scholarly journals Images of woman and the search for happiness in Cynthia Jele's Happiness is a four letter word

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-121
Author(s):  
Rodwell Makombe
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
African Women ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
Love Relationships ◽  
Letter Word ◽  
Alternative Framework ◽  
Afrocentric Theory ◽  
Context Specific

Over the years, African ‘feminist’ scholars have expressed reservations about embracing feminism as an analytical framework for theorizing issues that affect African women. This is particularly because in many African societies, feminism has been perceived as a negative influence that seeks to tear the cultural fabric and value systems of African communities. Some scholars such as Clenora Hudson-Weems, Chikenje Ogunyemi, Tiamoyo Karenga and Chimbuko Tembo contend that feminism as developed by Western scholars is incapable of addressing context-specific concerns of African women. As a result, they developed womanism as an alternative framework for analysing the realities of women in African cultures. Womanism is premised on the view that African women need an Afrocentric theory that can adequately deal with their specific struggles. Drawing from ideas that have been developed by womanist scholars, this article critically interrogates the portrayal of women in Cynthia Jele’s Happiness is a four-letter word (2010), with particular focus on the choices that they make in love relationships, marriage and motherhood. My argument is that Jele’s text affirms the womanist view that African women exist within a specific cultural context that shapes their needs, aspirations and choices in a different way.

Metaphors and cultural narratives on adaptive responses to severe adversity: A field study among the Indigenous Pitaguary community in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 332-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iara Meili ◽  
Eva Heim ◽  
Ana C Pelosi ◽  
Andreas Maercker
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Growth ◽  
Field Study ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Cultural Narratives ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Core ◽  
Recovery Processes ◽  
Context Specific

The expressions resilience and posttraumatic growth represent metaphorical concepts that are typically found in Euro-American contexts. Metaphors of severe adversity or trauma and the expressions of overcoming it vary across cultures—a lacuna, which has not been given much attention in the literature so far. This study aimed to explore the metaphorical concepts that the Indigenous Pitaguary community in Brazil uses to talk about adaptive and positive responses to severe adversity and to relate them to their socio-cultural context. We carried out 14 semi-structured interviews during field research over a one-month period of fieldwork. The data were explored with systematic metaphor analysis. The core metaphors included images of battle, unity, spirituality, journeys, balance, time, sight, transformation, and development. These metaphors were related to context-specific cultural narratives that underlie the Pitaguary ontological perspective on collectivity, nature, and cosmology. The results suggest that metaphors and cultural narratives can reveal important aspects of a culture’s collective mindset. To have a contextualized understanding of expressive nuances is an essential asset to adapt interventions to specific cultures and promote culture-specific healing and recovery processes.

scholarly journals Job morale of physicians in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic literature review of qualitative studies

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e028657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Sabitova ◽  
Sana Zehra Sajun ◽  
Sandra Nicholson ◽  
Franziska Mosler ◽  
Stefan Priebe
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Reference List ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Staff Shortage ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Context Specific

ObjectivesTo systematically review the available literature on physicians’ and dentists’ experiences influencing job motivation, job satisfaction, burnout, well-being and symptoms of depression as indicators of job morale in low-income and middle-income countries.DesignThe review was reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for studies evaluating outcomes of interest using qualitative methods. The framework method was used to analyse and integrate review findings.Data sourcesA primary search of electronic databases was performed by using a combination of search terms related to the following areas of interest: ‘morale’, ‘physicians and dentists’ and ‘low-income and middle-income countries’. A secondary search of the grey literature was conducted in addition to checking the reference list of included studies and review papers.ResultsTen papers representing 10 different studies and involving 581 participants across seven low-income and middle-income countries met the inclusion criteria for the review. However, none of the studies focused on dentists’ experiences was included. An analytical framework including four main categories was developed: work environment (physical and social), rewards (financial, non-financial and social respect), work content (workload, nature of work, job security/stability and safety), managerial context (staffing levels, protocols and guidelines consistency and political interference). The job morale of physicians working in low-income and middle-income countries was mainly influenced by negative experiences. Increasing salaries, offering opportunities for career and professional development, improving the physical and social working environment, implementing clear professional guidelines and protocols and tackling healthcare staff shortage may influence physicians’ job morale positively.ConclusionsThere were a limited number of studies and a great degree of heterogeneity of evidence. Further research is recommended to assist in scrutinising context-specific issues and ways of addressing them to maximise their utility.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017082579.

scholarly journals Authenticity in Context: Being True to Working Selves

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Chen
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Nature ◽  
The Core ◽  
Level I ◽  
Context Specific

