Basis Of Conflict Research Articles

Perspective: the evolution of hormones and person perception-a quantitative genetic framework.

Evolutionary biology provides a unifying theory for testing hypotheses about the relationship between hormones and person perception. Person perception usually receives attention from the perspective of sexual selection. However, because person perception is one trait in a suite regulated by hormones, univariate approaches are insufficient. In this Perspectives article, quantitative genetics is presented as an important but underutilized framework for testing evolutionary hypotheses within this literature. We note tacit assumptions within the current literature on psychiatric genetics, which imperil the interpretation of findings thus far. As regulators of a diverse manifold of traits, hormones mediate tradeoffs among an array of functions. Hormonal pleiotropy also provides the basis of correlational selection, a process whereby selection on one trait in a hormone-mediated suite generates selection on the others. This architecture provides the basis for conflicts between sexual and natural selection within hormone-mediated suites. Due to its role in person perception, psychiatric disorders, and reproductive physiology, the sex hormone estrogen is highlighted as an exemplar here. The implications of this framework for the evolution of person perception are discussed. Empirical quantification of selection on traits within hormone-mediated suites remains an important gap in this literature with great potential to illuminate the fundamental nature of psychiatric disorders.

The linguistic and communicative aspect of the professional communication of doctors

Implementation of the process of speaking is impossible without communication, that is, the sequence of transmission and reception of information. Approximately half of the doctor's working time is spent on meetings, telephone conversations, communication with patients and colleagues. The ability to speak is his professional duty. A doctor, who knows how to speak creates the impression of an expert in his field, inspires trust in patients, which is a guarantee of successful treatment results.
 A high level of development of professional communication skills will largely determine the effectiveness of a doctor's work, his ability to logically and reasonably express his opinions, establish relationships with colleagues, and create a positive social and psychological microclimate in the team. At the same time, mistakes made in professional communication can hinder the effective performance of a doctor's duties and negatively affect his career. The basis of conflicts that reduce the creative potential of medical personnel is a low level of communicative competence caused by the lack of knowledge about communication and the corresponding communicative skills.
 The main goal of this work is a comprehensive consideration of the linguistic and communicative aspect of the professional communication of doctors. The methods of work involve the study of the mentioned phenomenon of linguistic and communicative skills of doctors, systematization, and correction of the acquired knowledge.

Childfree в репродуктивных стратегиях саратовской молодежи

The intensification of the process of depopulation of the population in Russia, the demographic crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, actualize the importance of the sociological analysis of reproductive behavior “childfree”, especially considering this from the point of view of the prospects of social and family policy of the state. Childfree is interpreted as a voluntary refusal of individuals, married couples from childbearing. According to the results of an empirical study by the method of questioning Saratov youth (the volume of the quota sample was 486 respondents), it is shown that the modern transformation of reproductive relations and parenthood in modern society has led to the fact that voluntary childlessness is not considered as a social deviation and does not act as a basis for conflict in society. The sexual, gender characteristics of young childfree adherents are analyzed. Objective factors (high level of education, median income, nonreligiosity) that contribute to the development of this strategy are revealed. For them, cohabitation and celibacy act as the most comfortable ways of organizing everyday life, although they do not deny the traditional form of marriage. In a pregnancy situation, they are prone to abortion. Children in the representations of childfree supporters are associated primarily with difficulty, fear, loss of freedom, forced denial of material comfort, risk, suffering. Hostility to the children was not revealed. Most of all, they are frightened by great responsibility (91.9%), which demonstrates not so much selfishness as fears of being untenable in this regard

CONFLICT AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES: A STUDY OF ROGER MAKANJUOLA’S ‘WATER MUST FLOW UPHILL: ADVENTURES IN UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION’

