Personal Authenticity Research Articles

The invisible community in contemporary China: a visual narrative framework for Chinese lesbian identity

This study employs the photo-elicitation (PE) interview method to explore the social construction of contemporary Chinese lesbian identity. It examines how individuals use visual symbols in their daily lives to construct and express their sexual orientation. The research highlights the diversity and creativity in Chinese lesbian identity expression, while addressing challenges from traditional family values, gender norms, and evolving social attitudes. Introducing the “Visual Narratives of Identity” (VNI) framework, this study bridges the gap between academic research and lived experiences, offering insights into identity expression under social and cultural constraints. The findings emphasize the complex strategies participants use to navigate social expectations and maintain personal authenticity. This study enriches the theoretical landscape of sexual orientation identity in visual culture studies, advocates for methodological diversity, and deepens our understanding of the complexities within Chinese lesbian subcultures.

Motivations, Choices, and Constraints of Italian Transgender Travelers: A Study of Tourism Dynamics within the Rainbow

This study explores the motivations, choices, and constraints shaping tourism behavior among transgender individuals living in Italy. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research begins with quantitative data collection and analyses, followed by qualitative insights to uncover the multifaceted reasons that drive transgender individuals to engage in tourism. These motivations range from seeking personal authenticity to cultural exploration and community connection. This study also examines the intricate interplay of choice and constraint in shaping transgender travelers’ tourism experiences, highlighting the challenges they face and the strategies they use to cope with the obstacles they face within the tourism context. Given Italy’s persistent stereotypes and prejudices against gender and sexual minorities, this research provides a critical examination of the intersectionality of gender identity and tourism within a challenging cultural and legal landscape. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of transgender travelers’ tourism experiences and offer valuable implications for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and scholars. By amplifying the voices of Italian transgender travelers, this study aims to foster greater inclusivity and recognition of their diverse needs and experiences within the tourism sector.

Religious freedom and welfare in Africa

AbstractObjectiveRegions with multi‐ethnicity like Africa benefit from religiosity and freedom for improved mental and physical well‐being. Although religious freedom in its original sense advocates for peace, there are questions about whether it results in making healthy decisions that are beneficial to one's well‐being. This argument is made in light of the crimes carried out globally in the name of religious freedom, even though it is considered to be wrongly expressed if the expression does not improve well‐being. As a symbol of democracy, religious freedom is expected to boost sentiments of personal authenticity and belonging, and enhance support networks. This study explores the impact of freedom of religion on basic welfare in 49 African countries from 2000 to 2020.MethodologyTo control for potential endogeneity, the authors adopted the smoothed instrumental‐variables quantile regression strategy. The outcome variable of basic welfare is measured using an index that includes life expectancy, literacy rate, and calorie supply while religious freedom is proxied on a 4‐point scale that indicates the extent to which individuals could freely express their religious beliefs.ResultsThe findings reveal a statistically significant positive impact of freedom of religion on basic welfare in Africa. It manifests itself in protecting the rights of individuals, especially the most vulnerable, and promotes social belonging and cohesion. In addition, the results reveal that freedom of religion enhances basic welfare in both former British and French African colonies when the differences in the legal systems are considered.ConclusionsThe study's findings support the religious freedom‐welfare enhancing relationship and are consistent after considering life expectancy and literacy rate as indicators of basic welfare. Policymakers are encouraged to promote democracy and healthy religious behaviors that enhance basic well‐being.

The Influence of State Authenticity on the Sense of Meaning in Life of Middle School Students: Evidence from a Daily Diary Investigation and an Authenticity Enhancement Experiment.

Authenticity is a positive force for adolescent development. Taking middle school students as the main research objects, this paper examines the causal mechanism between state authenticity (SA) and sense of meaning in life through two studies: the diary method and authenticity level increase experiment. In study 1, through the daily diary data tracking investigation of 130 middle school students in daily life situations, the basic psychological needs (BPNs) and satisfaction with life (SWL) play a chain mediating role between state authenticity and sense of daily meaning in life. State authenticity has a one-way prediction effect on sense of meaning in life. In study 2, 140 participants were randomly divided into two groups (experimental group and control group). Middle school students in the experimental group were activated to recall the authenticity experience events to enhance the level of personal authenticity, and it was found that the subjects reported a higher sense of meaning in life. This study reveals the causal mechanism between authenticity and sense of meaning of life, which has positive practical significance for exploring ways to enhance the sense of meaning of life of middle school students.

