Positive Social Consequences Research Articles

In the Aftermath: The Post-Conflict Social and Economic Consequences of Rescue During Genocide

ABSTRACT During the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, some individuals risked their lives to save others. While much research has analyzed why people rescue during genocide, no studies have systematically analyzed the post-conflict consequences of engaging in such actions. This article begins to fill this gap by treating rescue as a case of behavioural boundary crossing, or individual defection from the expectations of a behavioral script. We rely upon 45 in-depth interviews with Rwandan Hutu who rescued Tutsi and who also did not participate in genocidal violence. Our findings indicate that rescue may be tied to both positive and negative social and economic consequences, from gifts and public recognition to stigma and threats. We suggest that many of these consequences result from the fact that Hutu who rescued went against the expectations of their group. As the positive consequences were often driven by Tutsi and the negative consequences were driven by Hutu, we also suggest that such consequences are tied to fault lines between groups in Rwandan society. Our work consequently aligns with and extends previous research finding that the genocide produced, reinforced, and augmented social cleavages in Rwanda.

Speaking from Experience

Voice-Activated Artificial Intelligence (VAI) is increasingly ubiquitous, whether appearing as context-specific conversational assistants or more personalised and generalised personal assistants such as Alexa or Siri. CSCW and other fields have regularly studied the (positive and negative) social consequences of VAI design and deployment. One particular focus has been questions of gender, and the implications that the (often-feminine) gendering of VAIs has for societal norms and user experiences. Studies into this have largely elided transgender (trans) existences; the few exceptions to this operate largely from an external and predetermined idea of trans and/or non-binary user needs, centered on representation. In this study, we undertook a series of qualitative interviews with trans and/or non-binary users of VAIs to explore their experiences and needs. Our results show that these needs are far more than simply improvements to representation, and that users raise substantial concerns around the underlying framing of gender by even well-intentioned developers, the privacy and safety implications of ubiquitous VAI, and the motivations of the vast for-profit companies that deploy much of this technology. We provide both immediate recommendations for designers and researchers seeking to create trans-inclusive VAIs, and wider, critical proposals for how we as researchers go about assessing technological systems and appropriate points of intervention.

Do Promotions Make Consumers More Generous? The Impact of Price Promotions on Consumers’ Donation Behavior

Despite growing concerns regarding the increasing consumerism related to promotions, this research documents a positive effect of price promotions on consumers’ donation behavior. Specifically, the authors propose that price promotions increase consumers’ perceived resources, which in turn increase consumers’ donation behavior. A series of seven studies, combining field and experimental data, provide converging support for this proposition and its underlying mechanism of perceived resources. Furthermore, the authors show that the positive effect of price promotions on consumers’ donation behavior is attenuated when consumers focus on the amount of money spent (rather than saved), when consumers feel they have overspent their budget, and when the monetary savings cannot be realized immediately. Finally, the authors show that this effect is stronger when donation solicitation occurs immediately after the price promotion (vs. after a delay). This research documents a novel behavioral consequence of price promotions and uncovers a mechanism by which price promotions can lead to positive social consequences and contribute to a better world.

Costs and Benefits of Improving Farm Animal Welfare

It costs money to improve the welfare of farm animals. For people with animals under their care, there are many factors to consider regarding changes in practice to improve welfare, and the optimal course of action is not always obvious. Decision support systems for animal welfare, such as economic cost–benefit analyses, are lacking. This review attempts to provide clarity around the costs and benefits of improving farm animal welfare, thereby enabling the people with animals under their care to make informed decisions. Many of the costs are obvious. For example, training of stockpeople, reconfiguration of pens, and administration of pain relief can improve welfare, and all incur costs. Other costs are less obvious. For instance, there may be substantial risks to market protection, consumer acceptance, and social licence to farm associated with not ensuring good animal welfare. The benefits of improving farm animal welfare are also difficult to evaluate from a purely economic perspective. Although it is widely recognised that animals with poor welfare are unlikely to produce at optimal levels, there may be benefits of improving animal welfare that extend beyond production gains. These include benefits to the animal, positive effects on the workforce, competitive advantage for businesses, mitigation of risk, and positive social consequences. We summarise these considerations into a decision tool that can assist people with farm animals under their care, and we highlight the need for further empirical evidence to improve decision-making in animal welfare.

