Testosterone responses to competition in men are related to facial masculinity

Relationships between androgens and the size of sexually dimorphic male traits have been demonstrated in several non-human species. It is often assumed that a similar relationship exists for human male faces, but clear evidence of an association between circulating testosterone levels and the size of masculine facial traits in adulthood is absent. Here we demonstrate that, after experimentally determined success in a competitive task, men with more a masculine facial structure show higher levels of circulating testosterone than men with less masculine faces. In participants randomly allocated to a 'winning' condition, testosterone was elevated relative to pre-task levels at 5 and 20 min post-task. In a control group of participants allocated to a 'losing' condition there were no significant differences between pre- and post-task testosterone. An index of facial masculinity based on the measurement of sexually dimorphic facial traits was not associated with pre-task (baseline) testosterone levels, but was associated with testosterone levels 5 and 20 min after success in the competitive task. These findings indicate that a man's facial structure may afford important information about the functioning of his endocrine system

Facial symmetry is positively associated with self-reported extraversion

Fink et al. (2005) reported significant associations between facial symmetry and scores on some of the “big five” personality dimensions derived from self-report data. In particular, they identified a positive association between facial symmetry and extraversion, but negative associations between facial symmetry and both agreeableness and openness. Fink et al. (2005) used a measure of facial symmetry based on analysis of the central region of each face. In the present study we attempted to replicate these findings with a much larger sample (N = 294) and using a landmark-based measure of facial symmetry that includes peripheral regions of the face. In both sexes, we found a significant positive association between self-reported extraversion and facial symmetry but were unable to replicate any of the other previously reported associations. Nevertheless, the positive association between symmetry and extraversion provides further support for the idea that facial appearance could predict personality and therefore makes it possible for some personality attributions to be “data driven”, i.e. driven by properties of the target

How do Family Members Perceive, Understand and Explain the Experience of Homework? : A Case Study of Four Families

The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine family member perceptions and experiences of homework. More broadly, it seeks to illuminate the nature and social function of homework practices in families and in so doing, highlights the complex relationship between schools and family life. The study involved four families and their experiences of homework. The families were selected on the basis that the parents came from a range of socio-economic backgrounds which may impact upon their children\u27s attitudes and experiences of homework and schooling. The approach adopted to investigate this phenomenon is that of case study. Specifically, this case study uses the unstructured interview to collect data to enable the interviewer to develop a conversation using a set of relatively open-ended questions. These conversations were audiotaped, then transcribed for analysis and interpretation. The interviews focused on participant\u27s understandings and expectations in relation to homework. The intensity of the interaction between interviewer and participant provided an opportunity for the participant to openly relate their homework experiences. The interviewees were asked to \u27tell their story\u27 in relation to their homework experiences. This case study adds to the existing literature by exploring family member perceptions of the family-school relationship as it relates to homework. It portrays the experiences of these families and how they make sense of homework practices. It provides an insight into the lives of the four families and how they understand the nature and function of homework practices

Cross-cultural effects of color, but not morphological masculinity, on perceived attractiveness of men's faces

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2012 ElsevierMuch attractiveness research has focused on face shape. The role of masculinity (which for adults is thought to be a relatively stable shape cue to developmental testosterone levels) in male facial attractiveness has been examined, with mixed results. Recent work on the perception of skin color (a more variable cue to current health status) indicates that increased skin redness, yellowness, and lightness enhance apparent health. It has been suggested that stable cues such as masculinity may be less important to attractiveness judgments than short-term, more variable health cues. We examined associations between male facial attractiveness, masculinity, and skin color in African and Caucasian populations. Masculinity was not found to be associated with attractiveness in either ethnic group. However, skin color was found to be an important predictor of attractiveness judgments, particularly for own-ethnicity faces. Our results suggest that more plastic health cues, such as skin color, are more important than developmental cues such as masculinity. Further, unfamiliarity with natural skin color variation in other ethnic groups may limit observers' ability to utilize these color cues

Fake: The Rise of Food Fraud in the Halal Supply Chain

We live in increasingly challenging economic times, and the concomitant uncertainty associated with this state within the food industry has led to an emergence of unscrupulous suppliers and supply chain actors committing Halal food fraud. As Halal food supply chains become increasingly complex and global and as the sector continues to develop and grow, more significant opportunities arise for unprincipled practice. Further, catering to rising consumption and the resultant increased demand for Halal products and services means consumers in Halal supply chains are particularly vulnerable to fraud, adulteration and unwitting contamination as global demand outstrips supply. Certification and its associated labelling of Halal food products alone will no longer engender complete consumer confidence, particularly as consumers become better acquainted with the rising opportunities for food fraud, false advertising, and misleading conduct. This report is based on recognizing the religious importance of Halal food to Muslims and how food integrity is pivotal in the daily observance of Islamic mores. It examines how vulnerabilities in global supply chains can arise and be exploited to intentionally deceive and unknowingly contaminate food products consumed by devoted Muslims. A vital industry issue of concern to this discussion is the increasing importance of compliance, transparency, and traceability, combined with other risk mitigation approaches needed within Halal food supply chains to ensure product provenance. This review also examines the potential human capability development interventions required to strengthen further supply chain actors’ competence and the consumer awareness needed to provide trust and confidence in the Halal food eco-system

