Belief Systems Research Articles

The Discursive Journey of Meta-Awareness: Literacy (Teacher) Identity Within Preservice Teacher Preparation

The purpose of this study is to examine preservice teachers’ (PTs) meta-awareness related to their developing literacy (teacher) identities and examine the discursive belief systems and patterns embedded within this context. In this instrumental case study, we aim to determine the relationship(s) between meta-awareness and PTs’ literacy (teacher) identities through how they demonstrate their knowledge of literacy instruction and envision future literacy practices. The findings include PTs’ demonstration of their meta-awareness of literacy through their use of evaluative language, explicit memories, and content appropriation. Because personal and professional identities draw deeply from one another in shaping how PTs demonstrate their learning, our discussion expands upon this duality. Implications for teacher educators include recontextualizing one's past experiences as a reader and writer in literacy methods coursework as a means of moving toward agentic redress and responsive instruction.

Pentecostal voices and discourse perspectives to LGBTQ+ narratives in Nigeria

ABSTRACT The conformist and dissenting religious voices with various social classificatory paradigms on LGBTQ+ issues have further complicated the association between the West and others in sub-Saharan Africa. Religious leaders from the West and those of African extraction seem to already hold divergent opinions on the issue. This paper investigates Pentecostal voices and discourse perspectives of selected foremost pastors on LGBTQ+ narratives within the Nigerian space. Data were retrieved from the online versions of three widely circulated newspapers: Vanguard, The Nation, and Daily Post, focusing on the represented stances and voices of four Nigerian pastors with the largest membership within and outside the Nigerian space. The study employed a systematic approach to collect and analyse news reports, considering factors such as the pastors’ stances, sentiments conveyed, and engagement with LGBTQ-related topics. Nigerian Pentecostal pastors align their stances with foundational religious principles and embrace belief systems that shape human existence. Pentecostal pastors’ rhetoric condemns LGBTQ identities and relationships, framing them as a threat to traditional values, natural order and God’s will, which are perceived as being undermined by modern, Western influences.

Regulation of household food needs: Affirmation of socio-cultural resilience in preventing stunting incidents in coastal areas

The problem of stunting is not only related to children’s short height, but also has an impact on high morbidity rates, due to long-term nutritional deficiencies. which hinders motor and mental development in children. The objectives of this research are: 1) to understand household food security, 2) to understand the eating habits of pregnant women and toddlers regarding existing belief systems and traditions, and 3) to understand resilience mechanisms in overcoming food emergencies to prevent stunting. The data collection process uses a mixed methods approach by combining qualitative and quantitative research. The research results show that the determining factor for the incidence of stunting in coastal areas of Indonesia is the lack of household food availability due to subsistence economic life which then has an impact on eating behavior in the household, namely the lack of quality and quantity of the types of food consumed. daily. Apart from that, there is still a lack of understanding by pregnant women regarding the importance of providing complementary breast milk food to toddlers, low literacy of food diversity among toddlers, and low public trust in the importance of immunization. Furthermore, the high rate of early marriage in society and the limited awareness of using clean water is caused by a philosophy that still considers rivers as a source of life, so the water is used for consumption. Apart from that, socio-cultural mechanisms as a strategy to resolve the problem of food shortages have not yet been implemented.

Audience awareness of radio messages on adopting malaria preventive measures among rural dwellers in Oyo state, Nigeria

Purpose This study aims to examine the audience awareness of radio messages on malaria prevention and how these messages have influenced the adoption of malaria preventive measures among rural dwellers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach This research adopted a mixed-method approach, combining surveys and qualitative focus group discussions to gather data on respondents’ attitudes, knowledge and practices related to malaria prevention. The authors used Frequency distribution involving tables to present quantitative data, while we deployed thematic analysis to present qualitative data. Findings Results showed that most rural dwellers (86.5%) were exposed to malaria prevention radio messages. However, findings indicated that awareness alone did not influence the adoption of malaria preventive measures; instead, a positive attitude toward messages influenced the adoption of the malaria preventive measures. Practical implications Radio stations should tailor their messaging to address daily malaria difficulties while considering the target audience’s culture and belief systems. Also efforts should be directed at developing messages that promote awareness and build favorable attitudes toward preventative measures. Finally, radio stations, government agencies and health-care professionals must work together to guarantee that malaria prevention messages are effectively distributed. Originality/value The originality of this study comes from its unique ability to examine audience awareness of radio messages, mainly as it influences the adoption of malaria preventive measures.

