Objective of the study is to develop and test a methodology for assessing the degree of involvement in the use of ICT in various areas of life. Background. Modern social and physical environments are saturated with digital incentives that encourage people to get involved in interacting with these environments through information and communication technologies (ICT). However, to this date, there are no psychological instruments that comprehensively assess the involvement of individuals in the use of ICTs. Study design. The study was conducted using a socio-psychological survey. To measure involvement in the use of ICT, an authoring methodology was developed and validated. Participants. The study included two samples. The first sample included 859 respondents (average age 36.1 years; 32% of males). The second — 171 respondents (35% of males; age range from 25 to 44 years). Measurements. For data processing, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, Cronbach coefficient alpha, and correlation analysis were applied in the SPSS 19.0 and AMOS 20 programs. Results. Good results of confirmatory factor analysis indicate the presence of reliability-consistency of the methodology. The final version of the methodology includes 4 scales: “Economic actions on the Internet”, “Communication on social networks”, “Using a smartphone”, “A variety of areas of ICT use”. The empirical and external validity of this methodology was also evaluated, as a result of which we received confirmation of these types of validity from the developed methodology. Conclusions. The technique developed by the authors is reliable and valid and can be used both for research and for applied purposes.

This article presents the results of a study on the interrelationship between values and the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among younger and older Russians. It was assumed that for these age groups basic values play a different role in encouraging or discouraging the use of ICT. The study was carried out using a socio-psychological survey. The questionnaire included the authors’ methodology for measuring involvement in the use of ICT and a short version of Sh. Schwartz’s questionnaire for assessing basic values (ESS-21). In a comparative perspective, using the moderator analysis, the connection between the active use of ICT and basic values among younger and older Russians (N=990; average age=37.6 years; 31.4% male) were assessed, taking into account their age as a moderator. As a result, it was found that the age of respondents is negatively associated with the active use of ICT, in contrast to the level of education and income level. Nine out of ten values (excluding Stimulation) are associated with the use of ICT. Several values are associated with the use of ICT, regardless of age (Power, Tradition, Benevolence, Universalism). There is also a number of values (Achievement, Hedonism, Stimulation, Conformity, Security) which in a certain way are associated with the use of ICT only among the older generation. The article discusses the results obtained.

Cross-national research claims that the crime-and-corruption gap between relatively poor and relatively rich countries is larger in more demanding climates that require more cash and capital to cope with the climate. However, this claim is premature because countries differ in many confounding ways including histories and politics. We, therefore, re-tested the climato-economic context of violent crime and corruption within Russia, a country with considerable regional differences in climate and income. Across the eighty-five administrative units of Russia, the crime-and-corruption gap between relatively poor and relatively rich regions is smaller in more demanding climates. Harsher climates are so strongly associated with higher crime levels that the potential influence of differences in wealth becomes negligible. Furthermore, harsher climates are so strongly associated with higher corruption rates in poorer regions but lower corruption rates in richer regions that the potential influence of the climatic demands as such becomes negligible.

THE INTERACTION OF CLIMATE AND ECONOMY AS A FACTOR OF COLLECTIVISM IN THE REGIONS OF RUSSIA 3 This study investigates the role of the climato-economic characteristics of 85 Russian regions in the formation of collectivism in those territories. Based on the results of previous research, the authors suggested that in regions with harsh climatic conditions, the richer population has a lower level of collectivism, whereas the poorer population has a higher level of collectivism. For testing these theoretical assumptions, we prepared a dataset with statistical data about each Russian region for the climatic demand (based on the temperature characteristics), monetary resources (the gross regional product (GRP)) and collectivism (the population natural growth, multi-generational households, marriages, divorces, etc.). We used correlation and moderation analyses where regional climate and GRP were the predictors of collectivism. The study demonstrated that these factors predicted the level of collectivism in regions. The study also revealed the moderating role of GRP in the relation between regional climatic conditions and the level of collectivist among the population, which allows the identification of the specific and universal relationships of the indicators.

THE INTERACTION OF CLIMATE AND ECONOMY AS A FACTOR OF COLLECTIVISM IN THE REGIONS OF RUSSIA 3This study investigates the role of the climato-economic characteristics of 85 Russian regions in the formation of collectivism in those territories. Based on the results of previous research, the authors suggested that in regions with harsh climatic conditions, the richer population has a lower level of collectivism, whereas the poorer population has a higher level of collectivism. For testing these theoretical assumptions, we prepared a dataset with statistical data about each Russian region for the climatic demand (based on the temperature characteristics), monetary resources (the gross regional product (GRP)) and collectivism (the population natural growth, multi-generational households, marriages, divorces, etc.). We used correlation and moderation analyses where regional climate and GRP were the predictors of collectivism. The study demonstrated that these factors predicted the level of collectivism in regions. The study also revealed the moderating role of GRP in the relation between regional climatic conditions and the level of collectivist among the population, which allows the identification of the specific and universal relationships of the indicators.