Building Practitioner Resilience: Reflections on Developing Industry-led Occupational Standards in Indonesia

It is widely agreed that Indonesia is currently one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and with this growth has come the inevitable ‘internationalisation’ of the educational market, driven by investment, foreign aid, and trade agreements. Additionally, the Indonesian vocational and further education marketplace faces several challenges, risks, and vulnerabilities which make it necessary to integrate resilience development as a key component of future engagement practice. Technological change, economic instability, limited resources and emerging environmental and social challenges all weigh heavily on an emerging economy. Meaningful engagement therefore requires integrating resilience, so institutions can foster a culture of adaptability and flexibility. However, the content and conduct of imported models of engagement have been shown to lack the requisite local cultural sensitivity and therefore are having an unintended negative impact on educational practice (Allais, 2014). Whilst much of the substance of these imported models is delivered with good intention, there is a level of cultural inappropriateness, and this means that programs lack traction in the Indonesian milieu. In this article, the authors reflect on the deployment of the meaningful practice intervention model (Fairman, 2018) within a specified project, which is the creation of an industry-led vocational training system for the logistics and supply chain sector for Indonesia. In following this issue, the paper examines the approach, outcomes, initial design and relevant inclusion practices currently used in the education area in order to highlight a more culturally appropriate way forward for industry-led interventions, particularly in Occupational Standards and training systems design. The investigation also critically analyses the lessons learned and the changes required to assist any future foreign-designed capability development programs. The researchers critically examine their project using Driscoll’s (2007) Reflective Practice model, in order to better understanding what went well and what could be improved, paying particular relevance to donor-funded programs and the deployment of the meaningful practice intervention model

The ‘Malang Declaration’: Models of Engagement within Research Programs

Abstract With the rapidly changing ‘internationalization’ of the educational market in Indonesia, the manner and conduct of ‘foreign’ models of engagement have a discernable and culturally ‘sensitive’ impact. We acknowledge that whilst ‘foreign models’ may be still applicable in an Indonesian context, it is becoming increasingly important that the extent to which these models are culturally applicable in an Indonesian milieu is evaluated. In this article we examine the approach used by Australian practitioners in developing the Malang Declaration, which was an attempt to codify an agreed model for use in scholarly research. We acknowledge that it is essential that the selected ‘model’ is transparently seen as being applicable in Indonesian circumstances, and that the cultural mores of the site of the intervention are respected and addressed

Anticipating Human Resource Development Challenges and Opportunities in ‘Halal Supply Chains’ and ‘Halal Logistics’ within ASEAN

The increasing global economic importance of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), is creating new cultural challenges for participating governments. These challenges are clearly impacting on Human Mobility and Human Capability Development within the trading bloc. Development challenges are particularly evident in supply chains, where new knowledge, skills, and attitudes are needed to ensure respect for Halal services and the provenance of Halal products as they are traded across the region. While reflecting on this issue, this paper looks closely at the implicit and explicit challenges and opportunities in building culturally relevant ASEAN ‘Human Capabilities’ along increasingly globalized supply chains. The discussion also aims to explore the myriad of matters which could potentially impact the development and implementation of a competency-based Human Resource Development (HRD) strategy for ASEAN in and around Halal trading practices. It examines how this activity could positively influence the preservation of quality and enable the building of trust and assurance along Halal Supply Chains. The discussion also focuses on the potential deployment of occupational standards to improve Human Capability training interventions along Halal Supply Chains, which at their core respect religious beliefs and are conscious of cultural sensitivities

National income inequality predicts women's preferences for masculinized faces better than health does

This article is available open access through the publisher’s website at the link below. Copyright @ 2010 The Royal Society

BUILDING INDONESIAN HUMAN CAPABILITY: REDUCING DEPENDENCY ON FOREIGN EXPERTISE IN THE FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING SECTOR

Foreign expertise holds a revered status in the Indonesian Further Education and Training sector, with the notion of ‘Bule’ playing a pivotal role in how international interventions are resourced. Foreign expertise often brings with it many local assumptions, particularly around the sharing of contemporary and start-of-the-art western knowledge, but often in reality this is not practically manifested. It is for these reasons that Maconick (1999) contends that greater emphasis needs to be placed on defining the operational role of local capacity building. The authors believe that greater emphasis should be placed on building local human capital, and this paper describes the engagement process in the design of occupational standards challenging the conception that foreign expertise and influence should be unfettered. While foreign skills and talent can play a pivotal role in developing local human capability, it must be recognised that these interventions must be cultural appropriate and look towards creating a sustainable future where indigenous human resources are given equal standing. The methodology applied reflected a ‘most significant change approach’ (Dart & Davies, 2003) to the evaluation of training methods with an emphasis on workplace engagement