first Russian factor is breadth of soul, the second is hospitality and some melancholy, the third (namely long winters) is contemplation and dreaminess.

Examples

You've probably already heard about specific examples. But let's look at a few specific and fairly familiar examples to everyone.

Russian

Of course, what the Russian mentality is is different in the perceptions of Russian residents and foreigners. But here’s what can characterize the mentality in Russia:

1. Lack of value for personal boundaries and privacy. This is not only common on social media, where most people try to find out about the personal lives of others. But also in ordinary neighborly relations. For example, neighbors may be annoying, not paying attention to the fact that you may have personal matters. Although, of course, every year this trait becomes less and less characteristic;
2. The desire to isolate yourself from strangers. Although this contradicts the previous point, a Russian person strives to simultaneously learn about others, but at the same time protect himself from prying eyes. An example is high fences on private plots. In Europe and America, fences are generally not common. But in Russia, everyone strives to build a high and dense fence on their site;
3. Broad soul. A Russian man with a truly broad soul. Which is also common in other CIS countries, for example, Belarus;
4. "Sad Russian look." Although this is a kind of joke on the Internet, it really characterizes a Russian person. On the streets everyone is gloomy, sad, everyone is in their own thoughts. And these thoughts are most often negative.

Mentality is, in simple words, how people see the surrounding reality

In Germany

For comparison, let's look at how German residents behave. They, unlike Russian people, respect their own and other people’s space. They are more conservative and secretive in their emotional and spiritual manifestations. The Germans are also more careful.

Do not feed or touch

We love tactile contact. Pats on the shoulder, handshakes, hugs and friendly kisses - in this regard, we are very open people. But there are peoples in the world who consider this as indecent and unacceptable as possible, for example, the Japanese. Tourists are advised: “Don’t touch the Japanese!” - and many wonder what’s wrong?

The fact is that hentai and beer lovers hate it when someone violates their inviolable personal space, and they will certainly give you a contemptuous look if you try to kiss your wife on a busy street. They do not shake hands when they meet, and hugs and other affection are reserved only for those closest to them - and behind closed doors. Residents of the United Kingdom behave in approximately the same way, but slightly less aggressively. If you want to touch an Englishman or a Japanese man, refrain.

Main types

Special models of mentality are also identified, which are referred to as “types of mentality.” Let's take a closer look at these types of mentalities.

Personality mentality

Personal mentality is those value guidelines formed in a person that are characteristic only of him, his family, relatives, as well as people who live nearby. It is formed in the process of life and takes into account the characteristics of life itself. These features include climatic, cultural, geographical and political factors.

Public

Social mentality is the mentality that is characteristic of a particular social group. Here we are talking not only about the national mentality, but also about the professional one, for example.

The public mentality is formed historically. Of course, it is influenced by similar factors and reasons for its formation. Some examples of public mentality can be identified:

1. Teachers' mentality. For example, there are specific standards of conduct for teachers. You have probably noticed more than once how similar all our school teachers are. Sometimes they even say the same phrases;
2. English mentality. It is characteristic of the peoples of England. They are so independent from others that a person living in England can be recognized immediately.

In simple words, mentality as a term has become broader, including various professions and social groups

Levels

National mentality is a two-level phenomenon. The first level is genetic. For example, in the course of numerous studies it was found that the genetic peculiarity of the Russian person is a priority in the thinking of the right hemisphere. This kind of thinking is characterized by creativity and sensuality. It is not for nothing that the Russian language is considered one of the richest and most beautiful languages.

The second level of national mentality is the acquired (or individual) mentality. The learning process, upbringing, personal self-realization, choosing one’s own role, assimilation of culture, self-identification, etc., are all the formation of the second level. Here it is important to take into account the individual psychological characteristics of a person. He can accept the national characteristics of his ethnic group, or, on the contrary, he can develop a critical attitude towards them.

General typology of mentalities

The typology of mentalities differs from the concept of “types” in that these mentalities are characteristic of absolutely all peoples and nationalities. The only difference is in what historical period preceded the formation of this mentality. We can say that this relates by analogy to the historical “formations” through which each state passes. Let's look at these types of mentality and the periods in which they were formed.

Barbaric

As the name suggests, barbarian mentality is characteristic of a wide variety of civilizations. Every civilization known today has lived through this mentality.

Here's what characterizes this type:

1. Praise of physical strength;
2. Lack of self-preservation instinct, fear of death;
3. Religiosity (polytheism);
4. Nomadism.

