Distinct Theories Research Articles

Examining the relationship between conspiracy theories and COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy: A mediating role for perceived health threats, trust, and anomie?

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has led to an upswing in conspiracy theory beliefs, which creates challenges for effectively countering the pandemic, with higher rates of COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy found among conspiracy theorists. Research suggests health risk perceptions, trust in government and anomie may mediate the relationship between COVID‐19 conspiracy theory beliefs and vaccine hesitancy. However, the mediating role of trust in government and anomie on vaccine hesitancy have not been empirically examined in the context of COVID‐19, and it is not clear whether different conspiracy theories have distinct mediational pathways to vaccine hesitancy. The current study examines the extent to which perceptions of the health threat posed by COVID‐19, trust in government and anomie can explain the relationship between distinct COVID‐19 conspiracy theories and COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy. Drawing on data from a national online survey of 779 Australian adults, a series of path analyses examining the influence of three distinct conspiracy theories on vaccination hesitancy revealed two key mediational pathways, which varied across conspiracy theory types. Anomie and perceptions of the health threat posed by COVID‐19 were the most common mediators of this relationship. Implications for COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy and for conspiracy theory research are discussed.

The international politics of truth: C. Wright Mills and the sociology of the international

AbstractC. Wright Mills's critical work on international relations is well known, but is often dismissed as being unscholarly, reductionist, and overly polemical. However, seeing the work in the context of his earlier career can allow for a new perspective, with Mills's activist views on war and militarism shaped very clearly by his earlier theoretical and political commitments. Mills developed a distinctive political sociological understanding of international politics, theorising the state as a historically-situated structural determinant of international power: a network of elite power that was contextualised by the influence of the socially constructed realities of the international created by elites. Mills's crucial critical contribution was to see the role of the intellectual as criticising these realities through the imaginative reconceptualisation of the world, which he called the ‘politics of truth’. The article argues the international politics of truth was not only Mills's distinctive theory of the international, but that it was clearly supported by his early theorisation of the international. A revised view of the importance of Mills's international relations work can help to situate Mills as part of a broader tradition of IR scholarship, a lost lineage of the critical historical and political sociology of the international.

An Inclusive Organizational Climate: Conceptualization, Antecedents, and Multi-Level Consequences

Creating an inclusive organizational climate is crucial to fully reach the full potential of diversity in organizations. Drawing on the optimal distinctiveness theory, we focus on the importance for an inclusive climate to optimally satisfy both, the need of belongingness and the need of uniqueness. We draw on the organizational climate literature and propose a conceptual model of an inclusive organizational climate. We contribute to the literature by refining the conceptualization of inclusive organizational climate, by examining five organizational antecedents (i.e., common in-group identity, weak faultlines, inclusive human resources policies and practices, functional communication, and inclusive leadership style), and by reviewing the literature on its potential multi-level consequences. Finally, the theoretical implications and practical applications of the proposed conceptual model are discussed.

Within-Track Differentiation and Leisure Activities as Strategies of Distinction

The socially inclusive educational expansion during the last few decades in Germany diluted the previous “elite” status of the Gymnasium and its certificate, the Abitur. In the absence of explicit “elite” institutions, unlike the UK, the USA or France, the question remains how social privilege is intergenerationally transferred in times of educational expansion? Several studies on this topic focused on distinction either through horizontal educational differentiation or via distinctive leisure activities. Building on Bourdieu’s theory of distinction and Lareau’s study on child-rearing practices, we argue that it is the set of different strategies of distinction that serves as a mechanism to reproduce privilege. Hence, we ask the question how parents’ and grandparents’ educational background influences the probability of applying a whole set of distinctive strategies. To test our assumptions, we use data from the youth questionnaire of the German Socio-Economic panel and analyse the effect of educational background on the application of distinctive educational strategies and distinctive leisure practices and the combination of both domains. The results indicate three main findings: first, having parents with an academic education increases the probability of applying any of the distinctive strategies under consideration. Second, having academically educated grandparents increases the probability of combining distinctive strategies within one domain. Third, the data do not support the assumption that the combination of curricular and leisure practices is particularly socially stratified.