<p>Conflict is a fact of life. The tongue-and-mouth dialectical discourse in Yoruba proverb typifies the inevitability of dissonance and dissension in a complex social system. Socialization, therefore, whether primary, anticipatory, professional or re-socialization, is fraught with conflicts. Ideological contestation over socioeconomic policies forms the basis of conflicts in the university in Nigeria. Conflicts in Nigeria has its antecedents in the colonial era (Bakare, K.A., 2021). A scenario of contest is ever constant, when the leadership is perceived as a comprador capitalist by the followership. At the basis of every trade union in Nigeria is the determination to rebuff exploitative capitalism. The university with its demographics, proxemics and vast municipal requirements is prone to conflict in an expansive proportion. Having noted that conflict is a constant variable, it is important to zero down on its management, its mismanagement and its resolution, situating it within a concrete context. In our attempt to show the nuances of conflict in the university estate, we have opted to study realistic episodes of conflicts as captured by a former Chief Medical Director cum Vice-Chancellor of a foremost university in Nigeria. <br />The book, ‘Water must flow uphill’ is an experiential rendition of the abecedarian precepts of leadership and management in two complex organizations. It is a fluid and transparent expose on ‘how to’ and ‘how not to’ manage conflicts in large organizations. Its turbulence, wisdom, severity and chicaneries exemplify the coarse nature of leadership in Nigerian universities and allied estates, as experienced by a viciously honest personality. Militancy, mismanagement, honesty of purpose, leadership botherations; all form the themes of a book which stands out in its attempt to capture unbiased facts. It is a definitive statement on the need for moral and ethical re-alignment in the Nigerian workspace, and the larger society.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0774/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY IN THE CONTEXT OF CONFLICT INTERPRITATIONS

The article analyzes the most important psychological preconditions of a conflict situation on the basis of which the strategy and tactics of people's behavior in case of differences of their interests are formed. The main psychological models of conflict are presented in the study, which is used to interpret sociotypes that highlight the psychological portrait of the individual in the perspective of modernity. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the causal dysfunctions in the implementation of conflict situations and highlight ideas for avoiding conflict demonstrated by the individual. The study used the Keirsey questionnaire to assess the temperament of participants and K. N. Thomas' methodology to determine their typical ways of responding to a conflict situation, which identified the tendency of sociotypes to rivalry and cooperation, the desire for compromise, conflict avoidance and flexibility in decision making. The article considers a concept of personality types and their interaction in the structure of interpersonal relationships. According to the methodology of D. Keirsey, which is based on the typology of Carl Jung and the theory of information metabolism of A. Kempynsky, there are 16 types of information sharing between individuals. The formation of a sensitive image of a person as an adequate information subject characterizes the problem of defining a person’s personality in a continuous flow of information, communicative perceptions, innovative competencies and different value systems. Having followed the method of K. N. Thomas that is designed to determine the typical ways of individuals’ responds to conflict situations, we determine an inclination of the above mentioned sociotypes to competition and cooperation, as well as desire to compromise and avoid conflicts, and flexibility in decision making. In the framework of the Socionic model, the subjects of information influences make adequate assessment of their potential, find appropriate ways of self-realization, competitively and objectively perceive the abilities of others in order to form a harmonious relationship with them. The problem that arises in a conflict always stands in the way of the implementation of goals, which refer to both the interests and fears of person. Barriers that work against the implementation of needs and interests in a conflict are always associated with communication, since other people’s activities are often perceived as a dissonance of individual and his/her environment. A mixture of contradictions caused by different types of experience and behavior, character traits and other factors of interpersonal interaction provide the basis of conflict. The conceptual importance of personality covers a wide range of internal mental processes that determine the features of human behavior in different situations. The objective conflict management is the only way that leads to positive dynamics in the conflict of interest, with the main criterion being the ability to compromise, based on the understanding that contradictions can give ground to the development that, in its turn, can bring about effective cooperation.

Methodological problems of interdisciplinary peace research

The increase in international tensions and the threat of global selfdestruction has determined the appearance of new interdisciplinary sciences aimed to investigate ways of contradictions resolving and raising the peace process’s effectiveness. Since the Second World War, issues of peace have become the object of study for several disciplines: polemology, eirenology, conflict resolution, and peace studies. They coexisted and rivalled in questions of methods and ways of cognition and achievement of peace. From 1960 to 1980, peace studies had been taking the first place. It had broadened and deepened the object and methods of peace research and been transformed into a separate interdisciplinary scientific field for studying and analyzing the preconditions for forging a lasting peace. Peace studies has combined conflict studies, development studies, philosophical-ethical reflections, historical context, and the international relations theory. Within peace research, two main schools have coalesced. The American traditional school (J. Burton) went in for peace keeping through predominantly analyzing international relations, arms control, disarmament, balance of power, and methods to establish peace „from the top”. The Scandinavian critical school (J. Galtung, B. V. A. Rolling, K. Boulding), based on updated social doctrine of the catholic church (the encyclicals of Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI), studied the underlying basis of conflict, having developed the theory of positive peace as a state of absence of not only direct but also of structural violence. Since the beginning of the 21st century, over 300 academic institutions and universities have been engaged in peace studies. Current peace research focuses on problems of global climate change, terrorism, sustainable development, failed states, and violation of human rights. At the same time, unsteady terminology is a significant problem of peace studies. R. Seidelman spoke about peace studies as a discipline in its infant stage. Evidently, a hybrid type of warfare, novel compound risks and threats to international security will promote the appearance of new directions of peace research. Key words: war, conflict, peace studies, peace research, peace process, conflict resolution, polemology.

