The unstudied reference neighborhood: Towards a critical theory of empirical neighborhood studies

Ethnographic and quantitative studies of urban neighborhoods have played an essential role in contrasting deeply held stereotypes, highlighting systemic injustices, and shaping federal urban policy. However, the majority of these studies focus on a small slice of the most marginalized urban neighborhoods, leaving much unknown about the vast majority of communities and how to address persisting inequality. This piece examines these empirical and theoretical shortcomings and proposes integrating critical theory into empirical studies of neighborhoods. This new theoretical approach has implications not only for how scholars conduct their research but also for how this research is applied in public policy. Suggestions for future studies and policy are discussed.     

Toward a Theory of Public Ritual

Given that holidays both reflect a society's attributes and serve to modify these attributes, they are a valuable tool for a macro-sociological analysis. This paper proceeds by examining Durkheim's well-known contributions on rituals and advancing theoretical ideas on how these might be modified, seeking to develop a theory of holidays. The article concerns the role of holidays in managing tensions and recommitment to values; their role in relating communities to the society at large; their effect on gender roles, and the theoretical issues concerning holiday cycles and holiday-engineering efforts by religious authorities and states that have endeavored to adapt holidays for their own purpose. The article relies on public accounts, personal observations, and findings culled from a few studies by contemporary social scientists.     

Negotiated Order and the Clinical Pharmacist: The Ongoing Process of Structure

Negotiated order theory was initiated about twenty-five years ago within the interactionist perspective as an alternative to the dominant perspective of organizational behavior as structurally determined. Since that time, the theoretical framework has proven itself to be a viable means of understanding individual relationships within their larger contexts, for understanding the relationship between process and structure. This theoretical perspective is particularly appropriate for analyzing the attempts of hospital pharmacists to negotiate an expanded, more “clinical” role for themselves on the medical team. This article presents data gathered through extensive participant observation of pharmacists in two hospital settings as it applies to negotiated order theory.     

知识密集型服务业对城市创新的贡献:基于演进经济学和制度经济学的视角

本文的目的是建立理论定位,理解后工业化社会中服务业在创新中所扮演的角色。通过演化经济学和制度经济学的方法,理解创新中某些专业性服务业的角色并解析它们对英国和德国大都市地区经济发展的重要性。文章认为,可以从演化经济学和制度经济学的理论角度,理解知识密集型服务业（KIBS）在创新中所扮演的角色。从这个角度看,城市经济是随着时间的推移独立成长起来的、路径依赖的交互式学习体系,其显著特征是网络化的生产体系,在该体系中,KIBS在城市内外的行动者之间进行定制知识的转换中扮演关键角色。因此笔者认为,KIBS对其所在城市的创新有特殊贡献,应该建立系统的理论方法来理解目前仍处于实践层面的服务业尤其是KIBS在创新中的角色,同时指出专业服务业的选址也十分重要。     

Conditional Fatherhood: Identity Theory and Parental Investment Theory as Alternative Sources of Explanation of Fathering

Two alternative theoretical models of parenting, identity theory and parental investment theory, are investigated as sources of explanation of men's fathering attitudes and behaviors. Four dimensions of fathering are explored: responsivity, harshness, behavioral engagement, and affective involvement. Concepts from identity theory operationalized as predictors include father role salience, role satisfaction, and reflected appraisals. From parental investment theory, concepts included investment maximization, contingent commitment, and paternity certitude. Using telephone survey data drawn from a community‐based probability sample of 208 fathers, each of the four individual indicators of fathering and a composite fathering measure were regressed against the theoretical predictors in hierarchical regression analyses. Both theoretical models were significant, with identity theory predictors accounting for a greater proportion of variance than the parental investment theory predictors. This study underlines the importance of social psychological variables to understanding variations in men's commitments to children.     

