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Measuring Persuasion Without Measuring a Prior Belief: A New Application of Planned Missing Data Techniques
No full textResearch on advice taking frequently utilizes a Judge Advisor System paradigm, in which a judge reports a prior belief, receives advice, and then revises their initial estimate. However, recent studies have shown that the cognitive process of advice taking depends on whether one explicitly reports their prior belief or not, indicating that the mere act of measuring a judge’s prior belief functions as a treatment effect on how they utilize advice. This phenomenon is known as measurement reactivity. This research shows that by treating judges’ prior beliefs as missing data, it is possible to use statistical imputation models to estimate how their beliefs change without requiring them to directly report their prior judgment. In two simulation studies and two experimental studies, the feasibility and effectiveness of this planned missing data imputation method are demonstrated. Two variants of the planned missing data research design are discussed: the single variable design, where the imputation model is based on the same type of variable as the behavioral target; and the separate variable design, in which a separate class of auxiliary variables are elicited to fit the imputation model. This research design and associated modeling techniques have potential applications in social science beyond advice taking research. Novel theoretical insights regarding how people take advice when their priors are not explicitly accessed are also described. In a study in which judges were asked to estimate the number of calories in different foods, there were clear differences in how they took advice in the absence of measurement reactivity: they both updated their beliefs more frequently and weighed advice more heavily. In a probability judgment task involving predictions of upcoming baseball games, there were again clear effects of measurement reactivity. However, an existing conceptual model of advice utilization was a poor representation of the results, indicating we may need to rethink notions of advice taking for probability judgment in the absence of measurement reactivity
Imagination in Motion: Ekphrastic Description in Ovid’s Metamorphoses
No full textThis dissertation analyzes ekphrastic episodes within Ovid’s Metamorphoses to show how ekphrasis serves as an ideal vehicle for the poem’s strongest message, namely, that the physical universe is mutable and unstable, and, therefore, poses existential risk to its inhabitants. Ovid’s use of ekphrasis, a figure that operates between the visual and the verbal, emphasizes the foundation of his in-text universe of perpetual change. This study works toward uncovering unity of meaning in Ovid’s epic poem by highlighting his conscious use of boundary-blurring ekphrasis as a rhetorical figure. Three categories of ekphrastic episodes within the poem are discussed: artefact, creative process, and space. These categories permit an inclusive definition of ekphrasis—text that brings the subject matter vividly before the eyes, turning the “reader” into a “viewer”—rather than limiting the study to art objects, as has been typical in literary and Classical scholarship since the eighteenth century. This dissertation argues that the complicated nature of ekphrasis mirrors Ovid’s chaotic text-world, as the poet’s written text immediately transforms into a mind’s eye picture. Thus, Ovid’s ekphraseis, which operate between the visual and the verbal, emphasize the foundation of his in-text universe of perpetual change. Further, the poet himself demonstrates awareness of the instability of the verbal-visual interface. Many of his ekphrastic scenes contain a didactic element, where Ovid shows his reader the power and danger these “false” images can pose
Leading, Learning, Serving: ADNY Catholic School Principals’ Perceptions of Leadership and Special Education Services
No full textCurrent literature suggests that continued efforts and initiatives are being implemented to include all students with special education needs in Catholic schools. However, there is limited research on Catholic School principals\u27 perceptions of special education and current initiatives, specifically within the Archdiocese of New York. This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the perceptions of leadership among Catholic school principals and examined inclusivity policies, practices, and training for serving students with specific needs in K–8 Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of New York. To gain insights into this phenomenon and address the research questions, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 school leaders, a focus group, and document analysis. The data analysis guided by the research question, revealed three primary research themes: leadership, leadership development, and Catholic education. The related sub-themes were perceptions of leadership, diversity and styles of leadership, professional development, special education training, resources and support, mission, inclusion, and sustainability
