scholarly journals Religiousness and Spirituality in the New Utopian Movements

Religions ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
Javier León Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Voluntary Simplicity ◽  
Social Image ◽  
Temporal Dimension ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Utopian Communities ◽  
Being There ◽  
Spiritual Reality ◽  
The Times ◽  
Characteristics Development ◽  
Ethical Critique

The aim of this article is the study and analysis of a set of revived utopian communities today, understood as contemporary spiritual heresies from theoretical perspectives close to postmodern critiques. Following ethnographic research over a series of years in different locations across the four continents, this socio-anthropological contribution highlights the characteristics, development and social image of this complex and largely unknown social and spiritual reality. The approach goes beyond the spatial—it includes not only the “being there” and living with the utopian individuals in their own communities for years—but also a temporal dimension, with emphasis placed on their continuity, on the existence of heterodox and heretical groups and communities throughout history. The new ethical critique, environmental problems, and the fear of an imminent sixth extinction guide us in the exploration of new millenarian beliefs emerging from the new spiritual movements born in what is called New Age. A detailed review by these cults—which appear to not follow any recognizable pattern—allows us to understand how some ideas are used in the post-capitalist era or—for the most critical—the eco-capitalist era. We approach the utopian communities understanding them as key strongholds of a counterculture that has aligned with the times, exploring their symbolic spaces and their idea of progress based, among other premises, on degrowth and voluntary simplicity. This is an approach to today’s heresies disguised as modernity. A look at religiousness turned spirituality in utopian movements of our time.

Performance-based Research Assessment in Higher Education

Education ◽  
2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Public Management ◽  
New Public Management ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Research Assessment ◽  
Social Sciences And Humanities ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Times ◽  
National Systems

The phenomenon of Performance-Based Research Assessment (PBRA) in higher education is a national, regional, and global one. It is a broad-ranging area of research and commentary and not a field that is easy to capture or summarize. In attempting to do so, this article will predominantly draw upon the wide range of research that has been conducted on national systems of PBRA in higher education as well as the comparisons made of these different national systems. It will also address, however, the continued significance of “global league tables,” most notably the Academic Ranking of World Universities produced by Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China and the Times Higher Education Supplement University World Rankings in the United Kingdom. It is important to note that these PBRA systems are constantly in flux, so anything that is written can quickly become outdated. This article is organized in terms of themes, which capture the historical and political significance of predominantly national PBRA systems and the significance they have in challenging our ideas of universities, how they should be governed and funded and ultimately in potentially re-shaping the mission of higher education institutions and changing the work done by academics and the production of disciplinary knowledge. It is a diverse research field with a wide range of disciplinary perspectives that have been taken to investigate this topic and the span of disciplinary theories and methodologies, including disciplines such as statistics, policy analysis, and sociology. Those authors writing on PBRA in higher education are academics across all disciplines within the broad areas of the sciences, social sciences, and humanities as well as non-academic managers and leaders within higher education. It is an issue that is debated by individuals across the whole system of higher education. The literature can be broadly based within two areas, a perspective that views PBRA systems as a means to improve accountability and efficiency of research in higher education, which attempts to compare and contrast the PBRA systems and argue for the best and most efficient way of organizing them while recognizing that improvements must be made to ensure fairness and equity. The other is a critique of the whole project of PBRA systems, which are seen to be allied to neo-liberal and new public management ideological agendas and employs critical theoretical perspectives to show the deleterious impacts of such systems on knowledge production within universities and academic work and identity.

