Theory Of Connectedness Research Articles

An integrative approach to examining the celebrity endorsement process in shaping affective destination image: A K-pop culture perspectives

With the growing importance of celebrity endorsement in destination promotions, this study investigated how destination image is developed through the celebrity endorsement process by integrating the meaning transfer model (MTM), social connectedness theory, and self-expansion theory into a conceptual framework. Based on a scenario-based online survey, a sample drawn from the audience of Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) revealed a significant sequential meaning transfer process: pre-endorsement of celebrity meaning (connectedness), endorsement of transfer (celebrity-endorsed destination advertisement), and post-endorsement of response (affective destination image). The latent moderated structural equation modeling further uncovered the crucial moderating role of self-expansion in the process, particularly between celebrity endorsement and affective destination image. Through the lens of the MTM, this study provides a holistic view of the celebrity endorsement process in the destination setting. This study contributes to expanding research on celebrity endorsement within pop culture tourism and provides practical implications for destination marketers and organizers.

Psychosocial needs of parents of infants admitted to neonatal care: A qualitative study

This study aimed to explore the psychosocial needs of parents whose infants required neonatal care and to identify strategies to optimise parental psychosocial wellbeing. An exploratory qualitative study, comprising semi-structured interviews was undertaken with nineteen parents (mothers = 16, fathers = 3). The data were analysed thematically, and three themes and associated subthemes highlight interlinking issues in terms of parents’ needs for stability during a time of uncertainty; their needs for connection with staff, other parents, and their infant; and a need for flexibility in the type, and timing of support. Social connectedness theory offers a lens for how psychosocial support can be provided during neonatal care. This requires opportunities for parents to socialise and receive information, instrumental and/or emotional forms of social support via staff and peers, and to create a sense of belonging and value as parents.

Nearest-neighbor connectedness theory: A general approach to continuum percolation.

We introduce a method to estimate continuum percolation thresholds and illustrate its usefulness by investigating geometric percolation of noninteracting line segments and disks in two spatial dimensions. These examples serve as models for electrical percolation of elongated and flat nanofillers in thin film composites. While the standard contact volume argument and extensions thereof in connectedness percolation theory yield accurate predictions for slender nanofillers in three dimensions, they fail to do so in two dimensions, making our test a stringent one. In fact, neither a systematic order-by-order correction to the standard argument nor invoking the connectedness version of the Percus-Yevick approximation yield significant improvements for either type of particle. Making use of simple geometric considerations, our new method predicts a percolation threshold of ρ_{c}l^{2}≈5.83 for segments of length l, which is close to the ρ_{c}l^{2}≈5.64 found in Monte Carlo simulations. For disks of area a we find ρ_{c}a≈1.00, close to the Monte Carlo result of ρ_{c}a≈1.13. We discuss the shortcomings of the conventional approaches and explain how usage of the nearest-neighbor distribution in our method bypasses those complications.

Symmetric connectedness in $T_0$-quasi-metric spaces

We continue the study of asymmetry in $T_0$-quasi-metric spaces. In this context we introduce the property of symmetric connectedness for a $T_0$-quasi-metric space. We present some methods in order to find the symmetrically connected pairs of a $T_0$-quasi-metric space. We also show that the problem to determine the symmetry components of points turns out to be easier when formulated for the induced $T_0$-quasi-metric of an asymmetrically normed real vector space. In addition, as a kind of opposite to the notion of a metric space, we define antisymmetric $T_0$-quasi-metric spaces. Subsequently some useful results about antisymmetry can be emphasized by describing the property of antisymmetric connectedness for a $T_0$-quasi-metric space. Finally, we observe that there are natural relations between the theory of (anti)symmetrically connected $T_0$-quasi-metric spaces and the theory of connectedness in the sense of graph theory.

