COMPARISON OF THE INFLUENCE OF “POSITIVE CLIMATE” ON INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS IN A STUDENT GROUP AND IN A FLOCK OF ANIMALS

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32782/2311-8458/2025-1-8

Keywords:

positive climate, interpersonal relations, student group, animal pack, emotional atmosphere, social behaviour, leadership, empathy, hierarchy, social psychology, legal psychology

Abstract

The article presents an interdisciplinary comparative analysis of the impact of a positive social climate on interpersonal relationships in student groups and in the behavioural structures of social animals. The relevance of the study is due to the need for a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to the formation of cohesive, effective and sustainable social communities among both humans and animals. A positive social climate, manifested through trust, mutual support, empathy, emotional acceptance, and psychological safety, is the basis for effective communication and cooperation in social groups.The first part of the article outlines the conceptual apparatus, presents a classification of the characteristics of a positive climate, and describes its impact on interaction in teams. It is established that in student groups, a positive social climate is formed through conscious actions – compliance with behavioural norms, acceptance of leadership, development of empathy and emotional intelligence. In contrast, in animal groups (flocks, herds, colonies), a positive climate is based on biological mechanisms: survival instincts, territoriality, dominance, and the innate need for protection and care.The paper presents examples of cooperative behaviour of animals, which indicate the presence of prototypes of social climate – care for offspring, coordinated actions during migrations, collective hunting, reduction of conflict through the established hierarchy. A comparative analysis of the mechanisms of forming and maintaining a positive climate in two social systems is carried out. Both common features – the need for security, mutual regulation of behaviour, support – and differences related to rationality, consciousness, and moral norms in human collectives as opposed to instinctiveness in animals are identified.The author draws conclusions about the theoretical and practical significance of the study for the development of social and legal psychology, in particular, in the context of optimising relationships in educational and professional communities, as well as for the formation of a more harmonious social environment.

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Published

2025-06-26