The shift to authenticity: a framework for analysis of political truth claims

Abstract It is often claimed that political disinformation is more abundant than ever, that populists are particularly prone to lying, and that we live in an era of post-truth or epistemic relativism. Contrary to these views, we interpret this historical trend as a shift from objective to authentic forms of political truth claims. We develop a diagnostic framework that captures different types of political truth claims and their distinct elements. This framework enables interrogation and understanding of the current state of epistemic contestation and change. The rise of both populist and deliberative approaches to democracy, which we use as key examples, are indicators of a gradual shift towards a greater importance of authenticity in the public sphere. We nuance this proposition by distinguishing between different forms of authenticity employed by populist and deliberative politics: communicative authenticity in deliberative politics and original and personal authenticity in populist politics.

A Comparative Analysis of Chinese and English Internet Popular Words in 2023 from a Sociolinguistic Perspective

This study conducts a comparative analysis of Chinese and English Internet buzzwords from 2023 using a sociolinguistic lens to explore their reflection and influence on respective cultural and social contexts. Internet buzzwords, as linguistic phenomena, encapsulate the dynamic interplay between language innovation and societal trends, offering insights into cross-cultural communication and the pervasive impact of digitalization. Utilizing a qualitative research methodology, the study analyzed data sourced from national and international digital media platforms. Findings reveal distinct cultural predilections: Chinese buzzwords largely underscore collective values and traditional sensibilities, while English buzzwords tend to highlight individualism and personal authenticity. The study underscores the role of language as a cultural artifact, shaped by and shaping social identities in a globalized discourse, thereby contributing to sociolinguistic theory by illustrating how language both influences and is influenced by socio-technological evolutions.

A socioecological look at authenticity: Rootedness underlies both personal and place authenticity

ABSTRACT Can places feel authentic? Understanding the authenticity of place remains understudied compared to personal authenticity. Across three studies, we explore how place authenticity emerges and its impact on personal authenticity. We discover that while they are related (r = .52), they are distinct constructs associated with feelings of rootedness and uniqueness (Study 1). Experimentally, different types of rootedness have varying effects: connection to places increases place authenticity (and to some extent, personal authenticity), while connection to the self enhances personal authenticity (and to some extent, place authenticity; Study 2). Finally, when manipulating place authenticity experimentally, people reported no corresponding changes in personal authenticity (Study 3). In sum we find evidence that place and personal authenticity are distinct constructs, with related but distinct causes.

Sublating Anxiety: Heidegger’s Notion of Angst and Xu Fuguan’s Thesis of Youhuan yishi

This essay performs a detailed contrastive analysis of two differing concepts of anxiety: Heidegger's Angst and Xu Fuguan’s youhuan yishi, employing the method of transcultural philosophical sublation. This dialectical approach, deeply rooted in the traditional Chinese philosophy of mutual complementarity between opposing ideas, thoughtfully integrates Heidegger's notion of Sorge (care) with the Confucian principle of ren (humaneness) as complementary rather than contradictory elements. This conceptual framework highlights the critical importance of balancing personal authenticity with social responsibility, offering a unified and nuanced perspective on both individual and collective ethics, and proposes innovative strategies to effectively address the complexities of modern life.

A Philosophical View on Love and the Concept of Soulmates in Paulo Coelho’s Brida

Paulo Coelho’s novel Brida (1990) takes readers on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual exploration. This paper delves into the novel’s profound themes of love, the protagonist’s quest for personal authenticity and the concept of soulmate. Brida, the young and curious protagonist, embarks on a voyage to uncover her true self and find her place in the realm of magic and spirituality. Throughout her encounters with wise mentors and spiritual experiences. This abstract examines how the concept of soulmate and love intertwines with Brida’s self-discovery, allowing her to shed societal constraints and discover her authentic identity. By analyzing the novel with applying Jean Paul Satre’s philosophical theories concerning love and existentialism. The study focuses on intricate narrative and poignant insights, it sheds light on the transformative power of finding the love for the being and the profound impact of self-discovery on one’s journey towards personal authenticity.