Memory Politics: US

Conflicts about the Past are no less characteristic of the United States than of European countries, although there they are more often referred to as a variant of culture wars. They are especially pronounced during periods of internal political crises, since the role of foreign policy in American discourse is almost negligible. Thus, memory of the World War II in the United States was used to unite the nation and did not, unlike in many European countries, become a basis for conflict with its neighbors. The article demonstrates how the two harshest conflicts over the Past in the last quarter century were connected with the crises, first of the Republican Party (the case of the Enola Gay exhibition in 1995), and then the Democratic Party (the case of the removal of Confederate monuments in 2017). The attack on the symbols of the Past after they ascribed to them negative meanings allows activists to mobilize supporters and overcome the ideological vacuum characteristic of a critical period. In other cases, both regarding the foreign policy “apologies for the USA” or the protests of the Italo-Americans after the authorities’ rejection to commemorate Christopher Columbus, conflicts did not acquire national character.

Exploring the unique contributions of nurses from different cultural groups in South Africa

Orientation: Diverse backgrounds often become the basis for conflict, separation and mistrust in the workplace. The unique quality that each culture contributes to the workplace is often misjudged as differences or annoying habits. Research purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the unique contributions of different cultural groups in the workplace. Motivation for the study: One cannot appreciate diversity if one does not know what there is to appreciate. Empirical research regarding the unique contributions of different cultural groups in South Africa is lacking. Research approach/design and method: A qualitative descriptive design was followed. The sample comprised of nurses ( N = 17) from two hospitals within the North West Province. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Main findings: The participants did not have a clear understanding of what constitutes culture. Most participants were unaware of the unique contributions their colleagues from different cultures can offer to the workplace. The vast majority of participants expressed a need for cultural training in an attempt to improve colleague relationships and to foster an appreciation for cultural contributions. Practical/managerial implications: Participants do not have a clear understanding of what unique contributions different cultures bring to the workplace. This is alarming and poses great threats for the effective management of diversity. Contribution/value-add: This study identifies a lack of appreciation for cultures as one explanation for poor diversity management. This study highlights the need for training and other diversity initiatives to foster an appreciation for diversity.

The East Asian Economy Post-rebalancing: Domestic Demand-led Growth, Social Security, and Inequality

East Asian, including ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), countries have pursued the export-oriented development strategies, attracting foreign direct investment and promoting export-driven growth. However, after the Lehman shock, these countries adopted rebalancing policies from export-driven growth to domestic demand-driven growth. Chinese measures to promote domestic demand since 2008 had succeeded in boosting the economy until 2011 with domestic investments and increase in consumption. Chinese economic growth until 2011–2012 made possible an international commodity boom that resulted in the economic development of Malaysia and Indonesia. However, since 2012, the Chinese economy has been suffering from excess capacity and bad loans, hence ending the international commodity boom. ASEAN countries promptly started rebalancing by cutting back on their reliance on exports and increasing domestic investment and consumption, with variation among the countries. ASEAN countries pursued inclusive policies such as education, medical care, and social security. These policies promoted consumption and investment, helping grow the middle class. However, technological progress, globalization, and market-oriented reforms have also been the driving inequality in many Asian countries in the last two decades, and these forces have changed income distribution through three channels, namely, capital, skill, and spatial bias. Inequality created by conventional development strategies in this region has become the basis for conflicts among the region’s different economic strata. Inequality has had the effect of depressing investment—and thus growth—by fueling economic, financial, and political instability.

