KATCHAR / ACADEMIA: SOCIAL SCIENCE PERIODICAL
I, 2026
Recommended by the Scientific Council of the International
Scientific–Educational Center of NAS RA
SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING AMONG STUDENTS
NAIRA HAKOBYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
International Scientific Educational Centre
Doctor of Psychology, Professor
IRYNA SOTNYK
Doctor of Sciences in Economics, Professor,
Sumy State University, Ukraine
ANNA KHACHATRYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
International Scientific Educational Centre
PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor
Abstract
The problem of a person's subjective well-being is one of the fundamental issues studied by various sciences, such as philosophy, economics, medicine, and psychology. Each science complements this concept with its own content. Medicine connects subjective well-being with other components of the quality of life, such as mental health. Currently, this problem is actively studied by psychologists. This is due to the need to understand the mechanisms underlying subjective well-being: how these mechanisms regulate a person's behaviour and how they affect their relationships with other people. The problem of subjective well-being is associated with the problem of positive development of personal growth. Scientists show considerable interest in this problem, taking into account the trends in the development of modern society. Subjective well-being is understood as a state of mental health, coherence of mental processes and internal harmony, which depends on whether a person has clear goals, as well as the resources and conditions for achieving them. Subjective well-being of students is one of the current problems of psychological science, which acquires special significance in the modern educational and socio-cultural environment. It is considered a multi-component phenomenon, the basis of which is a person's subjective experiences, internal adaptability, and the ability to function effectively in the social environment.
Keywords: Subjective well-being, self-realisation, self-esteem, development, emotional stability․
THE IMPACT OF INFODEMICS IN THE CONTEXT OF RESTRUCTURING PERSONAL VALUES
MANANA YENOKYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
International Scientific-Educational Centre
Assistant to the Deputy Director of Scientific Research,
Leading Specialist at the Educational Department,
Department of Psychology, PhD student
Abstract
In recent decades, the rapid expansion of the information environment and the intensive use of social platforms have led to the emergence of new social phenomena, among which infodemics can be identified as a process of rapid and mass dissemination of information. During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and the forty-four-day war, infodemics manifested themselves not only in the widespread dissemination of false or misleading information but also in their influence on the restructuring of individuals' value orientations.
The purpose of this article is to analyse the impact of infodemics on the formation and rethinking of human value systems in the context of social change and the circulation of large flows of information on social networks. The article examines how the information environment from various sources, including both reliable and false information, circulates rapidly on media platforms, contributing to increased social uncertainty and the spread of anxiety.
It is assumed that the processes of obtaining and disseminating false information may be driven by the human desire to form basic social connections and satisfy the need for security. When these conditions are violated, people may find themselves under constant threat, anxiety, uncertainty, and fear, as a result of which staying within the circle of disinformation can serve as a symbolic mechanism for reducing internal tension and restoring social identification and group belonging. In this process, the formation of “We” becomes not only a communicative but also a value-based process, expressed through the spread of rumours, trust in false sources, and the dissemination of information.
In times of information crises, the values of solidarity, unity, truthfulness, social responsibility, transparency, and empathy become more important in the human value system, acting as potential resources for strengthening social stability, public solidarity, and trust.
Keywords: Infodemic, Infodemic Narratives, Value, Value Restructuring, Spreading Information, Demand, Crisis, Age Group.
INTEGRATION OF THE MONTESSORI METHOD IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN
HASMIK KONJOYAN
Montessori Educator, PhD student
jasminekonjoyan@gmail.com
Abstract
Educational programs implemented in the Republic of Armenia, particularly those involving primary school–age children, are generally based on a traditional, closed educational model. However, classroom experience and student behaviour, especially regarding motivation, pose serious challenges: children often lack interest in learning and prefer using their phones during lessons or other digital devices with screens. We believe that the educational process can be organised so that learning becomes sufficiently engaging for the child to choose it over digital distractions. While it is impossible to revolutionise the educational system immediately, new methodological elements can be introduced into the traditional model. The purpose of this article is to propose an integrated approach, substantiate its effectiveness, and highlight its role in the development of primary school–age children.
Keywords։ Prepared environment, role of the teacher, personalised learning, mixed-age groups, practical life skills.