The core premise of this article is that it is scientifically informative and psychologically meaningful to conceptualize and assess authenticity in context. I begin by providing some theoretical background on the nature of the self-concept, highlighting how the self-concept is composed of a collection of selves, with different selves activated and therefore at play in different contexts. This basic fact, that the self-concept is both multifaceted and malleable, implies that authenticity is a construct that requires study at a contextual level. I illustrate this by reviewing theory and findings from 3 areas of research, incorporating studies from my laboratory throughout. These areas are (a) authenticity in the context of close relationships; (b) authenticity in hierarchical contexts, wherein one occupies a lower versus higher position of social power; and (c) authenticity in relation to the larger cultural context. Finally, I address a number of issues and questions that arise when considering authenticity in context and propose a number of directions for future research on the context-specific nature of authenticity.

scholarly journals Mos geometricus v. Reality: Quantity, Quality, Time and Information in Combat Simulations since the Middle Ages

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-202
Author(s):  
Jürg Gassmann ◽  
Samuel Gassmann
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Life And Death ◽  
The World ◽  
Single Combat ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Simulated Training ◽  
Key Questions ◽  
The Middle Ages

Abstract The non-lethal simulated training of lethal reality, whether it be single combat or war, was historically a question of life and death. We provide an analytical framework for evaluating historical precedents in fight simulations by focussing on two key questions: What was the philosophy guiding the conception of reality – in particular, did historical practitioners see reality as deterministic, and if not, how did they see it? And how did the simulations deal with the elements of quantity, quality, timing, and information? The analysis shows that our ancestors’ perception of the reality of fighting chan-ged over time, as their interpretations of reality for the world at large changed. Considerable intellectual effort and ingenuity were invested into attempts to understand reality and formulate corresponding realistic simulations, making these ludic artefacts reflective, sometimes iconic for, and occasionally ahead of their historical-cultural context. Seemingly irrational phenomena, such as the persistence of lethal duelling, had perfectly pragmatic elements.

scholarly journals Różnorodność cechą współczesnego świata

Neofilolog ◽  
2011 ◽  
pp. 9-19
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Zawadzka-Bartnik
Keyword(s):  
Social Perception ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Value Systems

This paper deals with cultural, ethnic, religious, physical and mental diversi-ty as well with different preferences of value systems, lifestyles, etc. domi-nating in contemporary societies and presents the resulting educational im-plications. Because of the specificity of social perception, every single case of variation/strangeness triggers off the process of stigmatization/labelling, manifesting itself in intolerant, discriminating or even hostile behaviour. The paper indicates the negative influence of the so-called „hidden pro-gramme” of the school and emphasizes the need for increased educational efforts aimed at the formation of tolerant attitudes among students.

scholarly journals Building capacities for transformative change towards sustainability: Imagination in Intergovernmental Science-Policy Scenario Processes

Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Pereira ◽  
Nadia Sitas ◽  
Federica Ravera ◽  
Amanda Jimenez-Aceituno ◽  
Andrew Merrie
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Science Policy ◽  
Potential Method ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Scenario Development ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Context Specific

Scenario development has been recognized as a potential method to explore future change and stimulate a reflective process that can contribute to more informed decision-making. The assessment process under IPBES (the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) has however shown that the current predominantly biophysical and economic models and scenario processes for exploring the future of biodiversity, ecosystem services and their contributions to human wellbeing are insufficient to capture the complexity and context-specific nature of the problems facing these sectors. Several important challenges have been identified that require a more in-depth analysis of where more imaginative scenario efforts can be undertaken to address this gap. In this paper, we identify six key characteristics necessary for scenario processes: adaptability across diverse contexts, inclusion of diverse knowledge and value systems, legitimate stakeholder engagement that foregrounds the role of power and politics, an ability to grapple with uncertainty, individual and collective thinking mechanisms and relevance to policy making. We compared four cases of imaginative, arts-based scenario processes that each offer aspects of meeting these criteria. These approaches emphasise the importance of engaging the imagination of those involved in a process and harnessing it as a tool for identifying and conceptualising more transformative future trajectories. Drawing on the existing literature, we argue that there is value in fostering more inclusive and creative participatory processes that acknowledge the importance of understanding multiple value systems and relationships in order to reimagine a more inclusive and just future. Based on this, we reflect on future research to understand the transformative role that imagination can play in altering and enhancing knowledge-making for global assessments, including IPBES. We conclude that creative scenario co-development processes that promote imagination and create an opening for more empathetic responses should be considered as complementary tools within the suite of methodologies used for future IPBES scenario development.

scholarly journals AN EXPLORATION OF THE PROGRESSION POLICY AND ITS EF

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-207
Author(s):  
Thandi Priscillia Nkosi ◽  
◽  
Rufus Olufemi Adebayo ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Parental Support ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Pass Rate ◽  
Policy Statement ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Learner Achievement

