Sociological Study Research Articles

(Amoralny) familizm: propozycja rekonceptualizacji z wykorzystaniem psychologii ewolucyjnej i międzykulturowej

In his 1958 book Moral Basis of a Backward Society, Edward Banfield introduced the term amoral familism to describe social relations and values in a poor rural community in southern Italy. In my analysis, I propose to abandon the value-laden epithet "amoral" and consider familism as an evolutionary adaptive strategy activated in times of scarcity or crises. I base the thesis of the evolutionary roots of familism on the inclusive fitness theory (Hamilton 1964) and the theory of kin and reciprocal altruism (Trivers 1971). The perspective of evolutionary psychology makes it possible to see the positive functions of familism and to propose a new biological-cultural understanding of familism. Familism has so far been diagnosed primarily "indirectly" in sociological studies of bonding (and bridging) capital and in research on social trust conducted as part of cyclical social surveys such as the World Values Survey and the European Social Survey. In the search for accurate measures of biological-cultural familism we can additionally turn to the research of cross-cultural psychologists conducted for international management. I argue that the dimension of particularism on the 7-dimensional cultural map of Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner (2002) and the dimension of in-group collectivism on the 9-dimensional cultural map of the GLOBE project (House et al. 2004), can valuably complement the measures used in sociological sciences and make the diagnosis of familism more reliable. Finally, I call for in-depth research on Polish familism aimed at testing whether it is possible to build bridging capital on the basis of familist bonding capital.

Siblings Gender: Fulfillment of Rights, Role Allocation, and Responsibilies of Children in The Family

Gender equality within the family has become an important goal in social development. The modern family is a place where decisions are made collectively, responsibilities are shared fairly, and each family member is respected in their diverse roles. This paper discusses how parents involve both boys and girls in the decision-making process, include them in discussions, provide them with the space to make choices, grant them the right to pursue education, and assign equal or unequal household tasks, a concept known in sociological studies as siblings gender. Using survey methods and in-depth interviews, this study involved 87 respondents who met the criteria required for the research. The results indicate that many respondents feel that their families have implemented gender equality. Both boys and girls feel they are treated well and fairly, and decisions are made by mutual agreement. However, some respondents reported being treated unfairly as they were not allowed to pursue education outside their current city, unlike their brothers who could attend college elsewhere. Other positive impacts of gender equality within the family include improved family welfare, harmony in family relationships, and the formation of positive behavioral patterns among family members.

Cultural criminology, counter-extremism and the contemporary far right

This article draws together existing criminological work as well as developments from sociology, political science and media studies to argue that cultural criminology can offer a useful corrective to current ‘counter-extremist’ thinking about the contemporary far right. The first part of the article introduces the contemporary far right, describes how it differs from previous instances, and explains that this resurgent far-right movement has to date primarily been analysed through the lens of ‘counter-extremism’. The second part of the article problematises the concepts of ‘extremism’, ‘radicalisation’ and ‘terrorism’. The article argues that these concepts are ambiguous, imprecise and normative, and that they are freighted with ideological baggage and unsupported by empirical evidence. The third part of the article argues that cultural criminology can better inform our understanding of the contemporary far right owing to its focus on subculture and style, its attendance to networked digital media and its foregrounding of emotion and affect. The article concludes by outlining a tentative programme for cultural criminological research into the contemporary far right.

The attitude to the transition to Russian software in higher education

In modern Russia, a process of import substitution of software is taking place. This process is slow and gradual. Previously, researchers believed that the main problem was the technological backwardness of domestic IT-products and/or the incompatibility of Russian programs with foreign analogues. Now the first place among the problems of «migration» to Russian software is subjective perception among Russians. Based on the results of a sociological study conducted at the beginning of 2024, it was found that even in higher education, teachers, staff and students spoke generally low about the merits of domestic computer programs. The knowledge component of the surveyed respondents regarding domestic software turned out to be at an extremely low level: we can say that a relative minority is literate in Russian computer programs. The surveyed university teachers and students rated the advantages of Russian «software» low. The author notes the insufficient involvement of university teachers and students in the implementation of the transition to domestic software. As a recommendation, the author can advise creating a program to improve computer literacy among different ages of the population in order to help spread a positive image of Russian programs.

