Foundations Theory Research Articles

Moral Comments in Social Media: Analyzing the Role of Ideology-Matching Moral Framing and Impression Motivation in the Persuasive Effect of User Comments on YouTube

ABSTRACT This research explores how users form attitudes when they are presented with online videos and moral comments from their fellow audience. Based on the Heuristic-Systematic Model (HSM) and Moral Foundations Theory (MFT), the study aims to find out how different moral foundations represented in user comments interact with the motivational state, the political orientation, and the moral beliefs of the viewer. In two pre-registered experiments (N = 314 and N = 1015), the inclusion of moral arguments within comments below a YouTube video (harm vs. authority), their valence (positive vs. negative) and the participants’ motivational states (high vs. low impression motivation) were varied. While Experiment 1 revealed no significant effects regarding the persuasive effect of user comments and accompanying moral arguments, Experiment 2 showed a more general effect of comment valence on viewers’ attitude formation. These results help to specify the conditions under which user comments may lead individuals to construct their attitude in a way that fits the perceived majority opinion.

Morality boundary work in the making of the needle and syringe exchange program in Stockholm

Background Drug policy is prone to build on rationales based on different moralities rather than evidence. Less is known about how moralities influence drug policy implementation in practice. The aim was to analyze expressions of moralities among local policy-makers, professionals, and drug users in the context of the Stockholm needle and syringe exchange program (NSP). Methods Using political documentation from Stockholm (2003–2016), focus group (12 NSP staff), and 32 drug user interviews, moralities concerning drug policy and harm reduction were analyzed based on moral foundations theory and boundary work. Results Three main moral dilemmas were identified concerning the subjects, aims, and orientation of drug policy: whether drug users are worthy of inclusion to society; if the general public should be prioritized or the health of drug users, and the orientation of practices as based on control or autonomy. Policy debate was driven by virtues such as purity and authority, whereas staff and drug users valued care, fairness and liberty. Conclusions The prohibitionist and abstinence-oriented Swedish drug policy has created social boundaries on the practice-level. Hence, users’ perspectives, and those who care about them, should be extensively involved in political discussions to foster a more moral and humane drug policy.

The Influence of Group Identification and Morality in Support for Defunding the Police

There is very little research regarding what factors drive support for defunding the police. Using the theoretical framework of the Group Engagement Model and the Moral Foundations Theory, this study explores if and how race, group identification, and morality shape support for defunding the police. Results indicated that increased superordinate identification and binding moral foundations reduced support for defunding the police among White respondents. For Black respondents, increased subordinate identification explains their increased support for defunding the police. Attachment to one’s racial group and concerns for its welfare coupled with moral intuitions driven by care and fairness toward victims of police brutality who are disproportionately Black explains why Blacks Americans began and support calls to defund the police.

Bridging Tridosha Siddhanta and Biorhythm Theory: Uniting Ancient Dosha Principles with Modern Cyclic Patterns

This article explores the conceptual intersections between Tridosha Siddhanta, the foundational theory of Ayurveda, and the Biorhythm Theory, a modern psychological model of cyclical biological and emotional states. Tridosha Siddhanta posits that human health and wellness are governed by the balance of three fundamental Doshas Vata, Pitta, and Kapha each representing a combination of the five elements and their dynamic influences on physiological and psychological functions. In contrast, Biorhythm Theory suggests that individuals experience predictable cycles of physical, emotional, and intellectual states influenced by inherent rhythms. By analyzing both systems, this article seeks to elucidate how the cyclical nature of biorhythms might correlate with the doshic imbalances and fluctuations described in Ayurveda. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how integrating these two paradigms can enhance approaches to personalized health and wellness, offering a holistic perspective that bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary scientific insights.

