Statistics as a tool for reformatting public consciousness

M.V. Karmanov, I.A. Kiseleva, V.I. Kuznetsov, A.M. Tramova

---

Abstract: This article examines the importance of statistical information in shaping and reformatting public consciousness. The information resources generated by statistics provide insight into current events and, thus, help shape public opinion. In this sense, the presentation of statistical data in the media makes their publications persuasive. Meanwhile, statistics are often viewed as a manipulative tool used by political strategists to achieve a desired result. Reformatting public consciousness involves a targeted process of consistently changing attitudes, tastes, customs, values, moral and ethical principles, behavior patterns, etc. It spans a relatively long period of time, during which a variety of technologies, methods, and tools are actively used. The authors examine the role of statistics in reformatting public consciousness.
Aim. This study is to clarify the concept of “reformatting public consciousness” and determine the role of statistics in this process.
Methodology. Theoretical research methods are used in the form of generalization, comparison, and specific analytical procedures.
Results. The article provides a literature review on public consciousness issues. The role of statistics in reshaping public consciousness is substantiated. It is noted that statistics can be used to influence target audiences and shape new values. To this end, it is proposed to consider statistical information in the past, present, and future. Attention is drawn to the need to improve statistical literacy, which will help identify attempts to misuse quantitative data for political purposes.
Conclusion. The material can be useful in developing public consciousness-building programs and delivering lectures on statistics to media professionals.
Conclusions. Public consciousness issues are particularly relevant today, when much attention is paid to issues of national security. Under these conditions, the role of statistical information, which allows for influencing the reshaping of public consciousness, is increasing.

Keywords: statistics, public consciousness, statistical literacy, manipulation of statistical data

For citation. Karmanov M.V., Kiseleva I.A., Kuznetsov V.I., Tramova A.M. Statistics as a tool for reformatting public consciousness. News of the Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of RAS. 2026. Vol. 28. No. 1. Pp. 201–209. DOI: 10.35330/1991-6639-2026-28-1-201-209

©   Karmanov M.V., Kiseleva I.A., Kuznetsov V.I., Tramova A.M., 2026

References

1. Lukyanov V.Yu. Hybrid Wars as a security threat in the 21st century. Bulletin of the Northern (Arctic) Federal University. Series: Humanities and Social Sciences. 2021. Vol. 21. No. 3. Pp. 5–14. DOI: 10.37482/2687-1505-V098. (In Russian)
2. Artyukh M.A. Mental war: on the contents of modern global confrontation. Predicted challenges and threats to national security of the Russian Federation and directions for their neutralization. Collection of materials from the round table. Moscow, 2021. Pp. 61–71. (In Russian)
3. Buzhinskaya D.S. Mental sabotage: the Great Patriotic war in entertainment television discourse. In the collection: Media and Society. Proceedings of the 5th international scientific and practical conference. 2010. Pp. 14–20. EDN: YNRQBX. (In Russian)
4. Dobrovolskaya O.A. Reformatting the public consciousness of Russian citizens as a factor in national security. Current Issues of Science. 2020. No. 62–63. Pp. 21–24. EDN: IDCRLY. (In Russian)
5. Ilnitsky A.M. Russia’s mental war. Voyennaya mysl’ [Military Thought]. 2021. No. 8. Pp. 19–33. EDN: TDSKIX. (In Russian)
6. Rudkevich E.Yu. Mental war: leveling the concept of the motherland. The image of the motherland: content, formation, actualization. Collection of materials from the 6th International scientific conference. Moscow Institute of Art and Industry, 2022. Pp. 262–267. EDN: PAKJRR. (In Russian)
7. Shchetinina M.Yu. Statistical data as a means of manipulating public consciousness. In the collection: The modern state: problems of socioeconomic development. Materials of the 5th International scientific and practical conference. 2015. Pp. 93–94. EDN: TLVRMJ. (In Russian)
8. Denisenko R.M. Statistics: place and role in the development of society. Siberian Trade and Economic Journal. 2014. No. 1. Pp. 120–122. EDN: TANTSP. (In Russian)
9. People love to count. Interview with V. L. Sokolin. Voprosy statistiki [Questions of Statistics]. No. 9. Pp. 3–6. EDN: MTGXHH. (In Russian)
10. Antokhonova I.V. Statistics and evolution of social demand for data analysis. In: All-Russian scientific and practical conference “Statistics and modern challenges”. Federal State Statistics Service, Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics and Informatics (MESI), 2015. Pp. 20–22. EDN: VXVGSZ. (In Russian)
11. Mukhutdinova A.A., Garafutdinova G.R. Role of statistics in society. Nauchnyye issledovaniya: ot teorii k praktike [Scientific Research: From Theory to Practice]. 2015. No. 5(6). Pp. 200–201. EDN: VLGLCX. (In Russian)
12. Aidarkina E.E., Lysenko A.I. Information wars and their role in the modern world. Economy and Society. 2015. No. 5-1. Pp. 45–47. EDN: VJWPLB. (In Russian)
13. Taltynov S.M. Theory of generations: a critical view. Personnel forum of the Black Earth Region. Collection of articles from the 7th Personnel Forum of the Black Earth Region (Third International Meeting). Voronezh State University, 2014. Pp. 104–107. EDN: WNTGIB. (In Russian)
14. Brusenskaya L.A., Kulikova E.G. Fake as an element of manipulation of public consciousness. Gumanitarnyye i sotsial’nyye nauki [Humanitarian and Social Sciences]. 2018. No. 5. Pp. 101–112. DOI: 10.18522/2070-1403-2018-70-5-101-112. (In Russian)
15. Golomazova T.N., Shnyrenkov E. Patriotism in the system of value orientations of young people. Vestnik MGSU [Bulletin of MGSU]. 2007. No. 2. Pp. 43–45. (In Russian)
16. Tutova A.B. Statistical literacy and general statistical culture as a necessary element of the intellectual and professional development of the country. In the collection: Bulletin of the Department of Statistics of Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. Materials and reports. General editor N.A. Sadovnikova. Moscow, 2017. Pp. 290–292. EDN: YLMTSX. (In Russian)
17. Grima Pere. Absolute accuracy and other illusions. secrets of statistics. The World of Mathematics: in 40 volumes. Vol. 13. Trans. from Spanish – De Agostini. 2014. 144 p.

Information about the authors

Mikhail V. Karmanov, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of Statistics, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics;
36, Stremyannyy lane, Moscow, 115054, Russia;
Karmanov.MV@rea.ru, SPIN-code: 9452-2999
Irina A. Kiseleva, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of Mathematical Methods in Economics, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics;
36, Stremyannyy lane, Moscow, 115054, Russia;
Professor of the Department of Applied Mathematics, Synergy University;
9/14, building 1, Meshchanskaya street, Moscow, 129090, Russia;
Kia1962@list.ru, SPIN-code: 2213-2312
Vladimir I. Kuznetsov, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of Statistics, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics;
36, Stremyannyy lane, Moscow, 115054, Russia;
Kuznetsov.VI@rea.ru, SPIN-code: 9328-2911
Aziza M. Tramova, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Informatics, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics;
36 Stremyannyy lane, Moscow, 115054, Russia;
Professor of the Department of Applied Mathematics, Synergy University;
9/14, building 1, Meshchanskaya street, Moscow, 129090, Russia;
Tramova.am@rea.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4089-6580, SPIN-code: 8583-3592

Funding

The study was performed with no external funding.