Multianalytical investigation reveals psychotropic substances in a ptolemaic Egyptian vase.

This study presents a comprehensive multimodal analytical study of an Egyptian ritual Bes-vase, of the 2nd century BCE employing cutting-edge proteomics, metabolomics, genetics techniques, and synchrotron radiation-based Fourier Transformed Infrared microSpectroscopy (SR µ-FTIR) to characterize organic residues of its content. We successfully identified the presence of various functional, bioactive, psychotropic, and medicinal substances, shedding light on the diverse components of a liquid concoction used for ritual practices in Ptolemaic Egypt. Using LC-MS/MS with a new methodological approach, we identified key proteins and metabolites, enabling the identification of botanical sources, confirmed by genetic sequences. Our analyses revealed traces of Peganum harmala, Nimphaea nouchali var. caerulea, and a plant of the Cleome genus, all of which are traditionally proven to have psychotropic and medicinal properties. Additionally, the identification of human fluids suggests their direct involvement in these rituals. Furthermore, metabolomics and SR µ-FTIR analyses also revealed the presence of fermented fruit-based liquid and other ingredients such as honey or royal jelly. The identification of specific chemical compounds, such as alkaloids and flavonoids, provides insight into the psychoactive and therapeutic uses of these in ancient ritual practices. This multidisciplinary study highlights the complexity of ancient cultures and their interactions with psychoactive, medicinal, and bioactive substances. These findings contribute to our understanding of ancient belief systems, cultural practices, and the utilization of natural resources, ultimately enhancing our knowledge of past societies and their connection to the natural world.

Local residents’ attitudes toward and contact with international students: a perspective from Montreal, Quebec

As migrants holding temporary, foreign-resident status in their host communities, international students often experience prejudice and have little meaningful contact with locals. To date, a comprehensive account of international students’ experience is lacking, and existing conceptualizations exclude linguistic threat as a potential source of increased prejudice and diminished contact. Therefore, our goal in this study (set in Quebec, Canada) was to explore local residents’ attitudes toward and contact with international students in relation to five potential threats experienced by local residents, including cultural differences, competition over resources, intergroup anxiety, stereotypes, with linguistic threat added as a new, previously unexplored variable. We recruited 59 student and non-student local francophone residents as participants and examined their attitudes toward, perceptions of threat from, and the quality and quantity of contact with international students attending English-medium universities. Both student and non-student participants demonstrated positive attitudes toward and low levels of perceived threat from international students, except for linguistic threat. Compared to student participants, non-student participants reported significantly greater linguistic threat from international students and described contact with them that was both less frequent and lower in quality. Regression models accounted for 50–67% of variance in participants’ attitudes, with symbolic threat to social values and belief systems emerging as the common significant predictor of attitudes for both groups. Adding linguistic threat did not improve regression models. Finally, only contact quality showed significant relationships with attitudes and perceived threat, where greater contact quality was associated with more favorable attitudes and reduced threat. We discuss implications of intergroup attitudes and contact for language planning and use in multilingual contexts.

Pengembangan Wisata Bahari Berkelanjutan melalui Partisipative Approach di Desa Busung Kecamatan Teupah Tengah Kabupaten Simelue