Quantum Neural Networks: A New Frontier

Abstract. In recent years, there has been remarkable progress in improving the availability of resources and refining algorithms for quantum computing. Since the late 1980s, the scientific community has been fascinated by the idea of harnessing quantum phenomena to tackle computational problems. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of the foundational theories and practical applications of quantum neural networks (QNNs), highlighting their potential to transform machine learning through unique features like quantum parallelism and entanglement. It delves into various QNN architectures, such as quantum circuits and hybrid quantum-classical models, showcasing their effectiveness in handling intricate computational tasks more efficiently than traditional neural networks. Furthermore, the article examines the current challenges and future prospects in this rapidly advancing field, emphasizing the pivotal role of QNNs in driving forward research in both quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Quantum neural networks are poised to not only enhance computational capabilities but also pave the way for groundbreaking innovations in diverse technological domains.

Adiabatic Shear Localization in Metallic Materials: Review

In advanced engineering applications, there has been an increasing demand for the service performance of materials under high-strain-rate conditions where a key phenomenon of adiabatic shear instability is inevitably involved. The presence of adiabatic shear instability is typically associated with large shear strains, high strain rates, and elevated temperatures. Significant plastic deformation that concentrates within a adiabatic shear band (ASB) often results in catastrophic failure, and it is necessary to avoid the occurrence of such a phenomenon in most areas. However, in certain areas, such as high-speed machining and self-sharpening projectile penetration, this phenomenon can be exploited. The thermal softening effect and microstructural softening effect are widely recognized as the foundational theories for the formation of ASB. Thus, elucidating various complex deformation mechanisms under thermomechanical coupling along with changes in temperatures in the shear instability process has become a focal point of research. This review highlights these two important aspects and examines the development of relevant theories and experimental results, identifying key challenges faced in this field of study. Furthermore, advancements in modern experimental characterization and computational technologies, which lead to a deeper understanding of the adiabatic shear instability phenomenon, have also been summarized.

Open source tool for Micro-CT aided meso-scale modeling and meshing of complex textile composite structures

Volumetric image-based modeling of textile reinforcements and composites is favored over ideal geometric modeling because of its ability to represent complex structures in sufficient detail. Although several approaches were devised, there is still a scarcity of dedicated tools capable of effectively transferring pertinent information from images to high-fidelity models. This work presents the open source project, PolyTex, a Python-based object-oriented application that establishes a streamlined and reproducible workflow for such tasks. Dual kriging serves as the foundational theory for the parametric approach developed to represent, simplify, and approximate the morphology and topology of fiber tows. The code takes two types of input, either an explicit representation of tow geometry using point clouds or implicit representations, such as image masks representing fiber tows separately with grayscale values. Tailored APIs allow for smooth integration between PolyTex’s modeling capabilities and the simulation environments offered by OpenFOAM and Abaqus. Case studies on virtual testing of textile permeability were presented to demonstrate this capability. The modular and object-oriented design makes PolyTex a highly reusable and extensible tool that allows users to create a customized pipeline.

Where are Emotions in Text?

Natural language processing (NLP) boasts a vibrant tradition of emotion studies, unified by the aim of developing systems that generate and recognize emotions in language. The computational approximation of these two capabilities, however, still faces fundamental challenges, as there is no consensus on how emotions should be processed, particularly in text: application-driven works often lose sight of foundational theories that describe how humans communicate what they feel, resulting in conflicting premises about the type of data best suited for modeling and whether this modeling should focus on textual meaning or style. My thesis fills in these theoretical gaps that hinder the creation of emotion-aware systems, demonstrating that a trans-disciplinary approach to emotions, which accounts for their extra-linguistic characteristics, has the potential to improve their computational processing. I investigate the human ability to detect emotions in written productions, and explore the linguistic dimensions that contribute to the emergence of emotions through text. In doing so, I clarify the possibilities and limits of automatic emotion classifiers and generators, also providing insights into where systems should model affective information.

