Lens Of Theory Research Articles

Understanding the Role of Psychosocial Factors in Online News Addiction

ABSTRACT The internet has fundamentally changed the way in which individuals interact with news. Unfortunately, research suggests a growing number of people have become addicted to online news, resulting in negative consequences. In this research, we examine this phenomenon through the lens of social identity theory. We posit that, for some individuals, the identity adopted through group memberships becomes central to their daily life. This, along with fear of missing out and lack of trust in one’s social network, lead to online news addiction. Our findings confirm this view and offer new insights for why users overconsume online news. Our contributions are threefold. First, we provide a theoretically grounded explanation of online news addiction based on social identity theory. Second, our multidimensional conceptualization of social identity combined with centrality provides a nuanced pattern for future addiction studies. Finally, we identify factors which may be used to curb online news addiction.

Park smart or face the music: Understanding users’ orderly parking behavior of dockless shared bikes from the perspective of deterrence theory

The rapid growth of dockless bike-sharing has revolutionized urban transportation. However, the disorderly parking of dockless shared bikes has emerged as a critical challenge, significantly hindering the benefits of this system by causing obstructions, safety hazards, and public nuisance. This study aims to investigate users’ orderly parking behavior of dockless shared bikes through the lens of deterrence theory. Our findings reveal that punishment severity, punishment certainty, personal norm, and descriptive norm have significant positive effects on users’ attitudes towards orderly parking, which in turn positively influences their orderly parking behavior. This study contributes to the literature by extending the application of deterrence theory to the context of dockless bike-sharing and providing empirical evidence on the role of deterrence factors in shaping users’ orderly parking behavior. Our findings offer valuable insights for bike-sharing operators and policymakers to develop effective strategies.

The Role of Choice and Descriptive Norms in Attenuating Reactance to BPA Risk Messages: A Conceptual Replication

ABSTRACT The current study examined behavioral recommendations to reduce Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure through the lens of psychological reactance theory. This study conceptually replicated previous work by [Reynolds-Tylus, T., Martinez Gonzalez, A., & Quick, B. L. (2019). The role of choice clustering and descriptive norms in attenuating psychological reactance to water and energy conservation messages. Environmental Communication, 13(7), 847–863. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2018.1461672)] by examining two antecedents to psychological reactance: choice and descriptive norms. Participants (N = 607) were randomly assigned to one of five message conditions in a 2 (choice: choice, no choice) X 2 (descriptive norm: high vs. low) factorial design with a no message control. Results indicated that messages providing choice (vs. no choice) within a cluster of environmental health behaviors decreased freedom threat perceptions. As expected, reactance was negatively associated with intention to reduce BPA exposure. Descriptive norm (high vs. low) was unrelated to freedom threat but indirectly influenced behavioral intention to reduce BPA exposure as mediated through perceived descriptive norm. Our results speak to the importance of replication in communication research and provide evidence-based message design advice for environmental health campaigns. Findings are discussed in terms of the theoretical and practical contributions of the current study.

Mapping the relationship between traffic accidents, road network configuration, and urban land use

Understanding the nature of traffic accidents in relation to urban access networks is crucial for building safer and more resilient cities. This paper examines the issue of traffic accidents through the lenses of urban configurational theory and urban land use. Three data layers were used in the study, including space syntax analysis conducted in Depthmap X, geotagged traffic accidents collected by the police department, and geotagged land-use data. The method involved superimposing these data layers and exploring potential correlations using a geographic information system (GIS). The findings indicate significant correlations between the spatial frequency of traffic accidents and the choice measure (at 2500 m), local integration, and active land use. The findings of this study can help inform planners and policymakers about the best location to implement safety measures to reduce the risk of traffic accidents in urban access networks.

History of VET for women in Australia: a practice theory perspective

ABSTRACT In Australia, several rounds of policy and training reforms, and investments by governments, industry and other stakeholders, have fallen short of meeting the learning and employment needs of women. Their level of engagement in education, through Vocational Education and Training (VET), for example, remains below expectation. In this paper, we use a practice theory lens to examine literature on the history of VET for women in Australia and analyse the kinds of arrangements that have enabled and constrained women’s participation in vocational fields, completion of certification, and subsequent employment outcomes. Historicising practices is critical for understanding the extent to which the conditions of the ‘past’ can be traced to the conditions of ‘present’ to identify the intrinsically ‘ecologically’ relatedness between remnants of practices as they are encountered and change over time, to advance practices and practice architectures themselves.

