Sophia Moskalenko (Georgia State University)
Research suggests early exposure to fairy tales as an important factor of mass psychology that can help understand and predict broad public tendencies and reactions, especially in times of uncertainty such as wars and political unrest. In the current war in Ukraine, fairy tales have been linked to three distinct factors: (1) the difference in Ukrainian vs. Russian soldiers' morale and performance; (2) broad international support for Ukraine and condemnation of Russia; and (3) Russian propaganda's use of fairy tale framing to mobilize and radicalize the Russian public against Ukraine. I will briefly discuss psychology behind fairy tales' political power.
Part of V5-04 "When Things Are Very, Very Bad, We Laugh": Folklore from the War in Ukraine, Thursday, October 12, 10:30 am–12:30 pm