Reality Distortion Research Articles

Beyond “Lügenpresse”: How Politicians Criticize and Delegitimize the Media in Germany

Media criticism is a crucial part of meta-journalistic discourse, ensuring that journalists adhere to their democratic functions, such as informing citizens in an honest and complete manner. However, the profession increasingly faces hostile, nonevidence-based attacks from politicians that attempt to strategically fuel distrust among citizens and delegitimize opposed viewpoints. Despite this reality, we lack a systematic overview of the boundaries between constructive feedback and weaponized attacks in media criticism. To address this gap, we inductively analyzed how media criticism is represented within the social media discourse of ten German politicians from all major parties. Using a grounded theory approach, we conducted a qualitative content analysis of a subset of their tweets from 2015, 2017, and 2022 that contain media criticism ( N = 545), mapping the types and severity of the criticism, the construction of opposing narratives, and the explicitness of references to facticity over opinions. We identified four themes within media criticism discourse, ranging from misinformation attributions to severe accusations of the intentional distortion of reality through the media. Politicians (strategically) employ a wide range of media criticism and inaccuracy claims beyond judgments of facticity with differing degrees of severity for the profession. Based on our findings, we propose a typology of media criticism from political elites that adds nuance to our understanding regarding the boundaries between supportive and disruptive criticism for journalism.

The challenges of media and information literacy in the artificial intelligence ecology: deepfakes and misinformation

In the ecosystem of artificial intelligence (AI), generative models enable the creation of hyper-realistic manipulations that are extremely plausible due to the precision of the audiovisual objects. These deepfakes are undetectable thanks to their components, which heightens concerns about the distortion of reality in the information ecosystem and how the ability to distinguish between real and fake audiovisual content affects public trust and democratic systems. This is a major challenge for media and information literacy if it is to combat misinfor­mation effectively. In this context, this study presents the results of a quasi-experiment conducted with 80 young people from the Community of Madrid (Spain) to assess their ability to detect deepfakes in immersive environments and to establish whether the context-identifying elements that enable detection of the reputation of the media source shape the credibility of the images. The results show that the images take precedence over the context identifiers, preventing a critical reading of the information that would make it possible to detect visual forgeries, something that is reinforced by their exceptional verisimilitude. It is concluded that the new post-humanist biome of virtual reality and artificial intelligence requires a reorien­tation of media and information literacy to raise the public’s awareness and educate them to make them less susceptible to disinformation based on deepfakes created with generative models.

Beyond the symptoms: Exploring attachment styles and reality-testing among schizophrenia clients from a nursing perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Insecure attachment styles are associated with mental health problems and may influence reality perception. This study investigated the link between attachment styles and reality-testing impairment in individuals with schizophrenia. A cross-sectional survey with 200 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia assessed their attachment styles (Psychosis Attachment Measure) and reality-testing abilities (Bell Reality Testing Inventory). A significant positive correlation emerged between insecure attachment and poorer reality testing (r = .394, p < .001). Avoidant attachment was most prevalent (mean scores: 17.01, SD = 3.71), followed by anxious attachment (16.53, SD = 4.20). Reality-testing impairment manifested across all three domains: uncertainty of perception (7.16, SD = 2.45), reality distortion (3.52, SD = 1.21), and hallucinations/delusions (26.63, SD = 5.83). Interestingly, specific demographics (male, unmarried, 40-50 years old) and those with a duration of illness of less than 5 years had higher mean scores (27.35, SD = 5.61). Insecure attachment styles, notably anxious and avoidant, are dominant among clients with schizophrenia, who also struggle with reality distortion, perceptual uncertainty, and hallucinations/delusions in all three domains. Healthcare providers and nurses should understand the psychological dynamics of clients with insecure attachment styles to establish effective therapeutic relationships. A secure, structured, and consistent environment is vital to modifying insecure attachment styles and promoting reality orientation. Secure Attachment Style Oriented Psycho-Educational Program, Mentalization, Cognitive Interpersonal Therapy, and Cognitive Analytic Therapy can help reduce reality-testing impairment. Fostering Maternal and Child Health (MCH) centers on empathizing secure bonds between mothers (and mothers-to-be) and their children to promote healthy attachment styles as a preventive measure.

