Perceptions of Heroes and Heroism among Ukrainian Military Youth
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Kruty Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technologies
Submission date: 2024-01-24
Acceptance date: 2025-01-25
Publication date: 2025-06-10
Polish Sociological Review 2025;230(2):181-192
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ABSTRACT
The present study adopts a behaviorist approach to conceptualizing the phenomenon of heroism. It
endeavors to identify the behavioral tendencies that military students may display in extreme situations. These
behavioral tendencies are influenced by their perception of what constitutes heroic behavior. The orientation
towards the Archetypal Hero may be indicative of the psychological unpreparedness of military students to
commit acts that go beyond the actions required by military service. The attraction to the Prototypical Hero
may be explained by the need to be identified with another person who is an example of efficiency. The behavior
of respondents whose associations make up the Prosocial Hero group would, in an emergency, be closer to the
requirements outlined in the Military Ethics and Codes of Honor. It may be expected that respondents who prefer
everyday heroism will be more successful in adapting to stress and maintaining their mental and emotional wellbeing
in difficult and negative situations