Group Structure Research Articles

The Role of Economic Elites in Local Politics: The Gaziantep Example

ABSTRACT Politics is a mechanism that is of interest both at the national and local levels as a place for individuals to discuss country problems, find solutions, gain material or spiritual benefits, expand their social and friend circles, and realize themselves in the political arena. Therefore, many people strive to be active and effective in the political arena. However, it is seen that the expectations of people involved in the political arena are often not fully realized or partially realized. There are many factors that affect this process that produces positive or negative results. These include factors such as the person's level of education, financial situation, personal characteristics, and communication skills. In this study, the effect of elitism on individuals' participation in politics at the local level will be examined through capital. In theories of elitism, the first classical elitism theorists Mosca and Pareto's explanations come to mind. In this study, Pareto's hypothesis that economic elites among elite groups in the social sphere are effective in local politics will be tested by starting from Mosca's concept of the ruling elite. In this context, it has been tried to find answers to the questions of how much the political visibility of the wealthy corresponds to the represented base, how the presence of the wealthy on the lists during the process of determining the MPs has an effect, whether the visibility of the wealthy in politics is effective in terms of political financing and causes an effective hegemony of the wealthy, how much the professions of local MPs are effective on the hegemony of the wealthy in regional politics around the example of Gaziantep province. In the study, a document-based analysis will be made by applying the historical and descriptive research type, and in line with this method, firstly the concepts of politics and elitism will be briefly mentioned and then an examination will be made on the professions of the MPs in Gaziantep province between the 22nd and 28th parliamentary terms according to the TBMM records. While conducting this examination, especially the capital and finance owners who were elected as MPs in the industrial sector in the example of Gaziantep province were accepted as wealthy.

Navigating Social Influences: The Impact of Anticipated HPV Vaccination Stigma from Friends and Family on College Students' HPV Vaccination Intent.

Family and friends play a dual role in supporting and hindering young adults' decisions regarding the HPV vaccine. However, the mechanisms by which anticipated HPV vaccination stigma from these social circles affects vaccination intent remain largely understudied. This study applied the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model to examine how anticipated HPV vaccination stigma from family and friends influences vaccination intent and its underlying mechanisms. Unvaccinated young adults (N=728) aged 18-26 in Texas completed a survey to assess anticipated HPV vaccination stigma from family and friends, vaccination intent, and mediators. Two parallel path analyses evaluated the association between anticipated HPV vaccination stigma from family and friends and vaccination intent, with self-efficacy, beliefs about sexual activity and vaccination need, and intent to consult a doctor as hypothesized skill- and belief-based mediators, controlling for demographics. Indirect effects showed that stronger anticipated HPV vaccination stigma from family and friends was linked to weaker vaccination intent through reduced self-efficacy and a strengthened belief that limited sexual activity reduces vaccination need (total indirect effect for family: β=-0.050, p=.003). Stronger anticipated stigma from friends-not family-predicted weaker intent through reduced intent to consult a doctor (total indirect effect for friends: β=-0.079, p=.005). Anticipated HPV vaccination stigma undermines vaccination intent by weakening vaccination skills and reinforcing beliefs that discourage vaccination, with its influence differing by source. Tailored messaging is needed to equip young adults with the confidence and resources to overcome HPV vaccination stigma from family and friends, with each source addressed uniquely.

Son of Mad Men speaks: a reflection on advertising’s creative revolution

ABSTRACT The famed advertising agency Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB) comprised second-generation New Yorkers, war veterans, and graduates of NYC public schools and universities. DDB’s Jewish angle could be overt, ‘You don’t have to be Jewish to love Levy’s Rye Bread,’ or covert, as in the VW slogan, ‘It’s ugly but it gets you there.’ Women and Blacks faced outright discrimination; Jews attained rewarding employment but faced segregated neighborhoods and social circles in the evenings. Drawing on a variety of Ego-Documents: interviews, memoirs, websites, and advertisements, this essay places the story of the Jewish ‘Mad Men’ in their proper context.

