Sociocultural Differences Research Articles

Husserlian Neurophenomenology: Grounding the Anthropology of Experience in Reality

Anthropology has long resisted becoming a nomothetic science, thus repeatedly missing opportunities to build upon empirical theoretical constructs, choosing instead to back away into a kind of natural history of sociocultural differences. What is required are methods that focus the ethnographic gaze upon the essential structures of perception as well as sociocultural differences. The anthropology of experience and the senses is a recent movement that may be amenable to including a partnership between Husserlian phenomenology and neuroscience to build a framework for evidencing the existence of essential structures of consciousness, and the neurobiological processes that have evolved to present the world to consciousness as adaptively real. The author shows how the amalgamation of essences (sensory objects, relations, horizons, and associated intuitions) and the quest for neural correlates of consciousness can be combined to augment traditional ethnographic research, and thereby nullify the “it’s culture all the way down” bias of constructivism.

The problem of calculating the prevalence of sexual dysfunction: a meta-analysis attending gender.

Sexuality is an integral part of human health, and sexual dysfunctions are prevalent issues that affect men and women. While reviews on sexual dysfunctions in various diseases have been conducted, overall data are scarce. To update the overall prevalence of sexual dysfunctions from available prevalence studies on both sexes. We used a 2-phase selection process to include cross-sectional studies that were conducted on the adult population and published between 2017 and 2022. The extracted data were prevalence, methodology, sample size, and location. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted to assess heterogeneity. This review analyzed 4407 studies. Twenty-three met the established criteria: 9 on the male population and 14 on the female population. The meta-analysis included 7 articles on males and 13 on females. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 31% in men and 41% in women, with significant heterogeneity among the studies. Sociocultural differences and use of varying measurement methods were identified as the main factors contributing to heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis revealed decreased heterogeneity among studies that used the Female Sexual Function Index as a diagnostic tool for females. The review highlights the notable variability in results due to methodological and geographic variations. Therefore, enhancing the training of professionals and standardizing the recording of patient data-through the Female Sexual Function Index and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire or by developing new ones for this purpose-could improve the consistency of research on sexual health.

Cultural aspects of model formation of socio-economic development in eu regions: a comparative analysis

The article reveals the actual problem of cultural influence on the socio-economic development of the regions in the European Union. The research goal is to compare socio-cultural differences, which are significant factors for determining the vectors of socio-economic development of European countries. The article presents the results of an empirical study of the cultural components of regional models of socioeconomic development on the example of some countries of the European Union. The research materials were official statistics and expert assessments obtained as a result of a survey of specialists from various academic research structures on the social network Twitter. The total number of respondents from 9 European universities was 900 people. The research methodology is based on a sociocultural approach, includes the methods of the general scientific group and of special methods: historiographic analysis of scientific literature on the research topic, the method of comparative analysis, the method of sociological survey, statistical analysis, quantitative and qualitative research methods. Based on the empirical study, the following results were obtained: as the main cultural components that determine the specifics of the socio-economic development of the EU regions, the experts identified the historical context, national mentality, as well as value attitudes of behavior.

Normative data for baseline and longitudinal neuropsychological assessments in Singapore.

Neuropsychological assessments play a vital role in the early detection of cognitive disorders. However, the lack of Singapore-specific norms has resulted in a reliance on international, usually Western, norms that potentially reduce the accuracy and reliability of assessments due to sociocultural differences.1 Moreover, the lack of longitudinal norms limits the reliable monitoring of cognitive changes over time.

Puppetry to educate social work practitioners: Telling the refugee story

Summary The complexities of refugee resettlement are difficult to comprehend, and alternative approaches to education may enhance empathy. Puppetry's art form often engages broad audiences, allowing puppets to tell important stories. This project developed a research-based educational puppet show to increase understanding of refugees in the United States (US). Using a mixed-method approach, this exploratory study (1) interviewed eleven refugees from five origin countries; (2) analyzed the interviews for salient themes; (3) developed a “master” play based on emergent themes; (4) delivered the play through puppetry; and (5) empirically assessed the efficacy of puppetry in disseminating information about refugees. Findings Five overarching themes regarding refugee resettlement emerged from the interviews, namely, (1) economic concerns; (2) language barriers; (3) socio-cultural differences; (4) misperceptions; and (5) altered family dynamics. Almost all 107 respondents who completed a pre- and post-show survey evidenced having gained new knowledge about resettlement in the areas of (i) refugee status; (ii) the arrival process; (iii) economic realities; (iii) adaptation issues; and (iv) refugee perceptions of opportunities in the US. Applications The salient findings of the interviews were consistent with extant literature on refugee resettlement and the 40-min research-based puppet show confirmed that puppetry can be an alternative, or supplementary, training tool. Puppetry brings life to didactic presentations for social workers and other service providers through effective portrayals of difficulties faced by both refugee and host in the adaptation process. It also suggests that puppetry can sensitize and educate practitioners on issues that can be controversial.