Humorous nature of carnival culture

Despite the widespread use of humour in carnivals, research in this area is limited. Therefore, this research seeks to address this gap and uncover the humorous nature of carnivals from a scientific perspective. The purpose of this research is to conduct a scientific analysis of the humorous nature of carnival culture, to clarify its origins and impact on society. The following methods were used to achieve the research purpose: observation, interviews, questionnaires, statistical method, and content analysis method. The research established that carnival is a significant mechanism for expressing social, political and cultural problems of society. This event is a kind of forum where citizens have the opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings and opinions on various aspects of life. The research confirmed that humour at carnivals is an essential means of communication and expression. It can acquire different forms, such as satire, parody and irony. These types of humour are used to expose social, political and cultural aspects through using ridicule, distortion and transformation of reality. Carnival humour has the potential to highlight the severity of problems and highlight the shortcomings of society. The research makes a significant contribution to the scientific understanding of the humorous nature of carnival culture. The results of the research will contribute to a deeper analysis and testing of concepts related to the impact of carnival and humour on modern society

LINGUISTIC PORTRAYAL OF GASLIGHTING IN INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

The paper explores the intricate interplay between language and manipulation, focusing on the linguistic and extralinguistic manifestations of gaslighting in interpersonal communication. Gaslighting is viewed as a form of manipulative communication that involves deliberate denial or distortion of reality, making the victims doubt their own actions, perception, memory and sanity. The victim’s ongoing confusion leads to a sense of powerlessness and a diminished self-esteem. Using a qualitative-quantitative linguistic method, the paper dissects the portrayal of gaslighting dynamics in the short psychological film Your Reality, which is based on real-life experiences. Through comprehensive psycholinguistic analysis, an attempt is made to illustrate how specific manipulative tactics are intentionally employed to achieve gaslighter’s abusive objectives. Examining the subtle, yet powerful verbal and non-verbal manipulative tactics employed in the film, the research aims to elucidate gaslighting dynamics in interpersonal communication and empower readers with valuable insights into recognizing and addressing early signs of such deceitful behavior in real-life situation. Thus, this knowledge is crucial for fostering awareness, establishing boundaries to prevent gaslighting attempts and promoting healthy communication.

Пошатнулась ли криминалистика (судебная экспертиза)?

Scientifi c and technological progress is always accompanied with hasty sensational declarations of certain researchers that are picked up by mass media. This sometimes results in distortion of reality and loss of the rational kernel of hyped developments. The article analyzes poorly-grounded ideas about yet another "collapse" of criminalistics (criminalistic examination). The authors show the baselessness of statements about the "scientifi c judge" in the form of artifi cial intelligence. The important thing in automation of jurisdictional processes is not the deployment of smart systems as such but the development of algorithms of systematization of regulations and technical standards considering their content.

Illusions of labor law: delusion or reality?

In modern legislation there are many legal illusions, arising both systematically, for the development of society and the state, and spontaneously as reactionary measures to certain social circumstances (pandemic, sanctions). There are also legal illusions in labor law. Identification and classification of legal illusions will improve labor legislation. The article defines the role of legal illusion as an element that constitutes a new social reality. The key doctrinal approaches to the understanding of legal illusion are analyzed. It is proposed to distinguish target illusions, which in turn are divided into illusions and simulacra. Legal simulacra in the process of implementation entail distortion of legal reality, conflicts and violations of the rights of participants of social relations. The implementation of certain provisions of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation is considered as examples of legal illusions and simulacra.

