BIOGRAPHICAL EVENT AS A FACTOR OF POLITICAL INTEREST OF STUDENTS

The author presents the results of a sociological study of the influence of biographical events on the political interest of students. This paper presents a theoretical interpretation of political interest as a multidimensional concept that includes cognitive, affective, evaluative, and behavioral components. Based on quantitative (online survey, n=300) and qualitative (in-depth interviews, n=10) methods, the study analyzes the key factors in the formation of political interest and identifies a typology of significant biographical events. The study shows that the level of students' political interest is moderate, with a noticeable gap between the cognitive, affective, evaluative components and a less developed behavioral component. Most socio-demographic factors do not have a significant impact on political interest, while educational background and personal biographical experiences play a significant role. Four types of events are distinguished according to their degree of influence: triggers, catalysts, background, and neutral. The prevalence of background events is shown, with a key role of rare but striking trigger events in increasing political interest. Events directly related to the political sphere have the greatest influence. The results of the study confirm the importance of D.O. Sears' concept of "impressionable years" and contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of political socialization of modern Russian students.