Simeulue Island is one of the archipelago areas that has the charm of a very potential marine tourism destination. To optimize sustainable tourism, cooperation and a collaborative role are needed in the development of marine tourism. One of the marine tourism locations is located on Busung beach, Busung Village, Teupah Tengah District, Simeulue Regency. Busung Beach has the allure of the sea and a beautiful stretch of sand, but the natural charm it offers is not utilized properly by the Simeulue Regency government. The lack of optimal waste management, the faulty belief system of the community which thinks that development on the beach will only provide one-sided benefits, the lack of enthusiasm of the community in developing beach tourism, the problem of human resources which are still minimal in tourism management are basic problems that must be overcome by the government. The aim of the research is to find out how to develop sustainable marine tourism through a participation approach in Busung village. This research was carried out using qualitative methods with a qualitative descriptive approach. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that the development of sustainable marine tourism in Busung Village is still at the consultation level, namely that there has been two-way communication between the Simeulue Regency Government and the Busung Village Government but it is still a formality. The essence of the consultation is that several activities have been carried out, such as gathering aspirations through meetings facilitated by the Teupah Tengah District Government, field visits by the Disbudpar, submission of proposals for the development of Busung beach tourism. These efforts have not had a good impact on marine tourism in Busung Village.

Frihet under ansvar? Bibelöversättning som institutionell praktik

In this paper, I discuss the relationship between structure and agency in institutional translation. My case is a Swedish retranslation of the biblical texts commenced in 1972. Against the background of the directives issued to the translators, and through a case study of how three Old Testament texts were translated by the team, I argue that the team members bypassed certain aspects of the directives. This, however, was not primarily because they exercised their individual agency, but because they collectively related their work to the abstract institution of biblical studies, which can be conceived of as a belief system which structured the interpretation and translation of the biblical texts. The case is hereby discussed to critically assess the relationship between agency and structure, and to suggest a non-binary way of understanding the relationship between the two.

Pain beliefs and their relationship with pain, psychological distress and catastrophizing in individuals with Parkinson’s disease

ABSTRACT In Parkinson’s disease (PD), a large number of individuals are confronted with pain. This issue has been receiving increasing attention in literature in recent years, as the complexity of pain in this disease makes its evaluation and treatment challenging. However, psychological variables related to the pain experience have received limited attention, especially when it comes to the exploration of beliefs regarding pain which, to our knowledge, remains unexplored in PD. Pain beliefs are defined as a subset of a patient’s belief system which represents a personal understanding of the pain experience. Four dimensions of pain beliefs have been isolated in literature: mystery, pain permanence, pain constancy and self-blame. Thus, the goal of this study was first to describe pain beliefs in individuals with PD and second, to explore the relationships between pain beliefs and clinical and psychological variables. One hundred and sixty-nine international individuals with PD completed an online survey with socio-demographic and medical data. Participants completed self-report instruments to assess their pain (King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Questionnaire, McGill Pain Questionnaire and Brief Pain Inventory), psychological distress (Beck Depression Inventory, short-form and Parkinson Anxiety Scale), pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale) and pain beliefs catastrophizing (Pain Beliefs and Perception Inventory). The study’s findings revealed that most participants’ beliefs are marked by the dimension of permanence, suggesting that individuals with PD perceive the pain experience as chronic and enduring. Meanwhile, pain is minimally perceived as constant, mysterious, or a source of guilt. Our finding concerning the permanence dimension deserves specific attention: even though this belief is prevalent in our population, it is not, or only weakly, associated with an impact on mood or pain catastrophizing. These results bring forth several hypotheses for understanding, highlighting the role of acceptance, and offer new perspectives toward improving clinical practices in terms of assessing and managing pain in PD.

