Symbolic Gestures Research Articles

Building social equity and person-centred innovation into the end TB response.

Reducing systemic inequities in testing, access to care, social protection - and in the scientific process - is essential to end TB. Incorporating social science methods and expertise on inequity into the mainstream TB response would help ensure that political commitments to equity move beyond symbolic gestures. We convened a meeting between TB social scientists, people with lived experience, civil society and community members to discuss equity within the global TB response. Here, we propose five means by which a social science lens can strengthen equitable, person-centred responses and reconcile the public health significance of TB with the principles of social justice.

Working Memory Capacity for Mid-Air Gestures in Human–Computer Interaction

Mid-air gesture interactions have emerged as one of the predominant modalities used in human-computer interaction (HCI). However, extant research on gestures predominantly concentrates on the design of gestures for singular functionalities, which requires a comprehensive investigation into gesture interaction design from an integrative HCI system perspective. Working memory capacity plays a pivotal role in constraining the number of gestures accommodated within an HCI system. This study adopts the change detection paradigm to conduct an empirical investigation into the working memory capacities associated with mid-air gestures, aiming to elucidate the working memory capacity for such gestures. The experimental design included two independent variables: five distinct categories of mid-air gestures (physical, symbolic, metaphorical, abstract, and mixed) and memory set sizes ranging from two to nine items. The findings revealed that working memory capacities for different types of gestures fluctuate between three and five items, with symbolic gestures presenting the most negligible cognitive load for recall and abstract gestures proving to be the most challenging. The outcomes of this research have significant implications for both the design of individual gestures and the overarching design of gesture interaction systems, serving as a valuable reference for future endeavors in HCI design optimization.

Public preferences regarding slow codes in critical care.

The term slow code refers to an intentional reduction in the pace or intensity of resuscitative efforts during a medical emergency. This can be understood as an intermediate level between full code (full resuscitation efforts) and no code (no resuscitation efforts) and serves as a symbolic gesture when intervention is considered medically futile. While some previous research acknowledges the slow code as an integral part of clinical practice, many ethicists have condemned the practice as dishonest and causing unnecessary pain for the patient. As the public's views on this issue have been largely absent from the discussion to date, two vignette experiments were performed to investigate their perceptions. The findings indicate that laypersons believe that slow codes are commonplace and often prefer them over a no code. While a full code was perceived as the standard approach and rated most ethical and least punishable, the present results do not support the widespread assumption that laypersons generally oppose slow codes, and this finding should inform ethical discussion and clinical practice.

The Etruscan Kiss and Embrace: A Mirror at the British Museum and a Lifetime in a Gesture

Abstract The British Museum currently houses an Etruscan mirror portraying a depiction of two women engaged in an embrace and sharing a kiss. Despite previous endeavors to elucidate the symbolic gesture, the profound implications behind the embrace remain shrouded in ambiguity. This article argues that the mirror, while adorned with a veneer of mythology, conceals a narrative that holds pivotal significance in a woman’s life, specifically, the moment of a bride bidding farewell to her mother. Under this interpretive framework, the gesture takes on the role of a salutation, a conjecture fortified by parallels drawn from analogous scenes in different artistic mediums.

Vrymanne, ereburgerskap en die vryheid van toegang tot dorpe en stede

The contemporary custom in South Africa of conferring the honorary citizenship of a municipality on an individual originated in England and not, as at times argued, with the Romans. During the Middle Ages the so-called freemen were the only persons in England who enjoyed the full privileges of local management areas (boroughs). The word "freeman" did, however, as a result of legislation passed in the 19th century, lose its original meaning and much of its prestige value. Consequently a new title was created in 1885 to give to prominent people, namely "honorary freeman" (in Afrikaans known as "ereburgerskap"). In South Africa honorary freeman is an honour which has been granted since the second half of the 20th century by the council of a municipality to persons who in their opinion are worthy of it. There are no financial benefits attached to it for the recipient. In the Cape and Natal honorary citizenships are granted by ordinances in which honorary citizenship is specifically described. There are no ordinances of this kind in the Free State and Transvaal; there it is done in accordance with the authority vested in municipal councils. The tradition of granting freedom of entry into towns and cities to military units originated in London, England. It is a symbolic gesture by the civilian population to indicate their faith in a specific military unit.

