Honest to God in context

Author information for Knowledge Organization in the digital age

This essay reinvestigates an old crux: why does King Lear say that he has passio? Peterson argues that contrary to most writing on subject, Lear does not suffer from either hysterica passio or Several hundred years of criticism have attempted to illuminate Lear's statement, yet ironically, historicizing and psychoanalytic methodologies most often marshaled by critics to elucidate Lear have obscured Shakespeare's perspectives on his character. The essay first defines hysterical ailments in 17th-century terms and explains that it is because Shakespeare understood hysterica passio as a strictly female pathology that Lear's identification of illness must be perceived as king's misprision, not as Shakespeare's errors in reading period medical case histories (such as Richard Mainy's case of the mother, narrated by Samuel Harsnett) or playwright's anticipation of psychoanalytic theories of hysteria. Tracing three hundred years' of commentary in some fifty editions of play, Peterson documents how glosses and commentaries on Lear's hysteria create a circular set of assumptions, all of which elide relevance of hysterica passio to cultural, medical, historical, and literary contexts and controversies. The essay demonstrates how literary critics mistranslate or misread Harsnett's text (long recognized as an important influence on Shakespeare's composition of Lear) by altering source's essential content, phrasing, and punctuation to make it match preconceived notions about play's representation of early modern illnesses and

<p>This thesis investigates New Zealand women's menstrual knowledge within a cultural, social and historical context. An analysis or dominant menstrual discourses and their impact on women's menstrual knowledge was undertaken from a feminist poststructural perspective. At the outset, my initial objectives were to examine and record the social construction of menstruation and to determine the extent to which it impacted on New Zealand women's menstrual knowledge. Following a reading of feminist poststructuralism, the initial objective of measuring and quantifying women's menstrual knowledge changed to an approach focusing on discourse. Similarly, I moved to a new methodological focus on feminist epistemologies. As a result, the thesis examines the effects of New Zealand cultural practices and social meanings on women's 'knowing' about menstruation. It seeks to establish the boundaries and markers that both construct and constrain women's menstrual knowledge. Thirty-seven New Zealand women ranging in age from fourteen to eighty-six years contributed their narratives during open-ended interviews. The women's stories located various discursive practices that impacted on their menstrual knowledge and on their adherence to a common or popular menstrual etiquette. Discourses that construct and confine what, and how, women know about their menstrual cycle are identified and discussed. These scientific, medical, and consumerist discourses intersect and overlap to constitute a dominant menstrual discourse. Menstrual product advertising is identified as a prevailing context that surrounds young women as they become menstruants. Discursive practices such as euphemisms, notions of cleanliness and hygiene, authority through technology, and the commodification of feminist imagery contribute to representations that devalue and stigmatise menstruation. This dominant menstrual discourse can be maintained or disrupted through the way mothers impart menstrual knowledge to their daughters. Mothers are faced with the contradiction of preparing their daughters for an experience that is presented as normal yet constructed within strategies of concealment that menstruating women are expected to follow. When young women do become menstraunts, they are faced with the menstrual 'script' that includes the emotional themes of embarrassment, anxiety and ambivalence. The formal acquisition of menstrual knowledge takes place in our schools and again is positioned within a contradictory framework. Menstruation is conveyed as 'ordinary' yet the teaching of the menstrual cycle is often 'extraordinary' 'Menstruation' is routinely taught in sex-segregated classes, in the evening, in the company of parents and often located within scientific and medical discourses. This thesis offers new insight into the different ways New Zealand women construct knowledge about our bleeding bodies. Its uniqueness rests with die theoretical framework used to analyse research data. A feminist poststructuralist discourse analysis enabled the positioning of the women's accounts within a social, historical and cultural context, and the identification of a new way of analysing the impact of discursive practices upon meaning and experience of menstruation.</p>

Discourse analysis can be defined as an “approach to the analysis of language that looks at patterns of language across texts as well as the social and cultural contexts in which the texts occur” (Paltridge, 2006, p. 2). These patterns of language mean that discourse is firmly lodged within a view of our world as socially constructed. Discourse analysis, therefore, seeks to argue that an external reality cannot be held as authoritative and universal but is instead a series of representations. The representations have been abundant over the ages with such examples including among others “God, Reason, Humanity, Nature, and the Iron Laws of Capitalism” (Torfing, 2005, p. 13). These categorisations enable our understanding of our ‘reality’, which is contingent on social, cultural and historical contexts.

