scholarly journals Animal Scavenging as Social Metaphor: A Carved Chlorite Vessel of the Halil Rud Civilization, Kerman, Iran, Mid Third Millennium bc

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 705-722
Author(s):  
Massimo Vidale ◽  
Nasir Eskandari ◽  
Mojgan Shafiee ◽  
Irene Caldana ◽  
Francois Desset
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Birds Of Prey ◽  
Southwest Asia ◽  
Urban Settlement ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The Social ◽  
Third Millennium ◽  
Third Millennium Bc ◽  
Animal Scavenging

A fragmentary large chlorite vessel of the Halil Rud valley civilization (Kerman, Iran, mid third millennium bc), found in unknown circumstances and recently recovered by the police forces of Iran, is discussed in the wider scenario of coeval animal iconographies of middle and southwest Asia. Beginning from the imagery carved in the two superimposed friezes of the reassembled fragments, we review the different theoretical approaches in interpretation of similar animal iconography. The figuration of the vessel is interpreted as a scene of the scavenging of bovine carcasses by three different animal actors: lions and birds of prey/vultures, but also hyenas—a subject previously unknown in the art of the reference regions. Following a review of the interrelations of these species in scavenging and with humans, particularly in the coeval context of domestic animal exploitation and developing urban settlement, we investigate the potential semantic implications of the iconography in terms of the symbolism and ideology in the social context.

scholarly journals Understanding Critical Information Literacy through Social Epistemology

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Martin I. Nord
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Critical Theory ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Social Epistemology ◽  
Epistemological Foundation ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
New Models

Critical theoretical approaches to information literacy are an important part of the growing LIS focus on the context of information. This concern for information’s social environment and the awareness of new models of interaction between learners and librarians open the possibility for using social epistemology to better understand information literacy. The concept of social epistemology—the study of the ways in which an individual’s knowledge is shaped by their interactions with the world around them—has long been part of epistemology. However, LIS theorists Margaret Egan and Jesse Shera, who coined the term, intended it to address librarianship specifically. This paper argues that social epistemology is well positioned to strengthen the critical practice of information literacy, based both on the social epistemological characteristics of critical theory and the information literacy aspects of the social epistemology stream in the field of philosophy. A review of the critical theoretical trend in LIS literature on information literacy reveals an already-present social epistemological foundation on which LIS research can build to expand the application of critical theory to information literacy. Placing this literature in conversation with itself illuminates the ways in which engagement with social epistemological concerns is already evolving. This paper then critiques the literature and highlights some concerns. Recognition of these weaknesses in otherwise valuable work alerts us to opportunities for improvement. This paper suggests that future progress will be tied to better understanding of the social context of knowledge.

Two's Company, Three's a Crowd: Differences in Dominance Relationships in Isolated Versus Socially Embedded Pairs of Fish

Behaviour ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 140 (10) ◽  
pp. 1193-1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Murch ◽  
Craig Tovey ◽  
Ivan Chase
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Dominance Behavior ◽  
Dyadic Interactions ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Dominance Relationships ◽  
The Social ◽  
Game Theoretic ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Over Time

AbstractWe performed experiments with cichlid fish to test whether several basic aspects of dominance were the same in isolated pairs as in pairs within a social group of three or four. We found that the social context, whether a pair was isolated or within a group, strongly affected the basic properties of dominance relationships. In particular, the stability of relationships over time, the replication of relationships in successive meetings, and the extent of the loser effect were all significantly less in socially embedded pairs than in isolated pairs. We found no significant winner effect in either isolated or socially embedded pairs. These findings call into question many current approaches to dominance that do not consider social context as an important factor in dominance behavior. These findings also cast serious doubt on the validity of empirical and theoretical approaches based on dyadic interactions. Among these approaches are game theoretic models for the evolution of aggressive behavior, experimental designs evaluating how asymmetries in attributes influence the outcome of dominance

scholarly journals The Oxford Handbook of Group Creativity and Innovation

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Social Identity Theory ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
Group Creativity ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The Social

Much creative work takes place in groups or teams, but also individual creative efforts cannot be seen as separate from a social context. In recent decades, the questions “What makes groups and teams creative?” and “How is creativity shaped by the social context?” have therefore received increasing research attention. This book provides a comprehensive overview of this work and is organized into five sections. After an introductory section, a second section (individuals and groups) discusses issues of group composition, diversity, newcomers, and conflict. The third section, on basic processes and theoretical approaches, discusses cognitive, motivational, and affective processes in groups as they relate to group creativity and provides theoretical approaches to group creativity based on information-processing theory, social identity theory, network theories, and decision-making theories. The fourth section focuses on the (social) context in which group creativity takes place and examines the role of norms and culture, the organizational context, and technology. The final section offers practical applications in terms of effective brainstorming, the role of leadership, and how group creativity plays a role in industry, science, and the arts. This Handbook of Group Creativity not only summarizes the state-of-the-science in group creativity research but also offers many suggestions on how this blossoming field may further develop and on how group creativity may be stimulated in practice.

Identity and Adornment in the Third-millennium bc Mesopotamian ‘Royal Cemetery’ at Ur

2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Rebecca Gansell
Keyword(s):  
Individual Identity ◽  
Human Sacrifice ◽  
Precise Nature ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Social ◽  
Third Millennium ◽  
Third Millennium Bc ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Definition Of

This article presents a study of the deposition of jewellery on bodies in the third-millennium bc Mesopotamian ‘Royal Cemetery’ at Ur. Four assemblages of adornments are identified and evaluated in relation to burial type, gender, age, privilege, and behavioural role. Aspects of the social and ritual identities of the dead are then interpreted through adornment. While the historic definition of the interred community and the precise nature of their practices are open to speculation, this study begins to clarify dynamics of group and individual identity at this site of human sacrifice.

The Social Context of an Epidemic

1987 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 1004-1007
Author(s):  
Gregory M. Herek
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
The Social
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