PERCEPTION OF THE OTHER AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SPACE
TATEVIK VATYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
International Scientific-Educational Centre
Department of Psychology, Applicant
Abstract
This article aims to reveal the phenomenon of the perception of the other in the context of the psychological characteristics of space. Psychological studies of the perception of the other reveal a number of areas of a person's life in which the processes of adaptation to a new environment, interpersonal relationships, "us"-"them" value orientations, etc., become relevant. Social-psychological studies indicate that the ability to adapt to a new environment quickly and to demonstrate flexibility in social relationships has become a priority for the activity and life of a modern person. In this context, a person's ideas about the Self are also transformed, and new dimensions of alienation emerge, increasingly penetrating the inner world of the person. If psychological studies of the previous century analysed the perceptions of the other mainly in the context of contacts with strangers and migration processes, now the perceptions of the other acquire shades and meanings of the psychological alienation of the person, the distortion of the I-structure. From this point of view, the socio-psychological analysis of the perception of the other is of interest from the point of view of defining and interpreting the psychological space of a person. Below are presented psychological approaches to interpreting a person's psychological space and manifestations of the perception of the other.
Keywords։ Perception of the other, psychological space, anonymity, privacy, value orientations.
SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ADDICTIVE SOCIALIZATION
KRISTINE PETROSYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
International Scientific-Educational Centre
Department of Psychology, Applicant
kristine.petrosyan@edi.isec.am
Abstract
In modern society, the socialisation of adolescents occurs in contexts where various globalisation processes shape individual development. Research in recent decades shows the social multidimensionality of adolescent characteristics, expressed in adolescents' tendencies to disrupt social ties they establish and to transform socially significant values. The socialisation of adolescents takes place in conditions of “decentralisation of values”, when the value system formed in society includes age-related value subsystems, which often contradict socially significant value-demand meanings and behavioural models. The age crisis of adolescents is exacerbated in the conditions of the ontological crisis, uncertainty of values, and transformation of modern societies. In this situation, the phenomenon of addictive socialisation arises and is exacerbated. This study focuses on the socio-psychological characteristics of addictive socialisation of adolescence, which were revealed through the method of self-assessment. It has been shown that addictive socialisation develops under the influence of personal and social factors that arise and develop in problematic situations and as a result of distorted perceptions of the consequences of addictive behavioural models, which leads to destructive changes in the socialisation process. Addictive socialisation is characterised by insufficient manifestation of adaptation mechanisms: a distorted perception of reality, increased tension and anxiety, a desire to escape from reality, an emphasis on unmet needs and demonstrative motivation.
Keywords: Addictive socialisation, normative socialisation, perception of reality, behavioural patterns, self-assessment․
THE NEED TO INTRODUCE THE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF DOCTORAL EDUCATION IN ARMENIA
ATOM MKHITARYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
International Scientific-Educational Centre, Dean
PhD in Physical-Mathematical Sciences, Associate Professor
Abstract
This article addresses the pressing need to integrate international models of doctoral education into the Armenian higher education system, situating the analysis within the broader discourse on the transformation of third-level education in the post-Soviet context. While doctoral education in Armenia largely reflects the model of individualised scientific supervision model inherited from the Soviet academic tradition, leading international universities have moved towards structured doctoral programs. These programs, frequently organised through doctoral or graduate schools, embed comprehensive educational components, distributed supervisory practices, systematic progress monitoring, and explicit mechanisms for preparing doctoral candidates for multiple career trajectories.
The study is based on an analytical review of open-source data from top-ranked universities included in the QS World University Rankings by Subject ”Education”, complemented by relevant policy and institutional literature. The analysis focuses on five dimensions of doctoral education: organisational models, admission principles, program content and workload, monitoring and supervisory arrangements, and procedures for completion and defence. The findings reveal substantial divergences between Armenian practices and international norms. Specifically, admissions in Armenia remain exam-oriented rather than portfolio- and interview-based; the educational component is largely formalistic and lacks structured development of transferable skills; supervisory responsibility is concentrated on a single academic, in contrast to distributed models; and interdisciplinarity is constrained by rigid regulatory frameworks.
Systemic barriers—including inadequate financial support mechanisms, limited institutional capacity to deliver structured programs, and weak engagement with non-academic labour markets—further exacerbate challenges in aligning with international standards. Nevertheless, recent initiatives under EU-funded projects demonstrate incremental progress, providing a foundation for broader reforms.