<p>This thesis investigates New Zealand women's menstrual knowledge within a cultural, social and historical context. An analysis or dominant menstrual discourses and their impact on women's menstrual knowledge was undertaken from a feminist poststructural perspective. At the outset, my initial objectives were to examine and record the social construction of menstruation and to determine the extent to which it impacted on New Zealand women's menstrual knowledge. Following a reading of feminist poststructuralism, the initial objective of measuring and quantifying women's menstrual knowledge changed to an approach focusing on discourse. Similarly, I moved to a new methodological focus on feminist epistemologies. As a result, the thesis examines the effects of New Zealand cultural practices and social meanings on women's 'knowing' about menstruation. It seeks to establish the boundaries and markers that both construct and constrain women's menstrual knowledge. Thirty-seven New Zealand women ranging in age from fourteen to eighty-six years contributed their narratives during open-ended interviews. The women's stories located various discursive practices that impacted on their menstrual knowledge and on their adherence to a common or popular menstrual etiquette. Discourses that construct and confine what, and how, women know about their menstrual cycle are identified and discussed. These scientific, medical, and consumerist discourses intersect and overlap to constitute a dominant menstrual discourse. Menstrual product advertising is identified as a prevailing context that surrounds young women as they become menstruants. Discursive practices such as euphemisms, notions of cleanliness and hygiene, authority through technology, and the commodification of feminist imagery contribute to representations that devalue and stigmatise menstruation. This dominant menstrual discourse can be maintained or disrupted through the way mothers impart menstrual knowledge to their daughters. Mothers are faced with the contradiction of preparing their daughters for an experience that is presented as normal yet constructed within strategies of concealment that menstruating women are expected to follow. When young women do become menstraunts, they are faced with the menstrual 'script' that includes the emotional themes of embarrassment, anxiety and ambivalence. The formal acquisition of menstrual knowledge takes place in our schools and again is positioned within a contradictory framework. Menstruation is conveyed as 'ordinary' yet the teaching of the menstrual cycle is often 'extraordinary' 'Menstruation' is routinely taught in sex-segregated classes, in the evening, in the company of parents and often located within scientific and medical discourses. This thesis offers new insight into the different ways New Zealand women construct knowledge about our bleeding bodies. Its uniqueness rests with die theoretical framework used to analyse research data. A feminist poststructuralist discourse analysis enabled the positioning of the women's accounts within a social, historical and cultural context, and the identification of a new way of analysing the impact of discursive practices upon meaning and experience of menstruation.</p>

It can be stated that the environmental graphics in today's cities plays a vital role. The need for an environmental graphics with more complexity of cities graphics and population growth them has been increased. Today, around the world, environmental graphics in urban space and squares is in the scope of identity and culture of the society and citizen. Urban squares always are considered as one of the most remarkable spaces in order to create urban identity. The aim of this paper is to identify the use of environmental graphics in the squares of Tehran. The method used in this research is descriptive - analytical and the squares of Imam Khomeini, Revolution square [Enghelab], Ferdowsi and Parliament [Baharestan], due to the amount of traffic and daily congestion in these squares, being close to the main markets of Tehran and antiquity and reputation have been selected as the statistical population. According to visual and library and field studies, firstly the environmental graphic elements of squares were identified and then considering the codified principles in relation to their design, description and assessment of these elements and their impact have been considered. Finally, in line with the identifying of the environment, the association between these elements with symbols of identity has been referred. The results suggest the lack of use of environmental graphic principles in designing and application of elements in urban squares according to social and cultural context. Also, the lack of attention to these squares, in order to identifying them and converting these spaces to places that represent the culture, history, art and Iranian-Islamic identity of our land is obvious. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n3s2p148