Educational Expansion, Social Class, and Choosing Latin as a Strategy of Distinction

Abstract In times of educational expansion, privileged families are looking for new strategies of distinction. Referring to Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of distinction, we argue that choosing Latin at school – a language that is no longer spoken and therefore has no direct value – is one of the strategies of privileged families to set themselves apart from less privileged families. Based on two surveys we conducted at German schools, the paper analyzes the relationship between parents’ educational background and the probability that their child will learn Latin. Results indicate that historically academic families have the strongest tendency towards learning Latin, followed by new academic families, and leaving behind the non-academic families. We distinguish between four causal mechanisms that might help to explain these associations: cultural distinction, selecting a socially exclusive learning environment, beliefs in a secondary instrumental function of learning Latin, and spatial proximity between the location of humanist Gymnasiums and the residential areas of privileged families. The hypotheses are formalized by means of Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAG). Findings show that the decision to learn Latin is predominately an unintended consequence of the selection of a socially exclusive learning environment. In addition, there is evidence that especially children from historically academic families learn Latin as a strategy of cultural distinction.

Wavefunction of the universe: Reparametrization invariance and field redefinitions of the minisuperspace path integral

We consider the Hartle–Hawking wavefunction of the universe defined as a Euclidean path integral that satisfies the “no-boundary proposal.” We focus on the simplest minisuperspace model that comprises a single scale factor degree of freedom and a positive cosmological constant. The model can be seen as a non-linear σ-model with a line-segment base. We reduce the path integral over the lapse function to an integral over the proper length of the base and use diffeomorphism-invariant measures for the ghosts and the scale factor. As a result, the gauge-fixed path integral is independent of the gauge. However, we point out that all field redefinitions of the scale factor degree of freedom yield different choices of gauge-invariant path-integral measures. For each prescription, we compute the wavefunction at the semi-classical level and find a different result. We resolve in each case the ambiguity in the form of the Wheeler–DeWitt equation at this level of approximation. By imposing that the Hamiltonians associated with these possibly distinct quantum theories are Hermitian, we determine the inner products of the corresponding Hilbert spaces and find that they lead to a universal norm, at least semi-classically. Quantum predictions are thus independent of the prescription at this level of approximation. Finally, all wavefunctions of the Hilbert spaces of the minisuperspace model we consider turn out to be non-normalizable, including the no-boundary states.

An Accidental Genre

An Accidental Genre

Précis of Uncut

Uncut is a book about two kinds of paradoxes: paradoxes involving truth and its relatives, like the liar paradox, and paradoxes involving vagueness. There are lots of ways to look at these paradoxes, and lots of puzzles generated by them, and Uncut ignores most of this variety to focus on a single issue. That issue: do our words mean what they seem to mean, and if so, how can this be? I claim that our words do mean what they seem to, and yet our language is not undermined by paradox. By developing a distinctive theory of meaning, I show how this can be.

Cyclists’ phone use in relation to proximate environmental characteristics - A qualitative study

IntroductionThe use of phones in traffic can cause distraction and thus affect the safety of cyclists. Unlike distractions external to the cyclists, phone use is initiated by the cyclists themselves, but is always performed in a contextual setting that affords, moderates, or constrains the action. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the proximate environment, including cyclists' personal items, affects cyclists’ phone use with the aim of improving the development of preventive measures. MethodsThe empirical foundation is 19 qualitative, semi-structured interviews with cyclists in Denmark (n = 9) and the Netherlands (n = 10). We use thematic analysis and affordance theory to identify proximate environmental characteristics that facilitate or inhibit phone use while cycling and discuss the results in relation to cognitive dual-process theory's distinction between impulsive and reflective behaviours. ResultsCharacteristics of bicycle design, clothes, and infrastructure design offer accessibility and suitable conditions for phone use and are associated with whether cyclists use their phone in traffic, how they use it, and for what purpose. ConclusionsThe distinction between impulsive and reflective phone use highlights a need for preventive measures that considers decision-making processes. Findings on associations between phone use and proximate environmental characteristics suggest use of phone accessories (e.g. headphones), inaccessible phone placement, and muting notifications as strategies to prevent impulsive use, while legal measures possibly limit reflective phone use.

