The role of cognitive conflict in open-content collaboration

IS research on participant’s motivation1 in Knowledge Management System have paid relatively limited attention to the effect of diversifying the technological artifacts while they focused more on identifying the generic motivational factors that apply across the varying contexts. However, the manifest success of disruptive collaboration system outside of the corporate boundaries such as Wikipedia calls for our extended attention to the motivational factors that may not be emergent without the provision of context and artifacts that challenge the assumptions made by KMS within the organizational setting. Through the online survey of 100 Wikipedians, this study evaluates the effect of one novel construct (i.e., socio-cognitive conflict) proposed by Cress and Kimmerle (2008) as an example of such emergent motivation made explicit by maneuvering specific design of collaboration system which otherwise would remain immaterial. In parallel, the analysis also explores the generic motivational constructs the effects of which have been extensively studied within organizational contexts but not sufficiently examined outside of such boundaries

A Systematic Review of Studies of Self-Compassion Interventions for Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders

This study aims to explore how the effectiveness of self-compassion interventions can reduce symptoms of trauma and stress-related disorders. Self-compassion can be an essential part of treatment for trauma and stress-related disorders. Self-compassion consists of three components: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Self-compassion also relies on an individual to use emotional intelligence (e.g., emotional processing theory, meaning-making theory, polyvagal theory) to aid with increasing the level of self-awareness and appraising traumatic memories. For example, identifying post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms using self-compassion can promote emotional regulation, enabling awareness and acceptance of negative emotions caused by trauma. In addition, self-compassion can help individuals become aware of what triggers they experience caused by an interpersonal traumatic event. Experiencing traumatic events includes emotions of fear, shame, guilt, rumination, anxiety, depression, isolation, and disassociation. Self-compassion alleviates those negative emotions and self-critical thoughts using mindfulness-based interventions (e.g., yoga, meditation, breathwork, and emotional processing) to reestablish boundaries, trust, and a sense of safety

Revision of cognitive structure of the parent brand in response to brand extensions: the role of algebraic and thoughtful piecemeal processing

Companies frequently seek to increase market share and/or profit by developing brand extensions that relate to an existing parent brand. However sometimes these brand extensions are different in some ways from the parent and therefore present information that is incongruent with consumers' existing impressions of the brand, which can therefore change consumers' perceptions of the parent brand. Previous research on brand knowledge changes has considered two alternative models of brand knowledge changes: typicalitybased and bookkeeping. These two models lead to opposite predictions regarding the pattern of brand knowledge changes in response to incongruent information presented by the brand extension. The bookkeeping model predicts that j] ..incongruent information causes more changes to the parent, whereas the typicality-based model suggests that j incongruent information causes more changes. However, empirical tests of these theories have not shown conclusively which model is best: some studies support one model, while other studies support the other. The purpose of this dissertation is to reconcile these previous findings by suggesting that different models are likely to be correct depending on the tvne of cognitive processing undertaken by the consumer. This dissertation also notes that different researchers have used different operationalizations of incongruity and explores the effects of these differences by using multiple operationalizations in the same study. Lastly, this dissertation examines the differential sensitivity of two different ways of capturing brand knowledge changes: the strength of associations and the overall attitude towards the brand. The findings suggest that algebraic piecemeal processing (which focuses on the extension's information on its own) leads to a bookkeeping-based pattern of brand knowledge changes. In contrast, thoughtful piecemeal processing, (which focuses on the extension in its relation to the parent brand) leads to a typicality-based pattern of brand knowledge changes. This pattern is shown to be true regardless of the operationalization of incongruity. Furthermore, the different measures are found to be differentially sensitive to certain brand knowledge changes. Therefore, the previously conflicting results can indeed be accounted for by different types of processing, as well as by different measures of brand knowledge changes

May I help you? How stereotypes and innuendoes influence service encounters

You only get one chance to make a good first impression. The dissertation focuses on marketing agents; among the most visible is the service provider. Previous research establishes the important role of cognitive social schemata in determining the way consumers react to different types of marketing agents, including service providers. In the literature review, a classification schema is developed for service provider stereotypes derived from theory using social stereotypes. The development of the Service Provider Perception Framework (SPPF) creates a classification for the individual service provider along two main dimensions: competence and affect. In services design (particularly situations involving a first impression or service encounter that has yet to develop into a committed relationship) consumers commonly possess and maintain stereotypes for service providers based on accumulated knowledge about people in a provider category. Prior to entering a service encounter, consumers use available information to form judgments based on descriptions of the selected service provider. Due to unfamiliarity with the specific provider, consumers are apt to focus on tangible cues (stereotypical attributes) of the service provider to evaluate the level of perceived quality and satisfaction associated with the service. This research furthers our understanding of how consumers evaluate service providers and, subsequently, the service experience. Following the development of the SPPF, this research uses two empirical studies to examine stereotypes, the use of innuendos, and various service outcomes on service encounters. The innuendo study confirms placement of four service provider types in the SPPF and examines how consumers\u27 perceptions of service providers change when subjects are provided incomplete information regarding only one dimension of the SPPF. The main study examines how consumers perceive service providers and the subsequent service encounter when the service provider is not what the consumer had expected to come into contact with. This research integrates cognitive social psychology with services marketing to advance the marketing discipline. Key findings increase knowledge of service provider perceptions as viewed by consumers and recommends methods to create prosperous relationships and improve existing relationships between the provider and the consumer utilizing characteristics associated to the type of service provider