Adolescence is a critical period of identity development. Since identity development occurs between an individual and the culture, we assume that there are diverse pathways of adolescent identity development across different cultural contexts. However, much of the research on adolescent identity development has been conducted in Western contexts. Research on adolescent identity development in Japan, a non‐Western country characterized as individualistic collectivism in culture and marked by prolonged adolescence in society, provides insight into how aspects of culture and society are crucial to the global study of adolescent identity development. Evidence from Japanese adolescents highlights differences from their Western peers in the developmental process of identity, including its instability and uncertainty, and similarities in the importance of identity to adolescent psychological functioning for both global and cultural indices. Going forward, researchers need to further clarify the interdependence between adolescent identity and the cultural and social context across and within cultures.

This study tested whether maternal sensitivity and child security are related during early childhood and whether such an association is found in different cultural and social contexts. Mother-child dyads (N = 237) from four different countries (Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the United States) were observed in naturalistic settings when children were between 36 and 72 months of age. Maternal and child behavior during interactions at home and in the playground were described using Q methodology. Findings reveal that across cultures, concurrent maternal sensitivity and more specific behavioral domains of maternal care (e.g., contributions to harmonious interactions and secure base support) are important for children's attachment security during early childhood. Implications for the study of attachment relationships beyond infancy and in diverse contexts are highlighted.

Crises are perceived in various ways depending on the cultural and social contexts in which societies exist, and these perceptions significantly influence crisis management strategies. This study explores the crisis perceptions of managers from different cultural backgrounds and the role of cultural values in shaping crisis management approaches. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers from Turkey and Syria—two countries with a shared history of facing diverse crises. The study investigates how their cultural values impact their crisis management processes. By comparing the approaches of managers in both countries, this research aims to provide valuable insights into the influence of culture on crisis perception and management. The findings are expected to contribute both theoretically and practically to crisis management literature, highlighting the importance of considering cultural context when developing crisis management strategies.

The article explores the use of civil disobedience and non-violent direct action (NVDA) as a strategy and method in climate activism in Sweden, with a particular focus on the group Extinction Rebellion (XR). The article describes and analyzes a number of XR actions carried out in 2019-2022, with a focus on meaning-making practices. The uses of civil disobedience and NVDA are presented within a historical, cultural and social context; the question of the role and legitimacy of civil disobedience in democratic societies is discussed. XR has civil disobedience and NVDA as central strategy and in this way the group has put these protest methods in focus, and after each major action there is a need to both explain and justify their use. This is more noticeable in a Swedish cultural context that is characterized by consensus and a stigmatization of disobedience. This relationship in turn affects the planning and execution of disobedient and disruptive protest actions in Sweden. The article explores how activists in XR Sweden relate to this specific cultural context and how they try to influence it; hence XR Sweden works not only to influence those in power and public opinion regarding the climate crisis, but also on the possibilities and forms of civil political protests.The article is based on participant observation. These began in the spring of 2019 and are still ongoing. The study has an anthropological perspective, with an emphasis on semiotics and hermeneutics.