Muslim Turcophobia: A Study of Two Missionary Authors

Among Turks, major religions with universal messages have always been tolerated. The fact that Turks generally did not convert to religions other than Islam led to the interpretation of Islam as “the most suitable religion for the character and national culture of the Turks”; therefore, Turks accepted Islam voluntarily, not by force. Among all these belief systems and religions, Islam was based on the belief in “Gök Tengri”. The proximity of the Turks to the Muslim Regions made it easier for the Turks to become Muslims and they became Muslims in groups. The statement in the Quranic Ayat al-Kursi (Al-Baqarah, 255); “His pulpit has encompassed the heavens and the earth كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْاَرْضَۚ وَلَََا يَؤُ۫دُهُ حِفْظُهُمَاۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظ۪يمُ” The similarity in the fact that “Gök Tengri”, which they have believed in since the beginning of their existence, is both in the sky and much closer to them (closer than their jugular veins) has facilitated the change of belief in the Turks. The seven stories of the sky, which their ancestors saw as “Uçmak”, the fact that hell is seven stories below the earth, free thought and tolerance in both religions, and the fact that there is only one God religion. The compatibility of the belief in God with hundreds of years of customs and traditions facilitated the acceptance of the idea that Islam was a suitable religion for them. The enmity against Muslim Turks, which started in the Christian world with the progress of Turkish tribes towards the West after the adoption of Islam, has increased the efforts of fanatical missionary Christian writers to create prejudice with their publications, which are far from historical facts, to demonize Turks in the Western public opinion. The common characteristics of these writers are that they fictionalize alleged inhumane crimes against Christians and present them as if they were true, and that they unconditionally support Greeks and Armenians, whom they see as the real owners of Anatolia. In this way, they accelerated the spread of "Islamophobia" in Western public opinion, and the persecution and massacres of Muslims were ignored. However, neither the Holy Quran, nor the Turks, nor the Prophet Muhammad deserve these accusations and slanders. After Afet Inan shared with Atatürk a history book that disparaged the Turks during her studies at the French Notre Dame de Sion High School in Istanbul, the struggle against the unchanging mentality of the West was turned into a state policy, and the Turkish Historical Society was established after April 15, 1931, to rescue Turkish history from the prejudiced views of Western states through scientific studies. The aim of the study is to investigate the publications of two of the dozens of missionaries (George Horton, Sir Edwin Pears) who saw Muslims as a threat to Christianity in the Turkish nation as an example from the publications of works written by missionary writers and containing insults, slander and attacks against Islam.

The Trình Tường house of the Bố Y People in Vietnam: A Study on Cultural Heritage and Traditional Architecture

The Trình Tường house (similer Earthen-Walled house), a distinctive architectural form of the Bố Y people in Vietnam, has embodied both cultural and spiritual values, reflecting their ethnic identity. However, modernization, climate change, and the development of tourism have placed immense pressure on the preservation of this traditional architecture. This paper aims to analyze the cultural and architectural values of the Trình Tường house in the modern context while proposing solutions for its preservation and promotion as a cultural heritage. The research was based on qualitative methods, including field observation, semi-structured interviews with Bố Y community members, and comparative analysis of traditional architecture from other ethnic minorities in Southeast Asia and worldwide. The findings revealed that the Trình Tường house was not only a physical structure but also a cultural and spiritual symbol, connecting people with nature and belief systems. However, pressures from modernization and climate change have compromised the sustainability of this architecture. The study contributes to cultural ecology theory and offers specific policy recommendations for preserving the Trình Tường house, ensuring the Bố Y people’s cultural identity, and paves the way for future research on traditional architectural conservation in the current context.

Dealing with dichotomies in health care: Case reports

ABSTRACT Dichotomies with respect to medical orientations and public health have been common in the past and even in the present probably orchestrated by the traditional versus modern medical concepts that became eternal arena for disquiet in the healing world of many countries. In public health, the so-called technology tradition was especially dominant which assumed the power of technology and the paternalistic ‘managerial mode’ regarding disease control programs. Such a ‘managerial perversion’ has demolished the positivity of primary health care as well as the social determinants framework. It is important to consider cultural background, the belief systems and perceptions of the people in shaping the health behaviour of the people. We are presenting here two case reports on distinct scenarios in order to show the conceptual problems with respect to the notion of dichotomies and the linkages with health. These are based on our empirical explorations using qualitative methodologies. The first case is on non-communicable diseases in a tribal society in Kerala and the second one on utilization of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) among palliative cancer patients from a district in Kerala. It is seen that as new problems emerge or when people struggle with diseases as presented in the two case reports, they tend to depend on the positivity of the deeply entrenched cultural artefacts in combination with modern systems and they tend to bridge the dichotomies rationally instead of viewing them retrograde. It is necessary to examine the reasons for engaging in such syncretic health behaviour which could be popular realizations on the positive and negative features of both health orientations. This approach of the people could be used effectively for managing such health problems in the community.

