Development of career capital during expatriation: partners' perspectives

PurposeThe purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the effects of expatriation on the development of career capital among the partners of expatriates.Design/methodology/approachThe study draws on in-depth interviews with 30 Finnish partners of expatriates.FindingsThe results reflect the various learning experiences reported by partners of expatriates that developed their career capital during expatriation. The learning experiences related to the experience of living abroad itself and to the specific activities undertaken when abroad. The extent to which partners developed knowing-why, knowing-how and knowing-whom career capital was found to partly reflect their situation abroad as stay-at-home partners or as employees in less-demanding or more-demanding jobs. Though the experiences were developmental for all partners as have been reported among expatriates, the authors also identified several aspects in which partners' experiences differed from the typical developmental experiences of expatriates.Practical implicationsThe results also highlight the influence of initiative, an active role and career self-management skills in partners' career capital development.Originality/valueThis paper advances the understanding of how expatriation affects expatriate partners' career capital, a topic that has not previously been studied in-depth.

Scientific Creativity: Discovery and Invention as Combinatorial

Although scientific creativity has often been described as combinatorial, the description is usually insufficiently formulated to count as a precise scientific explanation. Therefore, the current article is devoted to elaborating a formalization defined by three combinatorial parameters: the initial probability p, the final utility u, and the scientist’s prior knowledge of that utility v. These parameters then lead logically to an 8-fold typology involving two forms of expertise, two irrational combinations, and four “blind” combinations. One of the latter provides the basis for the definition of personal creativity as c=(1−p)u(1−v), that is, the multiplicative product of originality, utility, and surprise. This three-criterion definition then has six critical implications. Those implications lead to a discussion of various combinatorial processes and procedures that include a treatment of the No Free Lunch Theorems regarding optimization algorithms as well as the creativity-maximizing phenomena of mind wandering and serendipity. The article closes with a discussion of how scientific creativity differs from artistic creativity. Besides the obvious contrasts in the ideas entering the combinatorial processes and procedures, scientific combinations, products, and communities strikingly differ from those typical of the arts. These differences also imply contrasts in developmental experiences and personality characteristics. In sum, the formal combinatorial analysis enhances our understanding of scientific creativity.

Sexual Activity in the Context of Romantic Relationships

Romantic relationships and sexuality have been described as crucial developmental experiences during emerging adulthood. One key belief is that many emerging adults are delaying more traditional romantic relationships (e.g., marriage) in favor of more sexually based relationships or avoiding relationships altogether. With increased engagement in sex outside the context of committed relationships, recent research has focused more on the sexual relationships of emerging adults; however, many scholars have shown that there are a variety of diverse pathways that emerging adults take when developing romantic and sexual relationships, and these continue to be an important influence during this period. This chapter discusses current trends in both sexual and romantic relationships of emerging adults, including how these experiences are linked. It also discusses trends related to sex and commitment, stayover relationships and cohabitation, and infidelity during this period. It concludes with recommendations for future research and practice.

Female Bengalese finches recognize their father’s song as sexually attractive

Birdsong is an important communication signal used in mate choice. In some songbirds, only males produce songs while females do not. Female birds are sensitive to inter- and intra-species song variation. Some aspects of female song preference depend on developmental experiences. For example, in Bengalese finches and zebra finches, adult females prefer the song to which they were exposed early in life, such as the father’s song. However, it is unclear whether such song preference in females is sexually motivated. The purpose of our study is to test if female Bengalese finches recognize their father’s song as sexually attractive. We measured copulation solicitation displays during playbacks of the father’s song vs. unfamiliar conspecific songs and found that across individuals, the father’s song elicited more displays than other songs. In addition, we analyzed if a bird’s response to a given song could be predicted by the level of similarity of that song to the father’s song. The results suggest that preference for the father’s song in this species is actually relevant to mate choice. Although more precise control is necessary in future studies to elucidate the process of preference development, our results imply the significance of early-life experience in shaping female song preference.

Phase 1

This chapter examines the initial approach to PTSD symptoms using TFPP. Symptoms serve as a lens through which to explore and address contributory emotions, conflicts, and defenses. Symptoms may express or function to ward off intolerably painful emotions generated by the trauma. The therapist works to link the symptoms to relevant traumatic events, which patients have often avoided via dissociation or other defenses. The therapist is empathic with patients’ distress in describing trauma and also works with patients’ reactions to better understand the impact of trauma. Exploration of the context, emotions, and meanings of symptoms helps patients to gain a clearer understanding of past and present precipitants and the reasons that symptoms continue. The therapist additionally explores how developmental experiences, including early traumatic events, affect patients’ reactions to subsequent trauma.

Emerging Adults and Developing Awareness of Siblings’ Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Emerging adults who are siblings to individuals with schizophrenia are an understudied though important population. This study examined perceptions of emerging adults to better understand developmental experiences and needs for supportive intervention. Using grounded theory, 23 emerging adults participated in open-ended, in-depth interviews. Results indicated themes related to emerging adults and their developing awareness of siblings’ experiences with schizophrenia. These included (a) the first break: changing roles and patterns, (b) influence of family and adjustment to a new reality, and (c) the effect on the emerging adult and their sense of self. Understanding experiences of this population can inform practice at key points such as during crises and transitions, which can help support a healthy developmental trajectory for siblings of individuals with schizophrenia.