Impact of sex and gender on post-COVID-19 syndrome, Switzerland, 2020.

BackgroundWomen are overrepresented among individuals with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). Biological (sex) as well as sociocultural (gender) differences between women and men might account for this imbalance, yet their impact on PASC is unknown.AimWe assessed the impact of sex and gender on PASC in a Swiss population.MethodOur multicentre prospective cohort study included 2,856 (46% women, mean age 44.2 ± 16.8 years) outpatients and hospitalised patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.ResultsAmong those who remained outpatients during their first infection, women reported persisting symptoms more often than men (40.5% vs 25.5% of men; p < 0.001). This sex difference was absent in hospitalised patients. In a crude analysis, both female biological sex (RR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.41-1.79; p < 0.001) and a score summarising gendered sociocultural variables (RR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.07; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with PASC. Following multivariable adjustment, biological female sex (RR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.74-1.25; p = 0.763) was outperformed by feminine gender-related factors such as a higher stress level (RR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06; p = 0.003), lower education (RR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.03-1.30; p = 0.011), being female and living alone (RR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.29-2.83; p = 0.001) or being male and earning the highest income in the household (RR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.60-0.97; p = 0.030).ConclusionSpecific sociocultural parameters that differ in prevalence between women and men, or imply a unique risk for women, are predictors of PASC and may explain, at least in part, the higher incidence of PASC in women. Once patients are hospitalised during acute infection, sex differences in PASC are no longer evident.

Mother-child pairs’ eating and feeding behaviours in two different nutritional status from two distinct provinces

Nutrition plays a crucial role for the bio-psycho-social growth and development of children. Mother-child pairs’ eating-feeding problems can be hypothesized to relate to the child’s nutritional status and living area. Our focus was to assess maternal attitudes and children’s eating habits in thin and normal-weight children across two cities characterized by distinct socioeconomic and demographic profiles: Ankara and Şanlıurfa. This double case-control study included the mothers whose children are aged between 2 and 7 years old in both cities. Figure Rating Scale, Child Feeding Questionnaire and Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale were filled by mothers of children. The mothers of thin children were concerned more about the weight of their children, felt more responsible for feeding their children, and use of pressured them to eat more frequently compared to normal-weight children’s mothers in both cities. In Ankara, the duration of breastfeeding is longer, using formula is rarer and starting complementary food on time is more common, mother had higher scores on perceived responsibility, perceived child weight, and concern about child weight subscales; lower score on the restriction subscale compared to Şanlıurfa. Mothers of both thin and normal weight children in Şanlıurfa rated their children as weaker compared to those in Ankara. In conclusion, child eating behaviors and parental feeding practices were associated with the weight of children depending on demographic and sociocultural differences. Implementing customized, location-specific preventive educational initiatives on child feeding will not only foster behavioral changes but also yield valuable insights for shaping future interventions.

Exploring Translation Strategies of Japanese Manga in Google Translate and Komikcast Translations

This paper examines the translations of ‘Golden Kamuy Vol. 1’ from Japanese to Bahasa Melayu/Bahasa Indonesia by MT system Google Translate (GT) and online fan-based translating community Komikcast. Given the linguistic and sociocultural differences between the source language (SL) and target language (TL), translating manga demands expertise and a profound understanding of the cultural nuances embedded in the SL, the specific manga genre, and the target audience. This qualitative descriptive study uses Vinay and Darbelnet’s (1958/1995) translation strategies to analyze the translations of ‘Golden Kamuy Vol. 1’ by GT and Komikcast. The study finds that both platforms employ Literal Translation, Borrowing, and Equivalence strategies, with Komikcast additionally using Modulation. GT primarily relies on literary translation, which is consistent with its algorithmic nature and reliance on translation memories. Conversely, Komikcast emphasizes the Equivalence strategy, recognizing the significance of language proficiency and the contextual and cultural insights human translators provide. Findings are discussed in relation to Nida’s equivalence effects, particularly regarding the translated text’s purpose, translators’ knowledge, and cultural differences in SL and TL. This research enhances our understanding of manga translation, as well as the strengths and limitations of machine and human translation, while contributing to the broader discussion on translation studies. While acknowledging the role and potential of machine translation, this research also reinforces the critical role of human translators in bridging linguistic and cultural gaps between Japanese and Indonesian, highlighting the need for translators to possess deep cultural insights and proficiency beyond literal translations for more authentic and contextually accurate renditions.

