Changes In Norms Research Articles

Forgiveness and Letting Go: Ways of Changing the Normative Landscape

Forgiveness is often distinguished from other ways of eliminating (or reducing) blame, such as letting go. In this paper, I focus on a conception of forgiveness as normative landscape change (alteration of the rights and obligations of relevant parties), and explore the distinction between forgiveness—understood in this way—and letting go. I highlight the explanatory power of this approach for distinguishing forgiveness and letting go, and contrast it with an alternative way, in which the focus is instead primarily on a kind of attitude change. I conclude by comparing the implications of both forgiveness and letting go for other phenomena we care about, such as reconciliation.

Subtracting Reasons in Normative Domains

Practical reasons can be aggregated to decide what one ought to do. This paper explores an operation that undoes aggregation: subtraction. I consider several distinctions concerning subtraction: subtracting content and subtracting strength; and subtracting one reason from one other reason or from a set of reasons. I put forward a precise understanding of subtracting the content of one reason from another, based on an operation of difference on a state-like, structured notion of content. Finally, I apply my approach to subtracting reasons to normative domains, and in particular to belief revision and norm change.

Examining Individual and Service Delivery Context Variables and Their Association with the Effectiveness of QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training.

Suicide prevention training programs have spread rapidly within child and public-serving organizations, due to the alarming increase in youth suicide rates. Yet, within these organizations, roles and responsibilities can shape attitudes and intentions related to suicide prevention, thereby influencing the uptake of prevention efforts. As such, various organizational and individual factors can predict uptake, adoption, and maintenance of prevention efforts (Fixsen et al., 2005). To date, few studies have examined the service delivery context in understanding training effectiveness, especially as it relates to QPR (Question Persuade and Refer), one of the most widely disseminated suicide prevention gatekeeper programs. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to evaluate whether individual and organizational characteristics influenced the effectiveness and sustainability of training outcomes, and whether such differences existed among diverse child and public-serving delivery sectors. Several training outcomes that align with the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) were examined, including confidence, attitudes, social norms, and suicide prevention behaviors. Measures were assessed prior to and 90 days after the QPR program among a sample of 858 professionals. Community support personnel uniquely showed improvements on social norms while juvenile justice and child welfare workers engaged in more suicide prevention behaviors post training. While trainees across sectors had improved suicide prevention attitudes, law enforcement personnel were the exception. Organizational climate predicted change in suicide prevention attitudes, confidence, and social norms. Trainees who were older, Latinx, and Black had the most improvement on several training outcome variables, but these findings also varied within service sectors.

Language ideologies against norm change: A case study of the orthographic norm of Finnish O(i)ttA-verbs and language professionals’ unwillingness to change it

This study investigates why language professionals of the standard Finnish language are unwilling to change a known problematic orthographic norm and how their arguments are based on overt and covert conceptions of standard language. It also analyzes how dominant language ideologies, namely standard language ideology (SLI) and linguistic purism, form the bases of these conceptions. The study is based on a qualitative survey, and it explores the metalanguage of the answers to one open-ended question using content analysis. The concepts of language are presented as conceptual metaphors. The analysis reveals six concepts that represent a particular ideological notion belonging to purism, SLI, or both. The respondents conceptualize language as value judgments and through functions and social connotations. Some concepts are based on non-linguistic but emotionally powerful values, others on usability or language’s ability to serve as a marker of status or social bonds. The study highlights the deep impact of language ideologies. Kokkuvõte. Henni Pajunen: Normingu muutmisega seotud keeleideloogiad: soome keele O(i)ttA-tegusõnade ortograafianormingu juhtumiuuring ja keeleprofessionaalide soovimatus normingut muuta. See artikkel uurib, miks soome keeleprofessionaalid ei soovi laialt tuntud problemaatilise ortograafianormingu muutmist ja kuidas nende argumendid põhinevad avalikel ja varjatud arusaamadel normitud keelest. Samuti analüüsib artikkel, kuidas peamised keelelised ideoloogiad – standardkeeleideoloogia ja purism – on nende arusaamade aluseks. Artikkel põhineb kvalitatiivsel uuringul ja selles käsitletakse sisuanalüüsi abil ühele avatud küsimusele antud vastuste metakeelt. Keelega seotud mõisted on esitatud mõistemetafooridena. Analüüsis tõuseb esile kuus mõistet, mis esindavad purismi, standardkeeleideoloogiat või mõlemat. Küsitlusele vastajad mõtestavad keelt väärtushinnangutena ning seda keele funktsioonide ja sotsiaalsete konnotatsioonide kaudu. Mõned kontseptsioonid põhinevad mittekeelelistel, kuid emotsionaalselt tugevatel väärtustel, teised kasutatavusel või keele võimel olla staatuse või sotsiaalsete sidemete markeriks. Uurimus tõstab esile keeleideoloogiate tugeva mõju.

