The value of home narratives in shaping identities and making sense of experiences in a host culture

Since the late 1990s Finland had experienced an influx of foreign students and workforce from African countries. The demographic scene of so far homogenous and predominantly white Finland had changed. Finland became a lot more diversified culturally than it was when I first arrived in 1990. With this diversification, the cultural scene of predominantly white Finland created not only opportunities, but also challenges. Finns as well as foreigners experienced multiculturalism first- hand, both within organisations and in everyday life. The foreigners from African countries brought with them their cultures, but also had to adapt to the demands of their new host culture in Finland. In addition, Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends report of 2019 calls for the need to reinvent business concepts with the focus on organisations shifting their focus and the need to develop social enterprise, encompassing such matters as diversity leadership, diversified work force, flexibility, teamwork, and mobility both within organisations and geographical locations. These developments called for developing strategies that tap the skilled intellectual and cultural capital they wished to attract and create multicultural working environments that retain the talent. In view of the above-mentioned demographic changes in Finland, as well as the global demographic trends, my qualitative, exploratory research investigates 1) How do black educated professionals, from selected African countries, experience their life and work in a foreign host culture in Finland? 2) To what extent do their native cultures inform their understanding of their experiences of the host culture? 3) How do their experiences influence their cultural identities? The study adopted Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and incorporated elements of Narrative Analysis (NA) as its methodological underpinning. By using IPA, through the voices of ten participants (five females and five males) the study attempted to understand the experiences of educated professionals of African origin in the Finnish host culture. By providing the insights into the experiences of the participants, the study provides a basis for new hybrid epistemologies through reconceptualisation of the Western working cultures and discourses that render some people worthier than others. It also questions the prevailing western ontological perception of the ‘other’. The data was collected through semi-structured life-story interviews. The data was analysed first by identifying themes of the interviews. This was followed by an analysis using elements of interpretative poetics to gain access to deeper levels by identifying story threads, forms of address, and the positioning of the narrator. The findings of the study showed that the sensemaking in the foreign host culture of the participants was informed by the values and the influence of their role models of their respective home cultures. Females drew from strong native female identity archetypes rooted in their home cultures, which resulted in a reinforcement of their strong sense of black woman identity in the host culture. Males drew from an identity of an educated man who excels and achieves his goals, informed by the values of fairness and justice, which resulted in the development of a compromised sense of identity in the host culture, especially in the work environment. The study contributes to Jack et al.’s (2011) and Frenkel and Shenhav’s (2006) discussion on postcolonial interrogative space as well as postcolonial identity by proposing such concepts as duality of being, belonging ambivalence, validation ambiguity, free colonial woman. It also expands the contextual landscape of the previous studies (see Chapter 2) by providing insights into the cultural context of Finland, a country relatively new to cultural diversity. The study makes a contribution to the conceptualisation of the positive identity validation within the Social Identity Theory. Contrary to SIT’s claim, that through negotiations of the tensions people might experience difficulties with self-categorisation, thus leading to diminished self- esteem, the findings of the study suggest the opposite to take place. Drawing on Strong Black Woman schema, the findings show evidence of self-categorisations as sources of positive validation, enhanced self-esteem, and reaffirmation of sense of self, what I coined as positive identity validation. In addition, the study contends SIT’s premise, that people’s self-esteem is enhanced by self- categorisation within social groups to which they belong. It proposes that self-categorisation can create an accentuation of the perceived differences between people’s selves (black) and the other (white) in-group members. Therefore, contrary to SIT, people’s group belonging does not produce enhancement to their self- esteem, nor does it strengthen their self-efficacy. Methodologically, the study widens the application of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, primarily used in psychology. By combining IPA with elements of interpretive poetics (Narrative Analysis) it shows how researchers from other fields, not only practitioners of psychology, can apply IPA in their studies. The study also disrupts the epistemic colonisation and cultural imperialism, which, according to Jack et al. (2011) is at the heart of MOS. By combining the cultural background of the researcher (not purely western, sharing socio-historical commonalities with the participants) the study offers an account which does not fall strictly into western classifications. It provides a qualitative, interpretive investigation which provides insights into the cultural values of the participants, and it draws from sources published not exclusively within the US or western contexts. Within Weick’s (1995) framework of sensemaking, my study contests the claim that individuals change and adopt various identities according to the demands of situations. It introduces interrelatedness of the sense of self, performance and representation of the identity as influenced by power, which makes changes of identities limited in the case of individuals with black skin. The study is ideographic, thus giving attention to individual cases. It focuses on the value of individuals who form the basis of each culture and organisation. The knowledge of the cultural values that drive peoples’ behaviour creates a platform where successful and conflict-free communication can develop. In Finland, where the demographic structure has become more culturally diverse, the issues of cultural inclusion and participation are of great importance. Finally, the study also provides a deeper understanding of the meaning and value of diversified cultural identities. This knowledge creates a platform for understanding and acknowledging the value of cultural diversity. This acknowledgment itself helps reformulate the ‘other’ and ‘subaltern’ in Western discourse. It creates a discourse through which the analytical dualisms of tradition/modernity and development/underdevelopment will be rendered obsolete and substituted by a new hybrid epistemology (Frenkel and Shenhav, 2006). It suggests ways in which concepts such as lower level of material consumption, strong kinship ties, and social commitment (Zein-Elabdin, 2009) will be viewed as serviceable ethics. This will help reconceptualise working cultures of Western organisations, as well as understand non-Western ways