Researching moral foundations using the Bayesian approach

Moral foundations theory describes a complex space of human morality along five moral foundations: care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, and sanctity/degradation. The first aim of this study is to explore the role of socio-demographic variables in endorsing the five moral foundations and to provide insight into the role of moral foundations in attitudes towards homeless people. The second objective of the study is to provide an example of employing the Bayesian statistical approach. There were 162 participants in our study (27% male, mean age 36 years). Convenience sampling method was used. Age and education found to be the most important predictors of moral foundations, with Bayesian factors showing the strongest evidence for age as a positive predictor of moral foundations. Gender, political affiliation, care and authority were found to be important predictors of attitudes towards homeless people, with Bayesian factors showing much stronger evidence for moral foundations than sociodemographic variables. This study lays the groundwork for research on moral foundations in Slovenian samples and provides a practical example of Bayesian approach application in social science.

A Study on the Development of a Specialized Curriculum for Inclusion Classes for Children with Autism in Elementary Schools

The educational challenges faced by children with autism in primary school have garnered increasing attention. With the implementation of inclusive education, integrating these children into regular classrooms has become a reality, albeit a profoundly challenging one. The focus of research lies in developing specialized curricula tailored to the unique characteristics of autistic children, aiming to optimize their adaptation and development within general educational settings. This paper examines the limitations of existing educational curricula, explores the foundational theories regarding the cognitive and behavioral traits of autistic children, and integrates various educational theories such as Multiple Intelligences Theory, Social Constructivism, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), to propose effective strategies for curriculum design. Through the implementation of individualized education plans, multisensory teaching methods, social skills training, and the creation of structured environments, this approach seeks to enhance the learning outcomes and social participation of autistic children while maintaining overall educational quality. The research findings indicate that appropriate interventions and support can significantly improve the educational experience of autistic children, providing theoretical backing and practical examples for educational practice.

Три уровня международного политико-экономического анализа: новая перспектива для исследования международных проблем в эпоху многополярности

One of the key issues in current international relations studies is the structure of knowledge. The epistemological foundations of political and economic theories of international development are losing their relevance as the influence of theory on the practice of international relations wanes. The declining ability of international analysis to predict the future of world politics and economics emphasizes the need for a broader, interdisciplinary approach to the study of international relations. This study aims to explore the possibility of creating a new, practical and interdisciplinary model of analysis to address the problems of the modern international system. This approach to the systemic analysis of international relations involves broadening the scope of the study by integrating international political and economic (IPE) analysis and including three analytical levels: explanatory, normative and critical. The article defines the terminology, structure, principles and criteria of such an analysis based on the problems of modern political science. The author also points out the main difficulties in the formation of theoretical and methodological basis of the three-level analysis. Examples of analyzing problems, namely the impact of trade barriers on the instability of global supply chains and the international dimension of the energy crisis of the Federal Republic of Germany (2022 – present) are given, demonstrating the quality and consistency of the results of such analysis.

A Comprehensive Review of Artificial Intelligence

This paper explores the literature, types, applications, and challenges of Artificial Intelligence, providing a comprehensive overview of its current state and future potential. It traces the development of AI from early symbolic systems to modern machine learning and deep learning technologies, highlighting different AI types such as narrow AI, general AI, and the speculative concept of superintelligence. Through a literature review of various research papers, this paper examines the foundational theories and cutting-edge advancements in AI, including neural networks, reinforcement learning, and hybrid systems. The applications of AI across diverse industries, such as healthcare, finance, and education, demonstrate its transformative impact, while ethical concerns surrounding bias, privacy, and job displacement present significant challenges. The paper concludes by addressing the need for responsible AI development to ensure its benefits align with societal values and contribute to a sustainable future.

Granular fuzzy calculus on time scales and its applications to fuzzy dynamic equations

This paper introduces the foundational theory of fuzzy calculus on time scales, utilizing granular arithmetic operations between fuzzy intervals. These operations are developed based on the concept of the horizontal membership function (HMF), which is applied in multidimensional fuzzy arithmetic (MFA). Furthermore, the paper explores the existence of a unique solution and the continuous dependence of the solution to fuzzy dynamic equations on initial data, employing the Banach fixed-point theorem under a new metric for fuzzy functions in time scales involving the generalized exponential function. Finally, to highlight the practical significance of these results and their potential applications, the paper presents mathematical models relevant to nuclear physics and biology.

