Bilingualism and Identity Processes

AbstractThe coexistence of people with different cultural backgrounds is an important issue for the social sciences.In particular, mixed couples could represent an interesting field of research in order to explore their representational framework in terms of bilingualism, biculturalism and identity processes.The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes that a group of mixed couples has on bilingualism and biculturalism. Specifically, it intends to test the hypothesis that there is a link between bilingualism/biculturalism, self-esteem and identification.Results revealed that mixed couples tend to harmonize cultural differences and the data confirmed our hypothesi

Diversità e integrazione: tra pregiudizi e identita’

The cohabitation between people and social groups belonging to very different cultures is one of the problems of greater complexity of the societies of our time. This complexity has become even more evident in relation to the growing influx of immigrants who see in Europe the possibility of escaping the war and also the hunger that grips their countries of origin. It is a matter of creating conditions of civil coexistence and reciprocity, combining cultures and social identities, through integration processes, sometimes difficult but nevertheless essential, escaping the easy and stereotypical ideological simplifications and using, instead, the analysis and intervention tools that the sciences psychological and social can provide.La convivenza tra persone e gruppi sociali appartenenti a culture molto diverse costituisce uno dei problemi di maggior complessità delle società del nostro tempo. Tale complessità è diventata ancora più evidente in relazione al crescente flusso di immigrati che vedono nell'Europa la possibilità di sfuggire alla guerra ed anche alla fame che attanaglia i loro paesi d'origine. Si tratta di realizzare condizioni di civile convivenza e di reciprocità coniugando culture e Identità sociali, mediante processi di integrazione, talora difficili ma tuttavia indispensabili, sfuggendo alle facili e stereotipiche semplificazioni ideologiche e utilizzando, invece, gli strumenti d'analisi ed intervento che le scienze psicologiche e sociali possono fornire

Identity and ingroup/outgroup relationships

El contexto cultural siciliano se caracteriza por una historia milenaria de relaciones multiculturales, que han afectado profundamente la vida de la isla y su población. Durante algunas décadas, Sicilia ha sido un importante destino para los inmigrantes que buscan mejorar su calidad de vida. En concreto, en la parte sudoriental de la isla el mayor grupo de inmigrantes está compuesto por personas del Magreb que trabajan en granjas (especialmente invernaderos). La convivencia de personas de diferentes orígenes culturales plantea la cuestión relacionada con la calidad de sus relaciones. El presente estudio se llevó a cabo para explorar el marco figurativo expresado por una muestra de inmigrantes procedentes del Magreb viviendo en el sureste de Sicilia sobre las relaciones con el propio grupo y el otro y el "lugar" donde están establecidos. Se usan escalas de valoración y las diferencias semánticas. Los datos mostraron actitudes complejas y no lineales hacia las relaciones intergrupales y las instituciones e indicaron la urgente necesidad de realizar proyectos de integración.The Sicilian cultural context is characterized by a millenary history of multicultural relationships, which have profoundly affected the life of the island and its population. For some decades, Sicily has been an important destination for immigrants seeking to improve their quality of life. Specifically, in the south-eastern part of the island the largest immigrant group comprises people from Maghreb who work in farms (especially greenhouses). The coexistence of people with different cultural backgrounds poses the question related to the quality of their relationships. The present study was carried out to explore the representational framework expressed by a sample of immigrants from Maghreb living in the south-eastern Sicily about the Ingroup/Outgroup relationships and the ‘place’ where they are settled. Rating Scales and Semantic Differentials were used. The data showed complex and nonlinear attitudes towards ingroup/outgroup relationships and the Institutions and indicated the pressing need to realize integration projects

Intrapersonal Factors Effects on Professional Orientation and Environmental Representations

Abstract Intrapersonal factor significantly affected the representation of own environment, in line with literature findings. Relational fluidity showed a positive impact on the representation of the Territory of belonging. With regard to the relationship between actual project and territory support we found that if context analysis had a negative effect on perception of territory as supportive, project involvement showed instead a positive effect. Intrapersonal factor significantly predicted personal goals too. Project involvement showed a significant positive effect on preference for a permanent employment and on intention to contribute to territory development whereas negatively predict entrepreneur intentions. Coping efficacy instead significantly predicted a self-employment orientation. If commitment to a specific project showed to perform its motivational function with regard to territory development on the other end coping efficacy predicted a self-employment orientation

High School Students' Value System

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Coping Efficacy and Project Involvement Effects on Personal and Professional Expectations

Abstract Commitment to actual project and beliefs about own efficacy to cope with complex problems displayed a positive impact on future and work representations. With regard to coping efficacy, Emotional maturity was positively related to Future Self and together with context analysis significantly predict work representation. The expected time to be necessary to find a satisfying job was predicted instead only by relational fluidity. Beliefs to be efficacious on the ability to pursue concrete goals had a positive impact on power and success need whereas commitment to actual project and coping efficacy showed a positive impact on relationships and self-realization needs. In particular, relational fluidity was the best predictor of relationship and affiliation need and context analysis was the best predictor of self-realization need

Motivations and Perceived Organizational Climate Among Volunteers of Italian Red Cross

