Everyday Contexts Research Articles

Periods of upheaval and their effect on mediatized ways of life: Changes in media use in the wake of separation, new partnership, children leaving the parental home, and relocation

Abstract Media use is always embedded in real everyday contexts, which would suggest that a profound change in everyday structure also brings about a change in the media repertoire. To explore the relationship between everyday structure and media use we present selected empirical findings from a qualitative panel study with couples on how they change their media repertoire in the wake of separation, new partnership, children leaving the parental home, and relocation. For analyzing the effects of these periods of upheaval we differentiate the mediatized ways of life into various dimensions: temporal, spatial, content-related, social, meaning-related, material, emotional, and physical. The findings tell us which changes in everyday structure bring about dynamics in the media repertoire, for example, more or less control over time (temporal), distance from family and friends (spatial), or emotional crises (emotional), and which factors are relevant for people when they renegotiate their media use within the new life situation.

Everyday Lived Islam among Hazara Migrants in Scotland: Intersectionality, Agency, and Individualisation

The mainstream literature on the religiosity of Muslims in Europe often homogenises this diverse minority. This article diverges by focusing on a less visible ethno-religious minority within the Muslim population, specifically examining how Hazara Shia Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, resettled in the UK, live and organise Islam in everyday contexts. Addressing this gap, the research highlights the intersectionality of religion, ethnicity, and migration in reconfiguring religious practice. Grounded in the intersectional and lived religion approaches, this study contends that the religiosity of this Muslim minority undergoes a dynamic shift entwined with agency and adaptation in the new secular and plural context, becoming more individualised, privatised, and elective. Employing an ethnographic design, data are collected through semi-structured and key informant interviews, as well as participant observation, over 18 months of fieldwork across various council areas in Scotland. The findings illustrate reconfiguration, adaptation, and innovation in everyday Islam among this intersectional Muslim minority, identifying three main themes: the adaptation and reconfiguration of religious practices and rituals, the renegotiation of authoritative sources, and the navigation of intersectional identities and belonging since resettlement in the UK.

Architectures of Encounter: A Grounded Theory Study of Authentic Communication and Self-Discovery in Everyday Life

This study presents a qualitative investigation into the phenomena of the Encounter in everyday life. It uses a person-centered approach with the grounded theory as the methodological framework. The analysis of in-depth interviews established a conceptual framework that delineates the manifestation of the Encounter in everyday contexts. The meaning of Encounter is rooted in the organismic valuing process. It involves authentic communication with others to access one’s true Self. We distinguished between two types of Encounters: fundamental and episodic. We identified three levels of knowing of the Encounter, which depend on the degree of implicit awareness about the Self: mindful, bodily, and organismic. We revealed that people experience cycles of discovery and exploration of the Self. The transition toward Encounter occurs gradually and comprises four stages: latent Self, appearing Self, manifested Self, and transpersonal Self. These findings were organized into the Continuum of Self-Encounter Model. Finally, we determined aspects encouraging and impeding individuals from experiencing the Еncounter. The experience of Encounter establishes a field in which reality, the Self, and the Other are co-constructed in a shared existential domain. The findings underscore the paramount significance of this phenomenon in human existence, which parallels the essence of Rogerian organismic values.

Neighborhood Racial Composition and Unequal Exposure to Violent Crime in Everyday Contexts.

Exposure to violence is a critical aspect of contemporary racial inequality in the United States. While extensive research has examined variations in violent crime rates across neighborhoods, less attention has been given to understanding individuals' everyday exposure to violent crimes. This study investigates patterns of exposure to violent crimes among neighborhood residents using cell phone mobility data and violent crime reports from Chicago. The analysis reveals a positive association between the proportion of Black residents in a neighborhood and the level of exposure to violent crimes experienced by residents. Controlling for a neighborhood's level of residential disadvantage and other neighborhood characteristics did not substantially diminish the relationship between racial composition and exposure to violent crimes in everyday life. Even after controlling for violence within residents' neighborhoods, individuals residing in Black neighborhoods continue to experience significantly higher levels of violence in their day-to-day contexts compared to those living in White neighborhoods. This suggests that racial segregation in everyday exposures, rather than residential segregation, plays a central role in racial inequality in exposure to violence. Additionally, the analysis suggests that neighborhoods with more Hispanic and Asian residents are exposed to less and more violent crime, respectively, compared to neighborhoods with more White residents. However, this is only observed when not adjusting for the volume of visits points of interest receive; otherwise, the finding is reversed. This study offers valuable insights into potentially novel sources of racial disparities in exposure to violent crimes in everyday contexts, highlighting the need for further investigation.