The article concludes that a comprehensive, nation-wide reconfiguration of doctoral education in Armenia is imperative. Drawing on international best practices, reforms should prioritise the institutionalisation of doctoral schools, integration of structured curricula emphasising both research and transferable skills, diversification of supervisory models, and the establishment of stronger links with external stakeholders. Such measures are critical to ensuring the competitiveness of Armenian doctoral education and its capacity to prepare researchers for complex and evolving global academic and professional environments.
Keywords: Doctoral education, higher education reforms, structured doctoral programs, supervisory models, Armenia
SPORTS-RELATED IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS AS CULTURAL VALUES IN AMERICAN ENGLISH
GOHAR GRIGORYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
International Scientific-Educational Centre
Head of the Chair of Foreign Languages
PhD in Philological Sciences, Associate Professor
NUARDA YERNJAKYAN
Yerevan State University,
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
International Scientific-Educational Centre
PhD in Philological Sciences, Associate Professor
nvard.yernjakyan@isec.am
LILIT MANVELYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
International Scientific-Educational Centre
Instructor of English for Specific Purposes
Abstract
Language is the mirror of national identity, cultural values, and common experiences of people, and one of the most evident examples of such interdependence is idiomatic expressions, especially those related to sports. This article focuses on sports idioms of American English as linguocultural realia that go well beyond the playing field and are actively used in business, politics, and everyday communication. The importance of the research is that it centres on sport-based metaphor as a culturally-based process that reflects not only the use of language, but also thought and socialising patterns in American society.
The paper emphasises the importance of sports idioms as transmitters of cultural memory, social norms and nationally specific value systems (competitiveness, teamwork, initiative and perseverance). It shows how these terms obtain metaphorical values through semantic shifts and enter non-sporting language where they play expressive, evaluative, and pragmatic roles.
The study is grounded in Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). It uses a descriptive and interpretive approach to discuss sports idioms as signs of culture, particularly their origins in specific sports and how they have changed in contemporary American English. The results suggest that sports idioms not only enrich daily and work communication but are also instrumental in the overall intercultural comprehension, because the appropriate interpretation of these idioms presupposes knowledge of the cultural structures within which they are formed.
Keywords: Idioms, linguoculture, sports metaphors, American English, cultural semantics, intercultural communication․
INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE FORMATION OF
POLITICAL AND LEGAL ORDER IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
ASHOT KHACHATRYAN
Doctor of Law, Professor
VAHAGN MNATSAKANYAN
European University of Armenia,
Department of Jurisprudence, Applicant
vahagnmnatsakanyan200@gmail.com
Abstract
The article is devoted to environmental legal relations formed in the course of implementing the state’s positive obligations and goals enshrined in Article 12 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, entitled “Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development,” as well as in the process of developing and implementing the state’s environmental policy, as a type of legal relation. Based on the subject matter and method of legal regulation of environmental law, the features of the political and legal order in this field are discussed, which, in general, are determined by the specific characteristics of environmental legal relations.
The institutionalisation of the political and legal order is presented as a natural consequence of social development, since society demands the regulation of the totality of social relations through legal means. The political and legal order is formed and functions when state authority is established, which affirms and maintains it, protects it from violations, and, if necessary, enforces it by means of coercion. Scientific approaches to the concept of the legal order are analysed, and a conclusion is drawn that, in a broad sense, the legal order of the environment can be viewed as a system of legally enshrined means for implementing the guidelines of state environmental policy aimed at regulating relations between humans and nature.
The subjects and objects of environmental legal relations are presented. Environmental legal relations always appear in the form of a connection between subjects who are linked to each other by rights and obligations, the common feature of which is their volitional nature, since they are expressed in the form of the realisation of interests.
Keywords: Environmental relations, de-ecologization, environmental order, environmental legal relations, environmental security, institutionalisation.
GENERAL THEORETICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PARLIAMENTARISM AND THE PRINCIPLE OF POWER SEPARATION
NAIRA ALAVERDYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
Institute of Philosophy, Sociology and Law, PhD student
Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences, National Polytechnic University of Armenia
Abstract
The study of the general theoretical characteristics of parliamentarism and the principle of separation of powers is currently of particular scientific interest and has practical significance on the path of development of our state, since in this topic we touch on parliamentarism and the principle of separation of powers.