Prevalence, correlates, and trends of intimate partner violence against women in Sierra Leone: findings from 2013 and 2019 demographic and health surveys.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a globally pervasive public health and medical problem in addition to being a serious violation of women's rights. The two-fold objectives of this study were to compute the lifetime prevalence and correlates of IPV perpetrated by current/former husbands/partners of ever-married women aged 15-49 years using the nationally representative Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in 2019; ethnicity-based levels and trends of IPV were also computed using the data from the DHS conducted in 2013 along with the 2019 DHS. Twelve IPV correlates pertaining to socio-demographic, attitudinal, and experiential attributes were analyzed using logistic regression models for bivariate and multivariable analysis. IPV was computed as a composite variable comprising of physical, emotional, and/or sexual IPV. Lifetime prevalence of experiencing any kind of IPV was a staggering 60.81%, whereas emotional, physical, and sexual IPV prevalence were reported by 45.90%, 49.81%, and 8.14% of the respondents, respectively. No ethnicity reported a statistically significant decrease in any type of IPV during the intervening period between the two surveys. Five out of nine ethnicities reported a statistically significant increase in emotional IPV, while few ethnicities reported a statistically significant increase in one or more types of IPV. The high lifetime prevalence of IPV is alarming and points to the need for targeted health promotion campaigns to reverse the tide of IPV in Sierra Leone, including focusing on changes in cultural and ethnicity-based norms and mores to ensure women's human rights are respected and upheld.

The Ranking Argument - Challenging Favourable Comparative Rhetoric about Swiss Animal Welfare Law

This article captures and critiques a recurring and prominent political argument against animal welfare improvements in Switzerland which we term the “ranking argument”. This states that Swiss animal welfare law ranks among the strictest in the world, therefore no improvements are called for. This argument was advanced three times by Swiss government authorities in 2022 alone, but also in a case dating back to 1984, to advise the electorate on popular initiatives aiming at animal welfare improvements. We argue that, while the argument commits a fallacy of relative privation and is ethically dubious, it can be deployed to great effect by agents opposed to norm change in animal welfare regulation. We conclude with some thoughts on how the ranking argument can and should be challenged in public discourse.

How does fairness promote innovative behavior in organizational change?: The importance of social context

AbstractThis study examined how and when employee perceptions of change fairness increase their engagement in innovative behavior during organizational change. Drawing upon fairness heuristic theory, we suggest that change fairness plays a pivotal role as a key heuristic about trustworthiness of leaders and managers in motivating employees to engage in innovative behavior. We also suggest that this change fairness effect becomes stronger or weaker depending on social contexts (change norms, change norm strength, and status differentiation) within a group. Our findings from survey data (N = 318; 35 teams) supported our hypotheses, showing that change fairness is positively related to innovative behavior and that this relationship becomes weaker when (a) group members demonstrate supportive behaviors for the planned change on average (positive change norms), (b) all group members uniformly demonstrate change‐supportive behaviors (strong change norms), and (c) group members' social status perceptions are similar (low status differentiation). We provide insights into theory development and change implementation in practice by highlighting the crucial role of fairness as a key decision heuristic about the trustworthiness of management and demonstrating how social contexts substitute the fairness effect on innovative behavior.