Silent struggles: the untold story of bullying among girls

SUMMARY Bullying among girls is often subtle and relational, which can go unnoticed by parents, teachers and healthcare professionals. This article explores how covert aggression – such as social exclusion, gossip and emotional manipulation – can cause profound psychological harm to targeted girls, many of whom may not even realise they are being bullied. Through an analysis of defining attributes of girl-to-girl bullying and general implications for mental health, this article aims to highlight the importance of early identification and treatment. The article also points out how social patterns of bullying found predominantly in girls’ social circles carry over well into adulthood, emerging in the work environment, social circles and cyberspace. Focused on practical application, this educational paper aims to enhance clinicians’, caregivers’ and teachers’ recognition of relational aggression, develop collaborative approaches to prevention and facilitate useful interventions for those affected. Ultimately, increased sensitivity to subtle bullying has the power to reduce subsequent harm and result in healthier social contexts.

Need for closure moderates the relationship between social circle's and own influenza vaccination behavior in a two-wave survey of U.S. adults.

Social norms predict flu vaccination uptake. Social norms are also a shared reality phenomenon that may have epistemic underpinnings, although this possibility has not yet been tested. We examined whether the relationship between perceived social circle vaccine coverage and own vaccination behavior depends on one's need for closure (NFC), or discomfort with uncertainty. We recruited a national sample of 300 participants to complete a pair of brief online surveys, the first of which was administered in September 2021 (Wave 1) and the second of which was administered in November 2021 (Wave 2). Participants estimated their social circle's vaccination behavior for the 2020-2021 flu season and reported their own vaccination behavior for the 2021-2022 flu season. Participants also completed a measure of dispositional NFC, along with other measures. Social circle vaccine coverage reported at Wave 1 predicted participants' vaccination behavior reported at Wave 2, and this relationship was moderated by the NFC. As hypothesized, participants with a high NFC were more likely to adhere to their social circles' vaccination norms, as compared to participants with a moderate or low NFC. Additional analyses were conducted to explore other relevant associations. Our findings suggest that people's perception of their social circle's vaccination history interacts with their own desire for certainty in the process they use to make vaccination decisions. This raises the possibility that interventions should promote positive social norms and induce epistemic motivations in tandem to promote vaccine uptake. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Perceived community alignment increases information sharing

It has been proposed that information sharing, which is a ubiquitous and consequential behavior, plays a critical role in cultivating and maintaining a sense of shared reality. Across three studies, we test this theory by investigating whether or not people are especially likely to share information that they believe will be interpreted similarly by others in their social circles. Using neuroimaging data collected while people who live in the same residential community viewed brief film clips, we find that more similar neural responses across participants is associated with a greater likelihood to share content. We then test this relationship using two behavioral studies and find (1) that people are particularly likely to share content that they believe others in their social circles will interpret similarly and (2) that perceived similarity with others leads to increased sharing likelihood. In concert, our findings support the idea that people are driven to share information to create and reinforce shared understanding, which is critical to social connection.

An exploratory analysis of infant and young child feeding perceptions and practices among South Asian women living in London

BackgroundBreastfeeding and complementary feeding are crucial in early life nutrition. In the UK, only 1% of mothers exclusively breastfeed at six months. Data from England (2020-21) show that at six to eight weeks, breastfeeding rates were lower among white mothers (49.8%) than among Asian or Asian British mothers (69.0%). However, exclusive breastfeeding rates in the home countries of UK minority groups are higher than those of their counterparts in the UK.ObjectiveThis study explores the perceptions and practices of South Asian mothers in London regarding infant and young child feeding (IYCF), identifying socio-cultural and environmental influences.MethodsA qualitative study recruited eleven South Asian mothers of children under five living in London through purposive convenience and snowball sampling. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted, and data were analysed following an inductive thematic approach.ResultsThree themes emerged: (1) maternal practices shaped by religion, culture, and social support; (2) lack of support in managing IYCF challenges; and (3) practical support needed to enhance exclusive breastfeeding: cultural and religious beliefs, emotional bonding, and convenience motivated breastfeeding initiation. However, mixed feeding and early solid food introduction occurred due to perceived milk insufficiency and misinformation. Mothers relied on social circles and digital sources due to cultural and language barriers. Inadequate maternity leave policies were perceived to lead to shorter breastfeeding durations, particularly among recent immigrants.ConclusionsAddressing milk supply misconceptions and providing information on infant needs are essential. Policy changes offering flexible work conditions could support breastfeeding among immigrant mothers.

