The Position of Women and Violence Against them in Works of Serbian Literature

Everyday and public life, contents of newspaper headlines, films, internet contents, social networks and practically all segments of life abound in scenes and descriptions of violence. The paper presents the characters of women who are portrayed as persons subject to subordination and other forms of violence within the literary works represented in the teaching of Serbian language and literature. The structure of the paper shows the analysis of the characters of individual women from the point of view of gender equality and position in society, but also the contextualization of the work. Aspects of noticing domestic violence and subordination of women throughout history are given, in almost all epochs of Serbian literature. The role of teaching literature in the educational process is to point out to students the manifestation of different types of behavior and to prepare children to see reality in constant comparison with the theme of the work. In recent times, we are facing the problem of gender equality and the idea of gender equality is becoming more and more prominent. The aim of this paper is to point out the importance of the content of teaching units in creating student awareness that violence is an extremely negative trait and that every kind of such behavior should be suppressed. Through independent presentations of students based on the analysis of individual female characters, interdisciplinary competencies are developed: problem solving, communication skills, skills of cooperation and life in a democratic society.

Intergroup threat and affective polarization in a multi-party system

What explains affective polarization among voters and societal groups? Much of the existing literature focusing on mass political polarization in modern democracies originates in the US, where studies have shown that, while ideological separation has grown, political conflict increasingly reflects social identity divisions rather than policy disagreements, resulting in affective polarization. We focus on explaining such polarization in a multi-party context. Drawing on social identity theory and intergroup threat theory, we hypothesize that individuals who perceive an intergroup threat show stronger intergroup differentiation and increased affective polarization. We analyze the influence of perceived threat on affective polarization drawing on two large-scale representative surveys in Sweden (N = 1429 and 1343). We show that individual-level affective polarization is related to perceived intergroup threats among the voters in both studies, measuring affective polarization using social distance, negative trait attribution, and party like-dislike ratings.

A REVIEW ON A COMPUTATIONAL MODEL OF SHYNESS FOR ARTIFICIAL AGENTS IN THE MALAYSIAN LEARNING DOMAIN

Shyness is a difficulty experienced by many children in our country. Although it is a norm that Asians exhibit more colourings of shyness (e.g. timidity, passiveness, non-confrontational); studies conducted within the learning domain verifies that this personality trait is being acknowledged as a negative trait, especially among young learners (children) which is likely to affect their potential and performance in the academic platform. Teachers and peers may falsely belief that these students are less capable and less intelligent which may develop a poor perception towards them. However, these shy students find computer-mediated communication to be easier means of interaction than face-to-face contact with teachers. In-line with the Malaysian Education Blueprint (2015-2025) by the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE), development and use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) (e.g. e-learning, educational games and other interactive learning platforms through computer interfaces) are very much encouraged. Hence, implementing an interactive artificial tutor (fit with a shyness model) to automatically adapt and interact to the user’s emotional state could help in overcoming shyness, at the same time encourage these shy learners to confidently communicate and exhibit their capabilities. This research intends to review the background study on the usefulness of a shyness computational model which will be integrated with an interactive synthetic tutor. The aim of this study is to identify and capture the display features of colourings of shyness (e.g. timidity, passiveness, non-confrontational) through facial features (e.g. smiles, pouting) and vocal behaviours (silences, frequent pauses,filler words and turn-taking patterns) projected by shy young Malaysian learners (children aged between 9-11 years). These markers will be collected and constructed into a shyness model suitable for interactive synthetic agents used in the learning domain for teaching and training young learners in a typical Malaysian academic setting.

