Visnyk of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Series Sociological studies of contemporary society: methodology, theory, methods

Standardization of sociological tests in the context of measurement problem in sociology

2025-11-04T10:13:49+00:00

The article is devoted to the analysis of a number of problems associated with the use of a specific method of obtaining sociological information - a sociological test. An overview of scientific approaches to understanding the concept of "sociological test" is presented, some related concepts are clarified (in particular, "test", "norm", "normative scale"), procedural aspects related to the development of sociological tests, methods for ensuring their diagnostic capacity are considered. Particular attention is paid to the issues of standardization of sociological tests, since this procedure, firstly, unifies the testing process and ensures objectivity and reproducibility, and, secondly, is an important prerequisite for checking a sociological test for reliability, validity and invariance, which generally determine the quality of this measuring tool. It is noted that, unlike psychological science, where standardization has become an integral part of research practice, sociological questionnaires are often developed without comprehensive verification of the internal structure, which leads to significant variability in the results obtained and complicates the comparison of data from different research centers. In the absence of tools, sociological research risks becoming fragmentary and unsuitable for the comparison procedure, which, in turn, limits the possibility of forming cumulative sociological knowledge, applying the obtained data in interdisciplinary and international comparative studies. These problems are particularly acute in the measurement of multidimensional and context-dependent social constructs (social trust, civic engagement, social status, etc.). The article also outlines a number of methodological guidelines for the practical implementation of the procedure for standardization of sociological tests, in particular, two aspects of standardization and its general procedure, the process and procedure for scale normalization, etc. are characterized. The article also outlines a number of methodological guidelines for the practical implementation of the procedure for standardizing sociological tests; in particular, it describes two aspects of standardization and its general procedure, the process and procedure for normalizing the scale, etc.

Problems of perception of militarism and military culture in modern civil society

2025-11-04T10:14:42+00:00

The issues of modern perception by civil society of the phenomena of «military culture», «militarism», «militarization» in various socio-political circumstances are investigated and the trends of their spread and popularization in Ukrainian society are substantiated. It is pointed out that militarization affects the public consciousness, forming perceptions of security and protection, which can both support and threaten democracy and the values of civil society. It is suggested that modern globalization processes, hybrid policies, wars and military conflicts make us think about the importance and protection of democratic values. The positive and negative aspects of militarization and the spread of military culture are shown. In particular, the emphasis is on the possibilities of heroizing the military context during the war, social mobilization of citizens, manifestations of patriotism in the interests of national security. On the other hand, the danger and probability of conflict between military and public values, threats to socio-cultural development, civil liberties and rights are shown. An analysis of examples of the main elements of military culture is offered, taking into account the author’s observations, as well as the negative or positive perception of this phenomenon by Ukrainians. As a result, it is proven that the phenomena of «militarism» and «military culture» should be perceived as universal phenomena that have an impact on all important spheres of human life. The search for symbolism in militarization in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war, threats to statehood, and other vicissitudes of society’s development was carried out. It is also emphasized that militarization and a person's willingness to protect the values of civil society (with the help of activity, self-development, education) interact in a special way even in difficult times for state building

Network Theories of N. Christakis and M. Granovetter: Heuristic Possibilities in Researching the Social Capital of Local Self-Government

2025-11-04T10:15:05+00:00

The article examines local self-government bodies (LSBs) as a social network and a center for the formation and accumulation of social capital. Social capital is considered as the basis for the activities of LSBs, which, in turn, is the basis for the development of communities in the context of modern socio-political challenges. The focus is on the specific properties of the social network that contribute to the growth of social capital. The heterogeneity and plurality of the concepts of social capital and social network are demonstrated. The hypothesis is put forward that social capital is an important factor in the formation of civil society, as well as the effective functioning of LSBs. Based on John Gaventa's concept of the basic principles of public authority, the properties of the new LSB policy within the framework of the decentralization reform are described. Key concepts of social capital are analyzed (P. Bourdieu, J. Coleman, N. Lin), thanks to which a number of conceptualizations are proposed, in particular LSBs interpreted as a social network with processes of social capital growth. The potential for the formation of social capital is considered through the theories of social networks of N. Christakis and M. Granovetter. Based on the ideas of N. Christakis, it is found that the LSU is a non-spontaneous social network with a special set of connections, in which intragroup connections; cohesion; emergence; the presence of intra-network groups are singled out among the factors of social capital formation. The principle of "weak" ties of M. Granovetter is separately discussed in the optics of the analysis of LSU, according to which "weak" ties "work" as a capacitor of social capital, which opens access to various resources: information, jobs, financial sources, other social and material values. The author summarizes the heuristic prospects of studying LSU as a social network (in particular, as a place of social capital formation) through the prism of the concepts of M. Granovetter and N. Christakis.