Subtle workplace discrimination inhibiting workers with intellectual disability from thriving at the workplace

PurposeThe purpose of the article is to examine the experiences of workers with intellectual disability (WWID) and subtle discriminatory practices that hold these workers back from thriving at the workplace.Design/methodology/approachThe research design employs the Shore et al. (2011) framework of inclusion supported by optimal distinctiveness theory (ODT) (Brewer, 1991). These theoretical frames are used to examine the potential for WWID to become members of a work group and experience the opportunity to develop their unique selves, negotiate and thrive through their work for purposeful career outcomes. A qualitative case study approach was adopted through interviews and focus groups with a total of 91 participants: 41 WWID, 5 human resource (HR) managers, 5 duty/department managers (DMs), 24 colleagues and 16 supervisors.FindingsThe authors found that enhancing inclusion is underpinned by the positive impact of human resource management (HRM) practices and line management support for WWID feelings of belongingness and uniqueness that enable them to thrive through their work activities. The authors demonstrate that WWID need manager support and positive social interactions to increase their learning and vitality for work to embrace opportunities for growth. However, when WWID do not have these conditions, there are fewer opportunities for them to thrive at the workplace.Practical implicationsThere is a need for formal HRM and management support and inclusive organisational interventions to mitigate discriminatory practices and better support WWID at work. There is an opportunity for HRM to design training and development around belongingness and uniqueness for this cohort of workers to maximise WWID opportunities to thrive through their work.Originality/valueThis study examines a cohort of WWID who are often forgotten and subtly discriminated against more so than other minority or vulnerable cohorts in the workplace, especially in terms of their development and reaching their full potential at work, which has an impact on their ability to thrive through their work. The paper makes an innovative contribution to the HRM literature through unpacking the processes through which Shore et al.'s (2011) conceptualisation of belongingness and uniqueness contributes to thriving for a marginalised and often overlooked cohort of workers.

Network dismantling on factor graphs: break long loops and spare local structures

A new solution framework for the task of network dismantling is recently developed, based on a two-scale bipartite factor-graph representation of the original graph where local structures are abstracted as factor nodes. This technique leads to advancement of extant dismantling algorithms, among which the belief-propagation decimation (BPD) algorithm has an efficient counterpart (factor BPD, i.e., FBPD) on the factor graph, building upon a mean-field spin-glass theory developed for the underlying long-loop feedback vertex set (FVS) problem. In this paper, I (1) demonstrate the advantage as well as disadvantage of the new factor-graph approach, and investigate the varying choice of factors, (2) show that the method can be supported by an alternative microscopic picture, and the two distinct spin-glass theories derive equivalent outcomes, whose analytical results serve as lower bounds for the FVS size on random regular factor graphs, besides (3) an extra mathematical lower bound from the result on random regular (original) graphs. Performances of graph/factor-graph algorithms are compared on various real networks. It shows empirically and analytically that the factor-graph approach does not interfere with what we could achieve without applying this technique; the new approach does a good job where traditional algorithms may perform poorly.

Back to the Future: Interpretation of Post-COVID-19 Architecture through 1960s Futurism

COVID-19 has changed configuration and need in architectural and urban space. Today, only the pandemic’s short-term consequences have been seen in architecture, whereas the long-term influences are being discussed. This article aims to look for insight into post-pandemic architecture in the long term through futuristic projects in the 1960s. Therefore, a literature review about post-disease architecture after 19th century epidemics and healthy environment criteria for COVID-19 were conducted in this study. Then, three significant figures of the futurist movement were chosen as case studies: Buckminster Fuller, Reyner Banham, and Archigram. Their distinctive theories and unique science-fiction projects were examined and discussed concerning contagious diseases and pandemic's reflections on spaces. According to the interpretation of these architect’s works and arguments, an open-ended, nomadic, formless architecture in which technology and infrastructure gave the individual better freedom could be associated with the post-pandemic built environment.