Fans of Violent Music: The Role of Passion in Positive and Negative Emotional Experience

Extreme metal and rap music with violent themes are sometimes blamed for eliciting antisocial behaviours, but growing evidence suggests that music with violent themes can have positive emotional, cognitive, and social consequences for fans. We addressed this apparent paradox by comparing how fans of violent and non-violent music respond emotionally to music. We also characterised the psychosocial functions of music for fans of violent and non-violent music, and their passion for music. Fans of violent extreme metal ( n=46), violent rap ( n=49), and non-violent classical music ( n=50) responded to questionnaires evaluating the cognitive (self-reflection, self-regulation) and social (social bonding) functions of their preferred music and the nature of their passion for it. They then listened to four one-minute excerpts of music and rated ten emotional descriptors for each excerpt. The top five emotions reported by the three groups of fans were positive, with empowerment and joy the emotions rated highest. However, compared with classical music fans, fans of violent music assigned significantly lower ratings to positive emotions and higher ratings to negative emotions. Fans of violent music also utilised their preferred music for positive psychosocial functions to a similar or sometimes greater extent than classical fans. Harmonious passion for music predicted positive emotional outcomes for all three groups of fans, whereas obsessive passion predicted negative emotional outcomes. Those high in harmonious passion also tended to use music for cognitive and social functions. We propose that fans of violent music use their preferred music to induce an equal balance of positive and negative emotions.

PROSPECTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOVEREIGN WELFARE FUND IN UKRAINE IN THE CONTEXT OF RESPONDING TO THE LATEST CHALLENGES TO PUBLIC WELFARE

Introduction. In modern conditions, the problems of uncontrolled climate change, accompanied by the formation of new challenges to public welfare, become especially acute. The growing human impact on the environment leads to an increase in the number of emergencies, accompanied by a sudden sharp deterioration in the living standards of a large number of people. They also require significant efforts and financial resources to minimize their impact on public welfare. Reserve funds in the budgets are not able to fully meet the need for financial resources to eliminate negative externalities, which raises the question of finding new stabilization tools to address these issues. Methods. The research is based on a dialectical approach to cognition, which ensures its objectivity and complexity. General scientific methods are used in the process of research: analysis, generalization, systematization – to reveal the theoretical foundations of the problem; abstract and logical, argumentation – to develop a conceptual model for the establishment of the National Welfare Fund in Ukraine. Results. It is inserted that in modern conditions there is an increase in the role of sovereign welfare funds and the transformation of views on their purpose. At present, sovereign wealth funds are increasingly seen as a source of solving social and environmental problems. Contradictory attempts to establish special trust funds in Ukraine, which were somewhat similar to sovereign welfare funds, are highlighted. It is substantiated that in Ukraine there are prerequisites for the creation of a sovereign welfare fund, which will have positive economic and social consequences. A feature of the proposed concept of creating this fund in Ukraine is to secure for it the implementation of a program of temporary unconditional basic income, which will minimize the negative consequences of the latest challenges of global development for public welfare. Discussion. Further scientific research of the problem should include substantiation of organizational, legal conditions of functioning of the sovereign welfare fund in Ukraine, assessment of its optimal parameters, development of asset investment policy. Keywords: sovereign welfare fund, social welfare, basic unconditional income, financial resources, extraordinary circumstances.

Transformative experience and social connectedness mediate the mood-enhancing effects of psychedelic use in naturalistic settings

Past research suggests that use of psychedelic substances such as LSD or psilocybin may have positive effects on mood and feelings of social connectedness. These psychological effects are thought to be highly sensitive to context, but robust and direct evidence for them in a naturalistic setting is scarce. In a series of field studies involving over 1,200 participants across six multiday mass gatherings in the United States and the United Kingdom, we investigated the effects of psychedelic substance use on transformative experience, social connectedness, and positive mood. This approach allowed us to test preregistered hypotheses with high ecological validity and statistical precision. Controlling for a host of demographic variables and the use of other psychoactive substances, we found that psychedelic substance use was significantly associated with positive mood-an effect sequentially mediated by self-reported transformative experience and increased social connectedness. These effects were particularly pronounced for those who had taken psychedelic substances within the last 24 h (compared to the last week). Overall, this research provides robust evidence for positive affective and social consequences of psychedelic substance use in naturalistic settings.