#BecomingYou: Discourses of authenticity, work, and success in South African consumer culture

Authenticity is now being used to describe things as diverse as politicians, wallets and holiday packages, and claims to authenticity have become increasingly marketable. Media sources from magazines to social media blogs are all inundated with a persisting, recurring message: that tapping into the “real you” will be the liberating force allowing you to live a happy and successful life. This paper draws on a social constructionist theoretical framework and discourse analytic method to critically analyse three interconnected discourses of personal authenticity (as success, change and work) explored in 10 marketing campaigns prominent in South African media. The constructions found in these media are important not just as reflections of current subject positions available in a particular context, but also in the (re)construction of these particular identities and the (re)production of particular social systems. More specifically, in this case, by closely tying authenticity to notions of success, work and change, these discourses produce “good neoliberal subjects”- ambitious, self-regulated, proactive and productive citizens committed to personal progress and contributing to a “functioning” society. In other words, through these discourses, individuals’ personal aspirations (e.g. self-improvement or happiness) become inextricably linked with capitalist modes of being (work and consumption).

Transforming Experiences in Literature and Psychotherapy

The article presents an analysis of Leo Tolstoy’s novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich, with a view to transforming experiences in literature and psychotherapy. It focuses on three central points: the question of personal authenticity, the autobiographic narration of self as source of our identity, and the importance of physical contact as a bridge between individuals. A short clinical note highlights some critical issues that could be important for the reader, personally as well as professionally.

Neurotechnologies, Ethics, and the Limits of Free Will.

This article delves into the implications of neurotechnologies for the philosophical debates surrounding free will and moral responsibility. Tracing the concept from ancient religious and philosophical roots, we discuss how recent neurotechnological advancements (e.g. optogenetics, fMRI and machine learning, predictive diagnostics, et al.) challenge traditional notions of autonomy. Although neurotechnologies aim to enhance autonomy in the strict sense - as self-determination - they risk reducing or changing the broader notion of autonomy, which involves personal authenticity. We also submit that, in a world with an altered or limited concept of free will, humans should still be held accountable for actions executed through their bodies. By examining the dynamic between choice and responsibility, we emphasize the shift in technology ethics, moral philosophy, and the broader legal landscape in response to the advancement of neurotechnologies. By bringing the neurotechnological innovations into the world, neuroscientists not only change the technological landscape but also partake in long-standing moral narratives about freedom, justice, and responsibility.

“Exploring Social Class and Gender Roles in Jane Austen's Novels”

This paper explores the intricate interplay of social class and gender roles in the novels of Jane Austen, a seminal figure in early 19th-century literature. Through her richly developed characters and astute social critiques, Austen illuminates the constraints imposed by class stratification and gender expectations in a rapidly changing England. By examining key works such as Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility, the paper highlights how Austen navigates the complexities of identity, agency, and societal norms. The analysis reveals that while marriage serves as a critical means of economic security for women, it also underscores the limitations of their choices within a patriarchal framework. Ultimately, Austen’s narratives advocate for personal integrity and emotional authenticity, suggesting that character transcends social boundaries. This study not only reaffirms Austen's relevance in contemporary discussions of class and gender but also invites readers to reflect on the enduring impact of societal structures on individual lives.

Cultural identity, cultural confidence, and folk activities: An empirical study of the folk culture of Moon-cake Gambling at the Mid-Autumn Festival in Xiamen, China

This article aims to clarify the relationship between cultural identity, cultural confidence, and folk activities; to strengthen the role of folk activities in improving cultural identity and cultural confidence. Study participants were 454 people participating in Moon-cake Gambling at the Mid-Autumn Festival in Xiamen, China. The participants completed measures of personal information, involvement, perceived value, authenticity, cultural identity, and cultural confidence. Structural equation modelling indicated involvement to be associated with higher authenticity of folk activities, value perception, and cultural identity. Value perception and authenticity were associated with higher cultural identity and cultural confidence, which was also associated with higher cultural confidence. These results suggest creative transformation of the authenticity of folk activities to enhance the cultural identity and cultural confidence of local culture.

The artisanal turn as another search for the “lost time” (Proust) by Ukrainian intellectuals and the plane of their representation