Although much has been written about the celebration of Christmas from a variety of perspectives, limited attention has been paid in the consumer behaviour literature to understanding the behaviours of consumers surrounding this event. Apart from insights gained from prior work on consumption rituals and meanings of festivities, our knowledge of meaning creation through Christmas consumption is partial, and written mainly from a North American perspective. Since consumer behaviour is shaped by cultural and social contexts, understanding the relationship between consumption objects and the social meanings that consumers ascribe to them is a research imperative. This paper explores the ways in which the British Christmas is consumed as a shared consumption experience, by bringing together two different approaches taken by consumer researchers and sociologists to analysing social consumption patterns. These are drawn from structuralist and post‐structuralist thinking. The findings of an exploratory qualitative study are used to demonstrate how an enhanced understanding of consumption meanings associated with this particular cultural context can lead to new insights into how consumers create social meanings through special, as well as ordinary, behaviours. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This paper explores the intricate relationship between socio-cultural dynamics and human rights in multicultural societies. It examines how norms, belief systems, and power structures shape the perception and exercise of these universal principles. The study employs a qualitative research design, specifically using the Cultural Relativism Framework, to investigate how cultural norms and values influence the interpretation and application of human rights. Through the analysis of literature and case studies, the paper elucidates the interaction between cultural context and human rights interpretations. It acknowledges that human rights are not uniform but are influenced by diverse cultural contexts. Key findings underscore the significance of multiculturalism in human rights interpretation, the impact of social, cultural, and political contexts, the intersection of values, beliefs, and customs, and the roles of states, civil society, and international organizations in shaping human rights discourse. The paper advocates for educational initiatives, intercultural dialogue, inclusive policymaking, and legal reforms to promote and protect human rights in diverse societies. It recommends enhancing human rights education, facilitating intercultural exchange, empowering civil society, addressing discrimination and inequality, and integrating customary laws with formal legal systems. By fostering mutual respect and understanding, societies can uphold human rights and cultural diversity, enabling peaceful, equitable coexistence. This assertion is based on empirical observations and scientific principles that highlight the importance of mutual understanding in preserving human rights and promoting cultural diversity. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of human rights, advocating for a balance between universal principles and cultural specificities.

Criterion symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were measured 6–12 months after Hurricane Andrew in the United States (non-Hispanic n = 270), Hurricane Paulina in Mexico (n = 200), and the 1997 flood in Poland (n = 285), using English, Spanish, and Polish versions of the Revised Civilian Mississippi Scale. The samples ranged in age from 18 to 88. Linear and quadratic effects of age were tested by using hierarchical multiple regression, with the effects of gender, trauma, and education controlled. Among Americans, age had a curvilinear relation with PTSD such that middle-aged respondents were most distressed. Among Mexicans, age had a linear and negative relation with PTSD such that younger people were most distressed. Among Poles, age had a linear and positive relation with PTSD such that older people were most distressed. Thus, there was no one consistent effect of age; rather, it depended upon the social, economic, cultural, and historical context of the disaster-stricken setting.

Introduction Diminished sexual desire among women is a prevalent issue that transcends various age, cultural, social, and economic contexts. This condition significantly impacts quality of life, mental well-being, and marital satisfaction, leading to considerable psychological and emotional distress for those affected. In light of these consequences, the current study was undertaken to examine the efficacy of systemic treatment in addressing sexual reluctance in women. Employing a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test-post-test structure, the study incorporated a control group and included a two-month follow-up period Objective Lack of desire for sexual activity among women is a widespread issue that transcends various age groups, cultural contexts, and socio-economic conditions. This condition significantly impacts the overall quality of life, mental well-being, and marital satisfaction, inflicting numerous psychological and emotional challenges on those affected. Recognizing the substantial consequences associated with this problem, the present study was undertaken to explore the effectiveness of systemic treatment in addressing sexual reluctance in women. Methods The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test-post-test structure, incorporating a control group and a two-month follow-up period. The statistical population comprised women experiencing hypoactive sexual desire in Tehran in 2019. Twenty-four participants were selected through a voluntary sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups, each consisting of 12 women. The experimental group underwent systemic treatment over eight sessions during two months, with one 90-minute session per week. The Sexual Desire Questionnaire (Halbert, 1992) was utilized for data collection. Analysis of the collected data was conducted using repeated measurement ANOVA through SPSS 23 statistical software Results The data obtained from the study were analyzed through repeated measurement ANOVA via SPSS 23 statistical software. The results showed that systematic therapy has significant effect on the women’s hypoactive sexual desire (p<0.001) in a way that this therapy could lead to the decrease of women’s hypoactive sexual desire. Conclusions The current study suggests that systematic therapy is a viable method to alleviate hypoactive sexual desire in women. This approach involves various techniques, including correcting unrealistic expectations, addressing communication challenges, exploring doubts about treatment, promoting accountability for sexual intimacy, rectifying misconceptions about love and sexual behavior, analyzing conflict resolution styles, training in punctuation techniques, attending to emotional expression, revisiting the familial environment, scrutinizing parental messages, incorporating positive themes, addressing fear of intimacy and power dynamics, and identifying and expressing anger in a healthy manner. Overall, this comprehensive approach is considered effective in reducing low sexual desire in women. Disclosure No.