The promises and expectations of ILSAs regarding policymaking: lessons from Latin America

ABSTRACT Standardised International Large-Scale Assessments (ILSAs) have gained prominence in global and national educational discussions. ILSAs claim to offer valuable insights for improving education systems, but their impact on educational policy varies and has become a contested arena. This article analyses how these assessments fed educational policymaking in six Latin American countries based on a review of policy documents; the article advances three theses on how ILSAs are used by policymakers: First, there is a tokenistic usage of ILSAs; second, ILSAs must be considered more as political devices bolstering national reputation rather than studies in the academic sense; third, ILSAs can serve as leverage tools that can be mobilised for broader political ends. The study shows that the promises, designs and reporting of ILSAs are not necessarily aligned, that participation in ILSAs has become a symbolic gesture, and that ILSAs’ data are often cherry-picked to support pre-existing diagnoses and policy agendas.

PSYCHOLOGISM IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FEMALE IMAGES IN THE NOVEL “BLACKBERRY WINTER” BY S. JIO

The article examines Sarah Gio’s novel Blackberry Winter as an example of the use of psychologism in the construction of female characters. Psychologism in literature reflects the complex psychological states of characters and social contexts, helping to understand their emotions and motivations more deeply. The analysis of the psychological depth of characters in the literature of the second half of the twentieth century is one of the key aspects of literary studies: the psychoanalytic method proposed by Freud allows us to consider characters as living people, revealing their internal conflicts and motives. The protagonists, Vera Ray and Claire Aldridge, reflect complex psychological states and conflicts through internal monologues, interaction with other characters, and symbolism. Vera Ray is living during the Great Depression of 1933, struggling to survive and reflecting her deep maternal instincts, fear and anxiety for the future of her son Daniel. Her interactions with other characters, such as Mr Harrison and Lon Edwards, emphasize her determination and inner strength. On the other hand, Claire Aldridge, a contemporary journalist, is grieving the loss of a child and struggling with feelings of hopelessness and isolation. Her inner monologues reflect her depression and search for meaning in life. Her interactions with her husband Ethan, memories of happy times and her desire to find new meaning through work and therapy highlight her emotional pain and desire to overcome her grief. The analysis of Vera and Claire’s inner world shows how detailed internal monologues, interaction with other characters and symbolic gestures help to reveal the characters’ psychological depth. This allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of their emotions, motivations, and internal conflicts, making their characters realistic and multifaceted.

Examining Domestic Violence Under Nigerian Law and Islamic Law

The paper examined domestic violence under Nigerian law and Islamic Law. Domestic violence involves infliction of physical, sexual, or psychological harm by one spouse on the other. To achieve the aim and objectives of this research, the meaning, nature and causes of domestic violence were briefly discussed. The paper adopted a doctrinal research method by conducting an in-depth analysis of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, some Qur’anic provisions, prophetic traditions and juristic opinions relating to the topic. The paper critically examined and analyzed Chapter 4, verse 34 of the Holy Qur’an to find out whether or not its provision permits, condones or endorses domestic violence against women. The study found that this Qur’anic verse does not encourage, condone, endorse or permit domestic violence in whatever form. It further found that the beating mentioned in the verse is a non-violent symbolic gesture. The major findings are that Islam prohibits and condemns any form of domestic violence against women, and the principles of compassion, mercy, and respect for human dignity are central to Islamic teaching. The paper recommended collaborative efforts of the government and religious leaders to campaign against and condemn domestic violence in whatever form and all ramifications.

The possibilities and limits of international status: Evidence from foreign aid and public opinion

AbstractStates use symbolic gestures to increase their international status, or relative po- sition, within the international community. But how do the status-seeking actions of one state affect the status of others? The common assumption is that improvements in one state’s status lead to the relative deterioration of other states’ status by compari- son. In this paper, we focus on status’ social qualities to delineate multiple theoretical pathways through which one state’s status can change – or not – relative to another. Status is not conferred in a vacuum and the consequences of status-altering activities may spill over to third parties. We field an original survey and reanalyze several exist- ing studies to understand how relative status operates in the case of foreign aid; these surveys reveal novel empirical patterns about the circumstances under which a state’s status will update relative to other states. We extend the analysis to examine who updates perceptions, what actions change status, and for whom status changes. Our findings suggest that status-enhancing actions may be successful at augmenting status amongst peers, but ultimately unsuccessful at changing global hierarchies.