The US and the Emergence of Islamic State (IS): The Paradox of America’s War on Terror

This research work studies “The US and the Emergence of Islamic State (IS): The Paradox of America’s War on Terror”. One cannot study the history of the contemporary Islamic terrorism without the involvement of the US. This is because the US has always been at the front burner of the war for and against terror, depending on the situation at a particular point in time. The emergence of Islamic State (IS) has given more impetus to international terrorism, chaos is spreading from the Middle East to other parts of the world as hundreds of thousands of Syrian and Iraqi refugees pour into other regions of the world especially Europe for refuge. Over the last decade, millions of Iraqis and Syrians have fled their homes. Many also have been killed in this campaign of Islamic terror. This work moves from cataloguing the activities of the IS to a historical analysis of how the US invasion of Iraq led to the monster we today call IS. This work is guided by the psycho-cultural theory of conflicts, this theory is adopted as result of the fact that it is a psychoanalytical tool that addresses violence at a personal, cultural and psychological level. The psycho-cultural theory of conflicts contends that psychological, religious and other cultural and identity based contradictions are the basis of conflict in the society. This work hence discovers that the US invasion of Iraq is the chief cause of the IS led violent conflict going on in the Middle East presently. The reason for the invasion and the sectarian favouritism the US extended to the Shia population spurred the Sunni who felt short-changed into what we now call IS terror campaign. Secondly, the Abu Ghraib prison torture scandal, which involved the US armed forces had a radicalising effect on the Iraqi Sunni population and members of the deposed Hussein’s secular Baath Party. Finally, a sizeable number of the prisoners in the US detentionfacilities in Iraq during the occupation were Islamic extremists and former members of the deposed Saddam Hussein’s secular Baath Party who converted to radical Islam in American prisons. Thus when the occupation ended, these men had every reason to pick up arms to create an Islamic State where they will feel safer. This work, based on the findings, concludes by proposing recommendations on how the threat posed by IS could be ameliorated, and also how to prevent the emergence of such a large scale terror campaign in the future.

Rapid urbanization of red foxes in Estonia: distribution, behaviour, attacks on domestic animals, and health-risks related to zoonotic diseases.

Urban areas are becoming increasingly important for wildlife as diminishing natural habitats no longer represent a suitable environment for many species. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are nowadays common in many cities worldwide, and in recent years they have colonized urban areas in Estonia. We used a public web-based questionnaire approach to evaluate the distribution and behaviour of Estonian urban foxes, to detect related problems and to assess health risks to humans and domestic animals. In total, 1205 responses were collected throughout the country. Foxes have colonized the majority of Estonian towns (33 out of 47) in a relatively short period of time, and have already established breeding dens in several towns. Despite their recent arrival, the behaviour of Estonian urban foxes is similar to that reported in longer-established urban fox populations: they are mostly active during night-time, often visit city centres and some also have dens in such locations. Certain characteristics of urban foxes serve as a basis for conflict with humans: foxes have entered houses and attacked domestic animals, killing cats and poultry. About 8% of reported foxes exhibited symptoms of sarcoptic mange, a disease that also infects domestic animals, especially dogs. The proportion of mange-infected foxes was higher in large urban areas. In addition to mange, a substantial fraction of red foxes in Estonia are known to be infected with the life-threatening tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis. Therefore, urban foxes may represent a source of serious infectious disease for pets and humans.

Margo L. Lyon, Bases of Conflict in Rural Java Rex Mortimer, The Indonesian Communist Party and Land Reform 1959-65

Margo L. Lyon, Bases of Conflict in Rural Java Rex Mortimer, The Indonesian Communist Party and Land Reform 1959-65

Social Creativity in Olympic Medal Counts: Observing the Expression of Ethnocentric Fairness

Although fairness rules provide a basis for conflict resolution, social and psychological processes can lead people to use these rules flexibly to allow their own groups to compare favorably relative to other groups. In two studies, we examined the expression of such ethnocentric fairness in the context of the Olympic Games. Participants rated the fairness of different methods of determining relative rankings of countries’ performances. Results showed that participants used fairness rules flexibly in ways likely to enhance the relative standing of their own country. Thus, even in this context of normative intergroup harmony, fairness rules can be a basis for intergroup conflict. We conclude that fairness rules are best understood as dynamic constructions reflecting the realities of social life and identity-related processes involved in negotiating that social life.