The development and disturbance of emotions: An application of self psychology to clinical work with children

This article applies self psychology, as developed by Heinz Kohut, to clinical work with children. It begins with a brief summary of self psychology as a theoretical framework, focusing on the role of selfobjects in the development of the self. Then, the role of selfobjects in the development and disturbance of emotions is discussed. The paper concludes by describing the treatment implications of the self psychological perspective for clinical work with children, illustrating them through three case vignettes, and identifying certain questions for further inquiry.     

Theorizing morality in context

How does context condition morality? This is one of the core questions of the sociology of morality and also one that has remained largely untheorized till date. In this article, we draw on insights from symbolic interactionism, and develop a theoretical framework that highlights the role of context in variation of morality. This framework is informed by a view of the self as a reflexive process that engages with moral norms through giving a self-account in relation to the norms. Based on this view, we distinguish between three contextual dimensions that condition morality: symbolic forms, scenes of address, and narrating subjects. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the presented theoretical framework for sociological studies of morality.     

Grandparent-Grandchild Communication: A Review of Theoretically Informed Research

This article reviews theoretically informed research on grandparent-grandchild (GP-GC) communication. Research has been organized herein according to whether it is guided by an intergroup theory, an affect theory, or another type of theory. After reviewing research under these three broad categories, a heuristic value and degree of support for each theory are proposed for helping future researchers in their theoretical selections. Each theory is then positioned in a two-dimensional space consisting of interpersonal and intergroup dimensions to visually demonstrate theoretical lacunae that future researchers can address. We end by discussing how researchers can utilize theory as a basis for probing the role of demographic characteristics in influencing GP-GC communication.     

Design Imaginaries: Knowledge Transformation and Innovation in Experimental Architecture

This article tracks the work of a group of architectural researchers and treats their experimental practices as vantages for analyzing the social production and transformation of architectural knowledge. This requires first examining the role of so-called design imaginaries, or modes of prototyping and analysis, which these researchers draw on to explore wider theoretical questions, as well as to test varying theories and hypotheses. It also includes examining how seemingly contradictory design concepts figure into their creative work, which we argue hold theoretical resonance with Gregory Bateson’s ideas on Learning III and Yrjö Engeström’s notion of expansive learning.     

Development NGOs: Actors in a Global Civil Society or in a New International Social System?

The international aid system forms a powerful structural force impacting organizational landscapes and civil societies all over the world in complex ways we do not yet understand. Dominant NGO research has failed to properly address this crucial issue, because of a conceptual, theoretical, and ideological tradition that is itself embedded in this very same system's normative, rhetorical agenda. This paper suggests some conceptual and theoretical approaches that should encourage more comparative research on the role of the development NGOs in shaping national and global civil societies     

Accommodating Emotion and Affect in Political Discussions in Classrooms

Abstract

This article calls for greater attention to the role of emotion and affect in classroom discussions where theoretical models of discussion and deliberation tend to emphasize the rationalistic elements called for in such pedagogical strategies. Using two examples drawn from secondary classrooms, the authors highlight the role of emotion and affect in student exchanges about controversial public issues. Given the contemporary climate of national political discourse, being prepared for and accommodating these elements will be essential to taking up these strategies as a form of inquiry-oriented teaching and learning that seeks to address public issues with students across the curriculum.     

Social Capital Construction and the Role of the Local State1

Abstract As globalization weakens the role of the nation state, increased theoretical and practical attention is being focused on community level action, especially on the role of social capital. Proponents of social capital have placed primary emphasis on voluntary associations. This paper looks at the role the state can play in building social capital. The historical nature of social capital in the community, the organizational structure of governmental intermediaries, and the design of specific program interventions condition social capital building. Hierarchical governmental intermediaries are contrasted with participatory community based initiatives. Three key factors: autonomy, linkage and returns on investment for both intermediaries and participating residents, are shown to affect social capital construction.     

Nonverbal exchange: Past,present, and future

This paper provides a broad review and evaluation of the research on nonverbal exchange. The development of theoretical approaches to this research is traced over time and discussed. Relative strengths and weaknesses of past and present models are analyzed. Finally, specific recommendations are made for future research that will, we hope, extend our understanding of nonverbal exchange and its basic role in social interaction.     