Office cake culture

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the characteristics of office cake (OC) consumption and the associated attitudes and behaviours among UK office workers to gain insight into the implications for workplace health.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional online questionnaire was completed by 940 respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation withχ2tests for between-group difference.FindingsRespondents reported both positive social and negative health-related consequences of OC. OC influenced eating behaviour through increased salience and availability, and the effects of social influencing. Almost all (94.8 per cent) reported ideal OC frequency to be once/week or less. Gender and age significantly affected attitudes and behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsThe questionnaire was not validated so data accuracy could have been diminished or biased. Portion size was not examined and consumption data were self-reported which could have resulted in under-reporting. Only office workers were investigated therefore results may not be applicable to other workplaces.Practical implicationsOC appears to influence both the workplace eating environment and employee eating behaviour. It could therefore affect employee health and workplace health promotion programme efficacy. However the findings suggest that nudge-based initiatives could reduce OC consumption to make workplaces healthier while retaining social benefits.Originality/valueThe present study provides the first data on OC culture and insights on how to address it sensitively. It also highlights that sweet treats used for celebration and employee recognition should be considered a relevant part of workplace food provision alongside canteens and vending.

Legal Nihilism in the Context of the Implementation of Amnesty and the Social Consequences of its use (on the Example of the Russian Federation)

The article deals with the peculiarities of the interaction of such legal phenomena as legal nihilism and amnesty. Based on a comprehensive analysis of these phenomena, the authors substantiate the opinion that the issue of an amnesty act can have both positive and negative social consequences, which reflect the dual nature of legal nihilism: the combination of both destructive manifestations and a positive impact on social relations.

Türkiye’de Coğrafi İşaretli Gıda Ürünlerinin Gurme Turizmi Açısından Önemi

Türkiye çok sayıda coğrafi işaretli gıda ürünleri ile (Aydın inciri, Malatya Kayısısı, Erzincan Tulum Peyniri, Hatay Künefesi, Giresun Fındığı, Malatya Kayısısı, Kayseri Pastırması, Çorum Leblebisi, Maraş Biberi, Maraş Dondurması, Ezine Peyniri, Ayvalık Zeytinyağı gibi) gurme turizmi açısından önemli bir potansiyeline sahiptir. Almanya, Fransa, İtalya ve İspanya gibi ülkeler ise gurme turizminin geliştiği ülkeler arasında yer almaktadır. Bu ülkelerde de gurme turizmi kapsamında çikolata, zeytin, zeytinyağı ve peynir gibi yöresel gıda ürünlerine özgü gurme turizm faaliyetleri yapılmaktadır. Söz konusu yöresel ürünlerin bir çoğu coğrafi işarete sahiptir. Coğrafi işaretli ürünler, tüketiciye ürünlerin kalitesi ve spesifik özellikleri hakkında standart sağladığı için, bu ürünlerin üretildiği bölgeler turizm açısından da cazip hale gelebilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye için, coğrafi işaretli gıda ürünlerinin, turizm faaliyetlerinin çeşitlendirilmesi ve turizm gelirlerinin arttırılmasında önemli olan gurme turizmi açısından incelenmesidir. Coğrafi işaretli gıda ürünleri gurme turizmi kapsamında bir kırsal kalkınma aracı olarak kullanılabilmektedir. Yöresel gıda ürünlerinin üretildikleri bölgelerdeki küçük işletmelerin ekonomik sürdürülebilirliğine yaptığı katkılar yerel ekonominin canlandırılmasını sağlamaktadır. Ekonomik katkılar istihdam nedeniyle pozitif sosyal sonuçlar da yaratabilmektedir. Bu nedenle, coğrafi işaretli gıda ürünlerinin üretimi teşvik edilmeli ve gıda politikaları içerisinde ele alınmalıdır. Bu çerçevede, yerel kalkınmada rol oynayabilecek ve gurme turizmine katkı yapma potansiyeli olan gıda ürünlerinin coğrafi işaret süreçleri desteklenmelidir. Her şeyden önce, gıda ürünlerinin ekonomik, sosyal ve çevresel katkılarının değerlendirildiği bilimsel çalışmaların yapılması yararlı olabilecektir.