Identifying the role of high school in educational inequality: A causal mediation approach

Although the effect of socioeconomic background on children’s educational attainment has long been investigated, the extent to which high school mediates this effect has not been assessed from the causal mediation framework. This study investigates the direct effect of family income on educational attainment not mediated by the rank of high school, using data from longitudinal surveys of ninth-grade students in Japan (n = 1,790). Regression with residuals (RWR) analysis reveals that, although high school type mediates the effects of family income on university enrollment and relative educational attainment to some extent (approximately 25% and 33%, respectively), the direct effects of family income are considerable. The result also suggests a positive interaction effect between family income and high school selectivity, implying a boosting advantage pattern rather than a compensatory advantage. I argue that the analytical framework can be applied to many methodological settings in sociological studies.

ASSESSMENT OF THE COMPETENCE APPROACH OF DENTISTS OF VARIOUS SPECIALTIES IN PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE TO PATIENTS WITH INCREASED TOOTH ABRASION

BACKGROUND. This study examines the main aspects of the competence-based approach of dentists in the treatment of patients with increased tooth erasure (TSL). TSL is a serious problem that can lead to various diseases of the oral cavity, as well as tooth loss. The competence-based approach of dentists in the treatment of patients with TSL plays a key role in the prevention and treatment of this disease. A study examining the knowledge of dentists in providing care to patients with TSL will reveal the level of training of specialists in this field. This will allow us to assess the need for additional training and advanced training of dentists for the effective treatment of patients with TSL. The results of the study can be used to improve the work of dental institutions and educational programs for dentists. This will improve the quality of dental care, improve the prognosis of the disease in patients with TSL and reduce the risk of complications. AIM. To evaluate the knowledge of dental care for patients with increased tooth abrasion among dentists of different specialties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research is based on the results of a sociological survey using the questionnaire method of 175 dentists of different specialties. The survey of doctors was conducted according to the questionnaire developed by the authors "Assessment of professional competence in the tactics of managing patients with TSL by dentists of different profiles." The questionnaire included general information about the respondent (age, specialty), questions related to TSL (concept, complaints, symptoms, prevention of TSL, treatment), assessment of the questionnaire procedure. RESULTS. The study demonstrated a relatively low competence approach of dentists of various specialties in the prevention and treatment of patients with TSL. CONCLUSION: Dentists have demonstrated a low competence approach to the prevention and treatment of TSL. The lack of interaction between dentists in the treatment of TSL was determined. The results of the conducted sociological study, along with the high prevalence of TSL, determined the need to develop clinical recommendations for the prevention and treatment of TSL.

MECHANISMFOR ATTRACTING STUDENTS RSPU IM. A.I. HERZEN TO SCIENTIFIC WORK

The article presents the results of a pilot sociological study on the topic: “Why should students of a pedagogical university engage in science.” The object of the study were students of the Russian State Pedagogical University named after A.I. Herzen, and the subject: the process of involving them in the work of student scientific associations. The purpose of the study is to describe the mechanism for involving students in extracurricular scientific work. We examined the problem of the existence of two types of such mechanisms: 1) one that serves to attract all University students in educational and entertaining pseudo-scientific detail and 2) aimed at involving gifted students in specific scientific work. Work on the topic was carried out using a combination of methods. The first group of methods: participant observation, formalized, structured sample survey with self-completion of a questionnaire, etc., and the second is a modeling method, including the construction of models, their verification by comparing the model with the characteristics of the original. The result of the work carried out was the substantiation of the idea put forward by us that the model of the mechanism for involving students of a pedagogical university in educational and entertaining pseudo-scientific activities differs from the model of involvement in scientific work itself; the experience of the mechanism for involving students in specific scientific work was generalized (scientific research of departments, unique research developments by small student teams, on a topic proposed by a teacher seriously involved in science, etc.); it was found that such work is not effective without the political will of the University leadership, acting in accordance with the content of the classical model of education and social challenge.

‘When I walk through the stadium’s gate, I have to be a man among the others’: doing gender by female Tunisian football fans

ABSTRACT Focusing on female fans of professional football teams in Tunisia, this article highlights the ways in which gender is performed within the specific context of football fandom. Based on a qualitative sociological study conducted through 23 semi-structured interviews with a group of women who identify as football team fans, this article analyses fandom's feminine performance. By examining the behaviours of women in the stands, a space dominated by male fans, the article explores the values, language, and gestures they adopt (and do not adopt) in reference to the characteristics valued in Tunisian society. The existing patterns of male dominance are reinforced by the various dimensions of the fans’ gender performance in this ‘male bastion’. Although women seem to accept male dominance and gender hierarchies in order to be recognized as authentic fans, the results show that women both construct and deconstruct their gender, highlighting the kaleidoscopic nature of gender.