Visual illusions as a means of aestheticisation of the object-spatial environment

The article’s relevance lies in the need to enrich the designer’s creative experience, open up new possibilities for visual communication, and elevate visual culture to a new level. The article’s aim is to outline the role of visual illusions in the aestheticisation of the object-spatial environment, using examples of techniques that enable designers to achieve visual effects when arranging creative spaces. The article discusses the role of visual effects in the design of object-spatial environments, which result in visual illusions. They represent perceptual distortions of reality, where there is a discrepancy between the physical parameters of an object or subject and how the human brain interprets incoming visual information. By evoking vivid sensations, visual effects can contribute to a deeper emotional connection between the environment and the audience, making it memorable and recognisable. People actively apply visual illusions in arranging their living environment to change or adjust existing forms and spaces. This allows for a fresh perception of the surrounding world, accomplishing a psychoemotional “renewal”, and satisfying the need for novelty in cognitive and emotional experience. The use of visual illusions can significantly enrich a designer’s creative arsenal, open new horizons in visual culture, encourage unconventional thinking, and go beyond the boundaries of traditional approaches to visual communication. By experimenting with various forms of illusions, designers can develop new methods to influence perception and emotions, thus expanding the horizons of their creativity. The ability of designers to use unconventional images in design, and their capability to create deep, emotionally resonant, and memorable designs will attract the audience’s attention, forming a vivid first impression of the object-spatial environment. The practical value of the work lies in its actualisation of the role of visual illusions in aestheticising the object-spatial environment, in satisfying human needs for novelty and artistic arrangement of space

The Illusion of Truth in Michael Ondaatje’s Anil’s Ghost

Michael Ondaatje's Anil’s Ghost, a literary masterpiece, focuses on the distortion of truth. Set against the backdrop of civil unrest in Sri Lanka, the novel follows forensic anthropologist Anil Tissera as she exposes the complexities of revealing truth in a world rife with political and personal turmoil. This research abstract delves into the multifaceted layers of reality distortion portrayed in Ondaatje's work .At its core; the novel questions the notion of objective reality. Ondaatje masterfully employs fragmented narratives, shifting perspectives, and unreliable memories to diminish the lines between truth and fiction. Through Anil's investigation into the skeletal remains of victims of political violence, Ondaatje exposes the subjective nature of memory and the inherent biases that shape our understanding of past events. Moreover, the novel explores the psychological toll of living in a reality distorted by trauma and political oppression. Characters like Anil and Sarath, haunted by their pasts, grapple with the existential question of whether it is possible to reconcile personal truth with the external realities imposed upon them. Ondaatje's lyrical prose evokes a sense of disorientation, mirroring the characters' internal struggles as they confront the elusive nature of reality. Furthermore, the novel examines how power dynamics influence the construction of reality. Ondaatje exposes the ways in which those in positions of authority manipulate narratives to serve their own agendas, perpetuating falsehoods and suppressing marginalized voices in the process. Through Anil's quest for justice, the novel underscores the importance of bearing witness to the silenced truths obscured by those in power. The novel serves as a profound exploration of the distortion of reality in the face of political upheaval and personal trauma.

Examining the relationship between object relations, relationship attachment and separation anxiety in adults with depressive tendencies

Aims: This study aims to examine the relationship between object relations and relationship dependence and separation anxiety in depressive-prone adults.&#x0D; Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 404 people between the ages of 18-60. Out of 404 people, 113 people with moderate to severe depressive tendencies were included in the study. Data were collected from the participants through Beck Depression Inventory, Bell Object Relationships and Reality Testing Inventory (BORRTI), Spann-Fischer Relationship Dependency Scale (SFIDS), Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire and Socio-demographic Information Form prepared by the researcher.&#x0D; Results: 113 out of 404 individuals showed moderate to severe depressive tendencies. A statistically positive and significant relationship was found between adult separation anxiety and Object Relations and BORTTI (alienation, insecure attachment, egocentrism, distortion of reality, uncertainty of perceptions, delusion hallucination) sub-dimensions. A positive and significant relationship was found between Relationship Dependency and Object Relationships and BORTTI (insecure attachment, &#x0D; egocentrism, social inadequacy) sub-dimensions. &#x0D; Conclusion: A positive and significant relationship was found between object relations sub-dimensions and adult separation anxiety in depressive adults. A positive and significant relationship was found between object relations and relationship dependence in depressive adults.

