Social Situations Research Articles

Is Primacy of Primary Control Universal? Comparisons Between Ideal-Actual Levels of Control Strategies Among Youth and Emerging Adults Across Four Countries

Control strategies are cognitive, affective, and/or behavioral attempts to improve one’s status quo in social situations. A widely cited dichotomy classifies control strategies into two processes: primary and secondary control. Primary control refers to behaviors aimed at changing one’s external realities, whereas secondary control refers to people’s attempts to change themselves. Previous literature has provided conflicting views regarding the interplay between culture and control orientation: mostly, East Asian preference for secondary control and Western preference for primary control versus universal preference for primary control. We clarify this inconsistency by differentiating between ideal and actual control choices. We hypothesized that primary control would be universally preferred over secondary control at the ideal level, whereas that would not be the case for actual control choices. Consistent with the prediction, a systematic review of the previous research (Study 1) generally supports the hypothesized pattern, and our data from four countries in Study 2 suggest a primacy of primary over secondary control at the ideal level, a preference that is not always manifested in actual choice. An additional analysis of cultural unpackaging showed that, among other individual differences, prevention focus in particular is at play when people hesitate to use primary control despite their desire to use it.

Speaking Stoma: Creating a Communication Guide for People With an Ostomy.

An ostomy is a life-changing procedure. Individuals who have ostomy surgery must adjust to changes post-operation, some of which involve changes to communication and managing social situations. The purpose of this project was to create an evidence-based communication guide for people with ostomies while transitioning to life after surgery and serve as a reference for the creation of communication guides for similar chronic illnesses. Emphasizing co-production, the first stage of the project, referred to as Pre-Design, included a needs assessment through qualitative interviews with (n = 27) individuals who have had an ostomy for at least a year. In the second stage of the project, Co-Design, our team used information gathered from the interviews with participants to create a rough draft of our communication guide. In the last stage, called Post-Design, we invited seven participants from the Pre-Design stage and recruited eight new participants (n = 15) to take part in both interviews and focus groups to evaluate the proposed communication guide. We reflect on both the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed communication guide based on feedback gathered from ostomates, followed by a discussion of the benefits of incorporating and applying this guide into practice. Results suggest that there are benefits to co-production as a method for healthcare delivery and multiple needs for guidance related to salient social situations for people with ostomies. These results can be applied to create evidence-based communication guidance for other relevant health contexts.

Effect of resource-associated signals on producer responses: Insights from golden fish (Carassius auratus) and an agent-based model.

In social foraging situations, some group members actively engage in behaviors associated with searching for patch zones (produce), while others join previously discovered patch zones (scrounge). Pavlovian conditioning enables individuals to anticipate a biologically significant event or unconditioned stimulus, such as resource availability, when paired with another event, such as a blue light, also known as a conditioned stimulus (CS). Considering that individuals' prior experiences with habitat features may influence their preference for producer or scrounger responses, this study aims to assess the impact of resource-associated signals on the group produce index. Specifically, the study seeks to (a) outline a setup for goldfish (Carassius auratus) incorporating renewable patch zones, (b) evaluate the CS's effect on the proportion of producers, and (c) develop an agent-based model capturing the CS's effect on the proportion of producers. Eight goldfish were used, with half undergoing a delayed Pavlovian acquisition protocol. Pavlovian-trained and control fish were assessed under signal and nonsignal conditions. The findings reveal that the producer index in the signal condition was higher for the Pavlovian group than the control group. To simulate conditions to those observed in fish, we developed an agent-based model where Pavlovian agents oriented themselves toward the nearest patch zone when the CS was present. The results mirrored those observed in fish, indicating an advantage derived from preexposure to the CS. This study contributes to the investigation of individual disparities and the impact of learning within the framework of the producer-scrounger game. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

선택적 함구증 아동의 자기표현 향상을 위한 인간중심 미술치료 단일 사례연구

The expression of children with selective mutism extends beyond the personal dimension, causing emotional and psychological difficulties in school and social situations. Alleviating anxiety in these children is important, as it is closely related to self-expression. Based on this, our study aimed to create a human-centered art therapy program to encourage spontaneity and explore the process of self-expression through creative activities in children with selective mutism. For this purpose, we conducted a 16-session program, once a week for 60 minutes, targeting children with selective mutism. The results showed positive changes in self-expression through pre- and post-assessments and qualitative analysis. In conclusion, providing a safe environment and supportive atmosphere allowed these children to alleviate tension and anxiety, enabling them to engage in profound exploration. The art-making process facilitated external expression of inner anxiety, leading to self-discovery and self-assurance.

