Behavioral attitudes in different cultures: Russian-speaking new comers vs. native israel citizens

Groups of Russian-speaking and native Israel citizens (adults and adolescents) were compared according to their behavioral attitudes by using the BASE test— a projective questionnaire for the estimation of behavioral attitudes (search activity, stereotyped activity, chaotic activity and renunciation of search). Native citizens, girls and adult women, displayed a lower level of stereotyped activity and a higher level of chaotic activity in comparison to their Russian-speaking peers. The ratio between search activity and stereotyped activity was higher in native citizens. Authors propose that the difference between groups is determined by the difference in the traditions of growing up in Israel and in former USSR: the conditions for growing up are more free and with less pressure and requirements towards children in Israel. It can decrease an attitude towards the stereotyped behavior and increase not only the tendency towards search activity but also toward chaotic activity thus increasing the longevity of maturation.