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Even with the most “naked” eye it is difficult not to notice the growing prevalence of tattoos in the Russian society (beyond any generational, gender, professional or social boundaries), which makes tattooing an important object of sociological analysis and requires identifying its subject field, since tattooing is such an ancient social phenomenon that it has long been the focus of interdisciplinary research (historical, anthropological, philosophical, art-historical, cultural studies, etc.). The article outlines this subject field as consisting of several thematic blocks. First, these are reasons for the popularization of tattooing in the social history of recent centuries: the results of the colonial era; interest in other cultures; “labeling” of subcultures; expansion of the listed “niche” reasons beyond certain social/professional groups and subcultures (mass distribution of tattoos in the contemporary consumer culture). Second, the conceptual foundations of the sociological study of the functionalsymbolic features of tattooing: the “critical theory”; theories of subcultures; identity theories; gender approach within identity research; sociological theories of the body. Undoubtedly, the specificity of the sociological analysis of tattooing is the focus on its functions in a given social context, which today is set by the mass consumer culture of the information society and, in part, by various subcultural and “elite”-reference groups. Third, the possibility of empirical study of tattooing outside the socialanthropological (historical-visual or semiotic-symbolic) field - in the perspective of highlighting existing/sustainable social representations about tattooing. Sociologists have two main methodological tools: mass representative surveys and semi-formalized (expert in the broad sense of the word) interviews. The article presents the results of the all-Russian survey conducted by WCIOM in 2019 and of the small online survey supplemented by semi-structured interviews, which showed a clearly expressed trend of social ‘normalization’ of tattooing in the Russian society as mainly a widespread and a generally neutrally perceived method of (aesthetic and decorative) self-expression.

Anthropogenic pressure on water resources is affecting aquatic systems, requiring ecological analysis and restoration. This study proposes a new approach to assessing public perceptions of these activities. The methodology used is based on a structured questionnaire that looks at the general perception of the research topic, the economic readiness for community involvement and the identification of institutional mechanisms to implement river restoration measures. We used random sampling, guaranteeing results with a margin of error of 4.33%. The results show that the public and practitioners have different perspectives, and this can influence river restoration solutions, as they will contribute to a change in the way that longitudinally connected river restoration solutions are designed and implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article sheds new light on the Swedish comprehensive school reform implemented in the 1960s (the Grundskolan reform) and the four decades preceding the reform. This reform was typical for the Nordic countries. The presented study concerns reforms in mathematics education and how change was initiated and driven before and during the comprehensive school reform. The analysis has a focus on the role of textbooks in educational governance. The analysis is based on Bourdieu’s field theory and concerns how a new way of preparing and driving reforms of school subjects restructured relationships between the state, textbook producers, and teachers. This article is mainly a synthesis of results from several previous studies on governance of Swedish mathematics education. The analysis reveals not only a new characteristic of the comprehensive school reform (swift and radical rather than slow and successive), but also a bottom-up movement in the school system, which has been commonly understood as top-down, very centralised, and slow moving. The results of the analysis help explain why the Swedish comprehensive school reform gained early acceptance and momentum. Another contribution of this article concerns historical textbook research, particularly regarding how fundamental changes in authorship of textbooks (from visible individual authors to anonymous collectives) can be related to educational governance and changes in power structures.

This article discusses results from a sociological study on (i) the sources and use of information on medicines and/or supplements and (ii) the self-assessment of how informed participants were about the last medicine or supplement they purchased. It seeks to demonstrate the plurality of information sources (expert and lay) that individuals call upon—with which they build up their medication literacy—and their perception of the information they have. While these social components of literacy are scarcely visible in available studies, the need to produce knowledge on them is a requisite for a more laypeople-centred approach in public policies seeking to promote medication literacy. A questionnaire was applied in-person (n = 1107) in urban pharmacies in Lisbon and Porto (Portugal). Results show expert information (medical and pharmaceutical) as the dominant reference, followed by lay sources (family/friends/colleagues), while digital sources were less valued than interpersonal ones. This interpersonal dimension was a relevant factor in the building of trust in information. The self-assessment of the information on medication was higher in functional literacy and lower in comprehensive literacy. Studies on medication literacy are particularly relevant in the current context of the expansion and diversification of medicines' use and of individuals' growing autonomy in their consumption habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses results from a sociological study on (i) the sources and use of information on medicines and/or supplements and (ii) the self-assessment of how informed participants were about the last medicine or supplement they purchased. It seeks to demonstrate the plurality of information sources (expert and lay) that individuals call upon—with which they build up their medication literacy—and their perception of the information they have. While these social components of literacy are scarcely visible in available studies, the need to produce knowledge on them is a requisite for a more laypeople-centred approach in public policies seeking to promote medication literacy. A questionnaire was applied in-person (n = 1107) in urban pharmacies in Lisbon and Porto (Portugal). Results show expert information (medical and pharmaceutical) as the dominant reference, followed by lay sources (family/friends/colleagues), while digital sources were less valued than interpersonal ones. This interpersonal dimension was a relevant factor in the building of trust in information. The self-assessment of the information on medication was higher in functional literacy and lower in comprehensive literacy. Studies on medication literacy are particularly relevant in the current context of the expansion and diversification of medicines’ use and of individuals’ growing autonomy in their consumption habits.