AbstractWhat really motivates a person to do voluntary work is a complex question. However, understanding these motivations can be very useful to voluntary organisations in attracting, placing, and retaining volunteers.According to the functional approach to voluntarism, people engaged in similar acts may have different underlying motivations for doing so. The Volunteer Function Inventory model catalogues six functions of voluntarism which are correlated with volunteer's goals, benefits, and motives.Participants in this study were 112 volunteers of the Italian Red Cross (Sicilian section). The results indicated that the values function motivated to voluntarism more than other functions. The Self-centred functions were valued less incisive. The organizational climate was positively evaluated

The psychosocial dimensions of aging: a research project with italian elders, caregivers and young people and also spanish elders

El rápido aumento de las expectativas de vida es un fenómeno típico del mundo desarrollado. El envejecimiento ha sido considerado una simple espera a la muerte por mucho tiempo. Así, hoy más que nunca, es extremadamente importante reflexionar sobre la posibilidad de aumentar la calidad de vida de los ancianos. En el marco sistémico-ecológico, es una cuestión muy importante cómo cambiar las representaciones sociales sobre los ancianos y hacer significativos los años de la vejez. Según una diseñada escenografía, vamos a llevar a cabo una investigación, articulada en dos estudios: el primero se lleva a cabo involucrando a un grupo de ancianos y un grupo de jóvenes; el segundo se realiza con el fin de hacer comparaciones transnacionales entre Italia y España. Vamos a utilizar un cuestionario psicosocial, que incluye las siguientes medidas: un conjunto de temas relativos al modelo de resistencia al cambio y a las actividades que un anciano realiza durante el día; las asociaciones libres; la programación de Afecto Positivo y Negativo; La Escala temporal de satisfacción con la vida; WHO-QoL-Bref; la autoeficacia social percibida. Los resultados de nuestra investigación contribuirán a un conocimiento mejor y más articulado con respecto a los ancianos y a sus vidas.The quick increase of life expectations is a typical phenomenon of developed world. The aging has been considered simply waiting period of the death for long time. Thus, today more never, it becomes extremely important to reflect upon possibility increasing the quality of life among elders. In ecological-systemic framework, one question extremely important is how to change social representations on elders and make meaningful the years of the old age. According to designed scenery, we are going to carry out a research, which is going to be articulated in two studies: the first is going to carry out involving one group of elders and one group of young people; the second is going to carry out to make cross-national comparisons between Italy and Spain. We are going to use a psychosocial questionnaire, which includes the following measures: a set of items regarding to model of resistance to change and the activities which an elder usually does during the day; free associations; Positive and Negative Affect Schedule; Temporal Satisfaction With Life Scale; WHO-QoL-Bref; Perceived Social Self-efficacy. Results of our research will contribute to a better and more articulated knowledge regarding to elders and their lives.peerReviewe

Psychosocial Dimensions of Quality of Life among Elders: A Research of the Italian and Spanish Elderly

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The psychosocial dimensions of aging: a research project with italian elders, caregivers and young people and also spanish elders

El rápido aumento de las expectativas de vida es un fenómeno típico del mundo desarrollado. El envejecimiento ha sido considerado una simple espera a la muerte por mucho tiempo. Así, hoy más que nunca, es extremadamente importante reflexionar sobre la posibilidad de aumentar la calidad de vida de los ancianos. En el marco sistémico-ecológico, es una cuestión muy importante cómo cambiar las representaciones sociales sobre los ancianos y hacer significativos los años de la vejez. Según una diseñada escenografía, vamos a llevar a cabo una investigación, articulada en dos estudios: el primero se lleva a cabo involucrando a un grupo de ancianos y un grupo de jóvenes; el segundo se realiza con el fin de hacer comparaciones transnacionales entre Italia y España. Vamos a utilizar un cuestionario psicosocial, que incluye las siguientes medidas: un conjunto de temas relativos al modelo de resistencia al cambio y a las actividades que un anciano realiza durante el día; las asociaciones libres; la programación de Afecto Positivo y Negativo; La Escala temporal de satisfacción con la vida; WHO-QoL-Bref; la autoeficacia social percibida. Los resultados de nuestra investigación contribuirán a un conocimiento mejor y más articulado con respecto a los ancianos y a sus vidas.The quick increase of life expectations is a typical phenomenon of developed world. The aging has been considered simply waiting period of the death for long time. Thus, today more never, it becomes extremely important to reflect upon possibility increasing the quality of life among elders. In ecological-systemic framework, one question extremely important is how to change social representations on elders and make meaningful the years of the old age. According to designed scenery, we are going to carry out a research, which is going to be articulated in two studies: the first is going to carry out involving one group of elders and one group of young people; the second is going to carry out to make cross-national comparisons between Italy and Spain. We are going to use a psychosocial questionnaire, which includes the following measures: a set of items regarding to model of resistance to change and the activities which an elder usually does during the day; free associations; Positive and Negative Affect Schedule; Temporal Satisfaction With Life Scale; WHO-QoL-Bref; Perceived Social Self-efficacy. Results of our research will contribute to a better and more articulated knowledge regarding to elders and their lives.peerReviewe