РАЗРАБОТКА И ВНЕДРЕНИЕ СПЕЦИАЛИЗИРОВАННОЙ БИБЛИОТЕЧНОЙ СИСТЕМЫ ДЛЯ СЛАБОВИДЯЩИХ ЛЮДЕЙ

In the modern world, the number of visually impaired people is growing at a high rate. The social circle of this category of citizens is limited; the ability to use modern gadgets is also reduced. It is necessary to socialize visually impaired people by involving them in the library system work. In these institutions, this category of citizens will be able not only to closely communicate with each other, but also to use the automated capabilities of libraries. The paper describes the main stages of developing a specialized library system for the visually impaired people. The list includes the following implementations: a syntax analyser from the multifunctional software package irbis, an automated book-lending module with various capabilities, a voice assistant module for entering the library system, a news block module with a voice-over function, a graphic editor developed for a specialized system, etc. The work considers the database of a specialized library system, prescribes the database table fields; provides the interface of the administration panel and the tasks implemented by the technology of natural language processing (NLP). The analysis of implementing this system shows its efficiency in terms of accelerating the process of book lending to visually impaired people, obtaining additional information. The automated system is being tested and constantly upgraded.

Особливості міжособистісного спілкування учнів молодшого шкільного віку

The article reveals the peculiarities of communication and establishment of interpersonal interaction of children of primary school age with adults and peers. The main factors and problems of forming communication in primary school age are characterized. The study of children's communication during the transition from preschool to primary school age is associated by many researchers with children's communicative readiness for studying at school. The development of social stereotypes of behavior and ways of interacting with other people is the basis of a child's moral education. The active emotional orientation of children is the basis for the formation of a moral attitude towards peers, which is the first step towards the development of social and communicative activity and the formation of a universal humanistic orientation. Psychologists argue that a developing personality is aimed at constantly expanding its social circle. This is especially true for younger students who demonstrate active personality development. It is vital for primary school students to communicate with adults and peers. And, when we talk about communication problems, we should take into account the peculiarities of interpersonal contacts with representatives of each group, as well as joint communication, for example, during a lesson with a teacher and classmates. The basis for rethinking and restructuring a child's communication is the beginning of school and the difficulty of adapting to new conditions and requirements. The issues of personal relationships, connections and processes in the world of people are of concern to students. It is not surprising that first-graders develop a new attitude toward adults as a special person with many different qualities that often do not correlate with their current interests in interacting with them. Perceptions of peers change significantly, and comparative studies have shown that attitudes toward adults strongly influence other types of relationships. A lack of communication with an adult leads to a decrease in peer relationships and a decrease in children's cognitive activity.

From food authenticity to post-experience behavior: young tourist’s choices of ethnic restaurants

Purpose This study aims to examine young tourists’ preferences in purchasing food from ethnic restaurants, with their unique characteristics. It incorporates ethnic restaurant servicescape and physical evidence to better understand how young tourists, who have become an ever-growing market, shape their postexperience behavior in ethnic restaurants. Design/methodology/approach In the first stage, the data were collected based on 30 days of observations of around 150 young tourists. In the second stage, this study uses a quantitative approach by surveying an additional 150 young tourists in Indonesia. The data from the survey were analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling with the SmartPLS software to determine the effects of servicescape and place attachment on the experience of ethnic food consumption. Findings The results show that the servicescape and physical evidence of ethnic restaurants significantly relate to postexperience behavior. Substantive and communicative servicescape affected authenticity and exoticism in choosing an ethnic restaurant. Respondents experienced place attachment as part of their postexperience behavior with different cultures. Practical implications Good food alone is not enough; business owners of ethnic restaurants need to offer comfort zones that enable social interaction and photographic spots for young tourists. Staff appearance and knowledge on the cultural story or history behind the food is also crucial to make young tourists feel attached to the restaurants and more excited to share the stories to other people. This would also offer a possible marketing strategy for ethnic restaurants in designing a competitive advantage to survive in this digital era. Originality/value There has been very little research on how young tourists as a new big market in the tourism industry evaluate their experience in ethnic restaurants. This study offers a new perspective from young tourists with different cultural backgrounds. It highlights the importance of surrounding dining areas that make young tourists feel attached to an ethnic restaurant and willing to share their post experience to their social circle.

