The Inclusion of Culture in Canadian Social Psychology Textbooks: A Content Analysis of Introductory Texts

Cultural diversity features prominently in Canadian social and political life. Canadian social psychologists, for their part, have led a rich tradition of research on intercultural relations. We identified the undergraduate social psychology textbooks used to introduce students of psychology in Canada to the field and examined the extent that culture is incorporated into the teaching of introductory social psychology. Through a content analysis of Canadian-published introductory social psychology texts, we found that these textbooks are inclusive of cultural diversity, although not all textbooks covered culture with the same depth. Across textbooks, cultural coverage was broad, with many hits across textbooks, whereas discussion of cultural differences was not particularly deep, with most hits being elaborated under one page of text. Results are discussed alongside past research on the inclusion of culture in the teaching of generalized introductory psychology courses in the United States (Lonner & Murdock, 2012; Rumpel, 1988).

The Elephant in the Room: The Often Neglected Relevance of Speciesism in Bias Towards Ethnic Minorities and Immigrants

The area of intergroup bias and, specifically attitudes towards ethnic minorities and/or immigrants, has received a great amount of investigation by (cross-cultural) psychologists, spanning many theories and perspectives (Hewstone et al., 2002). However, one perspective rarely taken in mainstream psychology is one that acknowledges the inter-linkage of bias towards ethnic minorities and/or immigrants and that towards non-human animals (NHAs), despite relatively substantial literature outside of psychology emphasizing it (Singer, 2002). In the present paper, we draw from relevant literature outside and inside of psychology that speaks to the connectivity between attitudes towards marginalized human outgroups and NHAs, focusing on the mechanism of dehumanization in intergroup bias. We also shed light on more recent psychological research, specifically the Interspecies Model of Prejudice (IMP; Costello & Hodson, 2010; Costello & Hodson, 2014a; 2014b) as an example on how psychological research could incorporate speciesism into the discussion of intergroup bias. It is hoped that highlighting the existing rare, yet valuable, research endeavours within psychology inspires further engagement from psychologists interested in cross-cultural, intersectional, and diversity research in order to help better the lives of both marginalized human outgroups and NHAs

Cultural similarity predicts social inclusion of Muslims in Canada: A vignette-based experimental survey

Based on acculturation psychology and intergroup emotions theory, the current experimental study assessed the effects of Muslims’ perceived acculturation strategies by the majority group on social exclusion of Muslims in Canada, and to what extent religious resentment mediated the relationship between Muslims’ perceived acculturation strategies and social exclusion. The experimental study used a vignette-based approach. This model was examined among 190 non-Muslim Canadians. Results showed that when Muslims were viewed as assimilated in Canadian society, social exclusion of Muslims and religious resentment toward Muslims decreased. Furthermore, religious resentment mediated the association between Muslims’ perceived acculturation strategies and social exclusion only when Muslims were perceived as assimilated. Our findings suggest that Canadian majority-group members indicated positive attitude toward Muslims when they were identified as assimilated in Canadian society. Results are discussed in terms of implications for future studies and intergroup relations.publishedVersio

Wiser World With Multiculturalism

A peer-reviewed book based on presentations at the XXIV Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, 2018, Guelph, Canada. (c) 2020, International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychologyhttps://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/iaccp_proceedings/1008/thumbnail.jp

Effect of Corporate Governance Index on Dividend Policy: An Investigation of Textile Industry of Pakistan

This study empirically observes the impact of corporate governance index on dividend payout policy by using the data on thirty textile firms listed at Karachi Stock Exchange. The data cover the five-year period from 2009 to 2013. The data were gathered from financial statements of all the sample firms. Multiple regression models were used to check the impact of corporate governance on dividend policy. No effect of corporate governance index on firm dividend policy was found, and the largest shareholders also had no impact on dividend payout policy. A significant positive relationship was found between payout policy and stock value. Gross profit margin and operating profit margin had significant positive impact on the firm’s dividend payout policy. There is a significant correlation between the firm’s performance and payout policy

Clinical and Metabolic Profile of Obese Children at a Tertiary Care Hospital

ABSTRACT Objective: The aims of our study were to find out the physical features and biochemical complications of obese children presenting to our hospital. Methodology: This Cross-sectional study was conducted in outpatient department (OPD) of POF hospital Wah Cantt from January 2019 to June 2020.Non probability convenient sampling was used to include obese children less than 14 years of age. Child was labeled obese as per W.H.O. criteria. History and complete physical examination was done according to pre designed proforma of all the participants. Blood samples were sent for analysis after taking consent. Results: Total of 100 obese children was included in the study out of whom 62 % were females and 38% were males. Majority were under 10 years of age (70%). Arthralgia (55%) was the most common complaint and Acanthosis Nigricans (31%) was the most common physical finding. Vitamin D deficiency was present in 60% of the cases. Iron deficiency was found more in females (64.5 %) (p value 0.01) and children under 10 years of age (62.8 %) (p value 0.02). Conclusion: Obesity can lead to various health complications. Early detection and prevention of these complications can decrease the associated morbidities and mortalities in adulthood. Key words: Obesity, vitamin D deficiency, Iron deficiency, Anemia, Acanthosis Nigricans   &nbsp

International Students as ‘Ideal Immigrants’ in Canada: A disconnect between policy makers’ assumptions and the lived experiences of international students

Recent policy changes in Canada highlight the strategic role International Students (IS) in the country’s economic development and future prosperity. With the release of Canada’s first international education strategy, the federal government has intimately tied international education to the domestic economy by attracting and retaining skilled workers to prepare Canada for the global market place. IS are particularly desirable candidates for permanent residency because their Canadian credentials, proficiency in at least one official language, and their relevant Canadian work experience is assumed to allow them to integrate more easily into the labour force upon graduation. Through 11 focus groups with 48 IS from two post-secondary institutions in the province of Ontario, we explored the adjustment of IS as they adapt to Canada and transition from student to worker. Thematic analysis suggests a disconnect between policy makers’ assumptions and the lived experiences of IS in Canada. Specifically, we find that IS’ integration into Canadian society into the domestic labour market is hindered by adjustment difficulties pertaining to language abilities, poor connectedness to host communities, and perceived employer discrimination against IS. We offer policy recommendations for how international education can better prepare IS for the Canadian labour market