In the article, the author puts forward the idea that the principle of separation of powers in the Republic of Armenia and the influence and role of the legislative body in the formation of parliamentarism in modern conditions can be included among the important issues in terms of theoretical and methodological foundations. The development of parliamentarism, its essence, is also largely determined by the legal status of the head of state in the country, and the form of government.
Having studied the general theoretical characteristics of parliamentarism and the principle of separation of powers, the author of the article proposed his definition of parliamentarism, according to which parliamentarism is a special system of organising and exercising state power, formed through free elections with the participation of political parties, and based on the principle of the rule of law and the separation of powers.
Keywords: Parliamentarism, constitutional amendments, democracy, principle of separation of powers, public relations.
VARDAN AREVELTSI AND HIS “ASHKHARHATSOYTS”
LIANNA AVETISYAN
Yerevan State University
Department of Armenian History, PhD student
Abstract
The medieval period of Armenian history is perhaps the most complex, yet also the most interesting and least studied, and still needs to be illuminated. Perhaps Medieval Armenia is rich in historians who not only authored historical works and left a rich heritage, which are indispensable sources for future generations to discover the Middle Ages, but who, to this day, are outstanding historians whose lives, activities, and legacies we are only partially familiar with. One of these outstanding historians is Vardan Areveltsi, whose life and activities are highly contradictory, but very important. He authored not only historical works but also geographical works, which are valuable sources for studying the administrative-territorial divisions of medieval Armenia. It not only studies the system of administrative-territorial division of medieval Armenia, but also provides information on a number of monasteries previously unknown in Armenian history. "Ashkaratsoyts" sometimes provides important source information that is no longer mentioned anywhere else. In this regard, it draws on not only the sources known to us but also on oral narratives and written sources that have not reached us, such as the historiographical works of Hovhannes Sarkavag, Mkhitar Anetsi, Vahram Tigranakertsi, and Hovhannes Vanakan. Its importance also lies in the fact that it is not only an important source for the study of the historical geography of Armenia but also of Asia Minor as a whole.
Thus, the topic of the research is "Vardan Areveltsi and his 'Ashkharhatsoyts'," the study of which may have a turning point for Armenian medieval historiography.
Keywords: Vardan Areveltsi, Vanakan vardapet, Khor Virap, "Ashkharhatsoyts", brief and extensive originals, Hayk Perperyan.
TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN
THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
FROM 2015 TO 2025
ARAMO HAKHVERDYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia,
Institute of History, PhD Student
Abstract
Тrade and economic mutual interests between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation in 2015-2025, the nature of relations, structural features and the outcomes are studied in this article. The choice of chronological framework of the topic is conditioned by the fact that the mentioned period was a turning point in the relations between the two countries due to a number of significant political and economic processes. After Armenia became a full member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in 2015, the interstate relations between the two countries, including trade and economic relations, changed qualitatively, transiting from declarative allied cooperation to institutionally consolidated cooperation in various fields.
When considering the Armenian-Russian trade and economic relations of the specified period, the transformation of the foreign trade environment, the institutional changes implemented within the EAEU, as well as the influence of regional and global political and economic factors, were taken into account. The gradual development of trade and economic cooperation between the two states, as well as the role change of the Russian Federation in the system of foreign trade priorities of the Republic of Armenia, is focused on.
The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need for an in-depth analysis of trade and economic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation in the context of pressure of economic sanctions by Western countries against Russia, the pandemic and post-pandemic consequences, which allows to identify both the trends in the sustainable development of bilateral relations and structural irregularities. This work is aimed at analysing the trade and economic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation in 2015-2025, the main factors, trends and common factors of their development, identifying their role and importance in the process of forming a stable foreign economic policy in the Republic of Armenia, as well as assessing the prospects for bilateral economic cooperation.
Keywords: Goods turnover, trade and economic relations, export, EAEU, bilateral cooperation, import.
MODERN ISSUES OF BANKING SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION
AREG BAGHDASARYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
International Scientific-Educational Centre
Doctor of Economics, Associate Professor
Abstract
To develop principles and procedures for effective regulation and supervision of the banking system, it is first necessary to analyse trends in the global restructuring of the banking system. To identify such trends, it is necessary to study and analyse the experiences of countries with developed, stable banking systems.