Twins as a Natural Test of Chronogenetics

1975 ◽  
Vol 24 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 15-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Gedda ◽  
Gianni Brenci
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Genetics ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Monozygotic Twins ◽  
Temporal Dimension ◽  
Temporal Characteristics ◽  
Biological Time ◽  
The Times ◽  
Natural Test ◽  
Male Twin

Monozygotic twins are the best witnesses of the existence of a hereditary biological time, because they would not be identical if they had not also inherited the times of appearance and duration of their common hereditary information. The authors gave the name “chronogenetics” to this branch of genetics which concerns the temporal dimension of the gene and the mechanisms of transmission and manifestation of the temporal characteristics. The “Ergon/Chronon System” is suggested as a model to explain chronological heredity in terms of molecular genetics.An example is offered of a chronogenetic analysis of puberty based on the study of puberty times in 157 female and 154 male twin pairs. This shows the hereditary conditioning of numerous chronogenetic parameters, the extrapolation of conclusions concerning the phenomenon of puberty, and the establishment, in this regard, of a borderline between hereditary and physical times.A picture is finally drawn exemplifying Normal Hereditary Times (gametic, auxologic, homeostatic, and old-age recession times) and Pathological Hereditary Times (auxologic, cardiovascular, neoplastic, immunitary, metabolic, and antitoxic pathology times).Provisional chronogenetic developments are indicated, and a possible advancement toward the recycling of the gene is hoped for.

scholarly journals User Characteristics, Trait vs. State Immersion, and Presence in a First-Person Virtual World

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynna J. Ausburn ◽  
Jon Martens ◽  
Charles E. Baukal, Jr. ◽  
Ina Agnew ◽  
Robert Dionne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
First Person ◽  
User Characteristics ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Being There ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Effective Use

Virtual reality and virtual worlds (VWs) are powerful technologies currently helping to define the digital world. These technologies are characterized by user control, immersion, and a sense of presence or “being there.” They have been examined from a variety of theoretical perspectives, technical and user variables, and psychological approaches. The purpose of this study was to extend VW research by relating the roles of user age and gender directly to the VW-critical features of immersion and perceived presence, an approach that has not been widely addressed in previous research. This study used a photo-real, on-screen, first-person VW in which users “enter” and “walk through” a VW via mouse navigation, viewing it through their own eyes rather than through an avatar. It used a quasi-experimental design with 35 adult subjects who reported their age and gender and were tested for perceived immersion and presence in a VW showing a 360-degree city panorama. Data were analyzed using t-tests, chi-squares, Pearson correlations, and interview comments to examine relationships among age and gender, immersion, and presence in the VW. Findings supported conclusions relating to the relevance of age and gender as user variables in VWs and the role of technology characteristics in VWs’ effective use. The study also opened a potential new line of inquiry by raising previously unaddressed questions about the importance of the psychological trait vs. state nature and measurement of immersion and presence in VWs. Suggestions for further research are offered.

The Eclipsing Binary WX Eridani

1979 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 385
Author(s):  
M.B.K. Sarma ◽  
K.D. Abhankar
Keyword(s):  
Light Curve ◽  
Spectral Type ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
Primary Component ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Absorption Feature ◽  
Primary Star ◽  
Eclipsing Binary ◽  
The Times ◽  
Phase Angles

AbstractThe Algol-type eclipsing binary WX Eridani was observed on 21 nights on the 48-inch telescope of the Japal-Rangapur Observatory during 1973-75 in B and V colours. An improved period of P = 0.82327038 days was obtained from the analysis of the times of five primary minima. An absorption feature between phase angles 50-80, 100-130, 230-260 and 280-310 was present in the light curves. The analysis of the light curves indicated the eclipses to be grazing with primary to be transit and secondary, an occultation. Elements derived from the solution of the light curve using Russel-Merrill method are given. From comparison of the fractional radii with Roche lobes, it is concluded that none of the components have filled their respective lobes but the primary star seems to be evolving. The spectral type of the primary component was estimated to be F3 and is found to be pulsating with two periods equal to one-fifth and one-sixth of the orbital period.

The sense of presence in virtual environments:

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Schubert
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Coding Theory ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Spatial Presence ◽  
Component Structure ◽  
Sense Of Presence ◽  
Being There ◽  
Measure Sense

Abstract. The sense of presence is the feeling of being there in a virtual environment. A three-component self report scale to measure sense of presence is described, the components being sense of spatial presence, involvement, and realness. This three-component structure was developed in a survey study with players of 3D games (N = 246) and replicated in a second survey study (N = 296); studies using the scale for measuring the effects of interaction on presence provide evidence for validity. The findings are explained by the Potential Action Coding Theory of presence, which assumes that presence develops from mental model building and suppression of the real environment.