In the proposed study, the so-called “artisanal turn” is comprehended in the context of the metamodern cultural and philosophical paradigm, the peculiarities of the metamodern situation in philosophy and art. Invoking arguments of domestic authors who study metamodern ideas in domestic scientific thought, their influence on the state of modern culture and art, it is proved that reflections on the peculiarities of cultural and artistic life go beyond postmodernism and require addressing the situation of metamodernity. The overlap in traditional, postmodern and metamodern cultural codes testifies in favor of metamodernity as a cultural stage of the development of society and a philosophical trend reflected by cultural metamodernity in connection with the “artisanal turn” in art. Because this turn is a new look at people, culture, new avant-garde aesthetics, original artistic styles. The metamodern artistic paradigm is a new modality of the transdeductive relationship of people to things and transindividual relationships between people, and a cosmic artisan is a relational subjectivity. Art “returns” to the artisanal age of the sixteenth century Middle Ages, which leads to the deceptive illusion of craftsmanship as a sphere of realization of personal authenticity, both from the point of view of theory and artistic practice, but in this there is more of a modern alchemical minimalism, analogous to the mode of activity of the cosmic artisan described by Deleuze and Guattari with its inherent manneristic virtuosity which was truly new. The discussion of the issue of the “metaphysics of the artisanal turn”, the return of craftsmanship and mannerism in modern crafts helps artists clarify their place in culture and assert their professional authenticity through created artistic values, and for philosophers the concept of the “artisanal turn” illuminates its main meaning and specific meanings, subjective and objective parameters, a logical and emotional component of a fundamentally new aesthetics of beauty, which was initiated by the surrealism of the 20th century.

Das Schöne in der kritisch-philosophischen Poetik Ingeborg Bachmanns

The paper aims to reconstruct Bachmann’s most important poetological principles on the basis of her critical writings and the Frankfurt lectures. In doing so, the concept of beauty, which is constitutive for her understanding of literature and language, comes into focus. An interpretation of this concept from the perspective of existential philosophy makes it possible to combine questions of literary theory related to contemporary poetics on the one hand, and philosophical questions related to personal authenticity (and hence identity) and to the justification of the author’s existence on the other, and thus to advance to Bachmann’s poetological credo.

Personal Authenticity as a Predictor of Coping with Stress and the Possible Effect of Stress

Personal Authenticity as a Predictor of Coping with Stress and the Possible Effect of Stress

Аутентичность и ментальная прочность спортсмена: эмпирическая модель

<p>The study explores the role of personal authenticity in the psychological training of athletes, focusing on its relationship with intrinsic motivation, mental skills — including stress resilience — and mental toughness. Drawing on data from 355 male athletes (18-26 years) across various sports, standardized tools like the Moscow Authenticity Scale, Mental Strength Scale, Sports Motivation Scale, Ottawa Mental Skills Test, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were employed. Path regression analysis revealed an empirical model that showcases how authenticity linked directly and indirectly to mental toughness through fostering intrinsic motives like self-development, enjoyment of sports, and resilience against stress. While direct contributions of authenticity to mental toughness are modest, its cumulative impact, factoring in mediating effects, is substantial. Notably, authenticity holds more weight for less experienced athletes in developing mental skills and toughness. These findings offer valuable insights for psychologists focused on the psychological training of athletes, especially in managing mental processes crucial for sport performance.</p>

Authenticity as transparency

ABSTRACTWhat do we ordinarily mean when we describe people as authentic or inauthentic? We describe friends, enemies, acquaintances, and colleagues as authentic and inauthentic, as well as politicians, celebrities, and other public figures. What are we saying about someone, when we say that they are authentic or inauthentic? I argue that authenticity is transparency: that you are authentic to the extent that you are transparent and inauthentic to the extent that you are opaque. I contrast my account with three alternative accounts of authenticity: the view that authenticity is fidelity to your true self, the view that authenticity is a species of selfknowledge, and the view that authenticity is a species of non-conformity. I will argue that my proposed account, unlike its rivals, can explain a basic intuition about personal authenticity: that people who are fakes – i.e. phonies or poseurs – are inauthentic people.

Professionelle Authentizitat

The idea of an authentic self is at the heart of building trust in NGO fundraising. This paper asks how personal fundraising by paid workers ( ‚dialogers‘) relates to expectations of authenticity. Building on a review of the online self-representations of NGO fundraising agencies’ and on an ethnographic study of fundraisers’ work, it traces where the concept of the authentic self becomes relevant in fundraising and how it relates to notions of neoliberal labour. A conceptual history of personal authenticity, attempts at interpretation from cultural studies and media studies, as well as reflections on authenticity in fundraising marketing serve as approaches to the research field and lead to an account of the dialogers’ narrative selves. This enables a reflection on how authenticity as a powerful discourse relates to NGOs and to neoliberal worlds of work in general. The paper aims to condense the broad theory on personal authenticity and relate it to salaried work in the context of voluntary engagement. Furthermore, the examination of this special case of professional trust work helps to review assumptions that all too quickly arise from the interpretive pattern of ‚neoliberalism‘.