Shirley Parker
No full textAbstract prepared by Jordin Arnead-Wilson:
In her interview it becomes clear that Shirley Parker\u27s life is one marked by resilience, courage, and authenticity. Shirley\u27s journey reflects her unyielding spirit from her roots in Astoria, Queens, where basketball reigned supreme, to her time spent in London and Puerto Rico. Despite societal norms and familial complexities, Shirley boldly embraces her identity as a lesbian woman, refusing to conform to narrow expectations. She candidly shares her experiences of love, familial acceptance, and religious exploration, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of queerness within Black communities. Now residing at the SAGE center in the Bronx, Shirley finds purpose in mentoring others and fostering a sense of belonging. Her infectious confidence and unwavering commitment to being herself bring hope and inspiration to those navigating similar paths. Shirley reminds us of the transformative power of authenticity and compassion through her stories of triumph and self-discovery. In a world often fraught with judgment and misunderstanding, Shirley\u27s unwavering belief in the importance of being true to oneself serves as a guiding light, in the path toward acceptance, understanding, and unconditional love
Gnosticism, political theory and apocalypse: Jacob Taubes and Günther Anders, Tracy Strong and Carl Schmitt
No full textBeginning with Jacob Taubes and Günther Anders on eschatology, apocalypse and political theology, including Saint Paul and Frankfurt School critical theory along with bombs and power plants (energy/climate), this essay parallels a re-reading of Tracy B. Strong’s political reading of Nietzsche on Jesus (and love) with Taubes, Anders and Carl Schmitt on politics (and technology). Highlighted throughout is the politically charged (and inherently esoteric) context of Gnosticism for philosophy and theory for Taubes but also for Anders
The Role of Cross-Cultural Adaptation in the Work Performance of Chinese Expatriates in Japan
No full textThe continuous development of the Chinese economy has made going global in overseas operations and cross-border collaborations a key internationalization strategy for many Chinese enterprises. Executives working abroad are required to adapt to new cultures and business practices while also addressing challenges such as the lack of international management talents, high employee turnover rates, and suboptimal expatriate performance. In the realm of international human resources selection and talent retention practices, how can decision-makers in multinational enterprises improve expatriate performance? How can they select employees who can better adapt to different cultures, enhance employee loyalty in cross-border situations, and determine whether the work engagement of expatriates directly impacts their performance? Does expatriate management affect cross-cultural adaptation, thereby influencing expatriate performance? These have become hot topics in research.
This study focuses on management personnel dispatched by Chinese corporations to Japan and delves into the relationships between cross-cultural adaptation, employee loyalty, work engagement and expatriate performance after their relocation to Japan. The research uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Initially, qualitative pilot interviews are used to supplement and refine the models found in existing literature. Subsequently, a research hypothesis model is established, and quantitative questionnaire research is conducted to investigate the direct impact of cross-cultural adaptation on expatriate performance. Employee loyalty and work commitment are considered as mediating variables to explore the indirect impact of cross-cultural adaptation on expatriate performance, with all hypotheses subject to validation. Finally, through empirical and regression analysis, the study dissects the effects of the main and mediating variables before drawing its conclusions.
This study has several important discoveries. First, cross-cultural adaptation has a significantly positive impact on expatriate performance. Second, employee loyalty plays a full mediating role in the relationship between cross-cultural adaptation and expatriate performance. Among the sub-dimensions of employee loyalty, normative, emotional, and ideal commitments have partial mediating effects on the said relationship, while economic commitment does not have. Third, work engagement plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between cross-cultural adaptation and expatriate performance. Among its sub-dimensions, vigor, focus, and dedication serve as partial mediators in the said relationship. Fourth, when both employee loyalty and work engagement variables are simultaneously utilized, they exhibit parallel full mediating effects in the relationship between cross-cultural adaptation and expatriate performance.