Antecedents of Omnichannel purchase intention of apparel: A study among youth

Understanding the dynamic relationship between different consumer behaviors is essential for brands to succeed in today's cutthroat business environment. The aim of the study was to examine various factors influencing customers’ purchase intention of various apparel brands using Omnichannel retailing among youth. Customer purchase intention has been found to be significantly influenced by personalized experiences, where customized interactions not only create a feeling of community but also have an impact on purchasing decisions. In this process, customer service is essential because timely, compassionate service increases customer loyalty and improves brand reputation. Customers' inclination to accept new goods or services is also greatly influenced by elements like social influence and individual inventiveness. Customers are more inclined to interact with new offerings if they perceive them to be more inventive. At the same time, social circles' advice and viewpoints frequently influence what people decide to buy. Another essential component of building lasting relationships is trust, since consumers are drawn to companies they believe to be trustworthy and open system for reward points.

The information landscape of rural teenage girls: A study of district Swabi, Pakistan

This research explores how teenage girls in the Swabi District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, handle information. It's all about understanding the ways they find, utilize, and spread the word, and any roadblocks they hit along the way. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 teenage girls between 16 and 17 years of age, from the first-year students of government colleges of Swabi district, selected through purposive sampling. The thematic analysis was used for data analysis. The findings show that for information seeking, these girls depend on Google, YouTube, and ChatGPT for both fun and school stuff. But they still use more traditional sources, like books, newspapers, and their social circles, showing that these old-school methods are still important in their daily lives. The research shows that participants are quite adept at applying the information they find to various everyday situations, such as cooking, beauty routines, preparing projects, and even health-related matters. But even though these rural teenage girls are resourceful, they still run into some big challenges. This study emphasizes that we need to do more for rural girls, like boost internet access and create information programs that are mindful of local cultures, so everyone can get the information they need.

Socio-Economic Status, Comparisons of Subjective Affectedness and Life Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany

Abstract This paper examines the role of social comparisons in evaluating the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany between 2020 and 2022. Our approach drew on previous research concerning economic inequalities and reference groups, engaging with the broader literature on comparisons and subjective well-being. We hypothesized that individuals’ evaluations of their personal economic affectedness—what we term “subjective affectedness”—would be influenced not only by objective factors such as employment and income changes but also by their socioeconomic status at the onset of the pandemic. We primarily investigated how individuals evaluate their subjective affectedness in relation to others and how these evaluations varied according to their initial socioeconomic status. Additionally, we analyzed whether these comparisons influenced subjective well-being, specifically life satisfaction, during the pandemic. Our results show that individuals generally viewed themselves as economically less affected than others, including their immediate social circle, other people in Germany, and especially others in the EU. However, lower-status groups perceived both themselves and others as more affected and were more likely to assess themselves as more affected than others—even in the absence of objective factors such as job or income loss. Our findings suggest that individuals rely on personal reference groups, which leads to biased evaluations of others. Those who evaluated themselves as more affected than others also reported lower life satisfaction. Overall, our findings indicate that socioeconomic status played a crucial role in shaping evaluations and social comparisons during the pandemic.

Problemas relacionados en lactantes con el mito de tomar alcohol para mayor producción de leche materna en madres primerizas de Chetumal, Quintana Roo

This study aims to identify the percentage of first-time mothers who follow advice from their close social circle—such as friends, relatives, or neighbours—to boost breast milk production using home remedies. Through anonymous surveys distributed via Google Forms, data will be collected regarding observed effects, both positive and negative, including potential organoleptic changes in the milk (such as colour, smell, taste, or viscosity) and whether the infant accepts or rejects the milk. The research will also explore which remedies are most commonly used during breastfeeding and who tends to be the main source of such recommendations. As part of the analysis, the study will briefly address the consumption of alcoholic beverages during lactation, associated risks, and offer tips for assessing whether the mother’s milk is adequately nourishing the infant. Furthermore, the different types of milk produced during breastfeeding will be outlined, along with their respective benefits for both mother and baby, as well as the gastric capacity of a newborn from day one to one month of age. Initially, a sample of 50 mothers will be considered, with plans to expand to 100 participants as the project progresses. It is hoped that the proportion of mothers resorting to alcohol for galactagogue purposes will not exceed 30% of the study group.