Fathers and childcare: Are gender social norms in India changing?

AbstractThe involvement of fathers in the care of new‐borns and young children is becoming a fact of life in contemporary urban India. However, there is little empirical research on changes in the gender social norms around childcare in India. We do not know if there are some childcare responsibilities that men are happy to take on while there are others which are still considered the ‘Mommy domain’? The article is based on an exploratory research study interrogating the increasing role played by fathers in the care of their young children in urban India. Based on in‐depth interviews with two generations of fathers, it focuses on the differences in their participation in childcare activities. The study finds that both, the practice as well as the discourse concerning childcare among urban middle‐class Indians are changing and thus the gender norms for childcare responsibility can be said to be somewhat shifting for a certain class of Indian families.

Understanding how social norms influence access to and utilization of adolescent sexual and reproductive health services in Northern Nigeria.

This study explored the influence of social norms on the access and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by adolescents. Apart from individual and environmental barriers, social norms influence contraceptive decisions and ultimately sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Social norms that shape group behavior describe acceptable standards of behavior and evoke sanctions when such behavior standards are not adhered to. Sexually active adolescents in Nigeria have a relatively low level of modern contraceptive use being influenced by social norms. Scaling up adolescent reproductive health interventions that integrate normative change for a wider impact of programs remains challenging. Using data from 18 communities, 188 married and unmarried adolescents (F52% and M48%) and 69 (F37%; M63%) reference group participants were purposively sampled and participated in a social norms exploration intervention study conducted through focus group discussion and in-depth interviews between October and November 2019. The Advancing Learning and Innovation on Gender Norms (ALIGN) Social Norms Exploration Tool (SNET) was adapted for the data collection into discussion guides and vignettes. Pilot testing of the tools informed review and validation prior to actual data collection. Low contraceptive uptake by adolescents was characterized by early and forced marriage in childhood; a prominent practice enshrined in social norms around girl-childchastity, family honor, and disapproval of pre-marital sex and pregnancy out of wedlock. The understanding of harmful social norms, normative change actors, and potential norm-shifting factors for contraceptive decisions by adolescents is essential for effective adolescent sexual and reproductive health interventions for wider impact and adaptive programming in behavior change interventions for improving the access to and utilization of modern contraceptives by adolescents for improved sexual health outcomes, the attainment of the Family Planning (FP) 2030 commitment and universal health coverage policy.

Appropriateness ratings of everyday behaviors in the United States now and 50 years ago.

A crucial aspect of social norms pertains to determining which behaviors are considered appropriate. Here we consider everyday behaviors. Some everyday behaviors are rated as more appropriate than others, and ratings of the appropriateness of a given behavior may vary over time. The objective of this study is to elucidate the reasons behind variation in appropriateness ratings of everyday behaviors in the United States. Our theory focuses on how the evaluation of the appropriateness of a behavior is influenced by its potential for externalities and internalities, and how this influence may cause a change in norms over time. Employing a preregistered design, we asked American participants to rate 37 different everyday behaviors based on their appropriateness in a range of common situations, as well as their potential negative externalities (e.g., being loud, being aggressive, taking up space) and positive internalities (e.g., pleasurability). Changes over time were calculated as the difference between mean ratings obtained in this study and ratings of the same behavior in a similar study conducted 50 years ago. As expected, overall appropriateness ratings of everyday behaviors are associated both with their externalities and their internalities, so that the least appropriate behaviors tend to have considerable potential for negative externalities and little potential for positive internalities. Moreover, behaviors that have considerable potential for negative externalities are perceived as less appropriate now than 50 years ago. By describing how social norms for everyday behaviors depend on the externalities and internalities of behaviors, this study contributes to theories about the emergence and change of social norms.