An Early Intervention in Gestural Communication in Chilean Children from Psychosocially At-Risk Backgrounds and Its Impact on Language Skills at 18 Months Old

The emergence of symbolic gestures is a solid milestone in early childhood development. Interventions that intentionally promote them have contributed to children’s language, cognitive, and socioemotional development. However, these studies have mainly been conducted in the USA with middle-SES families, and such research has considerably decreased in recent years. This study aimed to assess the effects of an intentional intervention for promoting symbolic gestures in the expressive and comprehensive language of Chilean children who were aged 18 months. Sixty-nine highly psychosocially at-risk children were assessed at 5–9 months and then at 18 months. Teachers from half of the nurseries involved in the study received the intervention. The assessment included a report on the children’s gestural vocabulary, the CDI, and the language scale of BSID-III. The results showed that the children in the intervention group had a significantly greater gestural vocabulary at 18 months. Additionally, this study aimed to analyze if this intervention affected children differentially in consideration of their language development (adequate and at-risk). Results showed that they performed better in their expressive language than the children in the control group did. Finally, children with adequate development improved their language when they received the intervention, but those from the at-risk group did not. The implications of these results for the design of interventions at an early age are discussed while considering children from different sociocultural backgrounds and with different language development.

PROBLEMS AND PECULIARITIES OF CREATING A MODERN BARRIER-FREE ARCHITECTURAL ENVIRONMENT IN CHINA

Creating an accessible environment is not just a matter of convenience; it is a fundamental indicator of a nation’s level of civilisation and social development. China has significantly improved its barrier-free architecture construction system since the early 1980s. This progress commenced with the enactment of legislation focused on constructing accessible environments, particularly in major urban centres where accessibility standards are generally higher. However, despite these advancements, several challenges persist. One notable issue is the limited public awareness regarding the critical role of creating spaces that accommodate diverse needs. In addition, there is insufficient oversight over the implementation of accessibility measures, leading to inconsistencies in design and execution. These issues underscore the necessity for systemic solutions. Addressing them requires a comprehensive approach encompassing legislative reforms, enhanced enforcement mechanisms, and proactive awareness campaigns. By focusing on these challenges and developing effective strategies to overcome them, China can elevate the construction of barrier-free environments to new heights. The article delves into the intricacies of creating barrier-free architectural environments in China, shedding light on the systemic issues hindering progress. Among these challenges are legislative gaps, inadequate control mechanisms, and a lack of widespread understanding of accessibility needs. As a solution, the article offers recommendations for bolstering the legislative framework, improving enforcement mechanisms, and increasing public awareness through targeted propaganda efforts. Emphasising collaboration between governmental bodies and civil society organisations is crucial to successfully implementing these recommendations. In conclusion, the pursuit of accessible environments in China represents a practical endeavour as much as a symbolic gesture towards inclusivity and social progress. Through concerted efforts and strategic interventions, the nation can pave the way for a future where accessibility is not just a privilege but a fundamental right for all citizens. Keywords: barrier-free architectural environment, barrier-free design, accessible spaces, inclusive architecture.

Transformative Perspectives: Rethinking the Evaluation of Foreign Graduates’ Qualifications in Nigeria—Placebo or Panacea?

This paper explores the transformative perspectives surrounding the evaluation of foreign graduates’ qualifications in Nigeria, questioning whether current systems act as placebos or panaceas. Examining the authenticity and effectiveness of existing evaluation mechanisms, it delves into concerns about superficial criteria, the emphasis on academic credentials, and potential biases. Advocates for change call for holistic, transparent, and nuanced approaches that genuinely reflect the diverse talents of foreign-educated individuals. The author contemplates reforms to shift from symbolic gestures to meaningful instruments for workforce development. This nuanced discussion navigates the complexities of foreign qualification evaluation, stimulating a critical reevaluation of Nigeria’s current practices.