The study is innovative in several aspects. First, it constructs a double triangle model of employee loyalty and work engagement. While scholars have mostly explored cross-cultural adaptation in terms of corporate culture and individual qualities and characteristics, this study, aside from its extensive literature review, uses in-depth and one-on-one interviews with respondents from different industries, companies (of various sizes), ranks, and gender to extract factors concerning employee loyalty and work engagement as important research variables. Its conclusions contain differences from those reached by previous researchers. Second, this study finds that normative commitment and opportunity commitment, as two primary dimensions of employee loyalty, have notable partial mediating effects on cross-cultural adaptation and expatriate performance; the sub-dimensions of vigor, focus, and dedication within the parameter of employee loyalty also have significant partial mediating effect, which is further enhanced when employee loyalty and work engagement converge. Third, distinct from previous cross-cultural adaptation studies with multinational samples, this study explicitly centers on two specific countries: China as the home country and Japan as the host country. It concentrates on Chinese expatriate employees in Japan and probes deeply into the intricate connections concerning their cross-cultural adaptation, expatriate performance, employee loyalty, and work engagement. While identifying the key factors influencing cross-cultural adaptation and expatriate performance, the study also proposes strategies for selecting expatriate employees in multinational enterprises and emphasizes essential aspects of management systems. In so doing, it serves both theoretical and practical purposes of academic research while staving off ambiguity that often arises from excessive generalization
Immigration Policy After COVID-19 and Cultural Resistance at the U.S.-Mexico Border
No full textWhat I examine here is how the global COVID-19 pandemic altered asylum and refugee responsibility among Global North countries. In particular, I look at cultural responses to restrictive pandemic policies which speak to the level of intensity of the current humanitarian crisis at the United States southern border with Mexico. The US-Mexico border functions well as a case study because of its highly publicized and discussed nature, along with the strong influence held by the US over the rest of the world. The cultural moment surrounding Title 42 and other pandemic policies represents a shift in public recognition of the failures of restrictive neoliberal policy
Colonial Enclaves in the 21st Century: A Study of Ethnic Russians in Estonia and Afrikaners in South Africa
No full textDespite decades of disempowerment, some ethnic enclaves of colonial powers –termed colonial enclaves– remain in the decolonized country they once controlled. In international law or United Nations resolutions, there currently are no special distinctions between colonial enclaves and other types of ethnic enclaves or non-state actors. This thesis analyzes the social dynamics of ethnic enclaves and the existing laws that govern non-state actors to then investigate two cases of colonial enclaves: ethnic Russians in Estonia and Afrikaners in South Africa. Based on this case study research, it can be concluded that colonial enclaves have unique social and political dynamics that give reason to distinguish them from other non-state actors in international law
Essays on Health and Out-Of-Pocket Expenditures
No full textThis dissertation consists of two independent research papers on the topic of health and out-of-pocket expenditures in China. The former one focuses on literature, while the latter one focuses on the modelling of dynamic relationship between health and out-of-pocket expenditures. In the first chapter, I analyze the correlation between out-of-pocket expenditures and Activities of Daily Living or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living limitations and chronic conditions and bridges the gap in the literatures on the out-of-pocket expenditures of living with a disability and chronic health conditions in China. This paper provides findings on the correlation between Activities of Daily Living limitation/Instrumental Activities of Daily Living limitation/Chronic conditions and higher probability of incurring out-of-pocket expenditures and higher value of out-of-pocket expenditures. In the second chapter, I produce unbiased and consistent estimates of the effects of health measured by activity limitations and chronic conditions on out-of-pocket expenditures across different subgroups among the middle-aged and older adults in China and explore potentially different effects of activity limitations and chronic conditions on out-of-pocket expenditures. The results imply the poorer accessibility of health care service, especially among the most socioeconomically disadvantaged group and the association of chronic conditions with on out-of-pocket expenditures are larger than that of Activities of Daily Living or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living limitations
Understanding the Role of Adaptation and Improvisation in Humanitarian NGO Responses to COVID-19
No full textIn my thesis I reviewed the existing scholarship to isolate the predominant frameworks regarding what processes humanitarian organizations undertake to make changes in response to environmental upheavals and then applied them to three case studies in the humanitarian disaster response field that operated during the COVID-19 pandemic between March 2020 and April 2021. The selected cases are humanitarian NGOs based in the United States that primarily rely on a volunteer workforce: the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, and All Hands and Hearts. I then distilled the literature down to three recurring key concepts and their relationships with each other, these are improvisation, adaptation, and resilience. I established three hypotheses to observe and measure these relationships with the expectation to find evidence of converse relationships between each. Once established, I conducted testing of these hypotheses in a qualitative manner via structured interviews with key leaders, organizational documentation review, and personal experience narratives