Abstract

Background. In Russian psychology, there is a shortage of experimental research on the attitudes toward the death penalty (DP) as a source of opinion polarization, as well as its dynamics in the context of a group discussion. Studying the dynamics of these attitudes during group discussions allows to identify patterns of opinion polarization and the influence of social interaction mechanisms on the polarization process. Understanding this phenomenon is important for modern psychology in the context of increasing polarization in society.

Objective. To study the dynamics of attitudes towards DP among students in a group discussion.

Study Participants. The total sample consisted of 88 people aged 18 to 22 years. Sample 1 (2024) — students, N = 56 (41% boys), 55% studying, 45% combining work and study. Sample 2 (2025) — students, N = 32 (25% boys), 51% studying, 49% combining work and study.

Methods. An online survey; the experiment implementing a group discussion were conducted twice with different samples: in 2024 and in 2025 (one year after the terrorist attack at a Moscow shopping and entertainment center). Attitudes toward DP were measured on a 10-point Likert scale. Changes in attitudes toward DP from the first to the second measurement (before and after the group discussion) were compared in the control and experimental groups. Data processing included descriptive statistics and a significance analysis of differences; comparisons of indicators were conducted using the Wilcoxon criterion.

Results. In Experiment 1, differences between the two measures of attitudes toward DP were significant in the "DP supporters" and "Doubters" subgroups. In Experiment 2, significant differences were found between the two measures only in the experimental group — discussion participants; no differences were found in the control group.

Conclusions. Public presentation of opinions and discussion regarding abolition of the moratorium on the death penalty in Russia among student participants in the experiment are essential conditions for the dynamics of attitudes toward DP, leading to a shift in opinions toward lower approval of DP among representatives of both the "inert" and "polarized" subgroups. The study design and results obtained have practical implications for the development of experimental approaches to studying public opinion polarization processes.