Decrease of the Cognitive Dissonance of the Foreign Students at the Russian University based on the Extracurricular Activities

Abstract

This article reviews the various features of the cognitive dissonance state of the foreign students arising at the beginning of their studies at the Russian University. The aim of the study is to identify the features and level characteristics of the cognitive dissonance of the foreign students and reduce this state on the basis of the author's individual trajectory for the implementation of the extracurricular activities at the Pedagogical University. Study participants: the second-year international students studying in the bachelor’s degree program (n = 149) at the Russian University. The results of the study were processed using (X2) by the Statistical Program SPSS Statistics 20. The experimental intervention included the activation of foreign students in the process of extracurricular activities of the university based on the author’s individual trajectory. These students actively participated in social and educational activities that were implemented at the institute. Extracurricular activities at the Pedagogical University were represented by a complex of main areas: the center of student initiatives, the student scientific society, the department of student self-government, the center of leisure and creativity of students, the student sports and fitness club, the department of student teaching teams. Three main indicators of the cognitive dissonance were identified in the study: the level of the socio-psychological maladaptation of the students, neuro-psychiatric instability of the students and the level of their psycho-emotional discomfort. As a result, foreign students who were actively involved in the implementation of extracurricular activities along the author's individual trajectory had a significantly reduced (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) state of cognitive dissonance for each indicator from a high to a low level.