Moderating Diversity, Collective Commitment, and Discrimination: The Role of Ethical Leaders in the Public Sector

AbstractDespite public administration’s growing interest in personnel diversity and ethical leadership, little is known about the effectiveness of ethical leadership in managing diverse public workforces. Can ethical leadership moderate the relationships between demographic diversity and key organizational outcomes? To answer, we synthesize four theories about demographic diversity, ethical leadership, and inclusion: social categorization theory, social exchange theory, social learning theory, and optimal distinctiveness theory. These theories illuminate the interrelationships between diversity, ethical leadership, and two types of collective organizational outcomes: affective commitment climate and race-based employment discrimination. Using panel data from the US federal government, feasible generalized least squares models indicate that racial diversity is negatively related to affective commitment climate and positively related to race-based employment discrimination. The results also show that ethical leadership beneficially moderates the associations of racial diversity with the two organizational outcomes. These findings suggest that ethical leadership aids public managers and personnel in racially diverse public agencies.

Predicting Perceptions of Team Process Using Optimal Distinctiveness Theory

There are conflicting findings in team diversity research on whether it is better for an individual on a team to be similar to or different from the rest of the team. This lab study with undergraduates completing a critical thinking and decision-making task uses optimal distinctiveness theory to examine the idea that finding a balance between these two states for team member personality will result in positive perceptions of team process. Our results supported this such that participants had the most positive perceptions of team process when optimally distinct from the rest of the team in terms of personality.

The Gender-Equality Paradox and Optimal Distinctiveness: More Gender-Equal Societies Have More Gendered Names

Findings in several domains have documented a gender-equality paradox, where greater social and economic gender equality predicts increased gender differentiation. Many of these findings have used subjective rating scales and thus have been dismissed as artifactual due to different reference groups in more versus less gender-equal societies. Although recent research has documented the gender-equality paradox using an objective criterion—pursuit of degrees in STEM—the robustness of this finding has also been challenged. The current investigation offers evidence for the gender-equality paradox using an objective marker of gender differentiation: baby names. We find given names are more phonetically gendered in more gender-equal societies, with female names being more likely unvoiced (a softer sound) and male names being more likely voiced (a harder sound). We offer a theoretical explanation based on optimal distinctiveness theory to explain why increasing gender equality might motivate a preference for greater gender differentiation.

On the use of information theory metrics for detecting DDoS attacks and flash events: an empirical analysis, comparison, and future directions

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is one of the lethal threats that can cripple down the computing and communication resources of a web server hosting Internet-based services and applications. It has motivated the researchers over the years to find diversified and robust solutions to combat against DDoS attacks and characterization of flash events (a sudden surge in the legitimate traffic) from HR-DDoS (High-Rate DDoS) attacks. In recent times, the volume of legitimate traffic has also magnified manifolds. It results in behavioral similarities of attack traffic and legitimate traffic that make it very difficult and crucial to differentiate between the two. Predominantly, Netflow-based techniques are in use for detecting and differentiating legitimate and attack traffic flows. Over the last decade, fellow researchers have extensively used distinct information theory metrics for Netflow-based DDoS defense solutions. However, a comprehensive analysis and comparison of these diversified information theory metrics used for particularly DDoS attack detection are needed for a better understanding of the defense systems based on information theory. This paper elucidates the efficacy and effectiveness of information theory-based various entropy and divergence measures in the field of DDoS attack detection. As part of the work, a generalized NetFlow-based methodology has been proposed. The proposed detection methodology has been validated using the traffic traces of various real benchmarked datasets on a set of detection system evaluation metrics such as Detection rate (Recall), Precision, F-Measure, FPR, Classification rate, and Receiver-Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves. It has concluded that generalized divergence-based information theory metrics produce more accuracy in detecting different types of attack flows in contrast to entropy-based information theory metrics.