Reckoning With the “Other” Pandemic: How Teachers’ Unions Responded to Calls for Racial Justice Amidst COVID-19

After George Floyd was murdered by police, teachers, alongside the leaders of their unions and professional associations, confronted urgent calls to address racism in their communities, schools, and classrooms, just as they were concluding an academic year rendered chaotic by COVID-19. This article leverages four waves of semistructured interviews with teachers’ union and association leaders embedded in 14 states and 45 school districts to investigate how and why teachers’ unions responded to those calls during 2020 and 2021. Local leaders were more likely to have taken concrete steps if they were serving urban or suburban and predominantly Democratic communities. Most commonly, unions offered symbolic gestures of support or sought to develop their capacity to recognize and understand bias.

The ‘after you’ gesture in a bird

Gestures are ubiquitous in human communication, involving movements of body parts produced for a variety of purposes, such as pointing out objects (deictic gestures) or conveying messages (symbolic gestures)1. While displays of body parts have been described in many animals2, their functional similarity to human gestures has primarily been explored in great apes3,4, with little research attention given to other animal groups. To date, only a few studies have provided evidence for deictic gestures in birds and fish5,6,7, but it is unclear whether non-primate animals can employ symbolic gestures, such as waving to mean 'goodbye', which are, in humans, more cognitively demanding than deictic gestures1. Here, we report that the Japanese tit (Parus minor), a socially monogamous bird, uses wing-fluttering to prompt their mated partner to enter the nest first, and that wing-fluttering functions as a symbolic gesture conveying a specific message ('after you'). Our findings encourage further research on animal gestures, which may help in understanding the evolution of complex communication, including language.

Exploring the Role of Tattoo Discourse in Matotonan Village: Mentawai Tattoo Batik as an Effort to Preserve Tradition in Mentawai

In the remote islands of North Pagai, South Pagai, Sipora, and Siberut, the ancient art of tattooing is on the verge of extinction. However, amidst this cultural decline, a unique endeavor emerges in the heart of Mentawai: the preservation of tattoos through the intricate art of Mentawai tattoo batik. This qualitative ethnographic study delves into the depths dicourse of Mentawai tattoo batik, illuminating its significance in the preservation of Mentawai's rich tattoo heritage. Through meticulous observations across the four islands of Mentawai and in-depth interviews with tattoo owners, particularly the revered Sikerei who lead the sacred Lia rituals, this research uncovers the profound narrative woven within each tattoo motif. In Matotonan Village, once vibrant with tattoo culture, youth no longer hold tattoos in high regard, risking the loss of this ancient tradition. Yet, amidst this cultural shift, Mentawai elders embark on a noble mission: to immortalize the sacred symbols of their ancestors by transferring Mentawai tattoo motifs onto clothing. This symbolic gesture not only safeguards the legacy of Mentawai tattoos but also ensures their transmission to future generations. For the Mentawai people, tattoos transcend mere body art; they embody the sacred connection between humanity and the natural world of Mentawai. As efforts to preserve these timeless symbols gain momentum, batik adorned with Mentawai tattoo motifs emerges as a beacon of hope, igniting a revival of cultural pride and heritage in the heart of Mentawai. Through the production of tattoo motif batik as a burgeoning home industry, the legacy of Mentawai tattoos finds new life, promising to endure for generations to come.

Let’s Talk About Hair and Art

The objective of this paper is to critically reflect upon a cultural text in the form of a piece of mixed media abstract realism artwork titled Hair Power, made in 2020. This piece was inspired and motivated by my involvement with a World Afro Day event held on 15 September 2020. The paper draws on my personal, political, cultural, and historical rationale for making the artwork, and includes relevant background information and wider influences. I discuss the artistic process — composition, colour scheme, themes, materials— and how and why I made the painting the way I did. The paper also aims to show the intertextuality of visual art and community activism and the importance of art as a form of resistance against Westernised beauty standards and of the power of images in their ability to transport the audience in which they are intended. This paper will also seek to understand the connectivity between artists and the community, and the importance of representation within the visual arts. It will draw on my cultural heritage and African and Caribbean diasporic cultural connections. It will further seek to connect art with literary projects, working together to challenge those ideologies that do not work for Black people who choose to wear their afro hair in its natural state, so that pride is more important than hiding or changing afro hair to fit into society’s ‘norms’. Hair Power is a piece of personal and political abstract realism art that was made as a reminder that afro hair in its natural state is to be celebrated. Hair Power was also one of two pieces of artwork integrated as a symbolic gesture into my Birkbeck College “Race Law and Literature” assignment in April 2021. The assignment involved writing a creative nonfiction narrative of a historical event using the theme of everyday racism in the British education system. Hair Power marks my decision to make more political art.