CRAFTING A FOUCAULDIAN GENEALOGY METHOD FOR ANALYZING CURRICULUM-AS-DISCOURSE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Introduction/Frame: (Contextualization/Justification) Viewing curriculum as discourse can enable educators to identify how historical markers of discrimination are repeated. Historical markers are archaeologically embedded in the various dimensions of a curriculum and find expression in preferred ways of thinking, speaking, doing, and being. Such historical hypernorms are often maintained by practical rationalities, or technologies of power that reify their taken-for-granted legitimacy as ‘truth regimes’. Research Question/Objectives: This phase of the study aimed to critically explore and disclose how the (socio/politico-historically constructed) rules of knowledge-formation in a contemporary occupational therapy curriculum-as-discourse, are reproduced and maintained as truths at a university that historically supported apartheid in South Africa. Methodology: A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis (FDA) approach was used to systematically craft a genealogy analysis method from foundational Foucauldian theory. Adjacent, a lens of the ‘dimensions of the curriculum’ was employed: i.e., the formal, the informal, the hidden, and the negated curriculum. Various data sources were categorized accordingly, e.g., overarching policy documents; social events; timetables and prescribed texts; physical teaching spaces; espoused values, and underlying assumptions modelled during assessment in teaching and learning spaces. Results: Following the four rules of knowledge-formation that ensued from an archaeology analysis, the contemporary reification of the historical markers was problematised through various technologies of power and self, as well modes of reasoning. Examples are pervasive white demographics of both students and faculty reifying cognitive monopoly and mono-cultural epistemologies; the rationalization of highly ritualized (over)assessment of students suppressing adult-to-adult transactionalism in andragogy practices; the reproduction of mono-cultural epistemologies in clinical training operating in the hidden curriculum. Final considerations: Consciously dismantling the rationalising strategies for the continuation of discriminatory patterns of inclusion and exclusion in a curriculum, can open a space for critical dialogue, disruption, and reconfiguration of a curriculum-as-discourse towards social justice, and epistemic freedom in (higher) education.

Emerging Insights on the Role of Social Networks in Intergroup Friendship

Research on intergroup friendships has historically focused on individuals and dyads. Only recently has research begun to examine intergroup friendship in the context of the broader web of social relationships in which individuals and dyads are embedded. This review highlights emerging research on the role of social networks in intergroup friendship, with a focus on interracial friendship. In particular, we examine how social networks shape opportunities to form intergroup friendships, influence intergroup attitudes, and affect ongoing intergroup interactions and relationships. This emerging work reveals how friendships across group lines are shaped not only by the individuals involved but also by their other friends, the attitudes of those around them, and the structure and context of their broader social network. Though nascent, social network research has already begun to offer novel insights into foundational intergroup theories and inform future interventions to foster intergroup friendships.

Re-visiting the E-SERVQUAL and Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory in the Context of the Service Industry in Malaysia

The SERVQUAL model has been used for several years to illustrate the relationships between tangible, assurance, reliability, responsiveness, empathy, and customer satisfaction. This paper posits that the SERVQUAL model requires an extension to better explain the relationships between the factors that influence customer satisfaction. The main difference is that the revised SERVQUAL includes the dimensions that apply to the online service industry or e-commerce, thus the proposed e-SERVQUAL comprises fulfillment, efficiency, privacy, and system availability. In this paper, e-SERVQUAL pinpointed two underpinning theories which are e-SERVQUAL and Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory (EDT). This study delves into the foundation, expansion, and evolvement of both theories particularly in the online food delivery service industry in Malaysia. The main objective of this paper is to present the reviews of the literature on e-SERVQUAL and Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory on the relationship between the elements that influence e-customer satisfaction. The study contributes to developing and improving the model that defines service quality in a digital service context. Correspondingly, it emphasizes the robustness of the theories and further enriches the academic literature.

