The article discusses two important phenomena for pedagogical psychology. This is a sense of patriotism and value-affective polarization of the Russian population. The problem of education and formation of patriotism in the conditions of value-affective polarization of society and its role in the destruction of political stability is considered. The analysis of various ideas of specialists about patriotism in different periods of the country’s history, as well as citizens’ ideas about the psychological characteristics that a patriot should possess, is carried out. The issues of the effectiveness of programs for the education of patriotic feelings among young citizens of Russia and various opinions of experts on this issue are discussed.