Шекспировская традиция в современном британском романе: Йен Макьюэн

Ian McEwan (born 1948), one of the most outstanding contemporary British writers, is brought to the literary forefront thanks to the current social, ethical issues and aesthetic virtues of his works and belonging to the New Time British Gothic tradition whose foundations were laid by Shakespeare and his younger contemporaries (John Webster, John Ford, et al.). One finds basic topoi of literary Gothic in their tragedies: horror as an inescapable component of human existence; evil and villains who violate the moral norm in society; castle as a setting; fatal secret; supernatural element; motives of violence, revenge, adultery, incest and most importantly — of God and devil. Of course, Shakespeare is multiform and is not limited to Gothic. Like Shakespeare, who as a tragedian started with a “bloody tragedy” (Titus Andronicus) and then used its techniques in his great tragedies, McEwan began with a “thriller” (The Сement Garden, 1978), based on the motifs of fatal secret and incest. His later novel Nutshell (2016) is a modern version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet written in line with the realities of the 21st century. “Intertextual game” (usual for postmodernism) is not the main thing for McEwan here. Nutshell is his aesthetic-philosophical declaration of the adherence to Shakespeare’s tradition. In this novel, he creates the image of his time and shows that civilization has achieved tremendous scientific and technological success over four centuries, but human nature hasn’t changed. Despite all the historical and sociocultural differences, the image of the world in McEwan’s novels is similar to the world of Shakespeare’s tragedies — cold, full of horror and death, abandoned by God.

The Role of The Indonesian Constitutional Court in Preventing Social Conflict in A Diverse Society

In the diverse society of Indonesia, the Constitutional Court plays a vital role in maintaining social harmony and preventing social conflict. Although this contribution is largely indirect, the Court exerts significant influence through its decisions. Since its establishment in 2003, the Court has rendered over 1,000 decisions, many of which carry profound implications for Indonesian society. This article addresses how the Constitutional Court, through its decisions, has contributed to mitigating social conflicts and fostering equilibrium within the nation’s diversity. To analyze this main issue, a normative approach grounded in the nation’s laws and the Constitutional Court’s decisions will be employed. Several decisions, especially on judicial reviews and election disputes, will be examined to illustrate the Court’s role in minimizing social conflict. From a social theory perspective, the study of social conflict has relevance in the context of law and society, given the potential for various types of conflicts in Indonesia’s diverse society. The legal basis for addressing social conflicts in Indonesia is the 2007 Law on Social Conflict Management. According to this law, social conflicts may arise from various factors, including political issues, economic disparities, socio-cultural differences, inter-religious or inter-ethnic tensions, disputes over boundaries at the village, regency/municipal, or provincial levels, conflicts related to natural resources, and disparities in the distribution of these resources within society. The Constitutional Court indirectly plays a role in preventing social conflicts. Nevertheless, the Court faces challenges in fulfilling this role. Pressures from various parties and interests may hinder its ability to ensure constitutional justice, potentially compromising its principles of independence and impartiality in fulfilling its mandate.

Address pronouns in a diasystematic perspective

Our paper concerns different strategies of communication with respect to formality and politeness, and how these differences relate to the diasystematic dimensions. Our contrastive approach involves forms of address in French and Italian compared to Danish, German, and English norms and usage. Both Romance and Germanic languages have two systems of address pronouns with different levels of formality. There are, however, significant differences in usages in the respective languages, both typological and interlinguistic. Different language areas have different conventions for communication and politeness, and we believe that address forms reflect such socio-cultural differences. Our analyses of these differences are anchored in the diasystematic dimensions as proposed by Eugenio Coseriu, with special focus on the diaphasic variation and its intertwinement with diastratically conditioned factors.