‘It’s paradoxical, but it works' – Towards ambidexterity in external quality assurance: the case of Roman Catholic ecclesiastical higher education

ABSTRACT This article focuses on organizational responses to seemingly paradoxical mandates, in the context of external quality assurance in higher education. With the promulgation of the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium in 2018, Roman Catholic ecclesiastical higher education institutions have been required to be evaluated by a designated external quality assurance agency, the Holy See’s Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties (AVEPRO). Operating internationally, the Agency is tasked to both evaluate quality with an accountability mindset and promote quality with a continuous enhancement outlook. These two approaches to quality processes can be considered conflicting notions. Using the lens of paradox theory and organizational ambidexterity to observe the nature of and responses to tensions, this study considers how AVEPRO managed the challenge of reconciling both QA and QE imperatives. Although ambidexterity studies have mainly focused on the private sector, this analysis shows that this theoretical framework can provide a relevant lens in other contexts where paradoxes exist, such as external quality assurance agencies in higher education. Findings show that an innovative organizational structure and a creative mindset can reconcile quality assurance and quality enhancement processes through different channels.

From ‘low-class’ and ‘talentless’ to ‘narcissist and pathological liar’: a functional-pragmatic approach to Meghan Markle’s negative evaluation on X

Abstract This paper looks into how aggression against Meghan Markle is deployed in a sample of X replies that address her directly through the lens of Appraisal Theory coupled with impoliteness. A sample of tweets containing the seed word “Meghan Markle” was retrieved with Export Comments (December 2022–April 2023). Replies were run through the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count-22 to assess the tone and prevalence of emotions in the corpus. Results indicated high values for negative emotions, interpersonal conflict, and moralization words. Then, a random sample was manually codified to identify the use frequencies for the Attitude system’s affect, judgment, and appreciation categories when employed to convey hostility against the public figure. Tweets were overwhelmingly negative and explicitly conveyed through the negative judgment of Meghan Markle’s previous sexual and professional life. The veracity of her words and actions was also a source of aggression while tapping into the widely accepted stereotype that depicts women as liars or as incompetent and lacking determination, while some tweets also touched upon her mental instability. Findings reveal that aggressive tweets on X rely on appraisal resources and impolite-related language to promote and perpetuate culturally bound and traditional beliefs about women that ultimately reflect an underlying patriarchal system.

Security Officials’ Perspectives on Reintegration Challenges for Former Al-Shabaab Foreign Terrorist Fighters in Kenya

ABSTRACT This paper situates the perspectives of selected Kenyan security officials on the reintegration challenges for former foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) (returnees) affiliated with the AlShabaab. The study reflects on the amnesty intervention program that was launched by the government in 2015 to rehabilitate AlShabaab returnees. This is a situation not unique to Kenya. Since the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (post-2015), the dilemma became what states and, more principally, how western nations that had the bulk of foreign fighters would react upon their return from conflict theatres. In the Kenyan context, the rationale at the time was an unconditional surrender and consequently rehabilitation interventions to reintegrate these individuals into society. The Al-Shabaab is an insurgent group based in Somalia that has contributed to insecurity in the Horn of Africa region. This study, relying on a securitization theory lens, reflects on qualitative fieldwork insights with select government security officials in Kenya’s Mombasa and Nairobi Counties. The study probes how these officials frame the security threat that FTFs pose to Kenya, and indeed the region, and consequently their perspectives of reintegration challenges. The study findings present three major frames. The first is their framing of returnees as security threats. The second is their framing of returnees as hampered by legal/policy gaps. The third is their framing around gaps in community acceptance. The findings contribute to the literature on reintegration and offer lucid insights into how such programmatic interventions can be adapted for peacebuilding practice. The findings may be applied in the realm of contextual best practices on what works and does not in reintegration initiatives.