The Meaning And Function Of Rerajahan In The Religious Life Of The Balinese Hindu Community

This abstract provides an overview of rerajahan, a form of sacred symbolism prominent in Bali, often referred to as the Island of the Gods. Rerajahan consists of small cloth pieces adorned with intricate images and inscriptions, such as human figures, mythical creatures, and sacred motifs, displayed on structures like homes and shrines. These symbols, embodying both artistic and spiritual dimensions, serve to invoke blessings and protection, reflecting the deep cultural and spiritual practices of the Balinese community. The term "rerajahan" originates from "rajah," indicating an inscription or image with mystical power. In Balinese Hinduism, rerajahan is classified into two types: "rerajahan pengiwa" (left-hand path) and "rerajahan penengen" (right-hand path), each with distinct spiritual roles. These symbols are not mere decorations but require specific rituals, known as "pasupati," to activate their spiritual efficacy. The process of creating and activating rerajahan integrates sacred scripts, such as Modré, with symbolic imagery to harness their magical properties. Rerajahan plays diverse roles in Balinese rituals and daily life, including protection, healing, and enhancing spiritual well-being. It features prominently in religious ceremonies like the Panca Yadnya rituals and is used in offerings and personal amulets. The complex Balinese script and careful selection of media for rerajahan highlight its cultural and religious significance. Whether depicted on cloth, metal, or other materials, rerajahan represents a profound connection to the divine, underscoring its importance in both sacred and everyday contexts within Balinese Hinduism.

Shape-shifting versions of class in Australia and the pursuit of equity in public health.

The COVID-19 pandemic and current cost of living crisis have highlighted socioeconomically patterned health disparities, bringing renewed focus on equity in public health. Despite political rhetoric invoking cultural narratives of egalitarianism and opportunities for class mobility, social class remains a significant factor in health outcomes in the Australian context. For social scientists, class (despite robust critiques) is a key analytical concept that has been theoretically broadened to encompass social and cultural practices (habitus). In public health, however, concepts of social disadvantage have expanded toward frames such as health equity and socioeconomic status in ways that can obscure 'class' and habitus. Understandings and operationalization of concepts of class and equity not only impact collaborative and interdisciplinary relationships, but also the framing of public health problems and health promotion interventions and policies. In this article, we draw on our experiences as anthropologists conducting ethnography in and of Australian health promotion programs to map and re-evaluate the intersection of concepts of social class and equity. We trace how representations of class emerged in these programs, and the versions of class and equity that materialized across different public health contexts. We argue for a conceptual repositioning of class that recognizes its shape-shifting qualities and of its materializations in different politics, disciplines and everyday contexts. In doing so, we highlight 'class' as a salient dimension of the design, implementation and evaluation of health promotion programs.

Analyzing, Designing and Developing Arabic Conversation Material Based on Communicative Approach for Undergraduate AFL Learners

The landscape of Arabic language education has evolved significantly, with a growing emphasis on enhancing students' oral communication skills. This study focuses on developing supplementary conversational Arabic materials to support undergraduate students enrolled in the B.A. The Arabic program at New College, Chennai, is affiliated with the University of Madras, India. The aim is to address the gap in existing materials by adopting a communicative approach, emphasizing practical language use in everyday contexts. This research aims to produce and evaluate conversational Arabic materials that facilitate an enjoyable and effective learning experience for undergraduate Arabic language learners. Specifically, the objectives include developing thematic conversations aligned with student needs, enhancing oral proficiency through interactive exercises, and validating the suitability of the materials in a classroom setting. Following the Dick and Carey instructional design model, the development process involved several iterative stages: identifying learning objectives, conducting instructional and learner analyses, formulating content, designing interactive exercises, and evaluating the materials through expert reviews and field testing. Data collection methods included expert evaluations, student feedback, and quantitative assessments to ensure the effectiveness and appropriateness of the developed materials. The developed conversational Arabic materials were positively evaluated across multiple dimensions. Content and instructional design experts rated the materials highly for clarity, relevance, and engagement. Student feedback indicated significant improvement in oral communication skills, with a majority expressing satisfaction and increased confidence in using Arabic in everyday interactions.