Improving Food-Related Inhibitory Control Through an mHealth Intervention-A Secondary Outcome Analysis of an RCT.

Experimental studies reveal that deficits in food-related inhibitory control, rather than general impulsiveness, are closely linked to overweight and obesity. To date, the real-world implications remain unknown, and it is unclear whether these results are supported in the clinical field. To examine the effectiveness of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention with cognitive and behavioral therapeutic elements in altering impulsiveness and food-related inhibitory control. Prespecified secondary outcome analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Participants with overweight/obesity (BMI: M=33.35kg/m2, SD=3.79kg/m2, N=213) were randomly assigned to either a 12-week mHealth intervention (n=116) or wait-list control group (n=97). The Barratt-Impulsiveness-Scale (BIS-15) and the Food-Related Inhibitory Control Scale (FRIS) were administered at baseline (T0) following the intervention (T1), at 9 and 15 month post baseline (T2, T3). Multi-level analyses were calculated. Compared to the control group, the intervention group reported higher food-related inhibitory control on several subscales of the FRIS: In Withholding in Social Situations at T1 (95% CI: 0.06-0.46) and T2 (95%CI: 0.09-0.50), Action Cancellation at T1 (95%CI: 0.05-0.45), Resisting despite Craving at T1 (95% CI: 0.07-0.49), Withstanding Rewarding Food at T2 (95%CI: 0.08-0.55) and Action Withholding at T3 (95% CI: 0.01-0.55). No differences were found for trait impulsiveness (T1: 95%CI: -1.91-0.47; T2: 95%CI: -1.65-0.84; T3: 95%CI: -0.88-1.67). Food-related inhibitory control, rather than global measures of impulsiveness, addresses the critical association between inhibitory control and health-conscious dietary choices and can be improved by mHealth intervention. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04080193.

사회정책과정 단계별 관련 괘의 사회정책적 해석과 정책적 과제

The purpose of this study is to interpret the social policy situation of the relevant hexagrams of the stages in social policy process from the standpoint of the social policy by using the framework which is sought through modifying and supplementing the existing framework and to identify its policy tasks. The policy tasks of the revevant hexagrams related to each stages in social policy process identified through this study can be summarized as follows. First, the policy task of hexagram in the social problem forming stage is to seek new approach or theoretical perspective on social problems Second, the policy task of hexagram in the social policy agenda forming stage is about which of the various social policy agenda forming factors should be prioritized and applied. Third, the policy task of the hexagrm in social policy decision-making stage is about what should be reflected as the core content when setting social policy goals. Fourth, the policy task of hexagram in social policy implementing stage is that communication between persons concerned social policy should be emphasized in order to achieve social policy goals. Fifth. The policy task of hexagram in the social policy evaluating stage is that among the various types of policy evaluation, performance evaluation or program evaluation should be given the highest priority. The policy tasks of of relevant hexagrams in the stages in social policy process through interpreting the social policy situation from the standpoint of social policy have been identified. If so, it can be said that The Book of Change is a human heritage that should be used in various ways in the field of social welfare and social policy.

Challenge and Progress: Kutia Kondh's Development Journey

In the past, during India's Fifth Five Year Plan, a special category called Primitive Tribal Group (PTG) was created under Scheduled Tribes. These groups were characterized by living in a way similar to ancient times, relying on hunting and gathering for survival, having very few children or even decreasing population, and having very low levels of education compared to other tribal groups. However, in 2009, the Government of India decided to change the name from "Primitive Tribal Group" to "Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) " because some people felt that the word 'primitive' was disrespectful. Odisha, a state in India, has 13 communities classified as PTGs, and one of them is the Kutia Kondh community. This study looked at the Kutia Kondh people who live in villages managed by the Kutia Kondh Development Agency (KKDA) in Belghar, part of the Baliguda area in the Kandhamal district. The research compared important measures of progress for the Kutia Kondh community over two different time periods using surveys that examined their social and economic situations. The study also included information about the Kutia Kondh way of life gathered through ethnographic research. The study finds that the Kutia Kondh people are in a transition phase, balancing between their traditional way of life and modern influences. While socio - economic development initiatives have brought significant changes to their culture and lifestyle, many traditional practices still endure. However, when examining various factors, Kutia Kondh villages still lag behind in access to essential facilities like infrastructure, education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. Key concerns include inadequate infrastructure, limited connectivity, housing issues, lack of clean drinking water and electricity, poor education and healthcare services, and insufficient support for livelihood improvement. It's crucial to not only focus on development efforts to enhance their socio - economic status but also to preserve their unique culture and traditions. Efforts should be directed towards both improving living conditions and safeguarding their cultural heritage.