The effect of green perceived values on urban homeowners’ greening intention: the mediating role of green attitude

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of urban homeowners’ green perceived values (i.e. green functional, emotional, ecological and aesthetic values) on their greening behavioural intention. The study further tested the mediating role of green attitude in the relationship between the green perceived value dimensions and greening intention through the theoretical lens of the customer value theory (CVT) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).Design/methodology/approachA quantitative survey design was employed for this study. Empirical data were drawn from 501 households in Ghana using a purposive sampling technique. The hypothesized relationships were analysed using structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results of this study revealed that urban homeowners’ intention to adopt greening behaviour is directly influenced by their perception of green functional, ecological and aesthetic values. In addition, the study found that green attitude partially mediated the links between homeowners’ green functional, ecological and aesthetic values and their greening intention. Green emotional value on the other hand did not have a significant direct effect on homeowners’ greening intention. However, it had an indirect effect on greening intention through green attitude. Thus, we can conclude that green attitude fully mediated urban homeowners’ perception of green emotional value and their greening intention.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to attempt to integrate the CVT and the TPB to understand urban homeowners’ greening intention. The study which focuses on Ghana provides new insights into the pathway for promoting voluntary greening behaviour within a developing country

How do medical students' expectations shape their experiences of well-being programmes?

Medical schools have a duty of care to support their students' health and well-being. Student support studies have tended to focus on outcomes in respect of effectiveness and satisfaction. In contrast, little is known about how student expectations of support may shape their experiences and engagement with support mechanisms, as well as the relationships students have with those offering support (including the institution itself). To address this gap in knowledge, we explore how medical students' expectations of student support systems shape, and are shaped by, institutional rules and processes. We employed a qualitative case study approach using an institutional ethnography informed methodology. Our context was a medical school that provides a well-advertised, formal institutional support system where students are assigned a personal tutor. Data collection included interviews with medical students (n = 13) plus document analysis (public facing artefacts and internal policies/guidelines related to the support system). We applied the lens of psychological contract theory to guide abductive analysis of interview and text data. Students expected a strong support system to be provided by the medical school and the personal tutors. However, their experiences did not always align with their expectations. Some felt excluded by the system while others regarded the relationship with their personal tutor as more transactional than relational. Where their expectations were unmet, students responded by reducing their engagement with the formal support system and creating their own peer-support network that supplemented existing formal support. Student expectations matter in shaping their experiences of support systems. Where expectations are unmet, students may disengage and/or find alternatives. This may be easier for some students compared with others. More understanding of the relationship between expectations and engagement with support can inform the development of institutional support structures that meet the needs of all students across time.

Neurotic Anxiety of Submissive Personalities: A Psychoneurotic Analysis of Mary Dedalus in James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Motivated by the insights of Karen Horney into submissive and compliant personalities, this study delves into the perpetual vulnerability, fear of helplessness, and isolation portrayed in James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man through the lens of psychoneurosis theory. Individuals with obsessive appeasement tendencies experience excessive dependency and restlessness, reinforcing their feelings of helplessness and often resulting in manipulative attachments to powerful figures and self-defeating behaviours. Neurosis amplifies these maladaptive responses, intensifying anxiety stemming from individual, familial, social, or religious fears, thereby significantly impacting social functioning. This study aims to analyse the submissive personality of Mary Dedalus in Joyce’s novel from the three distinct perspectives of need for approval, sense of unsupportedness, and fear of the church. An in-depth exploration of these aspects not only enriches our comprehension of Joyce’s work but also offers valuable insights into the portrayal of neurosis and its impact on human behaviour within a competitive societal framework.

The effect of perceived risks and overall risk perception on international tourists’ behavioural intention: Insights from Bali

This research aims to investigate the effect of international tourists’ perceived risk factors on ( n = 257) overall risk perceptions and consequently on their behavioural intention (i.e. intention to revisit, to recommend destination and repeat same activities) from the lens of prospect theory. An online survey was circulated to the onsite international tourists who were visiting Bali. We found that human-induced and financial risk have significant effect on overall risk perception, while overall risk perception mediates the relationship between human-induced risk and behavioural intention. Financial risk has significant negative effect on behavioural intention, however, human-induced risk interestingly has significant positive effect on behavioural intention. While international tourists were concerned about the environmental issues in Bali, it does not affect their intention to revisit Bali. This study extends prospect theory in tourism literature and attempt to provide insights for destination marketers to mitigate and manage growing risk perceptions associated with international tourists’ behavioural intention.