REPRESENTATION OF AGGRESSION THROUGH LANGUAGE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HOSTILITIES AND DAY SCHOLARS

This quantitative study is done to explore the level of aggression through language shown by hostilities and day scholars. The sample consisted of twenty hostel girls and twenty day scholars while the age limit of 20-23 years. Close ended questionnaire was constructed for in-depth interview. Microsoft Excel is used to analyze the data. Then after analysis there aggression level is compared. The results show that day scholars have high aggression than hostel girls. While living in hostel, social circle of students expand. Because in hostel all the students belong to different cities and different regions. Their native tongue are different from each other so they talk in different languages. Sometimes their tone of language and selection of words during conversation negatively affects other’s mood and thus cause aggression. The target person expresses his aggression by hitting, screaming, shouting or by his words. It may be physical or verbal. But the aggression show by hostilities is less than the aggression shown by day scholars. Compromising, responsible and social, theses are few personality characters that are associated with hostel students. But besides this, hostel students are less aggressive than regular day scholars. During their stay in hostels, they know how to suppress their anger, frustration and dislikes. But the students who come from home daily are more aggressive than hostilities. They cannot control their anger and frustration. The results of this research are helpful for those students and parents who consider that hostilities have immature language skills and exhibit high level of aggression. But actual findings show that day scholars are much aggressive. And they show all types of aggression direct and indirect as compared to hostilities.

Mapping Political Discourses: a Comparative Study of Political Culture and Behavior in Greece using Hierarchical Cluster and Correspondence Analysis

Abstract This comparative analysis focuses on the interaction between the construction of the “political self” and the “moral self” and political behavior. The data derive from an online survey with a sample of 534 Greek citizens, employing symbolic representation and advanced multivariate methods, using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) in two steps. The analysis detects distinct profiles of respondents, based on their “democratic” and “moral” characteristics enabling us to uncover distinct discourses of political culture and behaviors. The first model reveals four groups of culture-behavior, characterized by the antagonisms between [mobilization–trust institutions–democracy as a struggle or parliamentary] and [apathy–reject institutions–democracy as ancient Greece, corruption, protest or direct]. The second model highlights the critical role of information sources, moral values, and political mobilization, revealing a typology on the poles: non-mobilization–naturalistic values, personal success, and enjoyment–tradition–passive information from television or social circle. The moral framework of values further outlined contrasts: progress versus preservation and aggression/power versus altruism/calmness. The two models offer a multidimensional interpretive framework for Greek political culture, structured around three principal axes: (1) institutional trust versus systemic suspicion; (2) collectivist solidarity versus individual self-interest; and (3) tradition-bound authority versus progress-based pluralism. Visualizing these discourses, internal antagonisms—differences and similarities in a two-dimensional semantic map—offer explicit insights into the Greek political landscape but also contribute to the broader field using HCA and FCA as a robust tool for comparative analysis.

The Routine Tradition of Reciting the Yellow (Kitab Kuning) Islamic Book in the Menara Kudus in an Ethnographic Perspective: Exploration of Practices, Values, and Meanings for Local Communities

The routine tradition of reciting Kitab Kuning at Menara Kudus represents the locality of Kudus which is starting to be faced with the limited involvement of the younger generation in the modern era. This study aims to analyze the implementation the tradition, examine the values of tradition and reveal the meaning of tradition in sustainability. This tradition is carried out at the Menara Kudus Mosque regularly to study the value of life in an Islamic perspective by all social circles. This research uses an ethnographic approach. The implementation of the research involved the community, students, and religious leaders. Observations in the routine recitation activities were carried out to explore the relationship between the meaning of values and the social behavior of the community towards tradition. Interviews were conducted to find the spiritual, social and cultural background that applies in the development of traditions. Documentation was used to support data on cultural and spiritual interrelationships during the recurring implementation of the tradition. Various data sources were used to explore practices, values and meanings for generalization. The results showed that the practical exploration of the routine activities of reciting the book was carried out with simple methods and Javanese language with clear and firm religious meaning as the basis of social life. Religious values provide an understanding of the concept of spirituality to build morals that are in line with social and cultural values. The meaning of the study in the development of knowledge and social ethics is a basic need that cannot be ignored.