A Review of Advances in Bioanalytical Methods for the Detection and Quantification of Olanzapine and Its Metabolites in Complex Biological Matrices.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that significantly affects the social and professional life of patients, causing distortion of reality and loss of identity and cognitive abilities. Psychopharmacological treatment is an integral part of modern psychiatry, and the introduction of new "atypical" antipsychotic drugs has brought significant progress in the treatment of this disorder. One of these drugs is olanzapine, which has an effective effect on the productive symptoms of schizophrenia while having an almost minimal potential to cause extrapyramidal syndrome. However, its effectiveness is confronted with frequent side effects, referred to as "metabolic disorders". Therefore, to ensure the effectiveness of treatment and to minimize the side effects caused by olanzapine, it is recommended to monitor the drug level during therapy. This article reviews the bioanalytical methodologies that enable efficient extraction and sensitive analysis of olanzapine. We considered the advantages and disadvantages of different sample pretreatment methods, including traditional and novel strategies. The analytical conditions required for the separation and detection of olanzapine and its metabolites were analyzed using chromatographic methods combined with various detectors.

Censorship of the Soviet Union in Kazakhstan

Relevance. The relevance of this article is condtioned upon the study of the mechanism of censorship of the Soviet Union as a factor of distortion of the historical reality of Kazakhstan during the Soviet period and the need in the conditions of independence of Kazakhstan to restore its authentic history. Purpose. The purpose of the article is to study the mechanism of censorship of the Soviet Union in Kazakhstan. Methodology. The leading method to study this problem is the ideographic method, which allows reconstructing the phenomenon of censorship in the Soviet period and to investigate it comprehensively, studying the mechanism of censorship simultaneously in the Soviet Union as a whole, and in Kazakhstan as one of its republics, in particular. Both in the theoretical and empirical part of the study, analysis and synthesis were used as necessary general scientific methods. To organise the information obtained during the analysis of archival documents, the method of systematisation was used. Results. The article suggested a classification of censorship by the type of information to which it is applied; the penalties applied to "violators" of censorship in the USSR are determined; 578 documents from four archival collections of Russia and Kazakhstan containing data on the period of development of Soviet censorship in Kazakhstan are selected and examined; the main directions that fell into the hands of archival sources are established under the censorship of the Soviet Union in Kazakhstan. Conclusions. The materials of the article can become the basis for further research in the field of history, political science, etc., devoted to the study of censorship in Kazakhstan, both exclusively during the Soviet Union, and when comparing various historical stages. The results obtained in the course of the study can be used in universities of Kazakhstan in the preparation of classes in history, political science, etc. Keywords: total control; totalitarian regime; prohibition; state ideology; archival data

Parvalbumin Interneuron Disorders Triggered by Oxidative Stress as a Common Mechanism Causing Schizophrenia in the Elderly: a Literature Review Study

Schizophrenia is a functional psychotic disorder with the main disturbance of the thought process and the disintegration of the thought process, affect or emotion, volition and psychomotor accompanied by a distortion of reality, especially due to delusions and hallucinations, fragmented associations resulting in incoherence, inadequate affect and emotion, and psychomotor which shows withdrawal, ambivalence and bizzare behavior. The research design used is the literature review method. Literature study is research carried out by researchers by collecting a number of articles or journals related to research problems and objectives. The study results show that various literature shows evidence that schizophrenia in the elderly occurs due to changes in antioxidant enzymes in schizophrenia. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation products and nitric oxide (NO) occurred in schizophrenia, while superoxide dismutase activity was found to decrease significantly in this disorder, but glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity had no effect in schizophrenia patients. In schizophrenic patients, it was found that there was an increase in the production of free radicals, therefore the administration of anti-oxidants is necessary to increase antioxidants which can reduce symptoms in schizophrenic patients.