Culture and persuasion online: Predicting attitudes, cognitions, and behavioral intentions in a culturally diverse online marketplace

With an online experiment and a focus group, I examined the role of cultural appeals in online persuasive communication. The results of the study revealed that culturally oriented Web sites and online advertisements influence individual attitudes and behavioral intentions. These effects were particularly strong when cultural appeals were consistent across advertisements and their hosting Web sites. I observed the main effect of culture on persuasiveness of Web sites and advertisements both the American and the Chinese samples of participants. The results of the study did not, however, support the expectation that ethnic identity and need for cognition would interact with the effects of cultural appeals. Participants had uniform reactions across various levels of ethnic identity and need for cognition. The findings of my study suggest that online marketers and advertisers should focus not only on the message, but also on the media when targeting ethnic consumers. In fact, the cultural relevance between an advertisement and its hosting Web site is a prerequisite for a successful advertising campaign

The funny side of cross-cultural adaptation: a grounded theory study of the role of humour in the adaptation process of Spanish migrants living in Ireland

This qualitative study examines the role of humour in cross-cultural adaptation as an interdisciplinary study in the discipline of Intercultural Studies. A review of existing theories of humour presents the complexity of humour studies, which then links to relevant theoretical models of cross-cultural adaptation. This linking draws out the connections between Humour and Intercultural Studies. The occurrence and relevance of these connections is based on the analysis of primary research data from a study on the role of humour in the adaptation process of Spanish migrants living in Ireland. Data collection is by semi-structured interview of twenty participants and analysis is by grounded theory using Atlas.ti software. Analysis details their views on the cultural facets of humour and the positive and negative effects that humour may have on the process of adaptation to Irish culture. Results demonstrate that humour is a key factor in the cross-cultural adaptation process. Humour is a powerful intercultural tool, an essential element in the acquisition of intercultural competence and a fundamental part of an emerging intercultural identity

INCLUSIVITY IN PRACTICE: A QUEER EXAMINATION OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF TRANS COMMUNITIES FROM THE STANDPOINTS OF TRANS UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Despite attending the same universities and working toward the same degrees, trans students and cisgender students do not always have the same experiences during their college years. In addition to the hardships associated with being a university student, members of trans communities often also face gender-based discrimination and challenges that their cisgender counterparts do not. Although the mid-size Southern California university at which this research took place has taken steps toward fostering an accepting climate for all students, the transmale, gender nonconforming, and gender nonbinary students who participated in this study continue to experience a layer of rejection due to their gender identities and expressions. Using queer theory and feminist standpoint theory, this study sought to learn about the perceptions of acceptance at this university from the standpoints of members of its trans communities. Co-cultural communication theory was also used, in order to explore the communication strategies utilized by trans students as they navigate the differing levels of self-perceived acceptance at this university. Through these theoretical lenses and thematic analysis, it was determined that the variety of communication strategies utilized by trans students was impacted by perceptions of acceptance or rejection and that this university must take action to create a more accepting campus climate for its trans students. A list of actions universities could take, provided by the participants of this study, has been included in the discussions chapter

A Case Study of the Progressive Era Librarian Edith Guerrier: The Public Library, Social Reform, \u27New Women\u27, and Urban Immigrant Girls

This paper investigates the intertwined evolution of librarianship and social welfare work during the Progressive Era (1900–1920) via a case study of the librarian Edith Guerrier (1870–1958). From 1898 through 1917, Guerrier worked in the immigrant community of Boston’s North End. She established a programme of girls’ reading groups that provided access to core elements of a progressive liberal arts education. The most notable of these was the Saturday Evening Girls (SEG). Concurrently, Guerrier established the Paul Revere Pottery, a retail art pottery studio run by the young women of the SEG. Using Guerrier’s varied career as a starting point, this paper explores the role of the ‘new woman’ as an agent of social change versus social control, progressive library programmes and their promotion of reading material, and issues of acculturation, cultural plurality, and personal agency among immigrant girls and young women

Postmodern thought and individual experience: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

This item is only available electronically.Emerging predominately in the late 1970s through to the early 90s, postmodern thought encompasses a radical questioning of previous cultural and belief structures. This has led to criticisms of these ideas as nihilistic and detrimental to individuals’ identity and values, alongside claims of increased freedom and possibility. Given these criticisms and possibilities, the present study consisted of a qualitative investigation into the influence of postmodernism on the self, beliefs, and values. Seven participants participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analysed through an experience-based approach using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four themes and 15 subthemes were identified in response to postmodernism: ‘ambivalence’; ‘uncertainty’; ‘responses to uncertainty’; and ‘self as an exception’. These findings were both consistent and inconsistent with criticisms of postmodernism, as participants expressed a sense of postmodernism as destabilising, however, the need for action and stability frequently led participants to respond with the strengthening of their beliefs, or an unwillingness to refute them. The experiences and responses of participants to postmodernism challenge the view that postmodern thinking has a negative influence upon individuals and their beliefs, although further research is needed. Based on the present study and its limitations, it is suggested that future research utilise both qualitative and quantitative methods in more targeted samples to investigate the relationship between postmodernism and conceptions of beliefs and values.Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 201