ПРОВИНИІВИБАЧЕННЯВОЦІНКАХУКРАЇНСЬКО-ПОЛЬСЬКОГОКОНФЛІКТУ1943–1944 РОКІВМЕШКАНЦЯМИВОЛИНІТАГАЛИЧИНИ

Abstract

The aim of the study was to clarify the psychological content of assessments of the Ukrainian-Polish conflict of 1943–1944 by the current Ukrainian population of Volyn and Galicia. 100 residents were surveyed using a semi-standardized interview. The answers were processed with content analysis, χ2 criterion, and cluster analysis. Ignorance and uncertainty dominated the events assessments. As a result of quantitative procedures, their content became more specific in such psychological positions: evasive-defensive, compromise-defensive, denial-defensive, humanistic-compassionate, political-accusatory, and self-blaming. The evasive-defensive position was manifested in the reluctance to learn about painful events, avoidance of uncomfortable thoughts, and soft justification of Ukrainians. The compromise-defensive position was to focus on the objective content of the events, acknowledge the mutual guilt of Ukrainians and Poles, and propose not to “stir up” the past. Evidence of the denial-defensive position was denying the importance of the events or the reference to third sides’ provocations. Humanistic-compassionate position included the emphasis on the tragic nature of events, the expression of pity for the dead, and the need to draw the right conclusions. The political-accusatory position meant the negative assessments and accusations of Poles, the unappealable justification of Ukrainians, and the use of patriotic rhetoric. The self-blaming position was embodied in the recognition of the greater guilt of Ukrainians and the need to apologize to Poles.