Discursive construction of semiotic models of intercultural communication in terms of borderlands studies: a theoretical conceptualization

The article deals with the semiotic communication models in terms of an substantial scientific basis of sociological analysis of adolescent’s intercultural interaction at the borderlands area. The structure and features of verbal aspects of communicative interaction are revealed. Some communication models are emphasized taking into account the fact that they provide the greatest epistemological potential to explain the interaction of different types of cultures in modern social and cultural circumstances. The dynamics of the construction of semiotic communication models and their theoretical conceptualization have been investigated, in particular, the models of K. Biuller, R. Yakobson, Y. Lotman, S. Paulsen, U. Eko are revealed. The possibilities and limitations of above mentioned models use within the studies of intercultural communication, in particular the epistemological ability of each one models to explain the practices of intercultural interaction of youth groups at the borderlands, are investigated. It is emphasized that K. Biuller's model has the epistemological potential of explaining the processes of intercultural communication at the microlevel and partly at the, mesolevel of social structure, while R. Yakobson's model best reveals the linguistic aspects of intercultural dialogue and understanding. The conceptual vision of the semiotics of intercultural interaction, presented in Y. Lotman's model, is also of special interest in the context of explaining linguistic aspects, but, in our opinion, it practically does not reveal the sociocultural aspects of intercultural communication. It is emphasized that U. Eko's semiotic model of communication has perhaps the most powerful heuristic potential for analyzing the issues chosen by the author (the studies of intercultural interaction of young people at the borderlands), as it reveals the mechanisms of production and dissemination of untruths in communication processes as a component of the communication model, reveals the dimensions of the transformation of the content of the message in the process of its translation from sender to receiver. It is concluded that certain elements of all analyzed models can be epistemologically useful tools for analyzing the processes of intercultural communication of young people at the borderlands, however in terms of the epistemological use the most optimal are semiotic model of communication U. Eko and some statements of R. Yakobson's theory.

Factors of inefficiency of social communication of forced migrants in the host society

The article considers the factors of ineffective social communication between forced migrants and local population in the host society, such as the presence of bias and stereotypes in the relations between communicators; experienced collective trauma, which makes it difficult for forced migrants to create new social contacts, causes a “distrust syndrome” and the adoption of the role of a victim by migrants; the presence of objective differences in needs, which may be perceived differently by the parties of communication as a consequence of different personal experiences; the presence of sociocultural differences between representatives of the host community and forced migrants, which may be caused by the specifics of the local labor market and linguistic traditions. It is emphasized that these factors can affect the perception by forced migrants of several communication contexts, such as physical, social, emotional, thematic ones. It is indicated that in conditions of insufficient awareness of the subjects of communication about each other and about the subject of communication, inference becomes a significant factor in (non)understanding. By “inference” we mean the process of constructing certain knowledge and conclusions about a communication partner (and the subject of discussion) through the use of non-verbal, background channels of communication. Inference can be based both on logical conclusions and on contextual information, sociocultural knowledge, norms and principles of communicative influence. It is concluded that an important factor in successful interaction between migrants and the host community can be a wider involvement of the migrants in solving problems that exist both for themselves and the host community. This can contribute to a deeper understanding of the sociocultural context of life and the needs of each group by representatives of another group.

«THE ORDER OF THE SOCIAL» AS A CATEGORY: OPERATIONALIZATION OPPORTUNITIES

The article reveals the heuristic potential of the category «social order», proposed by the author to study the complexity of social systems. Based on historical and sociological material and conceptual analysis, the author demonstrates the potential of this category from the sociology of knowledge perspective. The problem of operationalization of the category «social order» is analyzed. It is emphasized that the key heuristic in this problem is the isolation and construction of the concept "cardinality of the order», which, by analogy with set theory, is understood as a generalization of the number of elements of order, that is the number of existing or possible connections. The definition, systemic connections and methods of operationalization and indication of the categories «social», «order of social», «cardinality of order» are given and analyzed. A separate accent is placed on the analysis of how the category «cardinality of order» allows us to synthesize micro- and macro-issues of research on the social order. The connection of the social order with freedom as a social construct at the macro level, as well as the structures of order with the event processes at the micro level are the most important plots. In addition, an important plot is the ratio of production and consumption of the social order in terms of growth (differentiation) or decline (dedifferentiation) of order power. The figures of «normal actor» (involved in his daily occurrence), producer and consumer of order of social as factors of dynamics of this order are important in this plot. The possibilities of the sociology of knowledge in the study of the social order are investigated. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of imagination as a way of producing social and social order. The conclusion is formulated on the possibilities and limitations of operationalization and indication of the social order through micro- and macro-parameters.