Korean and American adolescents' judgments of group-based inequalities

The current study examined how adolescents from different cultural backgrounds perceive and reason about group-based inequalities. Korean (N = 84, 42 females) and American (N = 72, 36 females) adolescents, aged 12 to 17, evaluated resource distribution inequalities in school contexts among social groups differentiated by social class, race, and gender. Across both cultures, nearly all adolescents found race and gender inequalities unacceptable based on moral concerns for equality. However, judgments about inequalities based on social class were more complex; adolescents evaluated these inequalities as less wrong and coordinated equality concerns with other considerations. They further distinguished between two types of social class situations that varied in the level of inequality, judging group-level social class inequality as more unacceptable than individual-level inequality. Cultural variations were evident in the justifications for their evaluations: American adolescents coordinated moral concerns of equality and welfare with personal and conventional reasons, while Korean adolescents also considered moral concerns of merit and property rights. Different interpretations of situational contexts led to varying prioritizations of moral concerns across the two cultures.

Active and Passive Screen Time for Children Aged 5–6

The social situation of development largely determines the cognitive and emotional development of a child. The use of digital devices is an important part of the social situation in development of modern preschool children. By the age of 5–6, children start using digital devices independently and in various modes highlighting importance of understanding their usage patterns. A questionnaire was administered to mothers of 663 5–6-year-old children to investigate this topic. It is shown that passive screen time (time spent watching video content) is almost twice as long as active screen (time spent interactively using digital devices, for example, for videogames, communication, learning, creating). It is also shown that screen time on weekends is twice as much as on weekdays. Weekend screen time reaches three hours exceeds age norms by one hour, indicating insufficient engagement in physical activities, non-digital games, and interpersonal communication. There was no difference in screen time between boys and girls. Screen time is shown to be inversely correlated with maternal education level. It is found that less than 30% of children engage in screen time with their parents.

Social risk coding by amygdala activity and connectivity with dorsal anterior cingulate cortex.

Risk is a fundamental factor affecting individual and social economic decisions, but its neural correlates are largely unexplored in the social domain. The amygdala, together with the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), is thought to play a central role in risk taking. Here, we investigated in human volunteers (n=20; 11 females) how risk (defined as variance of reward probability distributions) in a social situation affects decisions and concomitant neural activity as measured with fMRI. We found separate variance-risk signals for social and non-social outcomes in the amygdala. Specifically, amygdala activity increased parametrically with social reward variance of presented choice options and on separate trials with non-social reward variance. Behaviorally, 75% of participants were averse to social risk as estimated in a Becker-DeGroot-Marschak auction-like procedure. The stronger this aversion, the more negative was the coupling between risk-related amygdala regions and dACC. This negative relation was significant for social risk attitude but not for the attitude towards variance-risk in juice outcomes. Our results indicate that the amygdala and its coupling with dACC process objective and subjectively evaluated social risk. Moreover, while social risk can be captured with a framework originally established by finance theory for non-social risk, the amygdala appears to processes social risk largely separately from non-social risk.Significance statement Risk-the uncertainty of outcomes-has profound effects on decision-making and behavior. In social situations, uncertainty about others' behavior ('social risk') similarly guides our decisions and can contribute to social anxiety. Surprisingly little is known about the neural mechanisms processing social risk. Here we investigated neural activity when humans evaluated social risk derived from the uncertainty of personal compliments received from social partners. Activity in the amygdala, a brain structure implicated in emotion and social behavior, reflected social risk levels. Amygdala functional connectivity to the anterior cingulate cortex reflected individuals' aversion to social risk. Our findings extend risk evaluation into the social domain and pave the way for investigating social risk attitude in mental-health impairments, including social anxiety.