The Problem with Apu: Recognizing Moral Issues in Media Ethics

ABSTRACT The task of media ethicists is not only to shine a light on the dilemmas facing our field, but also to point out what the moral issues of the day are. Why is it that some cases and issues appear on our radar, in our textbooks, web sites and journals? Using the example of how the problematic nature of the Apu character in The Simpsons escaped the attention of this author and other media ethicists, this essay explores how media ethicists can be better aware of their own blind spots. Given our limited cognitive abilities and unconscious biases, I will argue that media ethicists could potentially benefit from the help of a theoretical media ethics moral machine (MeMorMach), especially in instances where they are unaware of the potential violation of an established norm. But when normative change occurs, such a device would be less useful in tracking this change and alerting them, especially to those adhering to a constructivist meta-ethical framework. The essay concludes with a call for media ethicists to pay attention to and assist so-called moral enquirers, advocates who, through personal engagement, enact normative change.

Classification and Predictors of Right Ventricular Functional Recovery in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Normative changes in right ventricular (RV) structure and function have not been characterized in the context of treatment-associated functional recovery (RV functional recovery [RVFnRec]). The aim of this study is to assess the clinical relevance of a proposed RVFnRec definition. We evaluated 63 incident patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension by right heart catheterization and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at diagnosis and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing following treatment (≈11 months). Sex, age, ethnicity matched healthy control subjects (n=62) with 1-time cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and noninvasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing were recruited from the PVDOMICS (Redefining Pulmonary Hypertension through Pulmonary Vascular Disease Phenomics) project. We examined therapeutic cardiac magnetic resonance imaging changes relative to the evidence-based peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak)>15 mL/(kg·min) to define RVFnRec by receiver operating curve analysis. Afterload was measured as mean pulmonary artery pressure, resistance, compliance, and elastance. A drop in RV end-diastolic volume of -15 mL best defined RVFnRec (area under the curve, 0.87; P=0.0001) and neared upper 95% CI RV end-diastolic volume of controls. This cutoff was met by 22 out of 63 (35%) patients which was reinforced by freedom from clinical worsening, RVFnRec 1 out of 21 (5%) versus no RVFnRec 17 out of 42, 40% (log-rank P=0.006). A therapy-associated increase of 0.8 mL/mm Hg in compliance had the best predictive value of RVFnRec (area under the curve, 0.76; [95% CI, 0.64-0.88]; P=0.001). RVFnRec patients had greater increases in stroke volume, and cardiac output at exercise. RVFnRec defined by RV end-diastolic volume therapeutic decrease of -15 mL predicts exercise capacity, freedom from clinical worsening, and nears normalization. A therapeutic improvement of compliance is superior to other measures of afterload in predicting RVFnRec. RVFnRec is also associated with increased RV output reserve at exercise.

Changing conversations about family violence in regional Western Australia: A primary prevention communication case study

ObjectiveTo illuminate the enablers and challenges of implementing a communication strategy designed to support Community, Respect, Equality (CRE) and a family and domestic violence (FDV) primary prevention plan in a regional Western Australian town. MethodThis research draws on documentation and interviews with members of Leading Lights, an advocacy group arising from a collaboration of local organisations to communicate the goals and priorities of the CRE action plan. Interviews explored how primary prevention messages were promoted to foster supportive community attitudes toward addressing the drivers of FDV. ResultsThe initiative fostered a learning community that coordinated public messaging about the drivers of FDV for organisations pledged to the CRE values. The diffusion of messaging was affected over time by inconsistent staffing, discontinuities in resourcing and individual organisational commitment, and concerns about gender equality messaging. ConclusionThe communications strategy increased awareness of the drivers of FDV among the members of the Leading Lights. In turn, this group produced media content that made visible each organisation’s commitment to addressing the attitudes and behaviours that enable FDV. Implications for public healthCommunity collaborations need time, resourcing, and coordination to sustainably prompt changes in social norms that underpin violence.