From Rhetoric to Reality: Lithuania’s Total Defence Response to Russian Threats

Abstract This research delves into Lithuania’s response to the perceived threat from Russia and the practical implementation of its total defence approach. Key political figures, including the President, Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence, and Chairman of the National Security and Defence Committee, are scrutinized using securitization theory. The study explores how these actors frame total defence as an urgent response to an existential threat and analyses both their discourse and tangible actions from 2020 onwards. Distinct approaches among political figures emerge, with the President prioritizing communication, the Minister of Defence emphasizing tangible improvements, and the Chairman of the NSDC acting as a driving force. Despite increased military spending, the involvement of society in national defence—integral to the total defence strategy—remains limited. Factors contributing to this limitation include unclear leadership, insincere rhetoric, bureaucratic obstacles, and the initial unpreparedness of the Armed Forces to integrate civilians. The study underscores the critical need for genuine commitment and leadership to achieve meaningful breakthroughs in Lithuania’s total defence approach. While politicians employ securitization and public discourse to align with public sentiment and present themselves as problem solvers, the actual progress in engaging the public and the private sector remains limited. The discrepancy between discourse and material implementation suggests that a more substantial commitment is essential for effective societal involvement in national defence, making it clear that symbolic gestures fall short of achieving impactful results in Lithuania’s total defence approach.

Infants who develop autism show smaller inventories of deictic and symbolic gestures at 12 months of age.

Gestures are an important social communication skill that infants and toddlers use to convey their thoughts, ideas, and intentions. Research suggests that early gesture use has important downstream impacts on developmental processes, such as language learning. However, autistic children are more likely to have challenges in their gestural development. The current study expands upon previous literature on the differences in gesture use between young autistic and non-autistic toddlers by collecting data using a parent-report questionnaire called the MCDI-Words and Gestures at three time points, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. Results (N = 467) showed that high-likelihood infants who later met diagnostic criteria for ASD (n = 73 HL-ASD) have attenuated gesture growth from 12 to 24 months for both deictic gestures and symbolic gestures when compared to high-likelihood infants who later did not meet criteria for ASD (n = 249 HL-Neg) and low-likelihood infants who did not meet criteria for ASD (n = 145 LL-Neg). Other social communicative skills, like play behaviors and imitation, were also found to be impacted in young autistic children when compared to their non-autistic peers. Understanding early differences in social communication growth before a formal autism diagnosis can provide important insights for early intervention.

Symbolic Gestures or Social Impact? The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Corruption Perceptions, and Political Participation in Africa

Symbolic Gestures or Social Impact? The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Corruption Perceptions, and Political Participation in Africa

Смыслообразование в танцевальном перформансе

The article is dedicated to the process of meaning-making in contemporary dance performance as an art form. The author examines the role of the body and movements in conveying emotions, ideas, and messages, as well as the interaction between choreographers, performers, and audiences. Special attention is given to the internal bodily sensations and experiences of the performer, which manifest through a unique plastic language. The significance of contextual aspects such as cultural, historical, and social factors in shaping meaning in dance performance is also noted. The article emphasizes that dance performance is not only a form of artistic expression but also a means of communication capable of transmitting diverse emotions and ideas. It analyzes the plastic language, including movement techniques, symbolic gestures, and compositional methods. The interaction with space and objects is explored, contributing to the expansion of emotional and visual meanings. The article underscores the importance of audience interpretation and emotional response, which play a significant role in the creation and perception of meaning in dance performance. The author highlights that dance performance serves as a platform for investigating and experimenting with various semantic structures and their impact on spectators, ultimately revealing the depth and diversity of the human experience through the language of the body and movements.