Regional and Environmental Factors in the Mental Component of Human Potential

Abstract

Introduction. The study is of relevance as the influence of environmental factors is growing in all socio-economic and socio-psychological processes of modern society. Based on the study conducted, the article analyzes the processes of interaction between environmental factors and the mentality of a person and society. Materials and Methods. Works of Russian and foreign researchers on the interdependence of mentality and the environmental situation, as well as the authors' own long-term studies of this relationship were used as materials for the study. Particular attention was paid to such factors as natural resources, hypertrophied consumption, pollution and degradation of the natural environment. When examining the issue of anthropogenic destruction of the biosphere and the relationship of these processes with mentality, the ecological characteristics of the current stage of world development, specific regional problems of Russia and other countries and regions were considered. The main research method employed was the systemic socio-eco-economic analysis of situations and the systematic account of the key characteristics of regional specificity. Results. Dependence of mentality on regional environmental factors has been revealed. The processes of formation of the environmental mentality in various social groups, the regularities of the influence of the mentality of the population, business, government agencies on the emergence and development of environmental problems have been analyzed. The case study of Russia’s regions with the most acute environmental problems has shown that it is the traditional mentality that is largely the cause of the emergence and escalation of conflict situations. The principles of consistent environmentalization of the mentality of the population, business, federal and regional government agencies have been stated. Discussion and Conclusion. The idea that it is the mentality of the human consumer and that of the mass consumption society that is steadily leading to an environmental disaster is gaining the understanding very slowly. There is a need for increasing efforts to systematically environmentalize the mentality when perceiving world, regional, and local problems. The article will be useful to a wide range of specialists in the analysis and synthesis of socio-eco-economic systems. The results of the study may be applied for prevention and de-escalation of regional and interregional conflicts associated with environment and nature conservation.