The Complexity of Beliefs: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Religion and Culture

This paper explores the intricate relationship between religion and belief systems, emphasizing the complexity of religious phenomena as cultural constructs rather than mere expressions of faith. Through a comprehensive analysis of various anthropological perspectives, we argue that religion encompasses a diverse array of cognitive processes that shape human understanding and social interaction. By examining case studies from different cultures, we highlight the significance of supernatural beliefs and their implications for societal cohesion. This study aims to elucidate the cognitive underpinnings of religious beliefs and their role in shaping human behavior, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of religion.

Using stereotype violation to shift causal understanding and attitudes about weight

ObjectiveWe evaluated an approach to weight stigma reduction involving the provision of an exemplar inconsistent with belief systems underlying weight bias. Specifically, that people with higher weight eat unhealthy, high-calorie diets, and people with lower weight eat healthy, low-calorie diets. Providing exemplars that violate the stereotype's assumptions may lead to a change in beliefs, stereotypes, and ultimately, stigma. MethodsIn an experimental, web-based study, 682 US-based participants were randomized to read narrative vignettes about a fictional middle-aged woman portrayed as either having stable, high body weight, or stable, low body weight, and as eating a long-term diet that was either high- or low- in calorie-dense foods. Two stereotype violation conditions involved a woman with higher weight who maintains a low-calorie diet (HWLC) and a woman with lower weight who maintains a high-calorie diet (LWHC). ResultsFor the HWLC exemplar, results were consistent with stereotype change processes including heightened genetic causal attributions, reduced lifestyle attributions, and more positive attitudes toward the exemplar and “women with obesity” in general. Response to the LWHC exemplar was more uneven. ConclusionsFindings have implications in the understanding of judgments that people make about individuals based on their body size, and dietary habits suggest a new route for interventions that address weight stigma reduction.

Menyelusuri kearifan budaya Suku Osing warisan tradisi dan keunikan identitas lokal

In the background context, the Osing Tribe, an ethnic group in East Java, Indonesia, has been a custodian of rich cultural wisdom. This article explores important aspects of Osing life and identity, focusing on history, cultural values, traditions, and preservation challenges. Through a literature review approach, we gather and analyze various relevant sources to highlight the uniqueness of Osing culture and their preservation efforts. From ritual traditions to belief systems, we find that the Osing exhibit a close relationship between humans, nature, and spirituality in their daily lives. Despite facing pressures from globalization and modernization, Osing cultural preservation efforts continue through local community initiatives and external support. Our conclusion emphasizes the importance of appreciation and support for the sustainability of Osing culture as an integral part of Indonesia's cultural wealth. Thus, the article underscores the need to preserve and understand the valuable heritage of the Osing tribe for a sustainable future.

Exploring the links between religiosity and learning motivation, belief in science, and need for cognition: insights from studies on Polish Catholics and atheists

ABSTRACT This article examines the relationships between Catholic religious beliefs and learning motivation among Polish Catholics and atheists. Study 1 (n = 691) found that Catholics exhibited lower learning motivation compared to atheists, a difference linked to a weaker Belief in Science (BIS) and a lower Need for Cognition (NFC). Interestingly, monotheistic beliefs were positively related to learning motivation. To explore this relationship further, based on the similarities between monotheistic beliefs and intrinsic religious orientation, Study 2 focused on Catholics (n = 754) and examined their religious orientation. The results revealed that Catholics’ intrinsic religious orientation was associated with lower BIS, higher NFC, and greater learning motivation, both directly and indirectly. In turn, Catholics’ extrinsic religious orientation correlated with lower NFC. Considering the effect sizes, the mixed findings suggest that although Catholicism is strongly associated with weaker cognitive orientation (learning motivation, BIS, and NFC), certain aspects of Catholic belief, such as belief in a monotheistic God, may be weakly positively related to cognitive outcomes. These findings emphasise the importance of considering specific belief systems and cognitive processes in understanding Catholics’ learning motivation.