La citation dans le discours journalistique satirique: entre norme et détournement

In this article, we have chosen to observe the functioning of citational practices through the analysis of a corpus of articles published in satirical newspapers written in French and Romanian. In fact, satirical discourse most often presents uses of quotation sometimes considered "deviant" in the sense that it subverts the norms: the role attributed to direct discourse is different, the sources cited are chosen and named according to particular criteria, the methods of inserting the quoted discourse into the quoting discourse transgress usual practices. In the articles taken into consideration, the purpose of this diversion is the triggering of laughter through the degradation, the distortion of reality. Our analysis will examine the sources of laughter through the nuanced observation of the uses of citational practices identified in the corpus, in an equally comparative and complementary approach.

“Fiction is the reality”: A qualitative study on digital game addiction and reality perception in young adults

Digital game addiction is a serious issue for many individuals in different age groups. Although online games offer potential benefits for individuals, excessive engagement with digital games has negative consequences, including distortion of reality. The current study explored the experiences of people with game addiction to understand how digital games impact their perception of reality and how their game addiction affects their life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 people, and the data were analyzed by thematic analysis using MAXQDA software. The results revealed two main themes: satisfaction of psychosocial needs (with the subthemes of feeling good and friendship) and narratives of games (with the subthemes of game design, game storyline, and game characters). The results can guide experts working on addiction and provide suggestions for preventive and protective intervention programs that should be prepared in this field.

СИМВОЛИЗАЦИЯ ПУСТЫНИ В ЯЗЫКОВОМ СОЗНАНИИ

The paper deals with symbolization of nature focusing the evaluative characteristics of natural phenomena in utilitarian, ethical and aesthetic dimensions. From a utilitarian point of view the following ideas come to the fore: physical properties (size, temperature, ingredients, etc.), possible danger and useability of the corresponding object. The utilitarian properties of desert are reflected in dictionary definitions, reactions of informants, and descriptions of its climatic, geographical and biological characteristics. Ethical conceptualization of a natural phenomenon is a transfer of its characteristics to human behavior and allegoric evaluative comparison of such behavior and a certain natural object. It is expressed in proverbs and aphorisms with images of lifeless space, oases and mirages as a contrast between reality and dream, distortion of reality and deceptiveness of illusions. Ethically, the idea of a desert as a punishment for sins is often promoted in religious texts. Aesthetic symbolization of nature is manifested in linguistic consciousness as admiration of the beauty of the world or as awe and rejection of reality. Aesthetic symbolization of desert consists in contrast of light and darkness, spiritual emptiness and search of one’s destination, vanity and solitude. A special emphasis is given to an image of a spring in the desert.

Using Task-fMRI to Explore the Relationship Between Lifetime Cannabis Use and Cognitive Control in Individuals With First-Episode Schizophrenia.

While continued cannabis use and misuse in individuals with schizophrenia is associated with a variety of negative outcomes, individuals with a history of use tend to show higher cognitive performance compared to non-users. While this is replicated in the literature, few studies have used task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to evaluate whether the brain networks underpinning these cognitive features are similarly impacted. Forty-eight first-episode individuals with schizophrenia (FES) with a history of cannabis use (FES + CAN), 28 FES individuals with no history of cannabis use (FES-CAN), and 59 controls (CON) performed the AX-Continuous Performance Task during fMRI. FES+CAN showed higher cognitive control performance (d'-context) compared to FES-CAN (P < .05, ηp 2 = 0.053), and both FES+CAN (P < .05, ηp 2 = 0.049) and FES-CAN (P < .001, ηp 2 = 0.216) showed lower performance compared to CON. FES+CAN (P < .05, ηp 2 = 0.055) and CON (P < 0.05, ηp 2 = 0.058) showed higher dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activation during the task compared to FES-CAN, while FES+CAN and CON were not significantly different. Within the FES+CAN group, the younger age of initiation of cannabis use was associated with lower IQ and lower global functioning. More frequent use was also associated with higher reality distortion symptoms at the time of the scan. These data are consistent with previous literature suggesting that individuals with schizophrenia and a history of cannabis use have higher cognitive control performance. For the first time, we also reveal that FES+CAN have higher DLPFC brain activity during cognitive control compared to FES-CAN. Several possible explanations for these findings are discussed.

