Trust as a Cognitive Base of Social Cohesion in the University Communities

Abstract

The present article continues the cycle of the cognitive researches of the phenomenon of social cohesion in education, in particular, in the university communities. It contains the cognitive research of trust and its foundation as the central focus of social cohesion. The purpose of the study is to identify the level of trust which is connected with the social cohesion in university communities, to test the author’s questionnaire and to determinate the further steps for the trust enhancement in the educational community. Methods that were used in the study are the author’s questionnaire, math analytics etc. There were 196 people interviewed in both universities, among them 31 employees and 85 students of the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University and 33 employees and 47 students of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. According to the research results, the level of trust in each university community (as well as in common) was average, excluding some indicators. Although there were some differences between levels of trust of employees of these universities. We can assume that the quite sufficient average level or trust positively characterizes the attitude of employees and students to each other, reflects their readiness for mutual respect and support, acceptance of differences and tolerance etc. Also, the research highlights weak points of social interactions that form the base for further investigations and actions on the social cohesion development.

Values of Trust and Social Cohesion in the Modern Socio-Cultural Space

“…This research has been held among the employees of the above universities (mostly lecturers) and students. The aim of the research is to identify the level of trust in the above communities and to mark the weak points in the domains of trust for further strengthening of it by appropriate trainings and other social and educational tools (Nesterova et al, 2020). According to this research we can confirm the statement that one of the key factors of the social cultural space development is based on the appropriate values, trust, in particular.…”

“…There were some researches of the level of social cohesion and the level of trust in the university communities. One of them was the research of the level of social cohesion in the university community of NPDU (Nesterova et al, 2019) and another research regarding on the level of trust in the university communities of National Pedagogical Dragomanov University (NPDU) and National University of Life and Environmental Sciences (NULES) (Nesterova et al, 2020). This research has been held among the employees of the above universities (mostly lecturers) and students.…”

“…All above conducted researches have a practical meaning. Their application can be useful for the development of social and emotional intelligence among teachers and students, social cohesion and trust level development, In turn; they will be able to transmit new and productive interaction practices that are based on trust and cohesion (Nesterova et al, 2020). It could sufficiently improve the educational community development and the sociocultural space development accordingly.…”

Changes in Social Cohesion in the University Community in the Context of Crisis Phenomena in Society

“…In the previous research, the authors had already analysed social cohesion (Nesterova et al 2019(Nesterova et al , 2020Dielini et al 2022). The results of the study showed an average level of social cohesion among both students and staff, with slight variations depending on the field of activity.…”

“…The new social situation of the pandemic has confirmed that the current challenge for all countries (not only for the European Union or Ukraine) is to revise the real (not declared) set of values. According to this revised set of values, priorities in social and educational policy should be formulated (Nesterova et al, 2020. Values determine the level of social cohesion in society and its features as a social phenomenon.…”