Encouraging Environmental Commitment to Sustainability: An Empirical Study of Environmental Connectedness Theory to Undergraduate Students

Environmental commitment to sustainability is one of the most critical issues in the “emerging contaminants”, few studies have examined the role of commitment to pro-environmental behavior and environmental concerns. This study aimed to explore the relationship between environmental commitment and three forms of emotional association: place attachment and social identity, connectedness and concerned about nature. Using 1288 respondents and a structural equation modeling approach, results show that connection to nature enhanced social identity, place attachment, and environmental concern, which in turn increased environmental commitment to sustainability. Place attachment was not related to environmental commitment to sustainability. Further analysis suggested that the theoretical model relationship between connection to nature and environmental commitment to sustainability was mediated by social identity and environmental concern. The findings of this research can offer guidelines for policy makers and green educators who evaluate an environmental commitment so as to provide proper beliefs association with nature and promote social identity and place attachment by emerging contaminants in educational activities. This demonstrates the importance of using a series of robustness of social identity and place attachment instruments and more environmental concern to promote environmental commitment to sustainability. Interpretation of the findings reveals the potential role that environmental commitment to sustainability can play as a hub and catalyst for major emerging contaminants change by fostering recognition of environmental commitment as a way of change and combine schools and government sectors to connect the micro- and macro-levels.

Alcohol and social connectedness for new residential university students: implications for alcohol harm reduction

ABSTRACTStarting university is a significant life-event, commonly involving detachment from existing social networks and emotional stresses that increase risk of drop-out. The developmental need to form new peer relationships is prominent during this period and is correlated with successful adaptation. This study investigated the role of alcohol in the process of transition and peer group development for new students. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews is presented, conducted within a broader instrumental case study of campus approaches to alcohol policy and management. Twenty-three first-year students participated in interviews lasting between 45–60 minutes. Verbatim transcription was followed by within- and cross-case analysis. Drawing on social connectedness theory, we illustrate how pre-arrival concern over new peer relationships was subsequently reduced by drinking together. This reinforced participant perceptions of alcohol as beneficial for hastening development of social connections, in turn reducing anxiety and supporting successful transition. For non-/low-drinkers in the study, social connectedness without alcohol use was reported as more challenging. Alcohol was perceived as a readily-available, effective tool for hastening social connectedness, increasing student resistance to alcohol education messages provided at the start of term. Implications for addressing alcohol-related harms in students are discussed.

Employee workplace spirituality and pro-environmental behavior in the hotel industry

ABSTRACTPro-environmental behaviors in the workplace are less investigated than those in the public and private spheres. With this in mind, and through the values framework of workplace spirituality (WPS), synthesizing the theories of connectedness and organizational citizenship, the current study proposed a theoretical model to gauge the influence of WPS, a relatively new area of inquiry in organizational research and a neglected field in tourism and hospitality, on hotel employees’ organizational citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE). In this framework, the emerging concept of connectedness to nature (CNS) – a strong cognitive and affective predictor of pro-environmental behavior – was depicted as a mediator, and the construct of environmental awareness (EA) was deemed a moderator. The intended model received support through empirical testing, and results confirmed that WPS is significantly associated with employees’ OCBE, and CNS indirectly affects the relationship between WPS and OCBE, while EA functions as a booster. The theoretical and practical implications of the study were discussed, and a series of contributory managerial implications were described accordingly.

‘I Can't Settle If It's Not Tidy; I Blame that on My Mum’: Exploring Women's Relational Household Work Narratives

Household work literature has highlighted the importance of mothers to their daughters’ accounts of their household work practice, arguing that women can both aim to emulate and avoid particular practices in their own household work. This paper further explores this topic, drawing on a small-scale qualitative study to explore the self-narratives that two generations of mothers construct around the theme of household work. It looks particularly at how accounts of household work practices are incorporated into broader stories of growing up and taking responsibility, and the relevance of discourses of individualisation, and the notion of reflexive biographies to these explanations. This article also draws on theories of connectedness to show how self-narratives around the theme of household work reflect different forms of relationality, and to argue that a concept of relational selves is useful for making sense of these narratives.