‘Horn Please’: The evolution and regulation of traffic in twentieth-century India

The article explores the changes in behaviours and norms that followed the arrival of modern transport: trams, motor cars, buses and motor lorries. The article examines how new forms of behaviours such as the regulation of speed of motor cars, use of traffic lights, or newer methods of using streets such as walking on footpaths impacted the interaction between the authorities and people living within cities. The article shows that ideas of modern behaviour, centred on maintaining discipline and order on the streets were endorsed by the government but were contested and reluctantly adapted by the people. It also highlights the existence of social biases in administrative decisions connected to street use. This is evident in the analysis of accidents when the Indian driver and his lack of physical strength is equated with his incapability to drive a tram. This essentialisation takes place at both ends. Such debates occurred on the lines of race and class. For instance, the industrial workforce which migrated from rural areas had to learn new skills to navigate different spaces in the city. Apart from the factory, their activities on the streets were also scrutinised, such as when their inability to understand traffic rules was attributed to their rural background. Thus, in certain cases, transport mobility is incompatible with social mobility.

Being A Woman in Kosovo: Key Issues and Norms for Change in the Perspective of Feminist Legal Theory

The role of women has been persistently overlooked within the societal and state structures. Women's existence, challenges, and significant impact have persisted as problematic issues across multiple aspects. Kosovo, located in the Balkans, has been a region where women have faced continuous struggles. The prevalent patriarchal structure in the country plays a significant role in perpetuating these challenges. Despite the existence of legal guarantees ensuring equality, both Kosovo women in general and women from minority backgrounds benefit from such protections. However, practical obstacles persist regarding women's identity. Thisstudy, adopting a feminist legal theory perspective, aims to discuss the constitutional rights of (minority) women in Kosovo and shed light on the challenges they encounter. Analysingthe situation in Kosovo through the lens of feminist legal theory, the study provides a framework that addresses the contradiction between legal principles and social norms. Utilizing qualitative research methods like document analysis and case studies, the study examines gender inequality deficiencies among a sample of (minority) women from Kosovo, highlighting the global implications of these issues.

Mega FTA 확산에 따른 한국 통상정책의 패러다임 전환 모색에 관한 연구

This article aims at exploring the search for the paradigm shift of trade policy of Korea to cope with the proliferation of Mega FTAs. It scrutinizes the recent changes of trade norms caused by the global economic reshuffling in the amidst of globalization and regionalization after recapitulating previous studies on the effect of Mega FTA such as the CPTPP and the RCEP. It also strongly recommends to augment the corporate strategy to the framework of trade policy by reflecting the increased role of multi-national enterprises on the ongoing mega-trend of globalization as well as regionalization. It puts forward the critically important role of industrial adjustment policy which encompasses corporate strategy boosted by the enhancement of product differentiation and architectural capability. The welfare gains of such an industrial adjustment policy of Korea, which is designed for sterilizing the negative effects of the proliferation of mega FTA and the fortification of trade laws of powerful nations, may eclipse those of trade policy in the long run.

Interaction of the National Police of Ukraine and civil society institutions: concept and legal framework

In a state governed by the rule of law, the public plays a central role not only as a recipient of public services, but also as a subject involved in the implementation of many functions of state institutions. This involves not only public control over the activities of public authorities, but also the performance of tasks aimed at shaping the security environment in the state, performing law enforcement functions, etc.
 The introduction of martial law on the territory of Ukraine and the existence of real threats to national security have led to dramatic changes in the usual order of public administration, in particular in the activities of the security and defence sector, law enforcement agencies, local self-government, etc. Some normative changes were aimed at improving the legal relations that arose in the course of civil society institutions’ activities. Under the new conditions, not only the forms of activity have changed, but also its directions have expanded. In today’s realities, civil society institutions play a significant role in the implementation of the law enforcement function of the state, which is not only about ensuring public order and safety. The above-mentioned issues raise the task of improving the effectiveness of cooperation between the National Police of Ukraine and civil society institutions.
 Based on the results of a multidisciplinary generalisation of the scholars’ achievements in the field of Administrative Law, it has been determined that in a broad sense, interaction between the National Police of Ukraine and civil society institutions should be understood as their joint coordinated activities regulated and carried out in accordance with the requirements of current legislation, which may take various forms and is embodied in a large number of measures whose overall purpose is to ensure the formation of a secure environment in the State. It is emphasised that it is important to establish effective interaction between the above-mentioned entities to comply with the legal framework, to understand and apply it correctly in practice (to ensure its observance in practical activities), since this will guarantee its effectiveness and legitimacy.
 The legal principles of interaction between the National Police of Ukraine and civil society institutions include legality, publicity, openness, transparency and partnership. Given the realities of today, these provisions require further research, taking into account the changes undergone by the legal system of Ukraine.

