Diagnosis of Microaggressions and Prejudice in the Study of Asocial Creativity in Modern Socio-Political Conditions

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Recieved: 11/20/2024

Accepted: 12/01/2025

Published: 12/20/2025

Keywords: socio-political context; asocial creativity; prejudice; microaggressions; adolescents; youth; personal traits

Pages: 107-116

DOI: doi.org/10.11621/npj.2026.0109

Available online: 19.12.2025

To cite this article:

Meshkova, N.V., Bochkova, M.N., Enikolopov, S.N., Dmitrieva, E.A., Meshkov, I.A. (2026). Diagnosis of Microaggressions and Prejudice in the Study of Asocial Creativity in Modern Socio-Political Conditions. National Psychological Journal, 21(1) , 107-116. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.11621/npj.2026.0109

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Meshkova, N.V. Moscow State University of Psychology and Education

Bochkova, M.N. Independent Researcher

Enikolopov, S.N. Lomonosov Moscow State University, The Mental Health Research Center

Dmitrieva, E.A. School No. 1429 named after Hero of the Soviet Union N.A. Bobrov

Meshkov, I.A. Independent Researcher

Abstract

Background. At a time when fraud and terrorism are becoming almost commonplace, the role of prejudice as a protection against attacks against life and property is increasing. Accordingly, the problem of diagnosing prejudice and microaggressions in order to develop preventive recommendations for optimising interethnic interaction becomes relevant.

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to test the applicability of the tools used to study asocial creativity for the diagnosis of prejudice and microaggressions.

Study Participants. The sample consisted of cadets from one of Moscow universities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (N = 204, Mage = 19.3, SD = 1.29, 152 of them were boys), psychology students (N = 50; Mage = 20.4 years, SD = 1.62); adolescents (N = 60; Mage = 16.0, SD = 0.390) and cadets (N = 50; Mage = 15.5 years, SD = 0.693).

Methods. To diagnose microaggressions, the “Playing tricks” scale from the questionnaire “Behavioural features of malevolent creativity” (POAC) was used (adapted by Meshkova et al., 2018). Divergent thinking tasks (RWDT) were used to diagnose negative attitudes. The battery of questionnaires also included “NEO-FFI” (adapted by Orel, Senin), “Tolerance Index” (Soldatova et al.), BPAQ (adapted by Enikolopov, Tsybulsky) and a questionnaire with statements about how attentive the respondent is to the situation in the world.

Results. The results confirmed a slight positive correlation of negative responses in RWDT with the indicators of the POAC questionnaire in cadet sample; a positive correlation of the tendency to microaggressions, diagnosed using the “Playing tricks” scale (POAC) with physical aggression and hostility, as well as a negative one with the “Agreeableness” trait and ethnic tolerance. The influence of the interest in the events in Russia and the world on the level of prejudice to the representatives of the country was revealed.

Conclusions. The method of social situations for divergent thinking (RWDT) can be used to identify prejudice and negative attitudes towards the countries participating in the social and political process. In combination with the malevolent creativity questionnaire, it can be used to identify microaggression. In the modern socio-political context, prejudice is mediated by a lack of interest in politics, low cooperation, conflict, unwillingness to interact with representatives of other ethnic groups, and increased aggression.

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To cite this article:

Meshkova, N.V., Bochkova, M.N., Enikolopov, S.N., Dmitrieva, E.A., Meshkov, I.A. . Diagnosis of Microaggressions and Prejudice in the Study of Asocial Creativity in Modern Socio-Political Conditions. // National Psychological Journal 2026. 1. Pages107-116. doi: doi.org/10.11621/npj.2026.0109

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