Why don't you like me? Midfrontal theta power in response to unexpected peer rejection feedback

Social connectedness theory posits that the brain processes social rejection as a threat to survival. Recent electrophysiological evidence suggests that midfrontal theta (4–8Hz) oscillations in the EEG provide a window on the processing of social rejection. Here we examined midfrontal theta dynamics (power and inter-trial phase synchrony) during the processing of social evaluative feedback. We employed the Social Judgment paradigm in which 56 undergraduate women (mean age=19.67 years) were asked to communicate their expectancies about being liked vs. disliked by unknown peers. Expectancies were followed by feedback indicating social acceptance vs. rejection. Results revealed a significant increase in EEG theta power to unexpected social rejection feedback. This EEG theta response could be source-localized to brain regions typically reported during activation of the saliency network (i.e., dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, insula, inferior frontal gyrus, frontal pole, and the supplementary motor area). Theta phase dynamics mimicked the behavior of the time-domain averaged feedback-related negativity (FRN) by showing stronger phase synchrony for feedback that was unexpected vs. expected. Theta phase, however, differed from the FRN by also displaying stronger phase synchrony in response to rejection vs. acceptance feedback. Together, this study highlights distinct roles for midfrontal theta power and phase synchrony in response to social evaluative feedback. Our findings contribute to the literature by showing that midfrontal theta oscillatory power is sensitive to social rejection but only when peer rejection is unexpected, and this theta response is governed by a widely distributed neural network implicated in saliency detection and conflict monitoring.

Theory of Connectedness through Social Networking towards Well-Being of Senior Citizens

Some of researches have been conducted investigating the benefits of connectedness to people’s well-being. However, limited researches are made about the impact of connectedness on senior citizens having social networks with their families and friends. This study, therefore, examined the effects of digital and non-digital forms of social networking on senior citizens’ well-being. The participants were taken from Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, and they were selected through purposive sampling and snowball technique. The research used the phenomenological method and pre-experimental design using pretest and posttest assessments. In this study, the theory of connectedness was developed by establishing axioms and propositions. The theory suggests that human beings need others to socialize and relate with. It proposes that connectedness through social networking using the digital form (facebook, skype, chats, and email) and the non-digital form (face-to-face interactions) a positive impact on the senior citizens’ well-being. Keywords - Geriatric Nursing, acceptance, aging, phenomenology, case study, quasiexperimental design, Ozamiz City, Philippines

Has Reality Television Come of Age as a Promotional Platform? Modeling the Endorsement Effectiveness of Celebreality and Reality Stars

ABSTRACTReality television programming (RTVP) was once simply an innovative entertainment phenomenon. But RTVP also has recently evolved into a mainstream promotional platform. Two new forms of celebrities arose during this progression: “reality” and “celebreality” stars. This study, which is grounded in connectedness theory, addresses an unresolved issue related to the use of celebrity endorsers, that is, how endorsers’ status as reality or celebreality stars influences viewers’ perceptions of, beliefs about, and purchase intentions toward products they endorse. These relationships were examined through SEM, as were the effects of viewers’ connectedness to RTVP stars and their perceptions regarding whether RTVPs are authentic. Four primary findings emerged. The observation that reality impacted viewer connectedness and that connectedness and authenticity impacted viewers’ purchase intentions (endorsement effectiveness) revealed various practical and theoretical contributions, as did the observation that endorsers’ celebreality or reality star status moderated each of these relationships.

Work in nature: An opportunity for social reconnection for female community sentenced offenders?