The Sociological Analysis of the Legislation: the Revision of Traditional Approaches and Proposals for Contemporary Directions

The article is dedicated to the review of traditional approaches and the development of proposals for contemporary sociological analysis of legislation. Analyzing the existing attempts of sociological analysis of legislation, the author concludes that their theoretical and methodological limitations arised from the paradigm of social facts, the dominance of structuralist-positivist research optics, the lack of practice of specific sociological research. This, in the author's opinion, contributes to the informality of the categorical apparatus of sociological research of legislation, legal reduction of the social nature of law within the sociology of law, replacement of the current role of sociologist by a social technologist who is deprived of intellectual freedom and depends on the intentions of the actors of the legislative process. Based on the «Coleman's boat» analytical scheme and J. Ritzer's integrated 4-level social analysis, the author identifies theoretical gaps in the traditional research scheme of sociological analysis of legislation at the macro-subjective and micro-objective levels. The article proposes to modernize the consideration of legislation from the standpoint of socio-cultural approach (as a socio-cultural space that produces, translates and defines a system of values, symbols, meanings, nominations, identifications, rituals, myths) and through the application of the theory of social practices. Based on the context of active legislative changes that causes the emergence of new social phenomena, the author concludes the necessity of theoretically reconstruction the sociological analysis of legislation by strengthening the concept of "social effectiveness of legislation" by risk-analytical perspective. This allows the involvement of all levels of social reality, as well as to identify the hidden and non-obvious social consequences of the introduction, change or repeal of legal norms. On the example of the analysis of the laws of Ukraine "On purififcation of power" and "On voluntary amalgamation of territorial communities" among the potential areas of social risk, the author proposes to identify areas of potential conflict, social disintegration, social inequality, discrimination, accompanying the results of legislative activity.

The conceptualization of new subjectivity and its manifestations in the education sphere in Ukraine

Authors demonstrate that the influence of globalization is contradictory with respect to the socio-cultural sphere and causes transformation of moral and ethical values and changes traditional manifestations of the human capital subjectivity. In this regard, the problem of a new subjectivity arises in scientific discourse, the understanding of which does not contradict the established concept of personality subjectivity, while at the same time supplementing it with the specific psychophysical features of the carriers of this subjectivity. A new subjectivity can manifest (and manifests) itself in a situational change in the ways of self-realization, depending on the circumstances. Under conditions of unpredictability of moral transformation, it is important to direct manifestations of subjectivity in favor of society, while simultaneously preventing negative consequences, and this mission should be performed by state institutions. Using the example of the educational sphere as the most important producer of human capital, it is proved that within the system itself there are carriers of a new subjectivity amongst the best representatives of the pedagogical environment, but they are still not enough for fundamental changes across the country, mainly because of bureaucratic obstacles to pedagogical creativity. It is assumed that the role of the state is crucial for the start of the desired changes in education, and it is advisable to focus on the priority efforts to improve the regulatory framework to release faculty’s creative potential and to provide institutions with modern resources for information and communication technologies. It is argued that in general the state policy of promoting positive manifestations of the new subjectivity will be effective if it relies on the interests of individuals and high-level groups of such subjectivity, using the modern capabilities of information and communication technologies to enhance network interaction between them. This is especially true during the global COVID-19 pandemic, since the activity of the carriers of a new subjectivity can contribute to the stabilization of society.