Cognitive Failures and the Role of Emotion in Dimensional Schizotypy: A Replication and Extension

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Cognitive failures are commonplace within the general population but may be particularly heightened in those with higher levels of schizotypy. This is especially salient in the context of enduring trait and momentary state negative emotion which often contributes to increases in daily impairments, leading to a more debilitating and distracted life. Particularly, individuals with elevated levels of schizotypy may be more likely to experience cognitive failures, especially in the presence of negative trait emotion such as depression, anxiety, and stress. However, little is known about the influence of state emotion and the distinct roles that state and trait emotion may have with cognitive failures and schizotypy. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> To replicate and extend previous findings, 306 (58% males) undergraduate students aged 18–50 years (M = 19.343; SD = 2.493) completed self-report measures of cognitive failures, trait and state emotion, and schizotypy. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed in SPSS to examine the potential effects of trait and state emotion on the relationship between schizotypy and cognitive failures. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Consistent with previous findings, mood symptomology, in addition to negative affect, mediated cognitive failures in those with higher levels of schizotypy. However, in our sample, positive affect did not appear to buffer against cognitive failures. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The findings of the present study suggest there may be a nuanced relationship between both negative trait and state emotions on the relationships between cognitive failures and schizotypy. Understanding the interaction of enduring versus momentary emotion on cognition as they relate to an elevated risk for developing schizophrenia-spectrum phenomena may be a point for earlier and more targeted interventions.

Pathological Narcissism and Emotional Responses to Rejection: The Impact of Adult Attachment

Background: Aspects of pathological narcissism, such as grandiosity, vulnerability and entitlement, tend be enacted in therapeutic settings, negatively influencing outcome and alliance between the clients and therapist. This research took an experimental approach to understanding the interplay between the emotional reactions of individuals with a pathological narcissistic presentation, and adult attachment style. We predicted that participants reporting narcissistic vulnerability would report greater insecurity in attachment (fearful and preoccupied styles), greater trait emotional reactivity, and also experience more intense and negative responses to simulated rejectionMethods: 269 participants (75.84% female, median age = 21) completed baseline and rejection trials of a virtual ball-tossing game, following the assessment of grandiose and vulnerable pathological narcissism, entitlement, adult attachment, trait emotional reactivity (measured prior to the rejection) and in-situ affective response (measured both before and after the rejection). Change in affect from baseline was calculated to capture affective responses to the manipulation.Results: Vulnerable narcissism was positively associated with both fearful and preoccupied attachment, and negatively associated with secure and dismissive attachment, whilst grandiose narcissism was significantly related to preoccupied attachment only. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses showed vulnerable narcissism predicted both (1) more negative trait emotional reactivity and (2) a significant increase in negative affect following the rejection trial. Grandiose narcissism was associated with (1) higher positive trait emotional reactivity, and (2) significant reductions in positive affect following rejection.Conclusion: Results indicated that those high in pathological narcissistic vulnerability reported greater insecurity in attachment, negative trait emotional reactivity and experienced a more negative and intense emotional reaction to rejection. Grandiose narcissism was related to a more deactivated pattern of emotional reactivity, and less positive (rather than more negative) emotional reactions. Findings have important implications for therapy, particularly regarding communication of emotions for individuals high in vulnerable and grandiose narcissism.

Do Presidential Primary Debates Increase Political Polarization?

This study presents the results of a quasi-experiment to assess the effects of viewing a strategically manipulated portion of a 2020 Democratic Primary debate. Our aim was to assess the polarizing potential of primary debates on both ingroup (Democratic) and outgroup (Republican) viewers. Viewing the primary debate resulted in less perceived closeness with members of the opposing political party, greater feelings of social distance, and more attribution of malevolent intentions. These effects were consistent regardless of whether the viewer was a member of the political ingroup (Democrats) or outgroup (Republicans). Conversely, there was no effect of debate viewing on evaluations of outparty candidates (with respect to negative trait attributions or lower feeling thermometer evaluations)., nor did support for political compromise change as a result of viewing the debate. Both Democrats and independents reported improved evaluations of participating candidates, though Republican evaluations did not change.