Optimization of Graph Clustering Inspired by Dynamic Belief Systems

Optimization of Graph Clustering Inspired by Dynamic Belief Systems

Belief Formation: A Cultural Evolutionary Lens

This paper investigates changes in belief and their evolution in relation to the paradigm of cultural evolution. It underlines the interaction of the environmental factor with the social dynamic. The model proposed herein is extremely widespread and involves the creation, maintenance, and diffusion of beliefs that afford a perspective on how such processes influence individual and collective psychological constructs. By synthesizing theories in the fields of biology, anthropology, and psychology, this research will argue that cultural evolution is one key mechanism able to explain both diversity and variability in human belief. The examination suggests that beliefs cannot be cast solely as some sort of passive variant of personal cognition; instead, they are actively generated by cultural dynamics and social learning techniques such as imitation and instruction. It is a book that places more emphasis on the role of political ideology in accepting scientific evidence and shows how directed reasoning leads to the perpetuation of noxious beliefs. It then investigates transfer biases supporting the reproduction of cultural traits across successive generations, hence affecting social structure and any effort of cooperation. This may lead to a nuanced grasp of how beliefs can be advantageous or disastrous, considering the prevailing social structures and ecology within which they live. Based on the wealth of research regarding under what circumstances beliefs arise and spread, this paper examines from a critical perspective psychological processes of belief systems and what they might portend for human behavior and social organization.

놀이기록 다시보기를 통한 유아교사의 유아놀이 변화 탐색

Objectives The research objectives of this study is to find out the reflection that the researcher as kindergarten early- child care teacher has, in the course of reviewing the individual play records, and changes in the viewpoints of teachers in early-child care on kid plays. Methods In order to achieve this goal, self-study among qualitative research methods is conducted in that one can re-see and reflect on one's beliefs, values, and play records through self-reflection. To achieve such ob-jectives, the researcher collected and analyzed the play records that were prepared through author's own ob-servation in class, the author's self-reflection journal, and any other materials. Results This research has classified changes in the viewpoints of teachers in early-child care on kid plays into six sub-factors, say, understanding kids from a new perspective, expanding and supporting kid plays, participating in plays from a spectator to a player, reestablishing the educational belief system of teachers in early-child care as a supporter, connecting the curriculum in plays, and learning outside. For the final factors as to it, this study has classified into three top factors, namely, understanding plays from the perspective of kids, reestablishing the edu-cational belief system teachers in early-child care, and the operation of play-centered curriculum. Conclusions By reviewing the play records, it was found that changes in the viewpoints of teachers in early-child care on kid plays brought about the significant change in actual kid plays. Given the research results, the play records that are being prepared in the current educational field would be instrumental. It is anticipated that this would con-tribute to implementing the kid play-centered curriculum which requires reinforcing plays, with the focus on kids.

Ethnographic Study: The Choice of Place and Birth Attendants from the Socio-Cultural Perspective in the Tunjung Benuaq Dayak Tribe

WHO recommends Skill Birth Attendants (SBA) for all births. Around 50 million mothers in developing countries give birth at home without the help of medical personnel. The trust in traditional birth attendants (TBA), meaning that social and cultural influences still strongest. Objective: to analyze the choice of place and birth attendants in the Tunjung Benuaq Dayak Tribe through a socio-cultural perspective in the working area of the Barong Tongkok Community Health Center. Methodology: Qualitative Design with Ethnographic study using the Rapid Ethnographic Assessment Procedure (REAP) method. Snowball sampling is a variation of Purposive Sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 informants. Data analysis uses Thematic analysis. Results: The Tunjung Benuaq Dayak tribe upholds the values of balance and harmonization regarding human relationships with God, human and the environment. They developed local cultures based on complementary belief systems. There is a positive acceptance of science. The local wisdom of Santaap, eating a small portion of the food served, illustrates that they can accept little of knowledge. Customs are still maintained in the birthing process which is carried out by village shamans who are highly trusted by the community. They make the rituals, belief in myths (tempuunt), the existence of spirits who guard and interfere with the birthing process. Conclusion: Socio-cultural values such as trust, knowledge, and customs are very strong guidelines for the Tunjung Benuaq Dayak tribe in choosing a place and birth attendant. Suggestion: preservation of culture and customs that are still considered good in childbirth practices is highly desirable.