1,721,008 research outputs found
The expanding beauty regime, or: why it has become so important to look good
No full textThe expanding beauty regime: Or, why it has become so important to look good
Published as Kuipers, Giselinde (2022), The expanding beauty regime: Or, why it has become so important to look good. Critical Studies in Fashion & Beauty 13(2): 207-228.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/csfb_00046_
Evolutionary Approaches to Beauty
Full text linkIn Evolutionary Psychology, it is sometimes claimed that certain traits are universally considered as beautiful. In both sexes, these alleged universals have included having symmetrical facial and body traits, smooth, blemish-free skin, and sex-typical (masculine vs feminine) traits. In men, ‘beautiful’ traits may include having a strong jawline, being tall, and possessing a muscular physique with broad shoulders. In women, youthful and feminine features are claimed to be preferred, such as large eyes, full lips, and a curvaceous yet slim body shape. According to evolutionary scholars, humans have evolved attraction to such traits because they signal important information about the individual’s biological condition; for example, that this individual is particularly healthy or fertile. While early research—primarily conducted in Western cultures—seemed to support this notion, more recent research has challenged this. For example, emerging cross-cultural research from non-Western cultures has demonstrated that, rather than being universal, beauty perceptions are malleable and vary considerably between cultures. Furthermore, when researchers test whether these traits are truly associated with health or fertility, we find that the evidence is weak and inconsistent. In this chapter, we therefore review extant evidence for evolutionary-derived hypotheses about the universality of beauty. We also discuss how narratives arguing that perceptions of beauty are fully evolved—rather than malleable—are sometimes misused in the public domain by, for example, promoting ideas of biological determinism and justifying appearance-based discrimination, and we make recommendations for future research into this area
Humor and Figurative Language
Full text linkThis chapter will address the following questions: What is figurative language,and how does it differ from ‘literal’ or ‘zero-degree’ communication? When doesa figure of speech become humorous? And how does figurativeness relate to key concepts in linguistic theories of humor, such as script opposition? After a terminological preamble, we will review existing scholarship from linguistics, semiotics, and literary studies, focusing on the relation between humor and different kinds of figurative language – namely metaplasms (e.g. puns), metataxis (syntactic play), metasememes (metaphor and metonymy), and metalogisms (hyperbole, irony, parody, etc.), based on the terminology proposed by Group μ in its foundational Rhétorique Générale (1970).The chapter will provide a systematic overview of classic and recent studies on figurative language and humor (from Raskin’s early work on metaphor to interdisciplinary contributions in the field of cognitive linguistics), transcending the fuzzy boundary between the stylistic and conceptual dimensions of humorous expression – or, in different terms, between ‘figures of language’ and ‘figures of meaning.’ Moreover, we will highlight the potential for interdisciplinary collaborations on the topic, including for example new avenues for research on humorous interaction between verbal and non-verbal figures
De tweedeling in de humor. Humorstijlen in Nederland
No full textThe Duality of Humor: Humor Styles in the Netherlands.
Explores Dutch humor styles, using survey and interview data. The survey resulted in an unexpectedly simple pattern of four humor styles, related to age and level of education. The distinction between old and young respondents is related to different notions of crudeness. The educational difference relates to style rather than content. The logic behind these popular and intellectual humor styles is examined by means of interviews. People who prefer the popular style expect humor to please and never to hurt. Performance and atmosphere are deemed more important than content. Those who prefer intellectual humor are more interested in content; their humor is more ambiguous and focuses on creating a shock. Intellectual humor is expected to provide mental stimulation (and confusion), while popular humor aims at creating an agreeable atmosphere. 1 Table, 3 Figures, 6 References. Adapted from the source document
De sociologie van het lachen
No full textRose Laub Coser: \u27Some Social Functions of Laughter A Study of Humor in a Hospital Setting\u2
Moraal en digitaal vermaak. De sociale constructie van digitaal gevaar in Nederland en de VS
No full textCyber Life. Moral and Digital Entertainment.
The Internet is a medium not only of information and communication, but also of entertainment. Much of this digital entertainment is transgressive -- more so than in other media, owing to the complex regulation and the anonymity of the Internet. This transgressive entertainment has led to debate, worry, and sometimes to outright moral panics and attempts at legal intervention. This paper discusses reactions to two forms of \u27dangerous\u27 digital entertainment: ethnic humor and cybersex. It compares the way the dangers of these entertainments are construed in online discussions by Dutch and American Internet users. Ethnic humor is virtually absent on the Dutch part of the Internet, and is widely considered dangerous, whereas it circulates widely on the English-language part. Cybersex, on the other hand, is not considered very dangerous by Dutch Internet users; but is often construed as a moral danger by American Internet users. 25 References. Adapted from the source document
‘De universiteit moet zich richten op burgerschap, niet op economisch nut.’
No full textstatus: Publishe
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