Can Happiness be Created in Rituals?

Paragrana ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Kellermann

Abstract This article refers to an ethnographical study within the framework of a cross-cultural research project in Germany and Japan. It focuses on the ritual staging and performing of family happiness within two countries: Christmas in Germany and oshogatsu, the turn of the year, in Japan. Happiness is hereby conceived as a particular form of well-being that is (intended) to be evoked during the yearly reunion of the family. Through ritual practice, the family members (re)confirm their family bonds and create their specific idea of family happiness. In the German family outlined below, Christmas Day in Germany happens to be the first Christmas Celebration in the new family constellation for everyone, and the family members are about to perform their future life plan. In Japan, oshogatsu relies on experiences and memories within the particular family constellation which allow an emotional proximity between four generations. The analytical approach reveals the social cultural impact on emotions and their performative and amplifying potential in rituals

Author(s):  
Linda G. Bell ◽  
David C. Bell

Covert measures of the family system can tap concepts and discover patterns of which family members themselves are unaware and can avoid social desirability bias. Covert measures can be particularly useful in cross-cultural research and can avoid many pitfalls of language and translation. Three such measures which have been used cross-culturally are described. The first is a method of measuring triangulation of children by the parents based on patterns of agreement in a true-false questionnaire describing the family. The second is a projective measure in which family members as a group create a picture of their family distinguishing relationships between individuals and boundaries within and around the family. The third is a global coding scheme used to evaluate family processes from taped interaction.


Author(s):  
Linda G. Bell ◽  
David C. Bell

Covert measures of the family system can tap concepts and discover patterns of which family members themselves are unaware and can avoid social desirability bias. Covert measures can be particularly useful in cross-cultural research and can avoid many pitfalls of language and translation. Three such measures which have been used cross-culturally are described. The first is a method of measuring triangulation of children by the parents based on patterns of agreement in a true-false questionnaire describing the family. The second is a projective measure in which family members as a group create a picture of their family distinguishing relationships between individuals and boundaries within and around the family. The third is a global coding scheme used to evaluate family processes from taped interaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1935) ◽  
pp. 20201245
Author(s):  
Tanya Broesch ◽  
Alyssa N. Crittenden ◽  
Bret A. Beheim ◽  
Aaron D. Blackwell ◽  
John A. Bunce ◽  
...  

The intensifying pace of research based on cross-cultural studies in the social sciences necessitates a discussion of the unique challenges of multi-sited research. Given an increasing demand for social scientists to expand their data collection beyond WEIRD (Western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic) populations, there is an urgent need for transdisciplinary conversations on the logistical, scientific and ethical considerations inherent to this type of scholarship. As a group of social scientists engaged in cross-cultural research in psychology and anthropology, we hope to guide prospective cross-cultural researchers through some of the complex scientific and ethical challenges involved in such work: (a) study site selection, (b) community involvement and (c) culturally appropriate research methods. We aim to shed light on some of the difficult ethical quandaries of this type of research. Our recommendation emphasizes a community-centred approach, in which the desires of the community regarding research approach and methodology, community involvement, results communication and distribution, and data sharing are held in the highest regard by the researchers. We argue that such considerations are central to scientific rigour and the foundation of the study of human behaviour.


1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Thomas Lawson ◽  
Robert N. McCauley

AbstractNo one owns the concept 'culture'. Anthropology's long-standing proprietary claim on the concept rests on three sorts of contentions - none of which are convincing. Anthropology's overwhelmingly interpretive approaches to cultural materials have led to a preoccupation with the details of cultural materials at the expense of formulating explanatory theories. This has, among other things, rendered fieldwork experience sufficient for professional credentials. However, if the details are all that matter, then comparative and cross-cultural research, as well as most of the social sciences, make no sense. Contrary to this view, it is proposed here that theories reveal which details matter. Cognitive accounts of the sort we advanced in Rethinking Religion (1990) offer a firm theoretical basis for cross-cultural study of religious materials. Other types of research concerning non-human primates, early childhood development, and various social and cognitive impairments also offer insight into culture (without relying on fieldwork studies).


2020 ◽  
pp. 107484072097516
Author(s):  
Marcia Van Riper ◽  
George J. Knafl ◽  
Maria do Céu Barbieri-Figueiredo ◽  
Maria Caples ◽  
Hyunkyung Choi ◽  
...  

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability worldwide. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the internal consistency reliability of eight language versions of the Family Management Measure (FaMM) and compare family management of DS across cultures. A total of 2,740 parents of individuals with DS from 11 countries completed the FaMM. The analysis provided evidence of internal consistency reliability exceeding .70 for four of six FaMM scales for the entire sample. Across countries, there was a pattern of positive family management. Cross-cultural comparisons revealed parents from Brazil, Spain, and the United States had the most positive family management and respondents from Ireland, Italy, Japan, and Korea had the least positive. The rankings were mixed for the four remaining countries. These findings provide evidence of overall strong internal consistency reliability of the FaMM. More cross-cultural research is needed to understand how social determinants of health influence family management in families of individuals with DS.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Marahatta ◽  
A Ghimire ◽  
N Jha ◽  
S M Pokhrel ◽  
S Rayamajhi ◽  
...  

Leprosy, an infectious disease, is a highly stigmatized disease. It directly affects patients’ physical, psychological, social and economical well-being. To know the stigma faced by the patients in the family and community. The study was carried out at Netherlands Leprosy Relief, Biratnagar, Nepal. Verbal consent was taken from each patient. A total number of 34 patients who were diagnosed to have leprosy were interviewed. Data were collected using structured interview schedule that included questions seeking information about all aspects of objective. Although both men and women faced the social stigma of the disease, women suffered more rejection by the family members (50%), neighborhood (75%) and work places (62.5%) in comparison to male patients, who are affected maximum at work places (39%) and minimum in family (7.69%). Illiterate were avoided by family members (25%) and co-workers (75%) whereas literate were not. All unemployed patients were neglected in community whereas only 21.42% of employed were neglected. Leprosy is a highly stigmatized disease. Patients are neglected by their family and society. Therefore community education component of Leprosy Control Program needs to be strengthened.


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