The Role of Human Agency in the Creation of Normative Influences Within Individuals and Groups

Abstract

This article suggests that human agency affects the formation of social norms far more significantly than previously recognized. The article traces the history of normative influence and provides an historical overview of the theoretical foundations and research literature on the study of norms. Traditionally, social scientists viewed norms in linear and deterministic ways. Current researchers generally believe that norms are derived from micro and macro sources and that norms emerge on localized levels through culturally determined, informal hierarchical status relations between and among individuals within groups. This article contends that current theories of normative influence do not adequately account for the role of human agency in the creation of norms. Social scientists have long recognized the effects that norms have on individual and group behavior. Nonetheless, with a new or revised theoretical structure, they might also better understand the role of human agency in the development of norms. Then, social workers, theorists, managers, and group leaders will have the means to support and facilitate the creation of new, more effective, productive, and democratic norms.     

Problem Gambling and its Impact on Families: A Literature Review

This paper offers an overview of the existing literature concerning problem gambling and families and identifies gaps in current research knowledge on this topic. Relevant theoretical perspectives are outlined and the role of familial factors in the development of problem gambling is discussed. This is followed by a focused review of the effects of problem gambling on family members, specifically the spouse, children and parents. Available treatments and therapies for family members are also reviewed. The paper concludes by identifying the limitations of existing knowledge and some directions for future research on this topic.     

Perceptions of Board Chair Leadership Effectiveness in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Organizations

This article reports on the results of a multi-year, multi-phase international quantitative research investigation into perceptions of board chair leadership impact in nonprofit and voluntary organizations in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Specifically, this research tests four hypotheses and a hypothesized model derived from theoretical perspectives on chair leadership effectiveness that emerged when the results of a prior grounded theory research investigation were reviewed ex post facto through the lens of leadership literature (see Harrison and Murray, NPML, accepted). The purpose of this phase of the research is to determine: (a) whether there is empirical support for the theoretical perspectives advanced; and (b) which perspective offers the best explanation for why some board chairs are perceived as having more impact in the role than others. The results suggest chair leadership effectiveness is best understood as a multi-dimensional theoretical construct explained by more than one leadership theory. The article concludes with a discussion of the findings and directions for further research.     

SOLUTION-FOCUSED THERAPY IN A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

This paper presents the authors' use of solution-focused brief therpay in an adult inpatient psychiatric hospital setting. we suggest that a theoretical inteeegration of the medical model and the solution-focused approach provides a useful treatment modality. We discuss implementation of the model, emphasizing assessment, treatment milieu, the role of staff, therapy, and discharge issues. We also describe the model's usefulness for training and supervision and offer recommendations for future research.     

Searching for analytical concepts in the research process: Learning from children1

This paper addresses some methodological and theoretical issues of the role that concepts and conceptualization play in the process of analysing qualitative data. Studying children as research subjects, and reflecting upon their movement and relational dynamics in day‐care institutions in Norway, led to a critical consideration of the process of conceptualization and the concepts themselves. It is argued that reflexivity and a dialectical relationship between empirical data, theory and relevant literature are vital components in this process. This is illustrated and discussed in relation to two main approaches of analysing empirical data: a top–down approach, where established theoretical concepts are applied; and a bottom–up approach, where theoretical concepts grounded in empirical data are generated. Two concepts from ethnographic research in day‐care centres are introduced to illustrate both approaches and to illustrate the effort of avoiding adult‐centricism.     

The (mis)acquisition of gender identity among transsexuals

Transsexualism suggests questions for sociologists who study gender. Is gender identity always a precursor to role behavior or might it result from the social reactions to deviant behavior? This article considers several theoretical explanations for the (mis)acquisition of gender identity among transsexuals: biological hypotheses, psychoanalytic theories, social learning, and role theory. The author concludes that gender role and gender identity are confounded in past research and that the issue inflexibility of identities needs to be treated more systematically.