The Evolution of Music Therapy

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-221
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Mastnak
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Evidence Based Medicine ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Modern Music ◽  
Guided Imagery And Music ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Evolution Of Music ◽  
Based Medicine

Abstract. Five overlapping eras or stages can be distinguished in the evolution of music therapy. The first one refers to the historical roots and ethnological sources that have influenced modern meta-theoretical perspectives and practices. The next stage marks the heterogeneous origins of modern music therapy in the 20th century that mirror psychological positions and novel clinical ideas about the healing power of music. The subsequent heyday of music therapeutic models and schools of thought yielded an enormous variety of concepts and methods such as Nordoff–Robbins music therapy, Orff music therapy, analytic music therapy, regulatory music therapy, guided imagery and music, sound work, etc. As music therapy gained in international importance, clinical applications required research on its therapeutic efficacy. According to standards of evidence-based medicine and with regard to clearly defined diagnoses, research on music therapeutic practice was the core of the fourth stage of evolution. The current stage is characterized by the emerging epistemological dissatisfaction with the paradigmatic reductionism of evidence-based medicine and by the strong will to discover the true healing nature of music. This trend has given birth to a wide spectrum of interdisciplinary hermeneutics for novel foundations of music therapy. Epigenetics, neuroplasticity, regulatory and chronobiological sciences, quantum physical philosophies, universal harmonies, spiritual and religious views, and the cultural anthropological phenomenon of esthetics and creativity have become guiding principles. This article should not be regarded as a historical treatise but rather as an attempt to identify theoretical landmarks in the evolution of modern music therapy and to elucidate the evolution of its spirit.

The Effects of a Caffeine Placebo and Experimenter Expectation on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Walach ◽  
Stefan Schmidt ◽  
Yvonne-Michelle Bihr ◽  
Susanne Wiesch
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Being There ◽  
To Receive

We studied the effect of experimenter expectations and different instructions in a balanced placebo design. 157 subjects were randomized into a 2 × 4 factorial design. Two experimenters were led to expect placebos either to produce physiological effects or not (pro- vs. antiplacebo). All subjects except a control group received a caffeine placebo. They were either made to expect coffee, no coffee, or were in a double-blind condition. Dependent measures were blood pressure, heart rate, well-being, and a cognitive task. There was one main effect on the instruction factor (p = 0.03) with the group “told no caffeine” reporting significantly better well-being. There was one main effect on the experimenter factor with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” having higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008). There was one interaction with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” to receive coffee doing worse in the cognitive task than the rest. Subjects instructed by experimenter “antiplacebo” were significantly less likely to believe the experimental instruction, and that mostly if they had been instructed to receive coffee. Contrary to the literature we could not show an effect of instruction, but there was an effect of experimenters. It is likely, however, that these experimenter effects were not due to experimental manipulations, but to the difference in personalities.

Media Psychology and Complex Modes of Entertainment Experiences

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Klimmt
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Terror Management Theory ◽  
Death And Dying ◽  
Terror Management ◽  
Media Psychology ◽  
Mixed Emotions ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Complex Modes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Media Enjoyment

This comment briefly examines the history of entertainment research in media psychology and welcomes the conceptual innovations in the contribution by Oliver and Bartsch (this issue). Theoretical perspectives for improving and expanding the “appreciation” concept in entertainment psychology are outlined. These refer to more systematic links of appreciation to the psychology of mixed emotions, to positive psychology, and to the psychology of death and dying – in particular, to terror management theory. In addition, methodological challenges are discussed that entertainment research faces when appreciation and the experience of “meaning for life” need to be addressed in empirical studies of media enjoyment.

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