Understanding the Role of Behavior and Cognitions in a Group Exercise Setting

The first purpose of the present study examined whether individuals with different exercise behaviors (classified by attendance) experienced different or similar cognitive patterns. It was hypothesized that different behavior would lead to different cognitive appraisals. It was predicted that there would be a difference between the three behavioral frequency groups with regard to self-efficacy measures and goal measures. The second purpose of the study was to describe, evaluate and observe whether social factors were associated with participating in exercise in groups. It was hypothesized that those who engage in exercise classes would elicit a social focus. Participants for the study included 39 females who registered in-group fitness classes at a mid-sized university. Attendance over the 10-week course was assessed and participants completed a self-report questionnaire during week seven. The attendance data were used to create 3 exercise frequency groups (regular attenders, sporadic attenders, and dropouts) based on ACSM’s exercise guidelines. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), means and frequencies were used to describe the data. There were no significant differences on measures of self-efficacy. Continued research is necessary to investigate the benefit of social suport in a group exercise setting, as well as to better understand how self-regulation through self-efficacy and goal factors influences and is influenced by actual behavior

Time to rewrite your autobiography?

Autobiographical memory is the “diary that we all carry about” said Oscar Wilde. Autobiographical memory defines us. And because autobiographical memory is the foundation on which we build our identity, we like to believe that our memories are accurate, comprehensive and robust. Anything else would challenge our sense of self. But over the previous decade, psychological scientists have shown that autobiographical memory can be inexact, sketchy and frail. Various suggestive techniques can encourage people to generate memories of whole events that never happened. And these illusory memories are often held with great confidence, emotion, clarity, and vividness—but they are not real. In this article, we discuss research showing that suggestion can create false memories and change our autobiography

Evaluation of Work Place Group and Internet Based Physical Activity Interventions on Psychological Variables Associated with Exercise Behavior Change

The purpose of this research was to compare group-based and internet-based physical activity interventions in terms of desirability, participants characteristics, exercise self-efficacy, and barrier self-efficacy. Pretest questionnaires were completed prior to voluntary enrollment into either of the ten-week physical activity interventions. Both interventions were based on Social Cognitive Theory and the Transtheoretical Model. Interventions were followed with posttest questionnaires. Results demonstrated that the internet intervention attracted more participants, but only the grou-based participants showed significant increases in exercise and barrier self-efficacy. At pretest, participants who selected the internet intervention were significantly lower in life and job satisfaction than those who selected the group intervention. Results suggested that traditional group-based exercise interventions are helpful for improving cognitions associated with exercise behavior change (e.g., exercise self-efficacy) and that the internet intervention may help employees who fall into an “unhappy employee” typology

Influence of Moderate Training on Gait and Work Capacity in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Preliminary Field Study