Copyright of Revista Electrónica de Enseñanza de las Ciencias is the property of Revista Electronica de Ensenanza de las Ciencias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Every historical period forms a special generation with its own values and norms. Children and youth become the main driving force in the development of the higher education, but this system in Russia is going through a difficult period due to the problems unresolved after the 1990s: the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of the higher education, inequalities in the access to education, etc. Therefore, intellectual competitions can be considered not only a positive manifestation of the social activity of schoolchildren, but also a means to support talented youth and ensure the interconnection of secondary and higher education systems. The article considers social aspects of the intellectual competitions for schoolchildren which aim at the development of social practices related to research activities and teaching at school. The authors focus on the research and practice-oriented interests of schoolchildren within the intellectual competitions in social studies: priorities, values and life strategies of schoolchildren when choosing the sphere of their interests. The authors analyzed the written projects of schoolchildren, presentations of these projects, responses to experts’ questions, reactions to questions not directly related to the topic of the presented project, further participation in the section, and some additional information. As a result, the authors made conclusions not only about the content of the priorities, values and life strategies of schoolchildren, but also about the procedure and conditions necessary for assessing the quality of work and the creative potential of participants of intellectual competitions.

Copyright of Electronic Turkish Studies is the property of Electronic Turkish Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pensamiento Jurídico is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article considers the field observations and design in the polar latitudes of Krasnoyarsk Krai. It analyses the contemporary problems of living conditions in the Extreme North, the influence of the comfortable environment on the settlement stability and the prevention of migration out of northern territories, as well as attracting and retaining of young specialists and young people in general in the North. The authors provide the examples of design solutions for creation of contemporary living conditions, the results of the sociological analysis and participatory design that involved inhabitants of the northern territories (Khatanga, Kresty, Zhdanikha).

The purpose of this study is to identify the educational strategies in higher education based on an analysis of students’ motives. The sociological study was conducted using a complex of quantitative and qualitative methods employing a questionnaire survey participated by students, graduate and doctoral students of national and state universities of Kazakhstan. The in-depth interviews were attended only by graduate and doctoral students. The findings unravelled that the leading motive for education was the desire of students to obtain a diploma. The acquisition of a formal university graduation certificate is important in the opinion of students. However, neither the content or qualifications nor the mastery of the future speciality, which they are going to acquire in the course of study, are not significant motives for the young generation. In the view of modern Kazakhstan youth, to be an educated person means to offer oneself in the labour market profitably. The existence of a link between the requirements for the future profession and goals in the higher education system was also confirmed in the course of study. The results obtained in the course of research make it possible to head over to a new level of substantiation of educational strategies and create prerequisites for the improvement of the efficiency of the educatory process.

The article shows the results of sociological research of the Russians' attitude towards migrants with the focus on Ukrainian and Latin American groups due to their opposite characteristics. The conducted survey of recipient culture representatives have revealed some models of interactions between the dominant nation and ethnic minorities. Both groups have high level of integration ability. The differences between them are quantitative, professional and sociocultural characteristics. Despite the latest political crisis the attitude of the recipient society towards these two groups remains more positive, and it differs them from the rest of migrants in Russia.

The recent legal changes pertaining to the institution of the Constitutional Tribunal arouse many controversies. This paper presents a sociological and legal study conducted to collect and examine the opinions regarding the above held by Polish lawyers who because of their profession and experience are in a position to confront directly the legal practice with the changing legal system that is directly responsible for the level of protection of individual rights and the exercise of individual fundamental rights. From the point of view of rationality and functionality of the operations of the Constitutional Tribunal an opinion formulated by jurists who due to their background have greater legal awareness seemed invaluable. After all it will be their opinion which will decide about the future of the judiciary in Poland. The results of the current transformations being implemented in constitutional judiciary as well as at the level of common courts have consequences for all the citizens. The aim of the questions asked in the survey was to fi nd how lawyers in Poland saw the situation with the Constitutional Tribunal today as well as what the though it its regime and functioning could be like in the future. Questions also concerned the current and actual legal status of the Tribunal and the lawyers’ reactions to the changes being implemented or about to me made, and if possible the possible ways of ending the current Constitutional Tribunal crisis.