The International Large-Scale Assessment market: Understanding its emergence and rationales

How did a network of passionate academics with limited funding but big, comparative, education research ideas lead to an international assessment market? This paper explores the interests, capitals, and power dynamics embedded in the International Large-Scale Assessment (ILSA) market through a network ethnography to understand how the market emerged and what drives actors despite the lack of direct profit. This paper constructs an interdisciplinary framework combining sociological and business studies to analyse qualitative data on OECD and IEA ILSAs. Highlighting the role of social-cultural-economic capitals and business expanding processes, the paper describes an ILSA market that was and remains a non-competitive, desirable, and exclusive market that is impenetrable to outside actors. The paper concludes by asking how the ILSA market contributes to education as a common good.

Singing Techniques and Teaching Methods of Singer Liao Changyong in Chinese Opera Vocal Performance in a Sociological Context

Background and Aims: Grounded in the rich tradition of Chinese opera, the study aims to investigate the singing techniques and teaching methods of Singer Liao Changyong in Chinese Opera Vocal Performance in a Sociological Context. Materials and Methods: Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative analysis, interviews, and sociocultural analysis, the research investigates how Singer Liao Changyong navigates the dynamic landscape of Chinese opera vocal performance, particularly in terms of technical proficiency, emotional expression, and cultural resonance, integration of Bel canto singing traditions with Chinese opera. Results: Through a comprehensive examination of Liao Changyong's journey from rural roots to international acclaim, the study uncovers valuable insights into the sociological dimensions of opera reflecting human experiences and societal dynamics. The findings contribute to theoretical discourse in music education, performance studies, and sociological studies on music and culture, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation, innovation, and cross-cultural dialogue in the realm of vocal performance. Conclusion: The study explores the intricate relationship between individual artistry and sociocultural influences in Chinese opera vocal performance, emphasizing the importance of incorporating cultural nuances, emotional expression, and technical mastery in vocal education and performance, offering practical guidance for educators and performers.

Parenting Expertise during Transitions-to-Motherhood. Exploring Transformations in Knowledge Regimes in Poland

This study explores transformations in parenting expertise in Poland, focusing on maternal knowledge perspectives during transitions-to-motherhood. It combines empirical data from two sociological studies: in-depth interviews (with to-be mothers) and expert interviews (with reproductive medicine practitioners; professionals offering antenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care services; and digital parenting advisors). Based on a thematic analysis, we describe the competing visions of parenting expertise in contemporary Poland, treating them as emanations of rapidly transforming knowledge regimes. We demonstrate vestiges of parenting expertise legitimized during state socialism; illustrate stories of granular expertise visible to mothers and experts, embracing the overflow and multiplicity of parenting experts under neoliberal intensification; and identify the potential of a new familistic framing of expertise by observing aspects of traditionalism refactored into expertise in recent years. This study argues that the characteristics of parenting expertise strongly hinge on cultural contexts and the pace of systemic changes that frame the knowledge regimes therein.

Agile work and gender gap in Italy. An empirical sociological study on downsides and future scenarios

AbstractThe article discusses an empirical study on agile work (remote working) in Italy, with a sociological perspective. As is well known, the COVID‐19 pandemic shock has led to a significant increase in the attention paid to this issue, as long as it has “forced” millions of people to experience this kind of work. This great social experimentation has also triggered a reconsideration of important concepts of everyday life such as those of time and space, among many others. Starting from this preliminary assumption, a national empirical study on agile work was conducted at the Department of Human Sciences at the Italian University of L’Aquila resorting to a qualitative approach. The research was achieved by conducting 64 in‐depth interviews with women across the country, highlighting and exploring the multiple critical elements and strengths of the agile work experience from March 2020 lockdown to September 2021. It is clear from the research that emergency strategies on the topic of agile working are not adequate: a paradigm shift is needed.

Exploring the Effects of Deforestation on Communities Living Style: A Sociological Study in Indus Riverine Areas of Dera Ghazi Khan

Deforestation is the eradication of trees, clearing of plants, or burning of forests on a large scale to accomplish all the local, regional, and global needs of the expanding population. Climate change has severely influenced both the development of human lifestyles and existence, together with food scarcity, wildlife destruction, and risky meteorological conditions problems. A total sample sizes of 225 citizens were selected from District Dera Ghazi Khan. In the first stage, 3 Tehsils of District Dera Ghazi Khan e.g. (Dera Ghazi Khan, Kot Chutta, & Taunsa,) were selected. In the second stage, 3 riverside union councils were selected from each Tehsil through a convenient sampling technique. In the third stage, 25 citizens were selected from each union council. Data was collected through an interview schedule and examined by ‘The Statistical Package for Social Sciences’ (SPSS). Obtained results indicate that deforestation increases in the community (99.1%) and climate change also happens in the community (99.1%) deforestation is one of the major causes of climate change (99.6%) and climate change is due to deforestation (100%). It was concluded that negative impact of deforestation on the local ecosystem (95.6%); deforestation caused air and water pollution in the community (99.6%); deforestation increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters in the region (96%); deforestation changes in the landscape, such as soil erosion or changes in the flow of rivers (95.5%); the forests are mitigating in climate change and preserving biodiversity (96.4%). The bivariate analysis showed that more will be deforestation vs more will be climate change; more will be negative impact on the local eco-system. So, all the hypothesis results are accepted after the analysis of the data.