Living life the nomadic way: identifying skills of a digital nomad in new forms of organizational employment

Purpose Digital nomads (DNs) operate remotely in organizations that are undergoing digital transformation, contributing to the growing phenomenon of digital nomadism. Despite the growing trend, there is a scarcity of research on the phenomenon and how DNs perform their jobs. The purpose of this study is to identify the skills that DNs possess that enable them to successfully carry out distant work. As such types of employees are steadily growing, the purpose is also to bring the discussion on digital nomadic work into the mainstream. The study offers significant practical implications for hiring practices in organizations, such as job description, onboarding protocols and training initiatives to further develop the necessary abilities in the light of evolving organizational and employment models. Design/methodology/approach With “Person Job Fit” theory as the theoretical foundation, the study adopted a qualitative approach to analyze Netnography data extracted from various online sources, using natural language processing (NLP) technique to reveal the skills possessed by DNs to perform their work in this new form of organization. The online data consisted of more than 1000 google pages, 44 Meta groups, 53 online interviews of DNs on YouTube and 62 Podcasts of DN communities. Applying two stage analysis, the findings revealed various personal, interpersonal and organizational skills required of DNs to perform their work. Findings Using various online sources as data points, the research reveals that DNs possessed various personal, interpersonal and organizational skills that helped them perform their remote jobs effectively. In addition, the analysis also revealed evidence-based characteristics, qualities and lifestyle of a DN and the dichotomy in nomads. Research limitations/implications DNs prefer anonymity and so the author had to rely on various online data sources like Facebook (now called Meta), google pages, documented online interviews on YouTube and podcasts. Owing to the mobile lifestyle of DNs, the author could not address other economic or cultural influences on the phenomenon. As the data was gathered from all different parts of the world to increase representativeness and validity of research, a contextual understanding could not be explored. The research has implications on opening future research avenues by theoretically advancing the Person–Job Fit theory adding environment dimension to the framework. Practical implications This research has implications for organizations to create onboarding procedures for employees, training programs and recruitment policies that stress upon having specific personal, interpersonal and organizational skills to meet the changing needs of DNs. Social implications The study has implications for society as mobility has enabled people to take advantage of opportunities and create better lives for themselves, taking up different jobs which were earlier out of reach. The study also has social implications on the personal lives and lifestyle of DNs and their relationship with their family, friends and social circle. Originality/value The study contributes to advancing evidence-based understanding of skills possessed by DNs. The study also makes theoretical contribution and advances knowledge on “Person-Job-Fit” theory in digitally evolving workplaces as new form of organizational employment.

Improving POI Recommendation through Collaborative Filtering by incorporating the Geographical Factor into the Similarity Calculation

In recent years, the popularity of Location-Based Social Networks (LBSNs) has surged among tourists seeking to share their travel experiences with their social circles. Although these platforms generate vast amounts of data, effectively utilizing this information to provide personalized recommendations poses significant challenges. Point-Of-Interest (POI) recommendation systems have emerged as a promising solution, leveraging data from LBSNs to suggest tailored destinations for tourists. Collaborative Filtering (CF) has gained recognition as a widely adopted memory-based technique. By analyzing user similarities, CF often uses similarity metrics to predict the likelihood of tourists visiting specific POIs. This study introduces a novel method, called IUPJS (Incorporation of User Proximity in Jaccard Similarity), which extends the traditional Jaccard index by integrating geographic proximity into the similarity calculation. Experimental evaluations on a Foursquare data set indicate that the proposed IUPJS significantly enhances the effectiveness of the recommendation system. This improvement is particularly evident in key evaluation metrics, including precision, recall, F1-score, mAP, and NDCG, exceeding the performance of traditional methods commonly employed in the literature.

Enhancing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival in China through the 5-minute social rescue circle implementation.

Enhancing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival in China through the 5-minute social rescue circle implementation.