The Role of Cultural Heritage in Promoting Socio-Economic Development: An Analysis on Emerging Countries

The enhancement of cultural heritage through new forms of dialogue with the territorial communities and the so-called “heritage communities” of which such heritage is an expression, is becoming an increasingly important vehicle for the economic and social development, especially in emerging countries. The places that express the history, culture and values ​​of the human collectives can become, in this way, laboratories in which the knowledge and the traditions are reinterpreted in a continuous dialogue. Of such valorization and of such dialogue, the emerging countries can benefit in view of a profitable local development that can also propose diversified and seasonally adjusted tourism routes, able to bring constant tourist flows, with positive economic and social consequences. In light of these considerations, the paper aims to explore the different paths through which, in emerging countries, it is possible to create new models of development also through innovative ways of dialogue with the so-called “patrimonial communities”. Central will be a reflection on how the most recent international patterns to promote social and economic development can be “translated” and adapted to specific developing geographic and sectoral contexts.

Limitations in availability of food in Ukraine as a result of loss and waste

Research background: The commitment to increasing the volume of agricultural production remains the main strategy for food supply in Ukraine. In fact, such an approach does not solve the problem of the limitation of food?s physical availability. It works quite the opposite way, as there is a guaranteed food loss and waste, worsened environmental situation and decreased level of economic availability of food.
 Purpose of the article: According to the results of the empirical study, the volume of food shortages has been determined as a result of food loss and waste, food surpluses in case of compliance with the rational consumption norms and zero food loss and waste, as well as potential social benefits from reducing food loss and waste.
 Methods: The research of the limitation of the physical availability of the different types of products as a result of food loss and waste was carried out according to the methodology developed by the authors. In particular, for the group of products in which the consumption deficit is established in a small number of regions ? the main indicator is the "production surplus in the conditions when the rational consumption norms and zero food loss are met"; for the group of products in which the consumption deficit is established in the vast majority of regions ? the main calculation indicators are the "production shortage in the conditions when the rational consumption norms and zero food loss are met" and the "specific gravity of the consumption shortage, which occurs as a result of food loss and waste".
 Findings & Value added: The obtained results are crucially important for shaping of the food security policy. Reducing of the food loss and waste has positive social consequences through the expansion of the physical availability of food, which, under other conditions, leads to greater economic availability of products, as well as contributes to the gender equality and poverty reduction for rural residents.

The benefits of discrete visits in urban parks

It is well accepted that visits to parks improve peoples' well-being. Numerous studies highlight the positive social consequences of more intensive visits to parks, and thus its impact on well-being. Other studies emphasize the relaxing effects of parks visitors. Some studies are rooted mainly in deep ecology and Biophilia and focus on the relevance of park visits to eudemonic aspects of well-being, which may be fulfilled more by discrete visits to parks. However, their arguments are rarely empirically tested. In this study that is based on Internet and face to face samples of more than four hundred visitors to parks in Israel, we test the contribution of discrete visits to parks on well-being in general and in its eudemonic aspect, particularly, with respect to social visits. The results show that once mediated by connectedness to nature, discrete visits improve a person’s well-being compared to a social visit. This result hints at the possibility that while all visitors to parks enjoy improvement in well-being, discrete visitors to parks who were socialized to feel strong sense of connectedness to nature enjoy higher levels of well-being relative to the rest of the visitors.