The classical banking system is a two-tier banking system. However, as a result of the development of financial markets and infrastructure in recent decades, an objective need has arisen to review a number of approaches related to the classical two-tier banking system. Some countries are trying to introduce approaches to forming a multi-tiered banking system, while others are trying to introduce a hybrid system, where central banks open and service bank accounts not only for depository institutions (banks), but also for systemically important financial market infrastructures. In such a situation, a number of conceptual questions arise, to which this research work is dedicated.
Keywords: Banking system, central bank, bank account
DEVELOPMENT PATHS AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ESG AND GREEN IT AUDITS
RIMA MARGARYAN
Armenian State University of Economics, Gyumri branch, Senior lecturer
Department of "Management Accounting and Audit", Applicant
Abstract
This paper explores the growing importance of non-financial reporting as a critical challenge for modern organisations. As global standards for transparency evolve, the reliability of these disclosures is increasingly validated through specialised auditing practices, including ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and "Green" IT auditing. While both are emerging as essential tools for sustainable development, they differ significantly in their operational scope and technical execution.
Through a comparative and systematic analysis, this study identifies the fundamental synergies between these two auditing types. The research finds that while the ESG audit provides a broad strategic framework for organisational sustainability—encompassing human resources and governance—the Green IT audit offers the necessary quantitative depth by focusing on the environmental performance of digital systems.
The paper concludes that these two approaches are profoundly complementary: the ESG audit defines the overall corporate vision, while the Green IT audit serves as its technological engine, ensuring that empirical data backs sustainability claims. By integrating both audit types, organisations can develop more resilient management systems and enhance the credibility of their non-financial reporting in a digitalised global economy.
Keywords: ESG audit, "green" IT audit, environmental friendliness, IT systems, corporate responsibility, digital technologies.
THE ROLE OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION IN CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
ANAHIT SHAHUMYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
International Scientific-Educational Centre
Chief Specialist of the General Department
Institute of Philosophy, Sociology and Law, PhD student
Abstract
In the modern world, ensuring national security is one of the priority tasks of states. The security system is not limited only to military capabilities or legal mechanisms. Rather, it requires trusting relations between society and the state. The essential tool for forming these relations is public communication. Transparent, systematic and accountable communication makes it possible to strengthen public trust, ensure control over state structures and promote civic participation.
For the Republic of Armenia, the current issue is especially relevant in the post-war period, when the level of trust in state institutions has noticeably decreased, and the security system is facing multi-layered challenges. In such conditions, the functions of civilian oversight can be fully implemented only when state structures consistently apply effective communication strategies. Such strategies not only ensure an open and accurate flow of information but also prevent the spread of disinformation, strengthen the participation of civil society, and form an atmosphere of mutual trust.
Public communication encompasses a number of functions: information management, public opinion formation, ensuring constructive dialogue, coordinating media and public relations, information protection, and strategic communication. All these functions complement each other and contribute to the formation of an environment where ensuring national security becomes the result of joint efforts not only of state structures, but also of the entire society.
The scientific novelty of this study lies in treating public communication not only as a means of transmitting information but also as an institutional mechanism for ensuring national security and civil control. The study combines international experience with the realities of the Republic of Armenia, revealing a direct correlation between communication effectiveness and public trust. The presented analyses can serve to improve communication policies in the public administration system and enhance the oversight functions of civil society.
Thus, the aim of the research is to analyse the role of public communication in the process of ensuring civilian oversight of the national security system of the Republic of Armenia, showing its theoretical foundations and practical applications.
Keywords: National security, civilian oversight, public communication, information, civil society, strategy.
THE ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE IN PROMOTING DEMOCRACY: THE CASE OF THE SOUTH CAUCASUS STATES
VARDUHI HOVHANNISYAN
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
Institute of Philosophy, Sociology and Law
Junior Researcher, PhD Student
varduhi.hhovhannisyan@gmail.com
Abstract
The article explores the role and significance of international organisations in the democratisation of the South Caucasus, focusing on the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe (CoE) as key actors in the democratisation processes in Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.
The research highlights that while external actors provide important incentives and frameworks, the sustainability of democracy ultimately depends on domestic political commitment and institutional resilience. Despite some democratic backsliding in Georgia and Azerbaijan’s ongoing authoritarianism, there are genuine aspirations for democratisation in Armenia, indicating that external incentives can be effective when combined with society's willingness and readiness, and the real will of political authorities.
Keywords: Democratisation, South Caucasus, European Union, Council of Europe, CEPA, PACE.