Development of adaptive coping strategies of students in a university setting (on the example of the Educational and Practical Center for Conflict Resolution of Southwestern State University)

The purpose of the study. A significant task today is to increase the socio-psychological well-being of students in a university setting. Due to the increased intensity of educational activity, its complexity, and multitasking, the mental stress of students is increasing. Significant stress factors are the new social situation of development; the situation of external assessment in the process of intellectual tests; individual and personal characteristics of participants in educational relations; students' concerns about the ability to cope with educational tasks.The purpose of our work is to explore the possibilities of using the potential of the Educational and Practical Conflict Resolution Center of Southwestern State University for the development of adaptive coping strategies of students.In our work, we investigated the preferred coping strategies of students, offered recommendations for creating psychological and pedagogical conditions for the development of students' coping strategies that contribute to successful adaptation to the conditions.Methods. Theoretical and methodological analysis of scientific sources on the research problem was used in the work; empirical research methods: testing using the following techniques: "Questionnaire of coping methods" by R. Lazarus and S. Folkman (Ways of Coping Questionnaire – WCQ), adapted by the Bekhterev National Research Institute; "Coping behavior in stressful Situations" by N. Endler, J. Parker.Results. In the process of empirical research, it was revealed that the most characteristic for students in a stressful situation is coping, focused on avoidance, which manifests itself in distraction. That is, a significant number of students prefer not to solve the problem, but to distract themselves from it by other activities.Among the methods of coping behavior, "escape-avoidance" is pronounced, which most researchers consider to be maladaptive. Coping strategies "distancing" and "positive reassessment" are significantly expressed, which are aimed not at solving the problem, but at reducing emotional involvement in it, preventing emotional reactions to frustration.Conclusion. Thus, there is an obvious need for students to develop problem-oriented coping strategies. In particular, the strategies of "self-control" and "solution planning", which will help students direct their efforts to a rational solution of the problem.

Intertwined precarities: how can vulnerability create a labor relationship?

AbstractThrough a micro-case study of labor relation within a small Hungarian horticulture enterprise, our study reveals what precarity means and what experiences it entails for a small-farmer employer and his workers. Drawing on theoretical works that emphasize relationality and the multifaceted character of precarity, we can delineate the different constellations of vulnerabilities, dependency, and autonomy in different social positions. Precarity covers a wide range of social situations and experiences. In contrast to previous research, which emphasize the challenges that the heterogeneity of precarious situations pose for class formation, we highlight the ways the experience of precarity may become the basis of solidarity. Instead of scrutinizing only the employee’s precarity, which is common in research, we focus on its relationality. Our micro-case study examines the ways precarity interlinks the employer and the employee despite their different social positions and the potential conflict of interest between them. Our analysis shows that the intertwined (shared but differently experienced) precarity can create a labor relation, which is based on the recognition of each party’s vulnerabilities and mutual dependence between employer and employee. Both parties provide each other with some stability and describe this labor relation with the notion of “family,” which demonstrates the possibilities and the limits of this form of solidarity. Yet, the vulnerabilities of both parties also expose the fragility of this labor relation.

It Takes a Village: How Community-Based Peer Support for Breastfeeding Bolsters Lactation Prevalence Among Black Mississippians on the Gulf Coast.

Breastfeeding rates are considerably lower among African American women and across the U.S. South. Our study introduces the concept of community-based peer support for breastfeeding, as measured through beliefs about women's comfort breastfeeding in various social situations (i.e., in the presence of women and men as well as close friends and strangers). We examine if community-based peer support for breastfeeding is associated with reported lactation prevalence in primary social networks among survey respondents living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Special attention is paid to racial differences in the breastfeeding support-prevalence relationship. We use data drawn from a survey that combines a random sample of adults who are representative of the Mississippi Gulf Coast population and a non-random oversample of African Americans in this predominantly rural tri-county area. Analyses of data from wave 1 of the CDC-funded 2019 Mississippi REACH Social Climate Survey reveal low overall levels of African American breastfeeding network prevalence (knowing friends and family who have breastfed). However, community-based peer support for breastfeeding significantly amplifies breastfeeding network prevalence for black Mississippians when compared with their white counterparts. Previous research has indicated that breastfeeding promotional messages have a limited impact on African American breastfeeding propensity along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. However, the current study indicates that enhanced community-based peer support for breastfeeding can be a key facilitator for improved lactation outcomes among African Americans as compared with whites. We establish that breastfeeding is best conceived as both an interpersonal encounter (an activity often conducted in the presence of others) and a collective achievement (a practice influenced by community norms). We discuss study implications and directions for future research.