Competitiveness, Competitive Intelligence, And Strategic Positioning: An Integrated Approach For Organizational Success

In an era marked by rapid globalization and digital transformation, businesses face unprecedented challenges. Understanding and integrating key concepts such as competitiveness, competitive intelligence, and strategic positioning has become essential for organizations aiming to maintain a sustainable competitive edge. This article explores how these three strategic elements interact to create synergy, enabling organizations to identify opportunities, anticipate threats, and develop strategies that drive long-term success. By analyzing foundational theories from notable authors like Porter, Prahalad, Hamel, and Mintzberg, and using real-world examples, this study highlights the importance of a holistic approach in strategic management. The findings suggest that companies capable of harmonizing these concepts are better positioned to innovate, adapt, and thrive in the competitive business landscape

Faces of Power in Organizations: Foundations, Applications, and Extension

Questions of power are core to organizations, organizing, and the conduct of the organized. Organizational research, however, often avoids addressing questions of power in the direct, explicit, straightforward fashion that their theoretical importance would warrant. Mainstream management and organization studies, including work and organizational psychology and organizational behavior, typically limit themselves to basic and narrow conceptualizations of episodic interpersonal power. Building on broader theorizing in political and social science, an integrative literature review has introduced the ‘four faces of power’ to organizational research a decade ago. Albeit frequently referred to, applications of this model seem rare. However, a systematic assessment of the literature is lacking. Against this backdrop, objectives of this contributions are three-fold: First, an overview of foundational theories and taxonomies for the study of power in organizations is provided. Secondly, a semi-systematic review of the uptake of the ‘four faces of power’ taxonomy in the organizational literature is presented. After seven identified applications are summarized, the current state of knowledge and further research needs are discussed. Finally, an extended version of ‘six faces of power’ is suggested. Envisioned is a perspective that puts power into the foreground of organizational research.

Enhancing Science Affinities of Ethnic Minority High School Students Through Online Interactions with Cultural Role-Models of Scientists and Engineers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study

This case study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an online science enhancement program in retaining ethnic minority students in science by providing them with opportunities to interact with cultural role-models of scientists and engineers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study draws on foundational theories of identity formation and attitudes towards science, as well as research on growth mindsets, to increase students’ participation in science and assess the program’s effects, while also collecting data to develop a new theory. The findings indicate that the online enhancement program successfully facilitated the formation of science identities among the 12 ethnic minority high school students, enhanced their interest in science, and fostered positive attitudes towards science during the pandemic. Moreover, the online interactions with cultural role-models of scientists and engineers supported the students’ science learning and reinforced their science identity. This study also provides guidelines for future research on designing online enrichment programs to enhance ethnic minority students’ science affinities.

Are meat alternatives a moral concern? A comparison of English and Japanese tweets

Meat alternatives, such as soy-based meat substitutes, are gaining attention as possible solutions for the negative effects of increased meat consumption on human health, the environment, and animal welfare. Our study indicates that the public interest in these alternatives is evolving into a moral concern, influencing both societal shifts and marketing approaches. Using longitudinal data from Twitter (now known as X), we analyzed spontaneous conversations on meat alternatives in both English and Japanese. We identified keywords reflecting food choice motivations and we assessed their prevalence in the tweets. Drawing on Moral Foundations Theory, we detected a shift in the moral language associated with conversations about meat alternatives. While both English and Japanese tweets showed a noticeable shift in consumer interest in meat alternatives driven by moral concerns for the environment and animals, the degree of moralizing was more pronounced in English. Our study provides empirical evidence of a decrease in emphasis on sensory appeal, such as taste (a significant factor in previous studies), and a growing dominance of moral considerations. For future marketing campaigns, it would be advantageous to highlight not only the taste and health benefits but also the ethical dimension, in order to resonate with consumers.