Breaking the Dynamics of Emotions and Fear in Conflict and Reconstruction

AbstractThis paper is all about the construction of a new analytical framework to understand conflict and cooperation both at the international and at the domestic level with the aim of then finding mechanisms to reduce tensions and initiate conflict resolution schemes. The existing research literature on such analytical frameworks has so far been conducted a) mostly on standard social science disciplinary lines and has not incorporated the important work done on these questions by neuro-scientists and behavioral geneticists and b) is not really capable except in very specific instances to deal with the evolving dynamics of conflict and cooperation. Conflict over scarce resources (territory, mates, food) between members of the same species is a universal feature of evolution. Often conflict, especially armed conflict is supposed to be due to shows of force by two or more parties in order to appropriate or dominate resources. Force appears thus not to be the only decisive factor; perceived entitlement and powerful feelings of injustice thereby generated in the case of challenge, extended to group identity are also at the basis of conflict and aggression in humans. The relationship between environment and conflict, the role of emotions such as fear, and the absence of clear definition and enforcement of property rights within societies are also factors in the development of conflict. Thus we have here developed an analytically based numerical model that aims to include finding on these topics by Neuroscience and to emphasize the role of emotions in conflict and cooperation dynamics. This model has been simulated without specific reference to a particular country with the result that economic conditions drive our system since in one case sustained growth produces stability and end of combats whereas deteriorating capital growth and GDP collapse lead to increased hostile coalition participation and more fighting. However, the mere trigger of economic conditions is insufficient to explain conflict escalation, which results from increased participation in mutually hostile coalitions and greater fighting propensity where emotions such as fear and resentment play their role. Finally a detailed empirical analysis of the current Syrian conflict has been undertaken which shows the ability of the model to forecast actual historical developments. This study also indicates that worsening economic conditions are not the only triggering factors in civil conflict. Perceptions of opportunities due to a weakening of a regime’s authority also play a major role.

Circle of friends: unravelling the networks of peacebuilding in Northern Ireland

Ridding societies of the scourge of violence is a primary concern for practitioners, funders and observers of peace processes. Addressing, in a comprehensive way, segregation, division and deep-seated mistrust requires targeted and penetrating application of models of change in terms of the structural and relationship bases of conflict. Predicated on the interwoven relationships that bind macro, meso and micro actors to the common purpose of building peace we argue that the fruitfulness of relationships serves to create enterprise, employment and activity yet the consequence of peacebuilding remains ambiguous. We contend that the withdrawal of the macro level – international donors – from the Northern Ireland context has prompted concerns that are both new-fangled and problematic: the tools, language and instruments of peacebuilding are being redressed to fit a context which is characterised by the persistence of conflict dynamics coupled with a vast reduction in funding for the community and voluntary sector peacebuilders.

The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Promotion of Good Employer-Employee Relations in Nigeria Local Government Service in the 21st Century

The work is about improving the working relationship between the management which represents the employer and the workers that represent the employees in the local government service system. The main objective of the work is how to address the high level of suspicion on the organization which had characterized the relationship between the labour (workers) and management in the local government service at present in Nigeria. This has been responsible for low output performance at this third tier level of government in Nigeria.The study adopted a theoretical framework of analysis which helped, in explaining the causes of the constant struggle, mutual suspicion, antagonism and hatred which had existed between labour and management in organizations, especially as it applied to the local government service in Nigeria today. The theoretical framework adopted was the scientific management theory as propounded by Frederick Taylor in 1911.This theory apart from explaining the basis of conflict between labour and management in organization; also proffered some possible solutions on how such conflicts can be amicably and mutually resolved to the benefit of both parties. The major findings of the work showed there are so much antagonism and inefficiency within the local government service in Nigeria today. This had been attributed to the fact that labour and management are permanent enemies, and both struggle to undermine each other’s efforts. The solution to the problem as identified in the work lies in the promotion of good employer-employee relationship in the local government service through the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) playing some expected positive roles. Some of these expected positive roles by NULGE amongst other things have been aptly captured and discussed in the main body of the work.

