An empirical study of the criteria for the ethnic identity of Armenians in Armenia

Abstract

 In the article, based on the data of a nationwide representative sociological survey, using the six most common criteria for identifying an ethnic group (self-identification, common language, common territory, common religion, ethnicity of father and mother), an attempt is made to find an answer to the question in the public consciousness of Armenians in Armenia - “who is Armenian? " The prevalence of each of the criteria in the public consciousness was assessed, on the basis of the criteria evaluations, the concepts of “core of ethnic identity” and “concentration of the core of ethnic identity” were defined. The directions and rates of change in the prevalence of the considered criteria are revealed, the prediction of the prevalence among the generation born in 1998-2012 is made. The structure of interrelationships between the considered criteria in the public consciousness of Armenians in Armenia has been investigated.