Early Buddhist perspectives on social memorialization

Social disasters are more than just accidents or technological disasters, they are defined as disasters stemming from a variety of causes that affect human life, property, and the stability of a country or society. These disasters can take many forms, including terrorism, crime, and violence, and have a profound impact on individuals and the public. How we respond after an event, especially how we treat victims, is crucial. In cases such as the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster in the United Kingdom and the 2022 Itaewon tragedy in South Korea, we see a lack of adequate and sufficient response, and the nature of the problem becomes an ideological conflict. This is the result of a misperception of reality and intentional distortion of the problem, which in turn leads to social conflict and increased costs. In Buddhism, these problems can be solved through compassion and right view. Resolution is about effectively healing the aftermath of a disaster and changing our consciousness to prevent it from happening again. When the social memorialization and healing of a disaster is done properly, our society can regain stability and the victims can return to their daily lives. In particular, we can effectively respond to social disasters through four immeasurable states of mind based on the Four Noble Truths.

The Unpronounced Support: Wives’ Engagement in Sustaining Fishers’ Households Enterprises in the Fishery Challenging Space in Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania

In contrast to convenient and easily accessible productive domains such as agriculture, where women’s participation is deemed indispensable and visible, their engagement in households’ fishing enterprises has been grossly undervalued. However, the 2021 Kilwa Kisiwani study found that fishermen’s wives were vital to their families’ fishing businesses in the face of declining fish stocks and government moratoriums. This cross-sectional study that involved 221 respondents targeted fishing-dependent households where both husbands and wives were involved, with the latter making a substantial amount. Data gathering, analysis, interpretation and discussion employed qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings indicate that most households’ fishing enterprises survived because spouses provided labour, worked outside the home or supported the enterprise from home. The paper cautions against the notion that male dominance invariably determines the socioeconomic trajectory of households while women are relegated to subordinate roles. This perspective is deemed an oversimplification and a distortion of reality.

The conspiracy narrative “The Big Lie”—Psychoanalytical considerations on the development of susceptibility to an “alternative reality”

AbstractUsing the narrative “The Big Lie,” which is placed in the socio‐political context, and based on data gathered from social media, clinical material, interviews and documentaries, the author examines from a psychoanalytic perspective the effective power and dynamics of conspiracy narratives that create an “alternative reality” with “conviction capsules,” using lies and distortions of reality consciously employed as means of agitation on the breeding ground of unconscious relational and regression processes. To sketch the emergence and development of this willingness, the author combines the explanations of Wilfred Bion, Susan Isaacs and Herbert Rosenfeld and develops the hypothesis, including the concept of “perverted containing,” that due to unsuccessful containing processes in the earliest relationship experiences, defensively inflexible, sealed “conviction capsules” develop, permeated by fears of confusion and annihilation, by hatred as well as phantasies of powerlessness and superiority. Underlying these, experienced as existentially threatening, are panic about change and excessive identification with a hard, alleged omnipotent object, linked to an unconscious longing for symbiosis with a “savior”—a conglomerate that breeds susceptibility to conspiracy narratives and totalitarian, destructive populist leaders. As one example, the destructive‐symbiotic relationship dynamic between Donald Trump and his supporters is outlined with the escalation of violence.