Resting-state functional connectivity in gelotophobes: A neuroscientific perspective on the fear of laughter

Gelotophobia, the fear of being laughed at, is characterized by heightened sensitivity to ridicule and a tendency to perceive laughter in social situations as mocking. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) acquires brain functional connectivity while the individual remains at rest, without engaging in specific tasks. Recent studies have investigated task-based fMRI and white matter in gelotophobes; however, the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in this group remains unclear. This study aimed to examine differences in rsFC between gelotophobes and non-gelotophobes, to provide insights into the neural networks underlying gelotophobia. Using a seed-based correlation approach, the present study analyzed rsFC in three key networks: the limbic system, default mode network (DMN), and executive control network (ECN). Compared to non-gelotophobes, gelotophobes exhibited significantly stronger amygdala-putamen connectivity within the limbic system, suggesting heightened sensitivity to social cues and altered processing of fear. Within the DMN, gelotophobes demonstrated stronger precuneus-temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and posterior cingulate cortex-TPJ functional connectivity, implying increased self-awareness and vigilance toward social evaluation. In the ECN, enhanced connectivity between the superior frontal gyrus and supplementary motor area in gelotophobes may reflect heightened attention to social cues. Notably, while individuals with gelotophobia exhibited greater amygdala-putamen functional connectivity, controls showed stronger amygdala-supplementary motor area connectivity. These distinct connectivity patterns across the limbic system, DMN, and ECN provide new insights into the neural basis of gelotophobia and its associated heightened sensitivity to social evaluation.

Konformitas ditinjau dari Jenis Kelamin pada Remaja

Conformity is a type of social influence that encourages individuals to adjust their attitudes and behaviors to align with prevailing social norms. This study aims to explore gender differences in conformity among adolescents. It is hypothesized that there are slight differences in the levels of conformity exhibited by males and females, influenced by the social situations in which conformity occurs and inherent gender differences. The study adopts a literature review approach to identify, evaluate, and interpret relevant research findings on this topic. This process involves evaluating and summarizing existing studies, incorporating insights from recent and earlier publications to provide a comprehensive overview. The findings indicate that females tend to exhibit higher levels of conformity compared to males. Females are more inclined to prioritize interpersonal relationships and maintain group harmony. In contrast, males are generally more concerned with displaying high status and are likely to demonstrate this status through independent actions in decision-making, thinking, and expressing opinions. These results illustrate the role of gender in shaping conformity, influenced by social norms and group dynamics.

Gender Dynamics and Economic Impacts: The Feminization of Indian Agriculture in India

The phenomenon known as feminization of agriculture, which emerged in India after privatisation, refers to a rise in the proportion of women employed in farming. But feminization does not inevitably result in empowerment because female workers receive lower wages than male workers. Gender discrimination, general bias against women, a lack of advancements in technology for women, limited control over resources, and limited market access are some of the barriers that prevent women from progressing in agriculture. The states with a greater number of people working in agriculture saw the smallest shifts in labour participation between men and women. As women become more involved in agriculture, they contribute significantly to household income and food production. This financial contribution can enhance their decision-making power within the family and community.As small-scale farmers contend with growing competition from larger agricultural operations, more men are migrating to urban centres in pursuit of higher-paying jobs. This leaves women responsible for sustaining the family structure and preserving the traditional small-scale farming way of life. As a result, there is rising concern over the disparity between women's actual economic contributions and the public's perception of them. The first step in feminising agriculture and empowering women is to recognise the obstacles that women face in the sector. There are two in particular that are closely related i.e. land and credit. It is imperative to implement policy initiatives and programmes that advance gender equality, facilitate access to resources and training, and foster positive social situations. Social mobilization, collective action, community education, and community-based marketing are necessary. The focus on women's access to land and natural resources has the potential to greatly improve their capacity to produce and obtain food.

Patient Perspectives in Postlaryngectomy Communication Rehabilitation and Outcomes.

