Psychological Science In Cultural Context

When one understands psychological science To be a by-product of the Western tradition, fashioned by particular cultural and historical conditions, the door is opened to a fresh consideration of the practice of psychology in the global context. By using examples from experiences in Turkey, New Zealand, and India, the reader is sensitized first to the problems inherent in the unreflective exportation of Western psychology. To presume Western concepts of the mind, along with its methods of study, not only lends itself to research of little relevance to other cultures, bur disregards and undermines alternate cultural traditions. Against these tendencies toward a univocal science, the authors argue for a multicultural psychology-one that celebrates the rich multiplicity of indigenous conceptualizations of the person along with varying means of acquiring knowledge. To realize such a psychology, new forms of dialogue must be sought and the sharing made relevant to ongoing challenges of practical cultural significance

Said Nursi’s psycho-spiritual therapy for psychological reactions of patients with physical illnesses

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Metaphorical expressions and ethical appeals in Said Nursi’s Damascus Sermon

Contemporary cognitive linguistics views metaphor as pervasive in thoughts and conceptual in nature. There are studies on conceptual metaphors in religious discourse, but little is known about how orators make use of them and ethos (ethical appeals) to influence their audience. This paper reports the results of an explanatory case study of an influential Muslim thinker and theologian, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s (1877-1960) ethos and conceptual metaphors in his Damascus Sermon (1911). Specifically, this study identifies and interprets the metaphorical expressions used by Nursi which helps him establish his ethos to strengthen his persuasion. The classical rhetorical theory is employed to examine the ethos while Lakoff and Johnson's (1980) cognitive theory of metaphor is also used. The analysis of the Sermon involves three main stages: i) identification of phrases that indicate ethos, ii) identification of linguistic metaphors using the Metaphor Identification Procedure by Pragglejaz Group (2007) and iii) identification of the underlying conceptual mapping of the expressions. The findings show how Nursi’s use of conceptual metaphors has contributed to the effectiveness of his ethical appeals to persuade his audience. This study sets an antecedent for future studies on conceptual metaphors in religious discourse as a mechanism for rhetorical appeals

Understanding the relationship between the proteus effect, immersion, and gender among world of Warcraft players: an empirical survey study

Online gaming is part of contemporary life, with a range of influences on gamer's behaviour. The convergence and alignment of an individual's attitude and behaviour with features and characteristics of their in-game representation (i.e. their avatar), is conceptualised as the 'Proteus effect' (PE). In the massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft (WoW), the Draenei ('exiled ones') are one type of in-game character faction. In the present study, the interplay between choosing the class of Draenei, experiencing game-related immersion, along with the gamer's biological gender was examined in relation to PE behaviours among 404 WoW gamers (males = 299; 74%; females = 104; 26%). Participants completed the Proteus Effect Scale and the Immersion sub-scale of the User-Avatar Questionnaire. A hierarchical regression analysis indicated a significant positive association between immersion and PE behaviours. Furthermore, mediation and moderated mediation analyses suggested that being a Draenei was positively associated with the level of game-related immersion, which in turn associated to higher PE behaviours offline, independent of participants' gender. Results indicate that gamers who are more immersed within the gaming world tend to exhibit elevated PE behaviours. Moreover, being a Draenei in WoW appeared to relate with higher game-immersion experiences, which resulted in higher PE behaviours offline

Values and Violence Endorsement Among College Students in Turkey

This study examines the impact of values on approval of violence. Data was collected from university students with a stratified random sample. The results showed that violence endorsement has a statistically significant positive correlation with tradition, stimulation and power values, whereas universalism, security, conformity, and benevolence values have negative correlations with violence endorsement. The approval of violence did not have any significant relationship with self-direction, hedonism and achievement values. The effects of violence exposure and gender on violence approval were also examined and both were determined to be highly influential. However, the main theme of the research was the effect of values on violence endorsement. Multiple regression analysis showed that the most important predictor values are universalism, stimulation, tradition and power values. The absolute antidotes to violence were the universal values of equality, wisdom, peace, tolerance and nature conservation etc. Greater importance given to these universal values in education policies could help to reduce the endorsement of violence.

Trifurcation of the Urethra - a Case-Report

WOS: A1992JF96000055PubMed ID: 1635148Trifurcation of the anterior urethra is an uncommon anomaly. We present a case of trifurcation of the anterior urethra with pelvic ectopia of the right kidney and complete left ureteral duplication

The conceptualisation of life in Nursi's Damascus Sermon

Conceptual metaphor is a mapping of systematic correspondence between two conceptual domains which are target domain and source domain. It has been studied vastly ever since Lakoff and Johnson’s ground breaking work of Metaphors We Live By. In this study, the conceptual metaphor utilised by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s (1877-1960) in his Damascus Sermon that relates to life is examined. The method of analysis is qualitative research through an explanatory case study which is based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory by Lakoff and Johnson (1980). Based on this theory, conceptual metaphor is a cognitive mechanism that helps us structure our understanding of everyday experience. The findings revealed the conceptual metaphor LIFE IS A SCHOOL as a predominant metaphor that underlines many metaphorical linguistic expressions in the Sermon. The findings also revealed the creative ways in which Nursi has used the conceptual metaphor to persuade his audience. This study provides some useful insights into how conceptual metaphor is used in sermons and other similar discourses. The findings can benefit orators, authors and public speakers about the importance of conceptualising metaphors to influence the audience for a lasting impression