Pendampingan Penyusunan Perangkat Pembelajaran Berbasis Problem Based Learning untuk Meningkatkan Komunikasi Matematika Siswa

This community service activity aims to assist mathematics teachers in the preparation of Problem Based Learning (PBL)-based learning tools and implementation in order to improve students' mathematics communication at SMP Muhammadiyah Surakarta Special Program. PBL is a learning model that emphasizes the solving of real problems and the use of mathematics in everyday contexts. This activity began with the identification of problems in the mathematics learning process at SMP Muhammadiyah Surakarta Special Program. The team provided assistance to mathematics teachers in designing the preparation of RPP and LKPD. After the learning tools have been compiled, then a discussion that examines the learning tools is produced. This community service activity has an impact on improving students' mathematics communication at SMP Muhammadiyah through a PBL-based learning approach. By applying relevant learning tools and involving students in solving real problems, there is an increase in mathematics communication of students of SMP Muhammadiyah PK Surakarta.

Volunteer motivations in civilian volunteer search and rescue organizations

Most scholarship on volunteer motivation examines everyday scenarios rather than disaster or emergency contexts. Environmental hazards and their devastating social impacts continue to grow in severity and frequency, creating an increased opportunity for disaster-related volunteerism. Disaster volunteerism diverges from traditional volunteerism in location, timing, activities, and risk. Thus, examining what motivates people to volunteer during disasters is critical. Using interviews and observational data from ethnographic work with civilian volunteer search and rescue (SAR) organizations, this study examined what motivations compelled their volunteers to action. Findings showed that volunteers had similar motivations to the functional perspective on volunteer motivations in everyday contexts, while also uniquely supporting the disaster volunteer sector. Further, findings pointed to an additional motivational concept for external rewards and shifting narratives that operated in a cyclical nature to motivate volunteers within their respective SAR organizations. Combined, these insights offer support for previous research and provide evidence that there are unique factors that may play a critical role in volunteer motivation in disaster settings.

Pengaruh Pendekatan Kontekstual terhadap Kemampuan Pemecah Masalah Matematika pada Materi Bangun Ruang Sisi Lengkung

<p><em>This research aims to evaluate the effect of a contextual approach on students' mathematical problem solving abilities in curved geometric shapes. The literature review (SLR) study method was used to analyze 6 scientific articles relevant to the research topic. This research identifies themes and patterns that emerge regarding the influence of a contextual approach on students' mathematical problem solving abilities. The results of the analysis show that the application of the contextual approach has a positive influence on students' mathematical problem solving abilities. Comparison table of scores for the experimental group achieved higher achievement than the control group. Data visualization graphs also reinforce these findings. The conclusion of this research confirms that the application of a contextual approach has a positive impact on solving mathematical problems in curved geometric shapes. The implications of these findings can be a guide for educators and researchers to enrich mathematics learning strategies by integrating everyday life contexts into geometry teaching</em></p>

Awareness of embodiment enhances enjoyment and engages sensorimotor cortices.

Whether in performing arts, sporting, or everyday contexts, when we watch others move, we tend to enjoy bodies moving in synchrony. Our enjoyment of body movements is further enhanced by our own prior experience with performing those movements, or our 'embodied experience'. The relationships between movement synchrony and enjoyment, as well as embodied experience and movement enjoyment, are well known. The interaction between enjoyment of movements, synchrony, and embodiment is less well understood, and may be central for developing new approaches for enriching social interaction. To examine the interplay between movement enjoyment, synchrony, and embodiment, we asked participants to copy another person's movements as accurately as possible, thereby gaining embodied experience of movement sequences. Participants then viewed other dyads performing the same or different sequences synchronously, and we assessed participants' recognition of having performed these sequences, as well as their enjoyment of each movement sequence. We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to measure cortical activation over frontotemporal sensorimotor regions while participants performed and viewed movements. We found that enjoyment was greatest when participants had mirrored the sequence and recognised it, suggesting that awareness of embodiment may be central to enjoyment of synchronous movements. Exploratory analyses of relationships between cortical activation and enjoyment and recognition implicated the sensorimotor cortices, which subserve action observation and aesthetic processing. These findings hold implications for clinical research and therapies seeking to foster successful social interaction.

Enhancing Critical Thinking Through the Integration of Self-Directed Learning in Sustainable Education in Madrasah

This research focuses on improving critical thinking skills through integrating independent learning in the context of continuing education in madrasah. This research explores the effectiveness of a self-directed learning approach in supporting the development of students critical thinking skills and understanding its impact on sustainable educational practices. This research uses a qualitative method with a case study approach, where data is collected through in-depth interviews with teachers and students, observation of the learning process, and analysis of curriculum documents. Research findings show that integrating independent learning significantly improves students’ critical thinking abilities, developing the ability to plan, evaluate, and reflect on their learning independently. Students who engage in independent learning improve analytical skills and creativity in dealing with problems and are better prepared to apply continuing education principles in everyday contexts. The implications of this research emphasize the importance of implementing independent learning in the madrasah curriculum to develop the critical thinking skills needed in continuing education and the challenges that need to be considered in adapting this method to the needs and learning styles of diverse students.