Inclusive Social Marketing: Representation and Diversity in Brand Campaigns

Over the past two decades, many marketing strategies have emerged around the world, as sales professionals have been searching for a universal language that millions of potential buyers can understand. Inclusive marketing has become a real breakthrough in this area, combining the social and consumer needs of the target audience in advertising campaigns. That is why today companies use inclusive marketing tools in order to attract the attention of various audiences and form a friendly target audience. The purpose of the study was to substantiate the peculiarities of inclusive marketing and to assess the possibilities of using the inclusion to create a positive image of a brand. In the course of the study, it was proved that, a necessary condition for modern companies’ development is the creation of a friendly and inclusive marketing campaign that would take into account the specifics of the entire target audience and allow them paying attention to each potential client. Inclusive marketing has been proven to present products, services, or applications in a context that evokes a deep emotional response from people and makes them feel noticed and understood. It can emphasise or address issues related to ethnic, gender, and socio-cultural differences. The goal of inclusive marketing is to understand and meet the needs of the target audience, attract potential buyers by increasing empathy, and solve life problems. At the same time, each member of the target audience should feel in the centre of attention and feel that their needs can be met, and their wishes can be taken into account, without focusing on their characteristics or disabilities.

Cross‐Sectional Associations Among Sleep Quality, Hippocampal Volume, and Memory Complaints in the Offspring Study

AbstractBackgroundPoor sleep quality, a modifiable risk factor for dementia, that is prevalent in non‐Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults, is associated with greater memory complaints and smaller hippocampal volumes in predominantly non‐Hispanic White samples. These associations among sleep quality, memory complaints, and hippocampal volumes are understudied in non‐Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults—populations disproportionately affected by poor sleep quality and cognitive performance. The objective of the current study was to examine associations among sleep quality, memory complaints, and hippocampal volumes in a racially and ethnically diverse, community‐based sample. Given sociocultural and environmental differences that affect sleep, brain measures, and cognitive performance, we hypothesize that poorer sleep quality is associated with more memory complaints and smaller hippocampal volumes, especially in Black and Hispanic adults.MethodParticipants included Black, Hispanic, and White adults from the Northern Manhattan community (n = 1175; 56±11 years; 67% women; 14±3 years of education; 17% Non‐Hispanic White; 20% Non‐Hispanic Black; 63% Hispanic). Participants self‐reported their sleep quality with the 9‐item Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which measures average sleep disturbance over the past month. Participants self‐reported experiences with forgetting (e.g., names, faces, directions) with an abbreviated version of the Memory Functioning Questionnaire. In a subsample of participants, hippocampal volumes were measured on T1‐weighted MRI scans with FreeSurfer software. Sleep quality, hippocampal volume, and memory complaints were treated as continuous variables. We ran multivariable regression analyses adjusted for age, education, gender identity, depression severity, and intracranial volume for analyses with hippocampal volume.ResultAcross racial and ethnic groups, poorer sleep quality was associated with more memory complaints (n = 1175, B = ‐0.31, CI: [‐41,‐.22]). These associations were similar when analyses were stratified by racial and ethnic group. Among Hispanic adults, there was a trending association between poorer sleep quality and smaller left hippocampal volumes (n = 246, B = ‐8.94, CI: [‐18.75,0.88]).ConclusionPoorer sleep quality was associated with more memory complaints across racial and ethnic groups and showed a trending association with smaller hippocampal volumes in Hispanic adults. Future studies with larger samples should replicate these findings with longitudinal data to quantify the temporal relationship of sleep quality with memory complaints and structural brain changes.

Comparative study of children's mental health outcomes in Tyrol, Austria, and South Tyrol, Italy, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study aimed to compare the mental health outcomes of children in North Tyrol, Austria, and South Tyrol, Italy, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, considering the sociocultural and contextual differences between the two regions. The Tyrolean COVID-19 Children's Study (TCCS: n = 401; June 2021 to July 2021) and the Corona and Psyche in South Tyrol 2021 Study (COP‑S; n = 3402; May 2021 to June 2021) were used for data analyses. Both studies employed cross-sectional designs and collected data through online questionnaires completed by children aged 7-13years and their parents. Various psychosocial assessment tools including the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screening, Children Anxiety Test, Child Behavior Check List, Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, and Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children were used in the surveys. The comparison between North Tyrol and South Tyrol revealed no significant differences in perceived threats, trauma, or anxiety among children. Similarly, there were no substantial disparities in psychosomatic complaints, indicating similar manifestations of emotional distress across the two regions. The comparative analysis of children's mental health outcomes in North Tyrol and South Tyrol during the COVID-19 pandemic confirmed the analogous influence of sociocultural and contextual factors on their wellbeing. Despite presumable variations in pandemic events, management strategies, and healthcare systems, the study suggests comparable resilience among children and highlights the importance of sociocultural factors in shaping their wellbeing. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive understanding and targeted interventions to support children's mental health during challenging times.

