THE INFLUENCE OF COGNITIVE PREJUDICES ON GROUP BELIEFS OF AVERAGE RUSSIANS

Abstract

The article examines the cognitive biases of Russians that have led to widespread support for the Kremlin's criminal policies, which distort thinking, influence beliefs, and affect the decisions and judgments Russians make every day. The author notes that the rapid pace of publication of messages and news releases, as well as the perceived need to quickly respond to them, encourages the Russian population to "think fast" (reflexively and emotionally) as opposed to "thinking slowly" (rationally and prudently). Such concepts as cognitive biases and logical errors are distinguished. Cognitive biases are viewed as systematic errors in thinking that arise as a result of processing and interpreting information in the surrounding world that influence the decisions and judgments of the population. According to the author, it was cognitive prejudices that influenced the formation of individual and group beliefs and behavior of Russians in favor of the tactical or strategic goals of the aggressor, the subjugation of society without the use of direct force or coercion.