Understanding the enablers and barriers to implementing a patient-led escalation system: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe management of acute deterioration following surgery remains highly variable. Patients and families can play an important role in identifying early signs of deterioration but effective contribution to escalation of...

Food, bodies, health (risks): the biopolitics of organic materiality testing in the context of diet-associated health risk management practices

This article analyses the apparatus of practices dedicated to reducing long-term diet-associated health risks so as to question how risk is framed and worked upon in everyday risk governance contexts. In 2020–2021, I conducted 10 semi-structured interviews with public & environmental health researchers and programme managers at both federal (Canada) and provincial (Quebec) levels, as well as with clinical practitioners (clinical physician, dietician). I also used these interviews and the information provided by my interviewees to gather a corpus of materials comprised of clinical protocols, empirical guidelines, governmental screening programmes, and more. In the analysis, I contrast testing practices dedicated to preventing and controlling chronic conditions associated with food ingestion such as type 2 diabetes, with others dedicated to predicting and preventing health conditions associated with the ingestion of pesticides and contaminants. I use Foucauldian discourse analysis methods as well as Sheila Jasanoff’s (1999) “songlines of risk” in her analysis of environmental risk assessment practices to analyse how the risk mitigation practices under study integrate different approaches to risk and thus different ways of caring for health and bodies. This leads me to a discussion on the biopolitical approach to risk and health that informs these practices and the apparatus they constitute, contributing to orienting where the onus of the responsibility lies when it comes to managing or preventing diet-associated health conditions. I argue that the apparatus plays a role in invisibilizing the environmental factors in disease causation and reinforcing the individualisation of health (responsibility) rather than its collectivisation.

Being facially expressive is socially advantageous

Individuals vary in how they move their faces in everyday social interactions. In a first large-scale study, we measured variation in dynamic facial behaviour during social interaction and examined dyadic outcomes and impression formation. In Study 1, we recorded semi-structured video calls with 52 participants interacting with a confederate across various everyday contexts. Video clips were rated by 176 independent participants. In Study 2, we examined video calls of 1315 participants engaging in unstructured video-call interactions. Facial expressivity indices were extracted using automated Facial Action Coding Scheme analysis and measures of personality and partner impressions were obtained by self-report. Facial expressivity varied considerably across participants, but little across contexts, social partners or time. In Study 1, more facially expressive participants were more well-liked, agreeable, and successful at negotiating (if also more agreeable). Participants who were more facially competent, readable, and perceived as readable were also more well-liked. In Study 2, we replicated the findings that facial expressivity was associated with agreeableness and liking by their social partner, and additionally found it to be associated with extraversion and neuroticism. Findings suggest that facial behaviour is a stable individual difference that proffers social advantages, pointing towards an affiliative, adaptive function.

Making sense of ambivalence: audience perceptions and uses of Ben Shapiro as an alternative political commentator

ABSTRACT Alternative Political Commentators (APCs) have gained prominence on digital platforms as new opinion leaders to politically engaged young adults. This study responds to a growing demand for an audience-focused exploration of perceptions and use practices of what has been described as reactionary digital media. We specifically examine the case of Ben Shapiro, a leading conservative voice on YouTube, employing a mixed-methods approach, triangulating computational analyses of YouTube comments (n = 711,909) with in-depth interviews with young (18–33) daily Shapiro viewers based in Belgium (n = 15). Positioning Shapiro as an ambivalent online political figure, our study conceptualizes the two primary roles he fulfills for his audiences: (1) the rational articulate and non-emotional news provider, and (2) the affective witty and sometimes rude entertainer who skillfully ‘destroys’ opponents in so-called YouTube drama. Within their everyday life context, we reveal how audiences, in a likewise ambivalent manner, oscillate between casual use of Shapiro the entertainer and structured use of Shapiro the news provider. Through a reconstruction of Shapiro's dual role, our contribution suggests his style, particularly his voice, as a central quality through which audiences navigate Shapiro's ambivalence in their sense-making practices of him as an Alternative Political Commentator.

Memory for Conversation in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Feasibility Study and Preliminary Findings.