Objective: To explore connectedness to the natural and social worlds across three female-only groups, offenders, non-offenders and nature lovers. Design: A mixed methods questionnaire survey design exploring the extent to which group members differed on self rated social and natural connectedness was employed. The constructs of connectedness to nature and social connectedness were predicted to correlate. Methods: 630 participants completed a four part survey. The survey included demographic details, a nature connectedness scale, a social connectedness scale and a qualitative question asking participants to reflect on how they felt when in nature. Results: Analysis revealed significant differences between the groups in terms of their self rated connectedness to nature and to the social world. Nature lovers were found to be more connected to both the natural and social worlds than either of the other two groups. Offenders were found to be less connected to both the natural and social worlds than either of the other two groups. A correlational analysis revealed a positive correlation between connectedness to nature and social connectedness suggesting that the stronger an individual’s connectedness to nature, the stronger their connection to the social world. Conclusions: The findings were discussed in the context of social connectedness theory. Future applications of the findings to work with female offenders were also mooted. Future research exploring the possibility that the ability to connect is mediated by levels of physiological arousal and anxiety has been proposed.

Sameness and the self: philosophical and psychological considerations.

In this paper I examine the concept of cross-temporal personal identity (diachronicity). This particular form of identity has vexed theorists for centuries—e.g., how can a person maintain a belief in the sameness of self over time in the face of continual psychological and physical change? I first discuss various forms of the sameness relation and the criteria that justify their application. I then examine philosophical and psychological treatments of personal diachronicity (for example, Locke's psychological connectedness theory; the role of episodic memory) and find each lacking on logical grounds, empirical grounds or both. I conclude that to achieve a successful resolution of the issue of the self as a temporal continuant we need to draw a sharp distinction between the feeling of the sameness of one's self and the evidence marshaled in support of that feeling.

Pedagogy Redefined: Frameworks of Learning Approaches Prevalent in the Current Digital Information Age

This paper attempts to delineate the frameworks of learner-centered vis-a-vis teacher-centered processes of learning prevalent in the second decade of the twenty-first century. It defines the pedagogical changes that have emerged due tothe development of delivery technologies, and the interrelations among teachers, students, and knowledge. The paper clarifies the following frameworks of learning approaches: learner-centered yet teacher-determined pre-web pedagogy, the multi-directed web 1.0 learning (andragogy), the learner-determined web 2.0 learning (heutagogy), and the network-directed web 3.0 learning (paragogy). The difference between the pedagogy and andragogy paradigms is succinctly that the first is child-centered, while the second is adult-centered. The difference between the heutagogy and paragogy paradigms is a matter of degree of maturity and autonomy, as well as self-direction versus instructor-control. Paragogy requires more autonomy and self-direction. A study conducted at Philadelphia UniversityJordan, revealed that 62% of faculty members surveyed considered themselves performing the role of andragogy (Teacher Multi-directed Adult Learning paradigm), 21% appeared to perform that of the pedagogy paradigm (preweb or Teacher Uni-directed Student Learning paradigm), while 12% said that they perform the role of heutagogy (Selfdirected Learning paradigm), and 5% that of paragogy (Network-directed Learning paradigm). This paper also tries to outline the basic theories of connectedness and collaboration, as well as the four stages of development of the learning processes, ranging from pre-web learning styles (comprising traditional, radio learning. Video books, and computer– assisted learning styles), web 1.0 (including electronic and blended learning styles), web 2.0 (making mobile and ubiquitous learning styles possible), and web 3.0 (facilitating the pervasive learning style). It describes the impact of new social software technologies upon teacher-knowledge, learner-knowledge, teacher–learner relations, and social networking. The main contribution of this paper is one of awareness that the traditional role of faculty members operating in pre-web content-based situations has become obsolete and improper. It clarifies the frameworks of selfdetermined life-long learning that made educational institutions redefine the packages of services they offer, and procure the infrastructure required to perform their duties in the current digital age. Redefinition of pedagogy to meet requirements of the twenty-first century students seems to be a must, and should form an integral part of any professional

Connectedness to nature, place attachment and conservation behaviour: Testing connectedness theory among farmers