Feudal

Feudal means the next stage in the formation of human society and the state. It is also called the aristocratic mentality. At this stage, society is stratified into classes. Poorer and richer people appear. Because of this, there is a division of society, which also affects culture, science, education and the development of the individual as a whole. Transition to monotheistic religions. Mental abilities also develop. The so-called aristocracy of society appears.

Bourgeois

Bourgeois replaces feudal and is characterized by the following features:

1. Spread of education;
2. Increasing the value of every human life;
3. The stratification of society continues, it becomes more complex;
4. Openness of society and culture;
5. Development of science and education;
6. People strive for development.

Modern or post-industrial

This is the mentality that characterizes humanity today. Of course, if we do not take into account some countries that are at different stages of state and social development. Today, tolerance, tolerance, acceptance of everyone, community, openness not only of individuals, but also of states as a whole are widespread.

Each state and society went through certain stages in the formation of mentality

Freedom of the press

No less interesting is this indicator, which is annually assessed around the world by the organization Reporters Without Borders. To this end, it sends surveys to global news outlets, as well as to grassroots journalists, correspondents, researchers, lawyers and human rights activists. After which experts evaluate the press freedom index in a particular country. In 2013, “gay Europe” turned out to be the freest: Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg and Andorra. “Democratic” Russia received 148th place.

How mentality affects development

The main question is “Does mentality affect us as individuals?” The answer is clear - yes, mentality influences who we are. Here's what contributes to this:

1. Where we grew up, in what family, under what conditions always affects our character, level of psychological health, abilities for social connections and interactions;
2. The level of education indicates how we think and how broadly;
3. Culture. The cultural characteristics of a particular place of residence allow us to say what ideas we have about life.

Thus, mentality is a component of our personality. If a person from Russia was born and raised in a completely different country, a different culture, then most likely he would become a different person.

In a dark, dark room...

Let's part with the Parisian dirty guys and talk about freedom-loving America. Residents of the United States are similar to us in their familiarity and openness, love of idle chatter, family holidays and cheerful companies. However, there are differences. We can talk for a long time about the habit of smiling, following the rules and telling on our neighbors, but we are looking for the most interesting things, right?

One of the less obvious differences is fearfulness. Americans are a terribly cowardly people. A simple example: you can find a lot of videos where passers-by in the dark are scared by a scary man dressed as a clown - and in each one, a dozen Americans of both sexes run away screaming. Once some bloggers tried to do the same in Russia. The only reaction that minimally resembles fear is “oh, damn...” (and from both women and men). Some passers-by tried to pester the actor - and then he probably got scared. People in Russia have seen worse things than Pennywise and his dancing. Much more Russians are afraid of utility bills and a police car.

How to change your mentality

But can it be changed? For the most part, it is impossible to fundamentally change this. Since we grew up in this psychological environment. What we absorb in childhood remains with a person for life. Of course, if you radically change your place of residence or religion, your views may change. But the original mentality will still be preserved.

It is important to note that in life there are still deviant individuals whose mentality is rather vague. They are weakly influenced by external factors in the form of social beliefs and principles. They attach little importance to it or ignore it altogether. An important role for deviants is played by their subjective understanding of the world.

Religious influences

National mentality is largely the influence of religion. In sociology, it is believed that Islam, Western and Eastern Christianity and Judaism influenced the formation of four major mentalities. For example, for Jews even in our time, the Jewish mentality with special, dogmatically determined and fixed by thousands of years of national tradition attitudes of faith, thinking and will is important. Social and political ideas, values, identity, systems of relationships and characteristic types of behavior largely determine the worldview of the Jewish nation. There is an opinion that religion has been adapted to the mentality. But it was not formed on its basis. Since our society, due to its great diversity, does not have a clear answer to this question, it will remain the subject of long future debates.

How is it different from mentality?

Often these concepts are confused and used for other purposes. Although in reality they are quite similar.

Mentality

A vision of the world, peculiarities of perception and value systems characteristic of a large group of people. Mentality manifests itself in a specific group of people.

Mentality

It may be characteristic of society as a whole. This is how we perceive our surroundings through emotions. The mentality can be the same for completely different mentalities.

Concept

National mentality is a certain style of life and culture inherent in a particular ethnic group of people, as well as a national system of values, views and worldview of a nation, and general character traits.

Stability, immutability, constancy, conservatism are the characteristic properties of the mentality of a nation. It is difficult to influence it through ideological, administrative, legal or management measures.