Despite common clinical complaints about memory for conversation after traumatic brain injury (TBI), the nature and severity of this deficit are unknown. In this research note, we report feasibility and preliminary data from a new conversation memory study protocol. Participants in this feasibility study were 10 pairs, each including an adult with chronic, moderate-to-severe TBI and their chosen familiar conversation partner. The experiment began with a naturalistic conversation between participants with TBI and their conversation partners. After a filled delay, participants next completed verbal recall for the conversation, which we transcribed and coded for their accuracy relative to the original conversation. Participants also read chosen statements from their original conversation and predicted what each partner would remember in a week. One week later, participants completed a posttest about who said each of the chosen statements, allowing direct comparison to their predictions. We successfully collected conversation memory data from all 10 pairs, suggesting that this protocol is feasible for future study. In this preliminary sample, people with TBI and their conversation partners did not differ in the accuracy of their recall for the conversation about 20 min after it occurred. When asked to predict their partner's delayed memory, conversation partners were less accurate than participants with TBI because they underestimated how much their partners with TBI would remember. Measuring memory for conversation in TBI is feasible and may advance the characterization of cognitive-communication impairment in TBI, and its heterogeneity, in everyday contexts. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.25927513.

A systematic review of mobile brain/body imaging studies using the P300 event-related potentials to investigate cognition beyond the laboratory.

The P300 ERP component, related to the onset of task-relevant or infrequent stimuli, has been widely used in the Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI) literature. This systematic review evaluates the quality and breadth of P300 MoBI studies, revealing a maturing field with well-designed research yet grappling with standardization and global representation challenges. While affirming the reliability of measuring P300 ERP components in mobile settings, the review identifies significant hurdles in standardizing data cleaning and processing techniques, impacting comparability and reproducibility. Geographical disparities emerge, with studies predominantly in the Global North and a dearth of research from the Global South, emphasizing the need for broader inclusivity to counter the WEIRD bias in psychology. Collaborative projects and mobile EEG systems showcase the feasibility of reaching diverse populations, which is essential to advance precision psychiatry and to integrate varied data streams. Methodologically, a trend toward ecological validity is noted, shifting from lab-based to real-world settings with portable EEG system advancements. Future hardware developments are expected to balance signal quality and sensor intrusiveness, enriching data collection in everyday contexts. Innovative methodologies reflect a move toward more natural experimental settings, prompting critical questions about the applicability of traditional ERP markers, such as the P300 outside structured paradigms. The review concludes by highlighting the crucial role of integrating mobile technologies, physiological sensors, and machine learning to advance cognitive neuroscience. It advocates for an operational definition of ecological validity to bridge the gap between controlled experiments and the complexity of embodied cognitive experiences, enhancing both theoretical understanding and practical application in study design.

만3세 벼리의 자발적인 노래 만들어 부르기 경험의 교육적 의미 탐색

The aim of this study is to investigate educational implications of spontaneous song-making and singing (SSMS) among 3-year-old children. Observations were conducted on the SSMS of a 3-year-old child named Byeory at the T Childcare center in W City over a 15-week period, supplemented by interviews with parents and teachers. Data were gathered through observation notes, video recordings, and interview transcripts, and were analyzed using qualitative analysis method based on the five-step cycle proposed by Yin (2021). Research findings reveal that Byeory's SSMS occurred in various everyday contexts, fostering the musical development of young children and providing opportunities for peer interaction and emotional expression. Furthermore, it was observed that Byeory's SSMS experiences were dynamically shaped and enhanced through emotional support, including environmental support from parents and teachers. In conclusion, this study highlights the educational value of early childhood SSMS enriched with creative elements, stressing the importance of attentive and proactive support for spontaneous and creative musical experiences that unfold in daily lives of young children.

ACTIVATION OF STUDENT RESOURCES REGARDING THE WORK-ENERGY THEOREM

Students' understanding of physics will increase along with learning during lectures, but thoughts on this understanding can be flexible and not always permanent, so it is necessary to explore other students' thoughts (resources) that may not have been discussed in previous research. This article focuses on the conceptual analysis of resources, namely the ideas they use in solving problems related to work-energy issues. This research aims to identify the resources used by physics students in work-energy reasoning as a work to explore students' new thoughts that have not been discussed in previous research. The research was conducted on 92 new physics department students in 2023 who took Basic Physics I lectures. Before the test was given, the lecturer gave a short review of the work-energy theorem to remind them of the knowledge they had learned in high school. The results of the research reveal that the resources that are widely used by students are (1) the concept of work in physics which is associated with the understanding of work in everyday contexts, namely as work/work/work, (2) in reasoning about motion phenomena involving potential energy and kinetic energy for students. directly apply the principle of conservation of mechanical energy. It is hoped that these findings will be useful input for lecturers in designing lectures on the topic of work-energy theorem based on resource theory or knowledge in pieces.