How do Consumers’ Gender and Rational Thinking Affect the Acceptance of Entertainment Social Robots?

In recent years, the rapid ageing of the population, a longer life expectancy and elderly people’s desire to live independently are social changes that put pressure on healthcare systems. This context is boosting the demand for companion and entertainment social robots on the market and, consequently, producers and distributors are interested in knowing how these social robots are accepted by consumers. Based on technology acceptance models, a parsimonious model is proposed to estimate the intention to use this new advanced social robot technology and, in addition, an analysis is performed to determine how consumers’ gender and rational thinking condition the precedents of the intention to use. The results show that gender differences are more important than suggested by the literature. While women gave greater social influence and perceived enjoyment as the main motives for using a social robot, in contrast, men considered their perceived usefulness to be the principal reason and, as a differential argument, the ease of use. Regarding the reasoning system, the most significant differences occurred between heuristic individuals, who stated social influence as the main reason for using a robot, and the more rational consumers, who gave ease of use as a differential argument.

Pengaruh Penggunaan Metode Discovery Learning dengan Teknik Buzz Group terhadap Keterampilan Berpikir Rasional Siswa

ABSTRACTThe buzz group discussion technique is a structured, effective, and requires students to be active in learning. This study is aimed at learning how the use of the discovery learning method with a buzz group technique has affected students' rational thinking skills. The research used experimental quasi methods for noninvasive control group design. Sample retrieval techniques using sample control techniques, classroom VIIII SMPN 1 Jenangan is taken in two classes the VIII C class (control) and the VIII D (experiment), the instrument of his research is a series of observations and tests to measure the reliability of rational thinking skills. The study uses only a post test as an instrument in data collection. Based on analysis of the independent test data analysis using minitab 16, the calculated t value of 8.68, the df value of 61 and the P Value of 0.000, then the P Value 0.000 <0.05. Based on the results of the research and discussion, it can be stated that there is an influence of the use of discovery learning methods with the buzz group technique on students' rational thinking skills.Keywords: discovery learning, buzz group, discussion, skills, rational thinkingABSTRAK Teknik diskusi Buzz Group adalah teknik diskusi yang terstruktur, efektif, dan menuntut siswa untuk aktif dalam pembelajaran. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penggunaan metode discovery learning dengan teknik Buzz group terhadap keterampilan berpikir rasional siswa. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode Quasi Eksperimental jenis Nonequivalent Control Group Design. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik menentukan sampel, kelas VIII di SMPN 1 Jenangan diambil dua kelas yaitu kelas VIII C (kontrol) dan VIII D (eksperimen). Instrumen penelitiannya lembar observasi dan tes untuk mengukur kemammpuan keterampilan berpikir rasional. Penelitian ini hanya menggunakan post test sebagai instrumen dalam pengumpulan data. Berdasarkan hasil pembahasan analisis data uji independent T test dengan menggunakan minitab 16, nilai t hitung sebesar 8,68, nilai df sebesar 61 dan P Value sebesar 0,000, maka P Value 0,000 < 0,05. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dan pembahasan tersebut, maka dapat dinyatakan bahwa terdapat pengaruh penggunaan metode discovery learning dengan teknik buzz group terhadap keterampilan berpikir rasional siswa.Kata kunci: discovery learning, buzz group, diskusi, keterampilan, berpikir rasional.

The Mythical Dimension in Saulius Tomas Kondrotas' Novel “The Look of a Grass-Snake”

The aim of the article is to identify and explain the mythical images used in Saulius Tomas Kondrotas’ novel “The Look of a Grass-Snake”. By transforming pagan and Christian mythical systems, the writer contrasts them with rational thinking. In “New Age“ there is no place for myths and the meanings of figurative language. The mythical dimension in the work is understood as a way of perceiving the world that contradicts the modern idea of ​​progress. S. T. Kondrotas also transforms the meanings of archetypal figures such as fire, sun or grass-snake in his novel. The concepts of life, death, or rebirth gain the different perspectives from archaic and modern world. New mythical dimension allows us to reconsider existential phenomena of human existence in a new light. In this way, the Baltic worldview extends its life in works of art, and the literature, which contains mythical elements, becomes a modern version of the myth.