Developing resilience strategies amid supply chain risks in the automotive industry: A stakeholder theory perspective

AbstractManaging automotive supply chain risks contributes to achieving sustainability goals, including ensuring business continuity, maintaining production and delivery schedules, and reducing environmental impact. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the risks confronting the supply chain in the automotive industry through the moderating effect of reactive and proactive resilience strategies. The stakeholder theory perspective was used in this study to examine supply chain risk in the automotive industry. A quantitative method was employed, resulting in 157 valid responses. The results reveal that demand risk had the most significant effect on auto dealer performance, followed by logistics/transportation, production, and supply risk. Notably, proactive resilience strategies were found to significantly impact the relationship between risk and performance. The findings underscore the importance of proactive measures in mitigating the performance impacts of supply chain risk. This study contributes a theoretical framework by identifying four major supply chain risks and seven proactive and 12 reactive strategies. In addition, the study was conducted through the lens of stakeholder theory, emphasizing the importance of suppliers, manufacturers, and dealers cooperating to establish a reliable supply chain.

Off the beaten track: Portugal’s strategies for attracting international students

Portugal, a semi-peripheral player in international student mobility (ISM), has historically attracted few international students. Against a significant growth in international enrolments in recent years, this paper explores the institutional strategies underpinning this expansion in 13 Portuguese higher education institutions with the highest proportions of international students. Through semi-structured interviews with 24 top institutional leaders and middle managers, we analyse the recruitment strategies deployed to improve attractiveness and target publics through the lens of globalisation theories. Findings indicate that institutions are deliberately and proactively navigating the changing landscape of ISM through strategies that range from more traditional marketing actions to some very innovative and unique approaches to recruitment. They also reveal a deliberate diversification of target publics. The paper enhances knowledge about recruitment strategies in a less popular destination, highlighting that creativity and resourcefulness are necessary for semi-peripheral countries to gain terrain in international recruitment.

Two Case Presentations with Unexpected Outcomes after Childhood Trauma

Bowlby developed the theory of attachment, describing it as a lasting emotional bond between human beings, manifested by seeking proximity to caregivers, especially in times of distress. Children adjust their behavior to prevent separation from their primary attachment figure – someone who provides support, protection and care. Attachment theory provides a favorable framework for understanding our two cases and their developmental paths.We report two cases of female individuals, both of whom had a family history of psychiatric disease and experienced early parental separation with the grandparents playing significant roles in their upbringing. The two cases had radically different outcomes: one was diagnosed with schizophrenia and the other with generalized anxiety-depressive disorder. We attempt to analyze the reasons for the disparate outcomes of these two cases through the framework of numerous published studies that highlight protective and risk factors for psychiatric disease, studies that highlight the impact of traumatic events in childhood on a child’s biological, psychological and social development, as well as through the lens of psychodynamic and attachment theories. Throughout the analysis, the importance of early intervention is made clear: both through various treatment modalities and preventive measures, as well as by providing successful mental health programs directed towards the destigmatization of children with mental health problems.

Female sexism and religion linking to value and cultural norms

Instances of sexism, a widespread manifestation of gender bias, frequently lead to the belief that one gender is superior or inferior. This is evident through attitudes, behaviors, and institutional procedures that support gender hierarchies and sustain unequal treatment. The entertainment sector, by virtue of its extensive impact, intensifies these biases by molding public attitudes towards women. Through the lens of Glick and Fiske's ambivalent sexism theory, this study investigates the sexism Kim Kardashian encounters on social media sites, namely Instagram, by analyzing both hostile and benevolent sexism. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the recurring victimization of the Kardashian family based on sexist ideologies. This study uses a qualitative research approach, specifically case study approaches, to investigate the phenomenon of sexism encountered by Kim Kardashian. Investigators will collect data using interviews, questionnaires, live observations, and a comprehensive review of relevant papers, journals, and prior studies. The main objective of this study is to gather data from social media platforms, focusing specifically on evaluating commentary that exhibits sexism, hate speech, patriarchy, misogyny, discrimination, and related subjects on Kim Kardashian's Instagram account. Through the lens of The Ambivalent Sexism Theory, this study reveals that Kim Kardashian evokes both angry and pleasant sexist behavior in Instagram comments.