“White” Self-Identification: A Source of Uniqueness Threat

The present research introduces the possibility that Whiteness can threaten majority group members’ sense of uniqueness and reduce their support for multiculturalism, an ideology that emphasizes recognition of distinctive cultural identities and is seen as primarily relevant to racial/ethnic minorities. Across three studies, being induced to self-identify as “White” (vs. “European American”) led majority group members high, but not low, in need for uniqueness (measured in Study 1, manipulated in Studies 2 and 3) to express less positivity toward multiculturalism. Further, the effect of uniqueness motives on reduced support for multiculturalism among participants self-identifying as “White” was mediated by reduced personal feelings of diversity (Study 3). Implications for optimal distinctiveness theory and the functions of White identity are discussed.

Hybrid forms of education in Norway: a systems theoretical approach to understanding curriculum change

ABSTRACT Some might fear that the local flavours of education will evaporate when encountering the hegemony of global, cognitive standards of the knowledge economy. This paper, however, shows that the evolution of curriculum can emerge in surprising directions, creating hybrid forms of education. We will investigate forms of meaning that emerge in Norwegian curriculum in the timespan 1988-2020, and show how systems theory can contribute to studying curriculum changes in a temporal perspective. The empirical case for investigation, is a diverse range of material, documenting curriculum changes in the mentioned period. Concepts from the late Luhmann’s 'theory of distinctions’ will thus be used to give meaning to the emergence of school reforms in Norway. The paper shows that Norwegian policy makers use increasingly complex deparadoxification strategies to deal with an uncertain future, conceptualized as externalization, oscillation, asymmetrisation, and internalization (re-entry). This is most pertinently demonstrated in the latest Norwegian reform LK20, in which a new, hybrid, 'temporal' construct of education, called “new-old-curriculum” or 'competence-Bildung’ emerges. We thus contribute to the field of curriculum studies by observing how changing observations of the past and future fuel and legitimize the evolution of new reforms.

Multiperspectival Normative Assessment: The Case of Mediated Reactions to Terrorism

Abstract This article provides a model for how communication phenomena can be normatively assessed using multiple normative perspectives simultaneously. We exemplify the procedure of multiperspectival normative assessment (MNA) using mediated reactions to terrorism as our case in point. We first identify the normative challenges related to the speed and substance of terrorism communication and the ways in which relations of solidarity are communicatively constructed in reacting to terrorism. We link these challenges to four distinct normative theories that prioritize competing values for public discourse (freedom, community values, empowerment of the marginalized or constructive debate). The resulting set of competing normative expectations, which help assess the performance of terrorism communication, are eventually translated into recommendations for professional and non-professional communicators. In conclusion, we show how MNA can help ground empirical scholarship in firmer theoretical foundations while simultaneously demonstrating the usefulness of normative theory in analyzing a wide range of issues.

Uncertainty, Status, and Networks: A Relational Approach to Optimal Distinctiveness Theory

Throughout this paper, we suggest and operationalize a relational approach to the Optimal Distinctiveness Theory (ODT). By building a longitudinal model of network evolution between art galleries and artists between 2002 and 2004, we explain the emergence of peer alignment between galleries. We hypothesize and find that both galleries’ status differentials and uncertainty impact peer alignment between galleries. High-status galleries preserve their status by avoiding aligning with low-status galleries, whereas under heightened uncertainty conditions, galleries show an overall higher propensity of aligning with peers. Uncertainty and status differential have a joint effect on peer-alignment. Under uncertainty conditions, high-status galleries show yet lower odds of aligning with lower-status peers. Thus, the paper brings a novel approach to operationalization of peer alignment within social network modeling and contributes to the understanding the role of status and uncertainty to explain the emergence of ties, under the lens of Optimal Distinctiveness Theory.