Can the Alienated Helper Speak?

This autoethnographic study explores the often overlooked and undervalued roles of assistants in the contemporary art world, focusing on their experiences of alienation and burnout. Through a combination of personal narrative and theoretical analysis, it examines how support roles, despite being essential to artistic production, remain invisible within the dominant art discourse that idolizes creative authorship. I begin with a reflection on my experiences as both an assistant and a curator, highlighting instances of emotional labor and burnout among support staff. The narrative is contextualized within broader cultural and social frameworks, drawing on feminist theory and sociological studies that critique the hierarchical nature of artistic labor. Extending to autofictional literature, the analysis showcases how assistants articulate their alienation and critique the art world’s exploitative dynamics. By interweaving personal and literary accounts, the study underscores the paradox of interdependence in art, where the labor of assistants is both indispensable and disregarded. The conclusion advocates for a reexamination of artworld structures, urging greater recognition and support for those in support roles.

The role of education in shaping public opinion in Albania

Abstract Numerous research studies have associated the two variables - the educational level and public opinion creation. Various sociological and political studies interchangeably demonstrate how the creation of attitudes, affected by the function of the media and education, shapes public opinion on significant issues involving the lives of communities and individuals. Education promotes changing of attitudes and behavior, including the ability to accept new arguments and reflect on one’s own experiences. This process can be prompted by exposure of new arguments and the ability to critically reflect on the available piece of information. In the history of Albania, there has been limited civic engagement regarding numerous issues. In this sense, main objective of this manuscript is the analysis and the way how education has shaped public opinion in Albania.

Models of intervention and social support given to pregnant ad-olescents: a sociological study applied in the city of Portoviejo, Ecuador

Models of intervention and social support given to pregnant ad-olescents: a sociological study applied in the city of Portoviejo, Ecuador

REQUEST FOR CHANGES: PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS AND MODALITY OF PRESENTATION

The article analyzes the results of long-term sociological studies of the peculiarities of the transformation of Russian society associated with the growing public demand for change, the modality of which has not decreased for a long time. It is shown that this is due to increased social activism associated with “helping behavior”, mutual assistance and cooperation. This allowed us to understand that the administrative and bureaucratic class has built convenient “capsules” for itself, blocking the development of a natural, from the point of view of common sense, business and civic initiative of society, allowing its members to participate in making socially significant decisions. The society is set up to improve the institutional infrastructure of social development, first of all, to reduce the degree of corruption, alienation of the population from power, unblocking channels for promoting and realizing public interests. In addition, the problem of people’s dissatisfaction with the growing polarization of social incomes is being raised, which reduces the quality of social policy in terms of improving demographic indicators, increasing social upward mobility based on meritocratic principles, and improving the structure of social and labor motivation. This exacerbates the sense of social justice, which, when blocked, can lead to negative social consequences, forming “combustible material” and, accordingly, the risks of unconventional social actions associated with social explosions and revolutionary consequences of expressing discontent. It is shown that at the moment the majority of the population is set up in a reformist way, since they are only getting rid of the neurotic syndrome after the coronavirus pandemic and the onset of SMO. A certain energy impulse for change is also set by consolidated public opinion associated with the “rewiring” of Russian society along the line of differentiation from Western universalist approaches, the search for its own civilizational and cultural code of development, the revival of neotraditionalist narratives of the formation of a value-symbolic framework of public consciousness.