Conceptual Foundations of the Sociological Study of the Non-Heterosexual Persons’ Socialization in Heteronormative Society

2025-11-04T10:16:13+00:00

This article explores the theoretical and methodological foundations of sociological research on the socialization of non-heterosexual individuals in Ukrainian society. The authors examine several key concepts: discourse, heteronormativity, socialization, stigmatization, and discrimination. It is argued that M. Foucault's concept of discourses allows for understanding the construction of "regimes of truth" that define what is considered acceptable and legitimate in a particular social context, for example, establishing heterosexuality as the norm and imposing heteronormative standards on non-heterosexual individuals, which significantly complicates their socialization process. The concept of heteronormativity focuses on the legitimization and preference given to heterosexuality and cisgenderism over all other forms of sexuality and gender identity. Heteronormative culture demands gender conformity (cisgenderism) and sexual attraction exclusively to individuals of the opposite sex, while stigmatizing and marginalizing those who violate any of these norms. The concept of socialization is central to sociological science and denotes the process of integrating an individual into social life. The socialization of non-heterosexual and non-cisgender individuals in a heteronormative society is complicated by the destructive phenomena of stigmatization, heterosexism, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The cultivation of heterosexist ideologies and discriminatory practices creates serious obstacles to the full socialization of non-heterosexual and non-cisgender individuals. In conclusion, the authors note that Ukraine's chosen path of European integration requires the transformation of society's heteronormative culture and active opposition to all forms of stigmatization, heterosexism, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Authors underlines that only by ensuring equal rights and opportunities for non-heterosexual and non-cisgender individuals can their full socialization and realization in all spheres of social life be possible, which will contribute to the development of Ukrainian society.

Traumatic War-Induced Stressors and Health Status: Cumulative Life Stress and Resources of Resilience

2025-11-04T10:16:37+00:00

War is one of the most potent stressors that humanity can be exposed to. Like any armed conflict, the war in Ukraine is likely to result in devastating consequences for the health of our nation, causing long-term physical and psychological harm to adults and children, a reduction in human capital, an increase in the number of children facing orphanhood and family separation, the development of poverty in regions directly affected during the active phase of the conflict, psychological trauma, a lack of adequate nutrition, the erosion of social networks, and so forth. Recent research confirms a significant increase in the level of distress and emotional suffering among Ukrainians. Simultaneously, the results of these studies demonstrate the high resilience that the Ukrainian population exhibits in opposition to the brutal realities of war. When analyzing the impact of war-induced traumatic stressors on human health, it is necessary to consider the stressful experiences an individual had prior to the war, as this prior experience also carries significant weight. However, the cumulative stress experienced by a person over their lifetime is often not taken into account during assessments of the war's impact on the individual health of Ukrainians. This article focuses on the theoretical and practical significance of studying the consequences of the impact of accumulated lifetime stressful experience in combination with the traumatic stressors of war, which will contribute to the development of comprehensive metrics for stress and its impact on human health. Research into the cumulative effects of stress should be complemented by an analysis of the role of protective factors, which will provide a more exhaustive explanation of the relationship between stress and human health. In the process of studying the impact of wartime traumatic events on the health of Ukrainians, it is also important to emphasize the combination of cumulative lifetime stress and an individual's stress resilience resources.

Social Advertising Industry in Contemporary Ukraine: A Sociological Interpretation Attempt

2025-11-04T10:39:30+00:00

The article offers a sociological interpretation of social advertising as a multifunctional phenomenon that combines elements of public communication, social control, meaning-making, and civic mobilization. The relevance of the study is determined by the growing role of social advertising in the context of the full-scale war in Ukraine, where it transcends purely informational or moral communication and becomes a tool of cultural resistance, solidarity support, and the formation of new models of civic identity. The author examines how social advertising in a (post)war society performs not only educational but also normative and integrative functions, acting as a crucial element in the construction of social order. Methodologically, the article is based on the combination of two paradigms: structural functionalism and symbolic interactionism. Within the first, social advertising is interpreted as an institution that fulfils macro-functions of integration, socialization, and adaptation, reinforces values and norms, and ensures the reproduction of social order. Within the second, advertising is analyzed as a field of symbolic interaction, where an ongoing struggle over meaning, representation and normativity takes place. Drawing on examples of real Ukrainian social campaigns (e.g., Together We Are Strong, How Are You?, Mine Danger Is a Reality), the article demonstrates how social advertising constructs meanings, normalizes practices, and publicly articulates social problems. In the concluding section, the author reflects on the limitations of the chosen methodology: structural functionalism is assessed as potentially reducing the dynamic nature of advertising to functional stability, while symbolic interactionism may overlook broader institutional and political-economic contexts. Thus, social advertising emerges not only as a communication tool but also as a driver of social change and an indicator of societal transformations.