Psychological Characteristics of Young People Involved in Religious and Cult Organizations via the Internet Space

Abstract

The results of an empirical study related to the problem of involving modern youth in religious and religious organizations through the Internet space are presented in the article. It is assumed in the hypothesis that the success of this process is largely due to the severity of certain personal characteristics in young people. 60 people acted as respondents, of which: 30 - not involved in religious and cult organizations and 30 - participants in closed religious groups on social networks, 17 men and 43 women aged 20-28 years, as well as 50 experts working in institutions dealing with religious studies and sectarianism, took part in the study. A specially developed author's questionnaire was used, as well as standardized methods. It was revealed that a young man involved in religious organizations aspires to people, to be a member of a social group, he is characterized by low self-esteem, a level of critical thinking, a degree of protection against manipulation, as well as a tendency to dependent behavior.