This article examines the Progression Policy and its effects on learner achievement in the Further Education and Training Phase (Grades 10 to 12) amongst five underperforming public secondary schools in Pinetown. Since the adoption of the Progression Policy, the pass rate noticeable declined between 2014 and 2016. Thus, the Progression Policy is used in this study as an analytical framework, whilst the qualitative research design was used to gather data. The faceto-face semi-structured interviews, as well as focus group discussions with educators and principals, served as data collection methods. This study emphasized challenges attributed to the implementation of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement and the Progression Policy in the Pinetown District. The study further revealed that the South African education system, from the Foundation Phase level all the way up, is plagued by serious challenges. The identified challenges include a lack of parental support, learner absenteeism, learner indiscipline, learner demotivation, resource allocation, and teacher-learner ratios. The results also revealed that the socioeconomic environment contributes to a dysfunctional condition in schools, which has a negative influence on the teaching and learning experience amongst educators and learners. Thus, the study proposes the reconfiguration of the Progression Policy alongside practicable and relatable recommendations inconsonance to study.

Mobile-technology-induced learning strategies: Chinese university EFL students learning English in an emerging context

ReCALL ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-105
Author(s):  
Chuan Gao ◽  
Hui-zhong Shen
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Context Specific

AbstractThis article reports on findings regarding the learning strategies used by a group of Chinese English as a foreign language (EFL) learners in a mobile-technology-assisted environment. The research design is a context-specific case study using Dörnyei’s (2005) categories of learning strategies as the conceptual and analytical framework to guide data collection and analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a questionnaire from a sample of 75 Chinese EFL learners and a small-scale follow-up interview of five participants who completed the questionnaire. Data showed that a mobile-technology-assisted environment effected changes in Chinese EFL learners’ ways of adopting a particular set of learning strategies, which differed in type and frequency from those typical of a teacher-led and examination-oriented language classroom. Metacognitive and commitment control strategies were most frequently used by the respondents in this study. The frequency of student use of metacognitive strategies moved ahead of commitment and environmental control strategies. Satiation and emotion control strategies, rarely used by Chinese students in a teacher-fronted language classroom, were also observable. These findings have implications for the understanding and designing of mobile-technology-assisted learning for EFL learners to develop appropriate strategies for autonomous learning.

Suicide in the Ukraine: Epidemiology, Knowledge, and Attitudes of the Population

Crisis ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Mokhovikov ◽  
Olga Donets
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Professional Groups ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Completed Suicide ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Attitudes Towards Suicide

For several decades suicidology could not be discussed in the Ukraine, and so this is one of the first papers on suicide in this country. After a brief discussion of the epidemiology of suicide in the Ukraine, the authors present the results of research investigations on caregivers' knowledge about suicide, as well as an investigation of attitudes towards suicide. The principal conclusions are: 1. The frequency of suicide in the Ukraine is relatively high (24 per 100,000). The rate of suicide is much higher in rural areas than in the cities. The frequency of completed suicide is not the same in different regions of the country. 2. Sociopsychological processes in the post-totalitarian society have resulted in the development of the “Soviet syndrome” in the population. 3. Suicidal behavior in the post-totalitarian society exists in a special social, psychological, and cultural context that creates obstacles for its effective prevention. 4. Research on the level of suicide knowledge revealed a high prevalence of mythical ideas, even in those groups of the population or professional groups that should be directly involved in education and participate in suicide prevention. 5. An assessment of the attitude of the respondents toward suicide revealed an ambivalence of their feelings and attitudes that could have a negative influence on their practical involvement in helping to deal with suicidal clients.

Consumer ethnocentrism on product judgment and willingness to buy: A meta-analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gongxing Guo ◽  
Xing Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Foreign Product ◽  
Consumer Ethnocentrism ◽  
Willingness To Buy ◽  
Product Judgment

We undertook the first meta-analysis on the effects of consumer ethnocentrism on product judgment and willingness to buy. We synthesized the results of 60 studies (effect size) with a total sample size of 15,585. The meta-analysis confirms that consumer ethnocentrism has a positive influence on domestic product judgment and willingness to buy, while it has a negative influence on foreign product judgment but not on willingness to buy foreign product. The results also demonstrate that the effects of consumer ethnocentrism on domestic versus foreign product judgment and on willingness to buy domestic versus foreign product are moderated by economic development (developed market vs. developing market), cultural context (eastern culture vs. western culture) and sample type (general consumers vs. student consumers). Our research offers implications, including that domestic enterprises should emphasize that their brands and products are local and indigenous to increase ethnocentric consumers' quality judgment and willingness to buy.

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