Office cake culture: an exploration of its characteristics and associated behaviours and attitudes among UK office workers and implications for workplace health

Purpose: This paper explores the characteristics of office cake (OC) consumption and the associated attitudes and behaviours among UK office workers to gain insight into the implications for workplace health. Design: A cross-sectional online questionnaire was completed by 940 respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation with Chi-square tests for between-group difference. Findings: Respondents reported both positive social and negative health-related consequences of OC. OC influenced eating behaviour through increased salience and availability, and the effects of social influencing. Almost all (94.8%) reported ideal OC frequency to be once/week or less. Gender and age significantly affected attitudes and behaviour. Research limitations/implications: The questionnaire was not validated so data accuracy could have been diminished or biased. Portion size was not examined and consumption data was self-reported which could have resulted in under-reporting. Only office workers were investigated therefore results may not be applicable to other workplaces. Practical implications: OC appears to influence both the workplace eating environment and employee eating behaviour. It could therefore affect employee health and workplace health promotion programme efficacy. However the findings suggest that nudge-based initiatives could reduce OC consumption to make workplaces healthier while retaining social benefits. Originality/value: The present study provides the first data on OC culture and insights on how to address it sensitively. It also highlights that sweet treats used for celebration and employee recognition should be considered a relevant part of workplace food provision alongside canteens and vending.

SOCIO-CULTURAL ASPECTS OF THE PHENOMENON OF INTERNET-ADDICTION

Introduction. The article attempts to implement the socio-philosophical reflection of the phenomenon of Internet-addiction. Analysing the Internet as a social phenomenon, the author wants to highlight the peculiarities of the social space being formed through the network. There is a certain rivalry of realities, social and virtual, which has not become antagonistic yet, but is rather acute when it comes to a man, and problems of social identity in cyberspace. The aim of the article is to make a social-philosophical analysis of some aspects of virtualization of the human living space in the conditions of the Information society, which determine the development and formation of the phenomenon of online addiction. The author sets the task of systematizing domestic and foreign experience in deter-mining the social components that influence the formation of the phenomenon of Internet addiction. Research methods: The article uses the method of comparison, descriptive method and method of system analysis. Research results. The author stresses the rele-vance of the study of the phenomenon of Internet addiction, describes the impact of the Internet on the formation of Internet addictive behavior of man. Among the features that attract users to live online, one can distinguish: anonymity, accessibility, invisibility, and plurality of social roles, security, and the ease of use. Among the factors that contribute into the formation of dependence on the Internet the leading place is given to social factors. The most attractive among them is the anonymity of communication and the ability to exper-iment with their own identity. It has been also emphasized the negative social consequences of the active use of the Internet, which leads to the destruction of sociability; cause the social isolation of person. One of the leading aspects of virtualization of individual life is escapism. The desire to from reality, to be free from the need for decision-making, taking on responsibility, labor, etc. Strangely enough, but the desire to escape from reality is typical of socially and economically well-off societies. A man who does not need to struggle for survival or a high idea, being in a state of material well-being and freedom, however, chooses another life, full of extreme feelings and passions. Discussion. The social functions of the network, which are intended to promote the growth communications between users, are the basis of the formation of the phenomenon of Internet addiction. Accordingly, the reasons why users access to the network, which are prone to Internet-addictive behavior, will have a communicative character: communication, learning, entertain-ment and others. The development of information and communication technologies, mass consumer culture, sociopolitical and econom-ic transformation, changing attitudes and values lead to the emergence of Internet addiction, which appears as a social and cultural issue of our time. By fulfilling the social and communicative function, the Internet acts as one of the conditions for the formation of dys-functional consequences - Internet addiction. Conclusion. The transformation of various spheres of public life, due to the influence of the Internet, caused the interest and attention of researchers from different fields of knowledge, mainly due to the ambiguity of influence and the manifestation of both positive and negative social consequences of the active use of the Internet. When Internet-addictive be-havior destroys sociability, there is a social separation due to the incompleteness of the participation of individuals and groups in the life of society, and dominated by informal social practices. That is, there is a departure to social isolation. Society loses its historical func-tions associated with the process of socialization of the person.

The Dark Side of Luxury: Social Costs of Luxury Consumption.

Extant research demonstrates that luxury goods are beneficial signals that bestow upon individuals social benefits that range from positive evaluations to compliance. In contrast to this perspective, the current work explores the idea that luxury goods can carry significant negative social costs for actors. Across four experiments, the social cost of luxury is examined. Although individuals who display luxury goods are ascribed higher status, they can pay a hefty tax when it comes to warmth. The social costs of luxury consumption appear to be driven by impression management concerns rather than envy. Consequently, whether the consumption of luxury goods yields positive or negative social consequences for an actor critically depends both on whether status or warmth is relevant for a decision and observers' own lay beliefs about luxury consumption. Overall, this work reveals the more complex psychology of individuals' interpretation and response to actors' use of luxury goods.