The estimation of potential exposure young people have to alcohol advertising highlights the importance of placing alcohol prevention and intervention initiatives in their social and cultural contexts. The work conducted by White and colleagues 1 reports findings which, intuitively, make sense: increased exposure to (positive) alcohol advertising is associated with increased likelihood of teenage drinking and risky drinking behaviours. The calculation of estimated exposure through targeted rating points (TRPs) is a novel way of quantifying the extent to which adolescents are exposed to mainly positive messages about alcohol. Alcohol advertising has become more pervasive and targeted 2. Television advertisements remain the most common form of advertising; however, print media, street advertising, targeted social media campaigns and sponsorship of major sporting teams all brand alcohol consistently as a normal part of life 3-5. While the alcohol industry argues that alcohol branding is intended only for adults over the legal purchase age for alcohol 6, the portrayal of alcohol use as a fun, adventurous, relaxing or exhilarating activity are messages received readily by a consumer of any age 7. The prevention of risky drinking practices, particularly among adolescents and young adults, remains a common priority for research in the addiction sciences. Multiple school programmes teach students about the risks of alcohol consumption and strategies to resist peer pressure to drink alcohol 8, 9. While these individual-based interventions have a role in responding to harms associated with alcohol consumption, a critical perspective on wider alcohol culture is necessary to understand behaviour. White and colleagues calculate that, in 2011, Australian adolescents were exposed to 880 TRPs, or at least nine television advertisements per month 1. This estimate does not include exposure to street or print advertising, social media campaigns and sports sponsorship. In contrast, adolescents who take part in a school-based prevention programme, such as the Australian CLIMATE Schools programme 10, are exposed to six sessions at most of education on safe drinking practices. These education programmes are therefore required to compete with many years of prior exposure to alcohol advertising, as well as concurrent and ongoing messaging from the alcohol industry. It is necessary to ask how effective prevention programmes can be in the face of the tsunami of advertising promoting positive cultural attitudes towards alcohol use. In Australia, gambling advertising has been banned recently from being screened during televised sports matches 11. The argument behind this legislation is that children are exposed to advertising that promotes betting on the game being televised, as a normal and fun adult activity associated with participating in sport, without also being informed about the risks of gambling 12. The lack of similar restrictions on alcohol advertising is testimony to the success of Australian alcohol industry lobbying at both state and Federal governments. The industry has vehemently opposed increases in taxation and reduced opening hours to reduce alcohol-related harm 13, 14. Changes to alcohol advertising policies are also contested strongly. This is why research which illustrates the potential impacts of alcohol advertising, such as the study cited here, is necessary to create a strong evidence base to challenge the promotion of a problematic alcohol culture. It is vital that researchers who seek to influence policy remain aware of the influence the alcohol industry has on government policy and social and cultural norms about drinking. From a clinician or interventionist point of view, considering wider cultural norms and contexts reduces the ‘individual focus’ of treating problem drinkers favoured by industry (i.e. it is the drinker, not the drink, that is the problem). It may also encourage patients and clinicians to consider how drinking behaviours are influenced by wider cultural cues, including alcohol promotion. From a public health perspective, wider considerations of alcohol culture also changes the lens of focus away from the individual's choice to drink alcohol, as well as the associated ‘choice’ and ‘blame’ discourses that often accompany messages about problematic drinking and alcohol dependence 15. Instead, public health initiatives may take a top–down approach by challenging cultural and social norms around drinking. Alcohol access and consumption and reducing its related harms remains a complicated issue. It is unlikely that one intervention or law will reduce underage drinking successfully, as well as problematic drinking at all ages. Multiple measures are probably needed, including changes to access—both to how individuals can access alcohol, and how and when the alcohol industry can access consumers with advertising. None. Thank you to Wayne Hall for comments on a draft of the commentary, and for his ongoing contribution to my understanding of alcohol policy.