This field study examined the influence of moderate intensity training on gait patterns and work capacity of individauls with fibromyalgia syndrome (FS). FS is a chronic condition of unknown etiology, characterized by muscle tenderness, pain and stiffness and often accompanied by depression and fatigue which seems to occur primarily in middle aged females. There is no known cure for FS but treatment often includes a prescription of mild exercise. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of mild exercise on work capacity and gait patterns in FS patients. Participants were 14 females (age 47.0±7.6 y) who participated in a 10 wk community based aerobic, strength and stretching program designed for FS individuals. Subjects were evaluated pre- and post-program and at a 2 month follow up. Work capacity was estimated by a sub-maximal PWC 170 cycle ergometer test and a Borg perceived exertion scale. Gait was assessed using OptoTrack three dimensional kinematics with 16 channel analogue data acquisition system. Trunk flexibility was also assessed. No significant change in estimated work capacity of flexibility was seen between pre- post- and follow up times. Nevertheless, a significant increase in self selected walking speed (p \u3c 0.05) and a trend toward a more normal gait pattern that was sustained in the follow up testing was noted. We had previously also reported a significant improvement in muslce pain and other fibromyalgia symptoms in this population consequent to the training program. It was concluded that mild exercise training that does not influence work capacity or trunk flexibility can nevertheless positively influence gait mechanics and fibromyalgia symptoms in female FS patients

Tiebout with Politics: Capital Tax Competition and Constitutional Choices.

This paper examines how capital tax competition affects jurisdiction formation. We describe a locational model of public goods provision, where jurisdictions are represented by coalitions of consumers with similar tastes, and where the levels of taxation and local public goods provision within jurisdictions are selected by majority voting. We show that in this setting interjurisdictional tax competition results in an enlargement of jurisdictional boundaries, and can raise welfare for all members of a jurisdiction even in the absence of intrajurisdictional transfers.

Adventitious shoot propagation and cultural inputs in nursery production of a primocane-fruiting blackberry selection

Studies were conducted from January to October 2005 to determine the effect of root-cutting length on adventitious shoot yield and the management practices necessary to produce nurseryquality primocane-fruiting blackberry plants. The first portion of the study measured the average number of shoots produced from 7.6 cm- and 15.2 cm-long root cuttings of APF-44 blackberry—a primocane-fruiting genotype from the University of Arkansas breeding program. Cuttings were forced in a shallow bin containing a soilless potting medium. The average number of shoots per root cutting from 7.6 cm- and 15.2 cm- long root cuttings averaged 1.6 and 2.7 shoots per root cutting, respectively. Rooting percentage for collected shoots was nearly 100% regardless of root-cutting length source. A qualitative comparison of shoots from the two roots lengths was similar. The latter part of the study included various treatments on the rooted shoots that might affect the productivity and quality of the final product intended for nursery sales in early fall. With the aim of producing a flowering/fruiting shrub by late September, three treatments were applied: pot dimension, fertilizer rate, and shoot tipping. Fertilizer rate had the greatest impact of all treatments with the higher rate producing larger and more attractive plants. Above-normal summer/fall temperatures may explain lack of fruiting on APF-44 blackberries, but the dimension and size of some plants provided a portion of the intended aesthetic

Digitally manipulating memory : effects of doctored videos and imagination in distorting beliefs and memories

In prior research on false autobiographical beliefs and memories, subjects have been asked to imagine fictional events and they have been exposed to false evidence that indicates the fictional events occurred. But what are the relative contributions of imagination and false evidence toward false belief and memory construction? Subjects observed and copied various simple actions, then viewed doctored videos that suggested they had performed extra actions, and they imagined performing some of those and some other actions. Subjects returned two weeks later for a memory test. False evidence or imagination alone was often sufficient to cause belief and memory distortions; the two techniques in combination appeared to have additive or even superadditive effects. The results bear on the mechanisms underlying false beliefs and memories, and we propose legal and clinical applications of these findings

Creating fair lineups for suspects with distinctive features

In their descriptions, eyewitnesses often refer to a culprit's distinctive facial features. However, in a police lineup, selecting the only member with the described distinctive feature is unfair to the suspect and provides the police with little further information. For fair and informative lineups, the distinctive feature should be either replicated across foils or concealed on the target. In the present experiments, replication produced more correct identifications in target-present lineups—without increasing the incorrect identification of foils in target-absent lineups—than did concealment. This pattern, and only this pattern, is predicted by the hybrid-similarity model of recognition