Women's Social Mobility and Attitudinal Acceptance of Wife Abuse: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Bengali, Santal, and Garo Ethnic Communities in Rural Bangladesh.

Previous studies exploring the influential factors associated with attitudinal acceptance of wife abuse (AAWA) did not widely focus on the relation between women's social mobility (WSM) and different dimensions of AAWA in rural Bangladesh. This current study examined the association between WSM and different dimensions of AAWA in the context of socio-cultural differences among the Bengali, the Santal, and the Garo ethnic communities in rural Bangladesh. Adopting a cross-sectional design, 1,929 married men and women were randomly included in the study from 8 Bengali, 8 Santal, and 8 Garo villages where 50.2% were women and 49.8% were men. Of the sample, 33.2% Garo, 33.2% Santal, and 33.6% Bengali participants were included in this study. Data revealed that 45.5% of women had low social mobility and the prevalence of different dimensions of AAWA was high and varied among the study communities. We used descriptive statistics, chi-square, and binary logistic regression analysis to estimate the association. The multivariate binary logistic regression analysis results revealed that the likelihood of attitudinal acceptance of overall abuse, psychological abuse, physical abuse, abuse on disobeying family obligation, and abuse on challenging male authority were significantly lower for the respondents who belonged to families where women enjoyed high mobility compared to those who belonged to families where WSM was low. This study also showed that the Bengali and the Santal participants were more likely to accept different dimensions of AAWA compared to the Garos. This study suggests that WSM should be considered in policy-making and implementing interventions to reduce the different dimensions of AAWA in rural Bangladesh.

Specific nature of intercultural professional communication of members of Russian and Chinese legal cultures

The article dwells on specific nature of professional dialogue of Russian and Chinese lawyers with an emphasis on sociocultural differences arising in communication within the framework of intercultural legal space. The potential of the English language as a common code of communication for members of legal profession of the two states is analyzed. The author concludes that it is necessary to take into consideration sociocultural component in teaching lawyers intercultural professional communication.

Organization of Pharmaceutical Business and Forensic Pharmacy: Multidisciplinary Gender Study of Risks in Cases of Violations of Circulation of Psychoactive Substances

The contemporary pharmaceutical industry plays an integral role in ensuring healthcare quality by developing, producing, and distributing medications to mitigate various ailments. However, this industry's intersection with forensic pharmacy, particularly in the context of psychoactive substances abuse, presents a myriad of challenges, risks, and considerations. This study explored these challenges from a multidisciplinary gendered lens, attempting to unearth the different ways genders experience risks associated with psychoactive substance abuse. Findings reveal that the pharmaceutical business structure, predominantly male-driven in leadership roles, has inadvertently shaped drug development and marketing strategies. This often neglects gender-specific responses and considerations for psychoactive substances, leading to gender disparities in drug-related harm and misuse. Women, for instance, metabolize certain substances differently, making them more susceptible to side effects and potential misuse. Additionally, forensic pharmacy, which investigates drug-related incidents and ensures regulatory compliance, frequently overlooks gender-specific patterns of substance misuse. There is a need for improved gender-inclusive data analytics, ensuring that drug-related forensic investigations consider male and female biological and sociocultural differences. The study suggests that a gender-responsive approach in both pharmaceutical business operations and forensic pharmacy investigations can mitigate the risks and enhance preventive measures. This could lead to better drug safety profiles, more accurate forensic results, and a reduction in the prevalence of psychoactive substance misuse. Emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary and inclusive approach, this research underscores the importance of acknowledging gender as a pivotal factor in understanding and addressing the challenges in the intersection of pharmaceutical business organization and forensic pharmacy related to psychoactive substances abuse.

H - 27 TBI and PTSD in an Indigenous Patient: It's Complicated.