PERFECTIONISM: RESOURCE OF PATHOLOGY

The main trait differing perfectionists from other individuals is high standards, which is the unifying feature in all models. No matter how well the theories and models of perfectionism are developed, there has always been disagreement about the nature of perfectionism – is it 'The Good, the Bad or the Ugly?' The paper aims to review the studies focused on the mechanisms behind perfectionistic representation, its threats to psychological wellbeing, caused by its pathological side, and look into perfectionism as a possible resource for personal growth and achievement. In the first section of the paper, the aetiology of perfectionism is viewed to see if the foundations add to the type of perfectionism formed. In the second section, models of perfectionism are discussed to see their ability to distinguish between adaptive and maladaptive perfections. Finally, in the third section, perfectionism's positive and negative sides are discussed to understand when perfectionism becomes pathological and when it can be viewed as a resource. In the research of perfectionism, the quantitative approach is mostly used. However, the literature review provides the possibility to have an overview of current knowledge on the nature of perfectionism and to identify gaps in the existing research. The results show that although perfectionism may be viewed both as a positive and negative trait, its negative consequences prevail over its possible positive outcomes. Complex research involving several perfectionism measurements is needed to understand the impact of different combinations of perfectionism types on positive and negative outcomes. The findings of the literature review will serve as the theoretical background for studying perfectionism, its pathological traits, and its possible contribution to achievement.

Investigating a trade-off between the quality of nest grown feathers and pace of development in an altricial bird.

Life history theory provides a framework for understanding how trade-offs generate negative trait associations. Among nestling birds, developmental rate, risk of predation, and lifespan covary, but some associations are only found within species while others are only observed between species. A recent comparative study suggests that allocation trade-offs may be alleviated by disinvestment in ephemeral traits, such as nest-grown feathers, that are quickly replaced. However, direct resource allocation trade-offs cannot be inferred from inter-specific trait-associations without complementary intra-specific studies. Here, we asked whether there is evidence for a within-species allocation trade-off between feather quality and developmental speed in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Consistent with the idea that ephemeral traits are deprioritized, nest-grown feathers had lower barb density than adult feathers. However, despite substantial variation in fledging age among nestlings, there was no evidence for a negative association between developmental pace and feather quality. Furthermore, accounting for differences in resource availability by considering provisioning rate and a nest predation treatment did not reveal a trade-off that was masked by variation in resources. Our results are most consistent with the idea that the inter-specific association between development and feather quality arises from adaptive specialization, rather than from a direct allocation trade-off.

Trait–fitness associations do not predict within-species phenotypic evolution over 2 million years

Long-term patterns of phenotypic change are the cumulative results of tens of thousands to millions of years of evolution. Yet, empirical and theoretical studies of phenotypic selection are largely based on contemporary populations. The challenges in studying phenotypic evolution, in particular trait–fitness associations in the deep past, are barriers to linking micro- and macroevolution. Here, we capitalize on the unique opportunity offered by a marine colonial organism commonly preserved in the fossil record to investigate trait–fitness associations over 2 Myr. We use the density of female polymorphs in colonies of Antartothoa tongima as a proxy for fecundity, a fitness component, and investigate multivariate signals of trait–fitness associations in six time intervals on the backdrop of Pleistocene climatic shifts. We detect negative trait–fitness associations for feeding polymorph (autozooid) sizes, positive associations for autozooid shape but no particular relationship between fecundity and brood chamber size. In addition, we demonstrate that long-term trait patterns are explained by palaeoclimate (as approximated by ∂ 18 O), and to a lesser extent by ecological interactions (i.e. overgrowth competition and substrate crowding). Our analyses show that macroevolutionary outcomes of trait evolution are not a simple scaling-up from the trait–fitness associations.

Roles of the MPFC and insula in impression management under social observation

People often engage in impression management by presenting themselves and others as socially desirable. However, specific behavioral manifestations and underlying neural mechanisms of impression management remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the neural mechanism of impression management during self- and friend-evaluation. Only participants assigned to the observation (OBS) group, not the control (CON) group, were informed that their responses would be monitored. They answered how well positive and negative trait adjectives described themselves or their friends. The behavioral results showed that the OBS group was more likely to reject negative traits for self-evaluation and to accept positive traits for friend-evaluation. An independent study revealed that demoting negative traits for oneself and promoting positive traits for a friend helps manage one’s impression. In parallel with the behavioral results, in the OBS vs the CON group, the rostromedial prefrontal cortex (rmPFC) and anterior insula (AI) activity showed a greater increase as the negativity of negatively valenced adjectives increased during self-evaluation and also showed a greater increase as the positivity of positively valenced adjectives increased during friend-evaluation. The present study suggests that rmPFC and AI are critically involved in impression management, promoting socially desirable target evaluations under social observation.