Analysis of the used passenger car market in Ukraine

The paper analyzes the used car market in Ukraine for the period 2017-2023. The author provides information on the volumes and structure of the used car market, analyzes the number of used cars sold from primary imports and re-registrations. It was found that the secondary car market has shown a rapid growth in the period from 2017 to 2023. In 2022, 69.37% more used cars were sold than in 2017. The share of imported cars in the used car market increased from 9.82% in 2017 to 37.75% in 2022. At the same time, the share of used passenger cars with re-registrations decreased from 90.18% in 2017 to 62.25% in 2022. The author collected statistics for the TOP-20 brands of used passenger cars according to the data of the websites "PLANETAVTO", "AUTO.RIA" and «RST» and analyzed 620 models of passenger cars by their sales volumes from May 2021 to May 2023. The paper calculated the growth rates of sales of the most popular used passenger cars in 2022-2021 and 2023-2022. According to the results of the study, the leaders of the Ukrainian used passenger car market were Volkswagen, Renault, VAZ and Skoda. The author studied the most popular models of used passenger cars, including Volkswagen Passat, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Renault Megane, among others. It was found that the most popular types of bodywork for used passenger cars are sedans, hatchbacks and crossovers. Among the different types of passenger car classes, the most popular are mid-range and comfort class cars. The author pays special attention to environmentally friendly used passenger cars. The number of electric cars and hybrid models sold in 2021-2023 is 98,794 units, which is 7.81% of the total volume of sales of used passenger cars. The most popular models of used electric cars are Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen E-Golf, Chevrolet Bolt EV, and BMW i3. The most popular used hybrids are Toyota Camry, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan Qashqai. The author analyzed the factors that influence the development of the used passenger car market, including: changes in the economy, rising fuel prices, the introduction of new technologies in the automotive industry, the availability of loans and interest rates, the growing awareness of ecology and environmental standards, changes in legal norms and political decisions related to the automotive industry.

Indian Dramaturgy and the ‘Sacred-Stage’

The myths of several world cultures display an interestingly common structure. This has inspired several myth critics to discern the coded expression of myths. The changing norms of modern myth-making provide greater liberty to the myth-makers, who are induced to break free from the common interface of parallel structures. Consequently, the evolving scenario of remoulded myths necessitates new parameters of assessment.

Transformasi Budaya dan Interaksi Sosial dalam Masyarakat Adat: Dampak Masuknya Teknologi Digital

This research aims to depict the changes in values and norms within the family structure of the indigenous community of Negeri Hatusua following the introduction of smartphones and the internet. The research employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation as data collection techniques. Previous studies have indicated that the internet and smartphones can alter values and norms within societies. This study functions as a supporting contribution to prior findings, affirming that a shift in values and norms indeed takes place within the Negeri Hatusua community during this digital era, coinciding with the penetration of smartphones and the internet. Community participants, who previously leaned towards face-to-face communication for interaction and sharing crucial information, are transforming indirect communication patterns. This shift is attributed to the availability of smartphones that facilitate indirect communication. The study provides further insights into social changes within the indigenous community concerning digital technology, focusing on shifts in social interaction and traditional values.