To evaluate patient-reported outcomes in postlaryngectomy communication rehabilitation. Cross-sectional survey study. (a) Patients who underwent laryngectomy at a single institution and (b) members of the International Association of Laryngectomees (IAL). We examined demographics, treatment history, speech rehabilitation methods and outcomes postlaryngectomy. A total of 157 participants responded to the survey (124 IAL; 33 institutional cohort). The most used primary methods of communication were tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) 61.5%, electrolarynx (EL) 24.4%, and writing 9%. In all categories, except for communication in a noisy environment, alaryngeal voice was rated superior to aphonic communication (P < .05). Subset analysis of the alaryngeal voice cohort demonstrated higher communication efficacy for TEP compared to other modalities in all environments except for conversation with family and friends. Among TEP users, a history of a regional flap for reconstruction compared to free tissue transfer was associated with higher communication effectiveness scores (16.3 vs 10.6; P = .0085). Neither treatment modality (primary vs. salvage laryngectomy vs. radiation therapy) nor engagement in speech therapy impacted communication effectiveness scores for alaryngeal voice users. Alaryngeal voice users reported higher efficacy of communication in most social contexts compared to aphonic communicators. Among alaryngeal voice users, TEP speech performed better in most social situations compared to an EL. Treatment characteristics including timing of surgery and radiation therapy were not associated with the ability to acquire alaryngeal voice, while the extent of resection and the type of reconstruction did show potential to impact voicing outcomes in patients who desire to pursue alaryngeal voicing techniques.

“Very Misunderstood”: Self-Perceived Social Communication Experiences of Autistic Young Adults

Historically, society has labeled social communication differences in autistic individuals as disordered by comparing them to the social communication behaviors of the predominant non-autistic population. This study explores how autistic young adults view their social communication experiences and how their differences impact them when navigating social situations in predominantly non-autistic environments. This qualitative study utilized purposive sampling to recruit 15 autistic adults aged 18–28 in the United States. All participants were conversation-level speaking communicators and high school graduates. Each participant engaged in an individual semi-structured, conversational interview with the first author via Zoom video conferences between November 2019 and June 2020. The data analysis identified inductive themes through interpretive phenomenological analysis. Five major themes emerged from the data that captured the challenges of autistic adults: (a) “Communication definitely is a struggle at times”, (b) “if it’s a very comfortable situation, then it’s fine”, (c) my communication style has “been very misunderstood”, (d) “I have to learn people”, and (e) “we’re all human. Autistic too, we’re still human”. The participants’ experiences suggest that differences in their communication style and social behavior resulted in overwhelming feelings of uncertainty and marginalization as they put great effort into engaging with non-autistic individuals.

Social and pedagogical risks of the young people’s upbringing in conditions of spreading values and manifestos of mass culture

Importance. The new educational paradigm is aimed not only at improving educational practices, but also at promoting sociocultural practices that influence students’ life orientations. The relation ship between the social institution of education and leading modern trends and attitudes is obvious, which in turn initiated the presented research. The purpose of the research is to examine the risks of the values and manifestos of mass culture influence on the formation of modes of modern youth behavior and to determine the directions of social and pedagogical activities aimed at counteract ing the deviantogenic influence of agents of mass culture.Materials and Methods. The dialectical, historical-retrospective and axiological research meth ods, as well as the method of reconstructing social reality are used.Results and Discussion. It is revealed that a set of new formations of life orientations plays a sig nificant role in the formation of an individual’s behavior and determines its development, which confirms the significance of studying personal values and orientations in order to understand hu man behavior and personality development in general.Conclusion. The complex modern social situation creates uncertainty in matters of personality formation and determining the vector of development of the younger generation in the conditions of an educational organization. To overcome this circumstance, it is necessary to develop a com prehensive pedagogical understanding of the polysystemic organization of a person (adolescent), where the main guideline will be his movement towards himself, towards self-realization and self actualization.

The Making of New Elites and the Reproduction of Social Inequality at St. Paul’s: An Analysis from the Perspective of Classical Sociological Theories

This paper examines how social inequality is reproduced in elite educational institutions through a meritocratic system, using Shamus Khan’s Privilege: The Making of Adolescent Elite at St. Paul’s School as a case study. Drawing upon classical sociological theories, including Goffman’s performance theory, Weber’s work ethic, and Veblen’s concept of vicarious consumption, the paper explores how the new elite learn to maintain their social status. It argues that, while the appearance of diversity and meritocracy in these elite spaces suggests equality, these institutions continue to cultivate privilege through subtle yet powerful social practices. Key mechanisms include the cultivation of 'ease' in social situations, the performance of 'hard work,' and the idealization of students as inherently extraordinary. The study also investigates the role of elite parents, arguing that sending children to prestigious schools serves as a form of vicarious consumption, displaying the family's wealth and social capital. Despite the appearance of openness and fluid social mobility, the paper concludes that access to elite training remains restricted, reinforcing entrenched inequalities.