Jesus was Married? “SCANDALOUS!” Field Theory in Reporting on a U.S. Religion Scandal

ABSTRACT The scandal story reflects an essential journalistic lens to understand culture; scandals circumscribe attention to the norms, values and expectations of a culture. This study explores the nature of the scandal story through an examination of a case in U.S. journalism: the coverage of the now-disproved “Gospel of Jesus’ Wife.” This study examines the initial 2012 case of an ancient papyrus scrap alleged to prove that the historical Jesus was married, and that over a period of eight years, was disproved to a complicated backstory of cultural misogyny, academic dishonesty, and a con man. Through the lens of field theory, this study aims to explore how scandal stories help shed a light on how a culture informs a newsroom doxa.

Unveiling the Strategy Behind Blackfishing: Kim Kardashian's Instagram and the New Beauty Discourse

As a fashion and beauty icon in America, Kim Kardashian is one of the public figures who supports the new beauty discourse. The emerging concept of new beauty in America challenges conventional limits for the delineation of beauty. This idea emphasizes that beauty is not limited by skin color, body shape, age, and hairstyle; instead, it emphasizes the need of embracing of natural body. This study examines how Kim Kardashian's personal Instagram posts from 2014-2023 showcases new notions of beauty via the lens of semiotic theory by Barthes (1964) and the concept of blackfishing. New forms of beauty discourse displayed by Kim Kardashian are accused of being blackfishing by excessively darkened skin, curvy body shapes, full lips, and hair. According to the findings of this study, there is a sense of ambivalence towards black women's bodies. Consequently, white people have internalized certain characteristics of black bodies without appreciating the unique qualities of black women. Kim Kardashian promotes a new beauty discourse that is considered blackfishing through her collaboration with the fashion and beauty industry and building her own cosmetics business. This demonstrates the participation of other influential individuals in the fashion business who endorse Kim's blackfishing appearance so that this appearance continues to appear in public and is normalized.

The spirit of sports as ideology: a theoretical framework

ABSTRACT The discourse surrounding the spirit of sports, especially under the purview of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), often centers on the philosophical implications of doping and fair play. This research aims to reframe the discussion by employing the lens of historical materialism and Marxist theory, considering sports not merely as isolated physical endeavors but deeply interwoven with societal and ideological transformations. This approach traces the evolution of sports from ancient times, where it served religious and communal functions, to its current status as a component of global capitalist culture. By analyzing the spirit of sports through the theoretical frameworks of Althusser and Žižek, this study explores how sports act as ideological state apparatuses (AIEs), shaping and being shaped by the prevailing economic and social structures. The core argument posits that the spirit of sports is both a reflection of and a contributor to the ideological superstructures that define different historical epochs. The analysis highlights the transition from viewing sports as communal and ritualistic engagements to mechanisms of capitalist ideology, emphasizing competition and profit. Through this historical and ideological critique, the research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the spirit of sports, challenging traditional perspectives that isolate sports from their socio-economic and ideological contexts. The findings suggest that any discussion about the spirit of sports, particularly in anti-doping debates, must consider the broader ideological forces at play, thereby opening pathways for a more nuanced understanding of sports ethics.

Examining the Experiences of Veterans in Higher Education Through the Lens of Veteran Critical Theory

Colleges and universities invest in various initiatives and efforts to support veterans who enroll in higher education. One such support initiative, the focus of this paper, is a specifically designed academic 1-credit hour course for veterans, intended to support their transition to college. Through the theoretical lens of veteran critical theory (VCT) and self-directed learning (SDL), we conducted a qualitative case study and explored the experiences of veteran students who enrolled in this course specifically to learn more about the opportunities it creates to support them as they transition to college and a civilian career. Additionally, we examined the processes and experiences of the designers and instructors of the course to learn more about the administrative elements of the course and about the ways in which they perceive the course as being useful for supporting veterans and their transition to higher education as a stepping-stone for gaining meaningful employment. We collected data through semi-structured interviews, a survey, and document analysis for which we employed a thematic and content analysis. In this paper, we present the participants’ insights into the unique challenges and opportunities veterans face and outline their thoughts on the significance, relevance, and applicability of various components of the course. We ground the discussion with VCT and SDL and highlight the perceived impact of the course and recommendations for future enhancements.