Worldview Semantic Stratum in Volunteers with Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations

Volunteering holds great social significance. As more people get involved, social volunteering becomes increasingly diverse. The study explores the semantic stratum in the image of the world and the lifestyle of volunteers with different extrinsic and intrinsic motives. The specific representation of images was studied using the method of semantic differentials with a bipolar set of scales (V. P. Serkin). A specialized questionnaire was used to determine the motives for participation in social volunteering. The results were processed using the method of calculating semantic universals (90% interval) and a statistical nonparametric criterion for determining differences between groups (the Mann–Whitney U-test, the Pearson correlation coefficient, factor analysis). The sample consisted of 197 volunteers with an average age of 35, including 42 men (21.3%) and 155 women (78.7%), members of charitable organizations and independent volunteers for an average of 4.6 years. The data were collected via Google Forms. Most participants demonstrated intrinsic motivation (56.35%; n = 111), represented by spiritual and moral values and a focus on self-realization. Extrinsic motivation was identified in 43.65% (n = 86): social orientation, national and global well-being, and non-material gratitude. Semantic universals and factor structures were identified and described for the entire group of respondents. A volunteer was described as experienced, efficient, caring, humane, active, problem-solving, responsible, and fulfilling. Their lifestyle was represented by the following factors: respectful – moral, intense – interesting, open-minded – cheerful. The activity of a volunteer was composed of such factors as approved – voluntary, diverse – significant, legal – sociable, social – active. The semantic strata differed between volunteers with intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Extrinsically motivated volunteers focused on the desire for inner harmony and freedom as central to the image of a volunteer, and professional self-realization and an active life for volunteering as a way of life. They evaluated their own activity as intensive. The participants with intrinsic motivation mentioned altruistic values in describing the image of a volunteer, accepting other people and striving for professional self-realization. They characterized lifestyle by values of communication and cheerfulness. The activity was represented by diversity and high involvement. The respondents with intrinsic motivation were more likely to associate their image with such a characteristic as skillful. Those with extrinsic motives tended to associate it with the concept of responsibility.

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