The politization of the Armenian identity: A study on political psychology (case study on Haytoug magazine)

A large segment of the Armenian Americans have politicized their identities. Many of the Armenian Americans indoctrinate the image of ?enemy Turk? to their children, transmit the victim identity from one generation to another and thus generate new generations whose hatred is bred in the bone. The basis of the Armenian diaspora identity are the events of 1915 and the present Turkish-Armenian conflict stemming from the 1915 events. The Armenian diaspora conducts two types of propaganda. The first one is outward, towards the other nations, parliaments and people who are being persuaded into accepting the Turkish-Armenian conflict as ?Armenian genocide?. He second one is inward, toward the diaspora itself who are being propogated a specific type of victim identity. The diaspora is spreading the victim identity via the media and organizational network.Armenian diaspora media supports the establishment of the traditional Armenian identity and socialization as well as in-group news feed. Armenian organizations and those media linked to the organizations build on the identity already constructed by the family and enables the individuals to politicize. Values learned in the family such as friends vs. enemies, culture, language, religion and traditions are practiced in schools and various organizations. This indoctrination and propaganda cycle can be described as societal memory building which disrupts and mass perceptions.This political psychology study, uses a descriptive method and content analysis to analyze the Armenian diaspora identity through a psychological lens. Following a thorough literature review Haytoug magazine -published by the AYF (Armenian Youth Foundation)- and Hampig Sassonian?a court hearing was analyzed. In addition, expert opinions are presented to support the thesis.Keywords:1.Political psychology2.Armenian diaspora3.Identity4.Haytoug magazine5.Political Communication