RATIONAL AND IRRATIONAL IN THE INTELLECTUAL CULTURE OF ANCIENT RUSSIA

The article is a polemical answer to the work of D. V. Puzanov, dedicated to the way of thinking in the culture of the early Russian Middle Ages. According to the author, a specific way of thinking was cultivated in the ancient Russian intellectual community. This way of thinking was characterized by mysticism, irrationalism and an appeal to the concept of “miracle”. At the same time, in ancient Russian sources one can find characters thinking rationally. These are the heroes of The Tale of Bygone Years and the Kiev-Pechersk Paterikon: Voivode Yan Vyshatich, Boyar Vasily and Prince Gleb. Their method of thinking is far from the methodology of modern scientific thinking, but it can also be considered rational. This is the main polemical idea of the author, directed against the conclusions of D. V. Puzanov, who believes that the similarity of medieval "rationalism" with real rational thinking is only superficial.

The Role of Ego in Margayya’s Fall in the Financial Expert -A Psychological Approach

Ego is one of the most important elements in human personality and although everyone has ego, people manage their ego differently. Some people take it very seriously and act in a way to retaliate, if their ego is hurt while others think and balance their ego before it builds aggression which would bring their own downfall. Since people are driven by their egocentric mindset, any disgrace, disappointment or failure would hurt their ego which would force them to build aggression, reduce rational thinking and lead them to engage in unethical and illegal acts. When Margayya’s ego was hurt by the secretary of the bank when he insulted him and almost ended his finance career, he wanted to accumulate more wealth. He didn’t worry about the ways and means but focused on the destination and he was guided by his ego that led him to mistreat and disrespect people throughout the novel. His obsession with money and prestige forced him to act rudely that ended his career as one of the best financial wizards. When people are led by their ego, it would lead them to their own downfall and destruction as they would be guided by lack of self-control and distrust on others. His obsession with money led him to show off his superiority in order to defeat the cooperative bank secretary and earn respect in the society. This paper brings out the Psychological influence of ego in Margayya’s character in the novel, The Financial Expert.

Rethinking on Research on Science Popularization Theory in China

Science popularization research serves as a fundamental role in the work of science popularization, which requires the guidance of the theory. The research on science popularization is a process to explore and understand laws of science popularization work, and also the rational thinking and summary of science communication experience. Based on the description of China’s studies on science popularization theories, three fundamental problems in China’s modern science popularization theory are given priority to discussion and some relevant reflections about further development are proposed.

Ijtihad Methods of The Prophet’s Companions and Its Influence on Islamic Legal Traditions

This study examines the influence of the ijtihad methods of the Prophet’s companion on two major schools of thought in Islamic legal tradition. These are the rational thinking of Abu Hanifah, known as ahl al-ra’y and Malik ibn Anas, known as ahl hadith. This study is a historical enquiry by critically analyzing significant events in the past around the lives of those two figures. Various historical resources are used, tarikh tashri’ and fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) literature, etc. This study finds out that there is a positive influence of the Prophet’s companions’ ijtihad methods with the legal thinking of Abu Hanifah and Malik ibn Anas. This implies that the method significantly influences the formulation of Islamic jurisprudence by those two figures. Abstrak:Penelitian ini mengkaji pengaruh metode ijtihad para sahabat nabi terhadap dua mazhab besar dalam tradisi hukum Islam. Metode tersebut yakni pemikiran rasional Abu Hanifah yang dikenal dengan ahl al-ra'y dan Malik bin Anas yang dikenal dengan ahl al-hadits. Kajian ini merupakan penyelidikan sejarah dengan menganalisis secara kritis peristiwa-peristiwa penting di masa lalu seputar kehidupan kedua tokoh tersebut. Untuk itu, digunakan berbagai sumber sejarah, literatur tarikh tashri’ dan kitab fikih, dll. Penelitian ini menemukan bahwa ada pengaruh positif metode ijtihad para sahabat nabi dengan pemikiran hukum Abu Hanifah dan Malik ibn Anas. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa metode berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap perumusan fikih Islam oleh kedua tokoh tersebut.