LABOR VALUES IN THE PERCEPTION OF THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION IN THE CONDITIONS OF DIGITALIZATION

The purpose of the article is to explore the perception of work values as a marker of identity by the millennial generation in the context of the global digitalization of society. The millennial generation, being a significant part of the country’s economically active population, demonstrates its understanding of decent work, expressed in work preferences and value orientations, which, in turn, serves to determine the identity of this age group. Digitalization has contributed to the development and diversification of the employment sector by offering alternative forms, which has greatly changed the understanding of decent work. Based on data from a sociological study of formalized interviews among representatives of the millennial generation (n = 300), the key components of work values and their influence on the professional activity of representatives of the generation being studied were identified. The desire of millennials for career growth and professional self-improvement as the main labor value has been established; we can talk about a balance between external and internal labor orientations. It was revealed that an integral part of decent work for them is the presence of an expanded social package, including voluntary health insurance (VHI), and flexible work schedules. Millennials demonstrate high adaptability to changing conditions of the labor market and openness to innovation in organizing the labor process, which is manifested in a preference for remote forms of employment, opportunities for retraining and development. In the future, it is possible to study the attitudes towards work of millennials and centennials from a comparative perspective. The results of the article are of interest to those specializing in the field of sociology of labor and sociology of youth. The sociological research data can be used in the practical organization of labor activities to optimize personnel management and create a corporate culture that meets the needs of the new generation of workers.

«Демографический» фактор рождаемости: оценка потенциала территории на примере Нижегородской области

Introduction. Despite the implementation of serious measures in the framework of state family policy to stabilise the demographic situation, it remains difficult in most regions. This is due, firstly, to the new challenges the country is facing, and secondly, to the complexity of the very processes that need to be controlled. Population size, being a complex quantitative indicator of the stability of society, is determined by a number of demographic processes, among which fertility remains the main one. The number of studies attempting to identify the factors determining fertility trends is growing. All of them demonstrate the complexity and multifactorial nature of the process and the changes taking place. More and more often attention is paid to the demographic characteristics (sex-age and marriage structure) of the population as a starting point from which to begin the assessment of the territory and its reproductive potential.Nizhny Novgorod region, being a typical Russian region, has been demonstrating an unfavourable scenario of demographic situation development in recent decades. The article attempts to describe and assess the reproductive potential of the region, to identify the possibilities and limitations of fertility growth in the current conditions, based on the analysis of the ‘demographic’ factor.Materials and methods. The analysis and conclusions are based on the data of the Federal State Statistics Service on demographic processes in Russia and the region for 1990-2023 (population size, birth rate, marriage rate, divorce rate), as well as on the data of regional sociological studies on fertility and family/reproductive behaviour.Results and discussion. The results of the study provide little basis for a favourable forecast in the region. On the one hand, the sex and age structure of the population is not yet characterised by disproportion in fertile ages, except for the oldest groups. However, there is a high probability of its appearance in younger ages under current conditions. In addition, active and potential fertile groups of women are significantly smaller than older groups. The marriage structure is becoming more stable, but with a high probability of divorce, acceptability of cohabitation, and a shift of births to older groups. The studies record a persistent gap between the desired and actual number of children in different socio-demographic groups, which, from the authors' point of view, is important and requires careful research to correctly stimulate fertility.

Analysıs of the 6 February 2023 Turkey earthquake as a challenge ın dısaster sociology under the guıdance of Bruno Latour and Terrestrıal

Current studies in disaster sociology, which were initiated and developed mostly in the USA upon the request of the army, are far from meeting the needs today. Today, more than ever, new theoretical and methodological approaches that are not human-centered are needed. The research, a part of which is presented here, aims to render invisible the damages and losses suffered by those who are marginalized by the powerful, in disasters in general and earthquakes in particular. The main question of this research is how to address the damages suffered by soil plants and animals, including immigrants in Turkey, due to the disaster on 6February 2023.(Based on this, the main question of the study is how to address the damages of the natural environment, including plants, animals and soils, as well as Syrian immigrants in Turkey, who were affected by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on 6February 2023, which we experienced most recently, will be addressed with an antipositivist approach.) For this purpose, unlike classical sociological approaches, based on relational sociology, how immigrants, plants, animals and soil are affected together during the uncertainty and complexity in daily life has been analyzed based on available written and visual documents. The findings were discussed with a holistic view, based on the ‘One World’ terminology suggested by relational sociologist Bruno Latour. It has been revealed that due to the earthquake turning into a major disaster, the resident population has become openly or secretly immigrants, and they have been marginalized like other creatures, especially international immigrants, most of whom are Syrians, have been blamed, excluded and rendered invisible. While the research results reveal the inadequacy of classical essentialist sociological approaches based on the basic duality of nature and society, they also show that ‘differences’ and ‘uncertainties’ come to the fore in daily life instead of linear determinations. In addition, while the importance and contributions of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary studies with concepts such as ‘liminality’ and ‘turning point’ are exhibited, on the other hand, some suggestions are made based on Bruno Latour’s ‘One World’ approach.