Cognising the Picture of «Strange Social». Review of the monograph by Alexander Golikov «Fabrication of order. Knowledge in the Constitution of Social»

This paper is devoted to analysis of the monograph written by Alexander Golikov, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Sociology of the Sociological Faculty of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. The author emphasizes the indisputable theoretical significance of reviewed work, focused on the elucidation of the role of knowledge in the constitution of the social, which in the context of globalization, virtualization and individualization of social life acquires the properties of an «unfamiliar social». The monograph pays special attention to the processes of fabrication of various types of knowledge, that is, the creation and dissemination of various knowledge as structural and practical factors in the constitution of the social. It is noted that the author's research strategy is original, constructive and productive both in theoretical and practical sense. It is emphasized that the scientific novelty of the work lies in the conceptualization of the categorical triangle «knowledge – social – order»; in the proposed concept of an internalized Second and a depersonalized Third as «generalized Others»; in clarifying the specifics of communication in the production of sign-symbolic and informational forms of knowledge; in the introduction to scientific circulation the concept of «chronotope of the order of knowledge», etc. At the same time, it is emphasized that this fundamental monograph contains certain controversial provisions. In particular, a clearer definitions are required by: the scientific problem of work, that is, the question of what kind of epistemological inconsistency the author's concept solves; meaningful content of the «fabrication» category; ideological shape of knowledge, as a result of which it becomes one of the components of manipulative social technologies. Despite the remarks, the reviewer notes the significant heuristic potential of A. Golikov's developments, which, in his opinion, is distinguished by a refined professional language, a high level of scientific reliability and innovative content.

Mathematics as a Tool of Manipulation in Modern Society. Review of the book by Cathy O’Neil «Weapons of Math Destruction. How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy»

The article focuses on the analysis of big data phenomenon that by the expansion of information technology has become a challenge for sociology and social statistics. The history of «big data» term origins is presented, the factors of appearance and development of this phenomenon are determined. It is noted that in the sociological perspective big data have not only transformed the methods of obtaining primary sociological information, but also changed the very logic of the study. The author considers that with a help of big data sociology will be able to return to its calling – the creation of a large theory of society, which, in turn, the opportunity to analyze and interpret big data depends on. Emphasis is placed on Cathy O'Neil’s work «Big data. Weapons of Math Destruction…», which concludes that big data construct new forms of inequality in a contemporary world. It is stressed that through the focus of this idea the American researcher analyzes the impact of big data on various spheres of public life: on the educational system, emphasizing the role of university rankings (which definition is not always transparent) in commercialization of higher education, its turning into big business; on the law enforcement system, in particular in a country such as the United States, noting that the mathematical models developed for the country's police have discrimination grounds for poor and «colored» citizens; on the system of employment, credit system, etc. At the same time, she writes that because of big data privacy is disappearing in people's lives, they are increasingly adapting to models of mass behavior, being under the influence of consumer and political (what is especially alarming) marketing. The author of the publication notes that Cathy O'Neil, unfortunately, gives no answer to the question of how it is possible to counteract the manipulative effects of big data. She relies heavily on ethical regulators and recommends to data specialists create models with mandatory forward linkages.

The life safety and victimization in contemporary world: the experience of empirical measurement

The article is devoted to the study of the empirical measurement of indicators of life safety and victimization of society. Attention is focused on the problems of official statistics regarding the reflection of the real state of the spread of crime, as well as the need to determine its prognostic role and its relationship with state policy, which is aimed at countering and preventing certain types of crimes. The article analyses the world experience of conducting victimological research, particularly in Europe and the United States. The features of the domestic research on the problems underlying the security of the population. Outlines their role in modern criminology, victimology, sociology of security and securitology. The relationship between indicators of safety and the victimization of society is analyzed. Based on data obtained through empirical sociological study "Social inequalities: the perception by the Ukrainian society" conducted with the financial support of International Fund "Revival" of the Sociological Association of Ukraine (SAU) (August-September 2017), attempted to evaluate the level of public security in contemporary Ukraine, its differentiated territorially-administrative units according to their level of victimization. Analyzed the performance of the sense of security as a prerequisite of personal development and building interpersonal relations daily activities. It is proved that the state of security of the individual depends on the level of security and level of victimization. Defined the relationship between sense of security and social status of the informants. Systematic data on the prevalence of such crimes as traffic accidents, thefts, robberies, robberies, crimes against life and health. The comparative analysis of data of official regional statistics in relation to specified offences and the results of sociological and victimological research. Conclusions regarding the objective assessment of the crime situation through the existing system of statistical accounting. The prospects for application of the sociological and victimological research to prevent the spread of crime in our country. Attention is accented on the necessity of sociological indicators to assess the extent of latent crime.