Conflict and advertising planning: consequences of networking for advertising planning

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore the tensions and basis for conflict within relationships that embed and connect networked companies involved in the planning of advertising, with broader relevance for professional service organizations.Design/methodology/approachFramed within a social network perspective, this interpretive study draws on 22 in‐depth interviews to discuss the emergence and consequences of conflict within relationships shared by advertising creatives, account managers, researchers and media planners located in Scotland.FindingsThe paper identifies four dominant themes which contribute toward relational conflict: the intensity of involvement in advertising planning, the emergence of role ambiguity, cultural stereotyping, and conflicts of interest.Originality/valueThe paper provides a valuable antidote to studies reliant on dyadic client‐agency perspectives. Adopting a network perspective, it recognizes the importance of the multiple, simultaneous relationships involved in advertising planning. It offers a critical perspective on advertising relationships, considering the emergence, characteristics and consequences of tension and conflict inherent. The discussion reveals ongoing struggles for control over the process of advertising planning, and considers the implications of overt and covert actions on perceptions of network trust. The paper provides a spectrum of outcomes, ranging from collaborative tension to intra‐organisational conflict. This study is most relevant to academics and managers involved in professional services.

CLASS IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

ABSTRACT This paper identifies classes using evidence from surveys taken in 2009 among nationally representative samples of approximately 2000 households from each of the three South Caucasus countries –Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Information on employment, education and income is used to identify clusters of both individuals and households, in each case a middle class, a working class and a lower class. Using individual classification, the lower classes are the largest classes in each country, which therefore appear to have pyramid-shaped class structures. However, classifying households gives the class structures a diamond shape, with larger working classes than either middle classes or lower classes. The evidence shows that the main differences between classes of households lie in their standards of living, and are driven by differences in income levels. The main differences between classes of individuals are driven primarily by education, which result in differences in attitudes and (to some extent) individual lifestyles. It is argued that in economic and socio-political terms there are as yet just two real classes among actual and potential employees in the South Caucasus –middle classes and lower classes –and that although these classes differ in their standards of living and political dispositions, these are unlikely to become bases for conflict between them.

Brain Potentials of Conflict and Error-Likelihood Following Errorful and Errorless Learning in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

BackgroundThe anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is thought to be overacting in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) reflecting an enhanced action monitoring system. However, influences of conflict and error-likelihood have not been explored. Here, the error-related negativity (ERN) originating in ACC served as a measure of conflict and error-likelihood during memory recognition following different learning modes. Errorless learning prevents the generation of false memory candidates and has been shown to be superior to trial-and-error-learning. The latter, errorful learning, introduces false memory candidates which interfere with correct information in later recognition leading to enhanced conflict processing.Methodology/Principal FindingsSixteen OCD patients according to DSM-IV criteria and 16 closely matched healthy controls participated voluntarily in the event-related potential study. Both, OCD- and control group showed enhanced memory performance following errorless compared to errorful learning. Nevertheless, response-locked data showed clear modulations of the ERN amplitude. OCD patients compared to controls showed an increased error-likelihood effect after errorless learning. However, with increased conflict after errorful learning, OCD patients showed a reduced error-likelihood effect in contrast to controls who showed an increase.Conclusion/SignificanceThe increase of the errorlikelihood effect for OCD patients within low conflict situations (recognition after errorless learning) might be conceptualized as a hyperactive monitoring system. However, within high conflict situations (recognition after EF-learning) the opposite effect was observed: whereas the control group showed an increased error-likelihood effect, the OCD group showed a reduction of the error-likelihood effect based on altered ACC learning rates in response to errors. These findings support theoretical frameworks explaining differences in ACC activity on the basis of conflict and perceived error-likelihood as influenced by individual error learning rate.

Compliance and Non-compliance with International Human Rights Standards: Overplaying the Cultural

This paper interrogates a ‘positive’ view of culture’s (potential) role in widening compliance with international human rights standards, which (1) concentrates on the ‘cultural’ bases of conflict over rights and, in consequence, (2) focuses primarily on cultural interpretation as a means of achieving greater respect for rights norms. The thrust of the paper is that the relationship between culture and human rights norms is much more complex than this positive perspective implies and, this being so, that some of its claims about the potential benefits of cultural interpretation for widening rights compliance are hard to sustain. I substantiate this argument by exploring five challenges to this approach.