De verzorgingsstaatkritiek van de verliezers

This contribution argues that neither the self-interest framework, nor theories about cultural dispositions are sufficient to fully explain why socio-economically vulnerable groups express more criticism on the welfare state. We highlight the importance of social experiences as a source of this discontent with the functioning of the welfare state. First, this dissatisfaction is embedded in a broader welfare populism that pits the hard-working people against the deceitful elite and welfare abusers. Second, we argue that welfare populism arises as a result of experiences of resentment that are the result of the restructuring of relative group positions. We differentiate between four types of discontent: economic insecurity, relative deprivation, social distrust and powerlessness. Using structural equation modelling, we test whether these experiences mediate the relationship between the social structure and welfare state criticism. The results indicate that relative deprivation consistently leads to more economic and moral criticism, and lowers perceptions of the positive social consequences. Social distrust, moreover, stimulates a higher level of moral criticism. This study illustrates that resentment can partly explain the paradoxical findings on the relationship between social class and welfare state criticism.

Effect of distance caregiver coaching on functional skills of a child with traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACTObjective: To assess the effect of distance caregiver coaching on skill acquisition of a child with traumatic brain injury. Interactions between caregivers and persons with brain injury may play a critical role in the rehabilitation process, and coaching caregivers is one method that may foster more positive functional outcomes for the individual as caregiver skills may generalize across domains. Method: This study utilised a single-subject, multiple baseline across behaviours design to examine the effects of caregiver behaviours on skill acquisition by a child with a traumatic brain injury. The caregiver-client dyad in this study was a mother and her 10-year-old adopted child. The caregiver was coached using telehealth technology. Distance coaching consisted of in-vivo feedback on the caregiver’s use of general behaviour analytic skills, such as use of effective prompting and positive social consequences, while engaging with the child with a brain injury. Conclusion: Improvements in the child’s independent task completion across three functional skills were observed, as a function of improvements in the caregiver’s skills.

Social Aspects of Entrepreneurship

The article is devoted to the study of the social value of business activity and the possibility of its consolidation in the legislation. The author notes the positive and negative social consequences of entrepreneurs' activities; the factors influencing the way entrepreneurs cooperate with the society are determined. The importance of social responsibility of an entrepreneur for the economy, society and the state is examined as an internal factor. The author notes that social responsibility is manifested, in particular, in business entities making decisions to sell their goods to pensioners with discounts during certain working hours, service businesses providing services to pensioners and students at lower tariffs than they would otherwise provide to other individuals in similar cases. Legal implementation of social responsibility of the entrepreneur is enshrined in local normative acts, namely, orders, ordinances, regulations, and should be treated as one of the grounds for attributing entrepreneurs to the participants of social entrepreneurship.

ІНДЕКС ЛЮДСЬКОГО РОЗВИТКУ ЯК ІНТЕГРАЛЬНИЙ ИНДИКАТОР РІВНЯ І ЯКОСТІ ЖИТТЯ НАСЕЛЕННЯ КРАЇНИ

The article considers the methodological approaches most widely used by the UN and other international organizations for carrying out cross-country comparisons of the level and quality of life of the population. The systems of social indicators used in international studies to assess the level and quality of life are defined. A definition of the concept of "human development" is given and the evolution of its content is considered. The main content of the concept of human development as the UN Program is revealed. The structural components of the concept of human development are revealed. The correlation between the goals of economic growth and the goals of human development is specified.The paper states that economic growth is not always accompanied by positive social consequences. The supporting role of economic growth is emphasized to create better conditions for raising the level and quality of life of the population.The methods of calculation, the direction of its improvement, as well as the structure of the human development index are analyzed. The structure of the final ranking of the countries of the world according to the level of the human development index is considered.A brief analysis of the human development index of Ukraine and the dynamics of its movement in the final ranking of the countries of the world according to the level of the human development index