Neuropsychological assessment of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients presents challenges due to limited normative data, stigma, possible differential validity of measures, and limited access to healthcare. Additionally, differentiating traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is increasingly important for proper diagnosis and treatment of indigenous patients. This case study describes the use of comprehensive neuropsychological testing across two timepoints to assist with treatment planning. The patient was a 38-year-old Native American male referred by primary care to assist in educational, career, and treatment planning. His history was remarkable for TBI status post craniotomy and craniectomy. The patient completed initial and follow-up comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations. Follow-up was completed at 9-months following cranioplasty. On initial evaluation, the patient demonstrated deficits in immediate learning, delayed recall, executive functioning, processing speed, and fine motor abilities consistent with major neurocognitive impairment due to TBI. On follow-up evaluation, the patient demonstrated variable processing speed and executive functioning. Follow-up testing showed improvements in encoding of verbal information and immediate learning of visual information. Modest improvements were noted in processing speed, executive functioning, and fine motor skills. Follow-up testing evidenced declines in immediate learning, spontaneous recall, verbal fluency, and worsening PTSD symptoms. While TBI and PTSD can co-occur, understanding how to differentiate cognitive profiles of each, while considering linguistic, sociocultural, and educational differences, is vital for proper diagnosis and treatment. Adherence to treatments following TBI can promote physical and cognitive improvements, though certain symptoms may worsen due to psychological symptoms, which may present differently across cultures.

Exploring how immigrant international medical graduates successfully manage complex sociocultural challenges.

While immigrant international medical graduates (I-IMGs) contribute significantly to the physician workforce in North America, researchers have highlighted the myriad of ways sociocultural challenges can negatively impact their success. Conceptual understanding that unpacks the complex processes of how I-IMGs effectively manage sociocultural challenges is relatively sparse. In addressing this critical knowledge gap, this study explored how I-IMGs successfully manage sociocultural differences as postgraduate residents. We interviewed eleven I-IMGs from diverse backgrounds who are in training or recently trained in a distributed multi-site postgraduate medical training program in Canada. We used the lens of sociocultural learning theory to gain insights into the processes of how I-IMGs describe successful management of sociocultural challenges. The overarching storyline of participants emphasized that their experiences were humbling as they grappled with inner struggles, emotions, and vulnerabilities while embracing the ambiguity of not knowing what was expected of them. The following dominant themes from their narratives encapsulate the salient processes for how I-IMGs conceptualize and successfully manage sociocultural challenges: 1) successfully navigating transitions; 2) resisting or altering elements of prior sociocultural norms while embracing the new; 3) living and being in community and having supportive social networks; 4) risk taking to self-advocate and actively seek help. Understanding the strengths and positive strategies for how I-IMGs interface with complex sociocultural challenges has application for medical training institutions. Our insights suggest the need for practical, effective, and continuous assistance within I-IMG training programs to better support future trainees dealing with sociocultural challenges.

Motivationally Appealing Computer Science e-Learning Games: An Inclusive Design Approach

Research has shown that e-learning games do not have the same level of appeal to girls, as they do to boys; particularly in the crucial 11-14 age group. In the United Kingdom, this is typically when they start to make subject choices that impact their future studies and careers. Given the shortage of females who choose computer science as a career, this study explores how e-learning games can be designed to be motivationally appealing to young learners. It further explores the role of game representations and its appeal to this age group. This empirical study addresses the research question: “Can we develop e-learning games which appeal and motivate girls of age 11-14 to study computer science concepts?” Two e-learning games were developed: one included game representations such as game colour, graphics, character, age appropriateness, storyline, number of players, violence, identified as appealing to young females and the other game included antithetical or neutral representations. The two developed prototypes were used to explore key e-learning game representations as used to teach computer science concepts. A total of 304 participants, comprising of 152 girls and 152 boys from a combination of same sex and mixed secondary schools in Southeast England, engaged with both experimental games. The experiment also elicited information on how learners interact with these games and the resulting game appeal, motivation and learning. The insight gained from the analysis of data captured during the experiments, provide the evidence to demonstrate that inclusive e-learning games which motivate and appeal to girls of age 11-14 can be developed. This can have a positive influence on their willingness to use such games to learn computer science concepts. This implies that the study found positive outcomes related to e-learning game appeal, motivation and the learning of girls of this age group. A follow-up longitudinal study could investigate the impact of significant e-learning game representations that appeal to the target group. This could provide additional evidence on the changes in the appeal of the investigated significant game representations over time, due to the influence of other factors such as socio-economic and socio-cultural differences. This understanding can further enhance inclusive e-learning strategies to improve diversity in computer science education and consequently the career pipeline.