摘要：This article sets forth the main results of a study analyzing attitudes toward psychoactivesubstance(PAS) effects. These findings demonstrate the conditionality of social, historic,and cultural views of PAS effects. Despite the threat posed by increasing high school anduniversity students’ drug involvement, exploration of this phenomenon in the format ofscientific discourse has been limited so far.In 2014–2015, in Yekaterinburg, Moscow, and Krasnoyarsk a survey to evaluate perceptionsof high school and university students about PAS effects was conducted (289respondents,aged 16–22).The methods used included the semantic differential (PeabodyPicture Vocabulary Test modified by A.G. Shmelyov), a modified version of the RokeachValue Survey, word associations, and content analysis.The use of psychoactive substances is a specific social practice emerging in a certainsocial context that includes both drug-addicted and PAS-free young people. Examinationof the factors affecting the formation of views about PAS effects and the dynamics ofyouth values is possible by using a bio-psycho-socio paradigm for performing a complexanalysis of cognitive, behavioral, and value parameters.As documented in the respondents’ perceptions, distinctive features that are characteristicof drug addicts and that are seen in their behavior area loss of control overbehavior, emotions, and volition; changes in value systems; and a tendency to develop amanipulative communication style.Within the system of their social perceptions the respondents endowed drug-addictedpersons with pronounced negative characteristics (“aggressiveness,” “addiction,”“stupidity,” “light-mindedness”). Still, they stated that drug abusers are capable of beingactive, decisive, cheerful, generous, and flexible. The value analysis demonstratedthat terminal values appreciated by the school and university students included health,true friends, love, happy family life, active life, and self-development. Receiving pleasurethrough methamphetamine intake and a burst of energy through PAS intake were consideredworthless even though the survey demonstrated the respondents’ use of psychoactivesubstances.
关键词：perceptions; value preferences; PAS effects; factor analysis; semantic space