Transformation of inclusion / exclusion structures in a globalizing society

The article is devoted to the identification and consideration of the main structures of inclusion / exclusion, as well as the transformation processes that are characteristic of modern society. By analogy with identity, the author identifies the cognitive, conative and affective structures of inclusion / exclusion. The variability of the manifestation of inclusion / exclusion can be different and does not always imply the presence of all three structures. Cognitive is considered as a knowledge level, that is, inclusion in a certain information space. The cognitive structure includes evaluative judgments, opinions about objects. The conative or behavioral structure includes both an intentional readiness for a certain behavior, as well as real actions and actions in relation to the locus of inclusion, as well as participation in its (rep) production. The third structure is the affective, that is, the emotional-evaluative level, the appeal to feelings and emotions, the subjective significance of the locus for the included subject, as well as the determination of positive and negative attitudes towards “we” and “they”. Appeals to these three structures are uneven, so the variability of the manifestation of inclusion can be different and does not always imply the presence of all three. An individual represents inclusion as a pattern of behavior, realizing only the conative aspect. Individuals are involved in a certain activity to the end, not realizing the meaning or background of this action. In a globalizing society, inclusion / exclusion structures are transformed toward an obsessive continuous stream, which, due to its ubiquity, “dissolves”, becomes invisible and inaccessible to reflection and understanding on the part of the individual. The identification of structures allowed us to assume the presence of corresponding elements in all inclusion / exclusion tools, regardless of who or what is the object of inclusion.

School Environment as a Factor of Actualization / Minimization of Adolescents’ Risky Behaviour (According to the Survey of Lviv Region Students)

The article is devoted to the analysis of the connection between the school environment and the manifestations of students’ risky behaviour and their mental health. The study is actual due to the spread of students' risky behaviour in Ukraine and insufficient attention of Ukrainian sociologists to the relationship of educational institutions with the health of community. The authors of the article substantiate the relationship between the characteristics of the school environment and student behaviour and emphasise that the positive school climate is a significant factor in reducing various manifestations of students’ risky behaviour. The authors define “school climate” as a qualitative characteristic of relations between teachers, between students, and between teachers and students, a set of psychological, moral and social conditions that promote or inhibit productive joint activities of school staff, and actualize or minimize socially acceptable or destructive behaviour of youth; “risky behavior” – as a problem or antisocial behaviour manifested as aggression, violence, deviances, crimes, taking psychotropic substances. The empirical basis of the study includes the results of the Ukrainian-Polish survey “Mental Health and Risky Behaviour of Adolescents”, conducted in October – December 2016 among adolescents from Ukraine and Poland, based on the methodology of Polish study on adolescents’ mental health that is more commonly known as the Mokotow Study and has been regularly conducted since the late 1980s. Based on the research results, the authors analyse various aspects of school relationship that influence the school psychological climate. The authors draw particular attention to students' trust to each other, their readiness to help others in problem-solving, providing psychological support as well as the respondents' attitudes towards their school and the way they feel in the school environment. In the obtained data, there prevail respondents' positive evaluation of the school climate. The authors present a correlation analysis that proves a positive relationship between the school climate and students' risky behaviour. The logical regression analysis also shows its influence on the minimising/actualising of students' risky behaviour. The authors demonstrate the decisive role of the family, in particular, children-parents relationship. In conclusion, they formulate the scope of objectives and tasks for the organisation of preventive work in the school and the family.