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between pro-environmental behaviour and two forms of emotional association: attachment to place and connectedness to nature. This relationship is explored in the context of farmers' management of native vegetation on their properties. A postal survey was conducted to measure the extent to which farmers felt connected to nature and to their property. The survey also measured vegetation management behaviours and associated valued outcomes. A total of 141 farmers in northwest Victoria, Australia, completed the survey. Results showed that vegetation protection behaviours increased with connectedness to nature (CNS), although CNS accounted for only a modest amount of the variation in behaviour. Place attachment was not related to management behaviours. Further analysis suggested that the relationship between CNS and management behaviour was mediated by importance given to environmental benefits of vegetation management. The findings lend weight to studies showing a relationship between CNS and more simple conservation behaviours (e.g. recycling). The findings are also consistent with frameworks suggesting that emotional association with nature leads to an expanded sense of self and greater valuing of non-human species, and so to pro-environment behaviour. This demonstrates the importance of using a range of instrumental and more affective strategies to promote conservation behaviours.

Health and Wholeness from Topology to Laughter: Notes Toward a Theory of Connectedness

Health and Wholeness from Topology to Laughter: Notes Toward a Theory of Connectedness

Clustering and continuum percolation of hard spheres near a hard wall: Monte Carlo simulation and connectedness theory

The effect of a hard wall on the clustering and continuum percolation of a hard spheres fluid is studied using Monte Carlo simulations and connectedness theory. We calculate an averaged pair-connectedness function ρ†(r;z) which is the probability density of finding two particles in the same cluster and separate by a distance r under the assumption that one of them is fixed at a distance z from the wall. We also obtain the mean size S for the cluster containing the fixed sphere and the critical percolation density ρc at which it becomes macroscopically large. Monte Carlo results allow us to conclude that, for given number density and connectedness distance, the wall causes the decrease of S and the increase of ρc in comparison with those found for the bulk in the absence of the wall. Both effects diminish with increasing z. The simulation data also show that, in the presence of the wall, the clusters are eccentric with cylindrical symmetry, slightly flattened in the region of contact with the wall. The theoretical calculations involve the solution for ρ†(r;z) of an integral equation. It is derived from the one proposed some time ago by Giaquinta and Parrinello to obtain the average of the ordinary pair correlation function in the presence of the hard wall [J. Chem. Phys. 78, 1946 (1983)]. Integrating the pair-connectedness function over r we have S whose divergence determines the theoretical critical density. The results so obtained are in satisfactory agreement with Monte Carlo data.

Stochastic independence, algebraic independence and abstract connectedness

Mutual stochastic independences among σ-algebras and mutual algebraic independences among elements of semimodular lattices are observed to have a very similar behaviour. We suggest abstract independence structures called I-relations describing it. Presented examination of I-relations resembles a theory of abstract connectedness: a dual characterization of I-relations by families of connected sets is found by means of a special Galois connection. Representations of I-relations in the matroid theory sense by σ-algebras and by elements of lattices are discussed.

Clustering and percolation in dipolar hard-sphere fluids.

Clustering and continuum percolation in dipolar fluids are studied through Monte Carlo simulation and connectedness theory with an emphasis on the effect of the dipole-dipole interactions on the size and shape of the clusters and on the threshold percolation density. Two simple models for the dipolar fluid are considered: (i) a system of hard spheres with an embedded point dipole and (ii) a related system of hard spheres in which the dipole-dipole forces are replaced by an angular-averaged dipolar potential. A first-order perturbation theory (for the first model) and the connectedness version of the Percus-Yevick integral equation (for the second one) are used to describe clustering and percolation, and their results are compared with the corresponding Monte Carlo data. Our results show that clusters become larger in size and acquire a stronger mean dipolar moment when the particles' dipolar moments are increased. Far from the percolation transition, the clusters are nonspherical, the eccentricity being favored by the energetics of dipolar orientation. Furthermore, they reveal that larger dipolar strengths imply smaller percolation densities.

Realization of holonomy in the motion of mechanisms

A relationship between the modern theory of connectedness and the mechanics of non-holonomic systems is established by two examples.