SOCIAL MOVEMENTS ARE RARELY APPROACHED AS A PRIMARY OBJECT, BUT RATHER AS A PARTICULAR CASE, SO THEY ARE STUDIED AS SPECIFIC FORMS OF COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR OR INDIRECTLY ADDRESSED BY THE GLOBAL PRISM OF COLLECTIVE VIOLENCE, REPRESENTING, ACCORDING TO SOME RESEARCHERS, THE MAJOR PHENOMENON TO BE EXPLAINED. IT IS DIFFICULT, HOWEVER, TO TALK ABOUT A "CLASSIC" MODEL OF "SOCIAL MOVEMENTS". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Social networks are appropriate tools for providing information or creating a proper image of specific organizations or institutions, including those related to health care. They also make it possible to overcome communication barriers in such topics as promoting knowledge related to the diagnosis and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In the following work, the authors sought to present a sociological analysis of the content and form of media coverage on the "Social Committee for AIDS (SKA)" profile on Facebook in the time interval selected for the study. Material and methods: This qualitative study is based on the method of analyzing the content of the media message of the selected profile on the social networking site Facebook. The research was performed based on the entries from August and September 2018 posted on the profile of the "Social Committee on AIDS (SKA)" on Facebook. Results: The studied profile had a significant number of 1541 likes and 1509 marked possibilities to observe it. The analysis of contents concerned in total 32 entries posted on the profile in August-September 2018. All research hypotheses have been verified positively. Conclusions: Creating media messages targeted at the group of people at risk of HIV infection has above all to meet such criteria as: be adapted to the contemporary requirements of creating messages on social networking sites on the Internet, be created in the proper context of contemporary Polish society, underline high professional competence of medical staff and scientific achievements in the field of HIV/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors study the sociological grounds of Georgia's foreign policy based on the long-term researches conducted by American and Georgian NGOs, yet applying a critical approach to the provided data and figures. Despite the aggressive rhetoric of Georgian politicians towards Russia and apparent social consensus as regards EU and NATO integration, the article concludes that Russia has not completely "lost" Georgia. The results of the sociological surveys show that up to one third of the population of Georgia are ready to consider Russia as main partner of their country, and this figure depends to a certain extent on the Georgian authorities' policy. In addition, the potential of the Eurasian integration of Georgia is not equal to zero, and it is supported by around one fifth of the population. In the authors' view, Georgia may appreciate help with solving its domestic economic problems far more than being called "a beacon of democracy" or "a truly European state". Although according to the results of the most surveys Russia takes the first place in the list of the threats to Georgia, exceeding even the figures for the banned "Islamic State", around one third of the population of Georgia consistently consider Russian threat exaggerated. Together with those who do not regard Russia as a threat at all, these citizens of Georgia almost equal the number of people who believe that "Russia poses a threat to Georgia". Even if Russia does not change its position on the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the West remains the goalpost of Georgia's foreign policy, the ties between the people, cultures, and economies of the two countries will not be severed. However, negligence towards the potential of developing the bilateral relations with no efforts taken on a mutual basis may significantly weaken the ties between Russia and Georgia by undermining the chances of strengthening them.

The authors study the sociological grounds of Georgia's foreign policy based on the long-term researches conducted by American and Georgian NGOs, yet applying a critical approach to the provided data and figures. Despite the aggressive rhetoric of Georgian politicians towards Russia and apparent social consensus as regards EU and NATO integration, the article concludes that Russia has not completely "lost" Georgia. The results of the sociological surveys show that up to one third of the population of Georgia are ready to consider Russia as main partner of their country, and this figure depends to a certain extent on the Georgian authorities' policy. In addition, the potential of the Eurasian integration of Georgia is not equal to zero, and it is supported by around one fifth of the population. In the authors' view, Georgia may appreciate help with solving its domestic economic problems far more than being called "a beacon of democracy" or "a truly European state". Although according to the results of the most surveys Russia takes the first place in the list of the threats to Georgia, exceeding even the figures for the banned "Islamic State", around one third of the population of Georgia consistently consider Russian threat exaggerated. Together with those who do not regard Russia as a threat at all, these citizens of Georgia almost equal the number of people who believe that "Russia poses a threat to Georgia". Even if Russia does not change its position on the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the West remains the goalpost of Georgia's foreign policy, the ties between the people, cultures, and economies of the two countries will not be severed. However, negligence towards the potential of developing the bilateral relations with no efforts taken on a mutual basis may significantly weaken the ties between Russia and Georgia by undermining the chances of strengthening them.

Copyright of Interface - Comunicação, Saúde, Educação is the property of Fundacao UNI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Globalization has become a contagious phenomenon that has not spared any society and social institutions. Events happening at the global arena has far-reaching impact and implications at the remotest village in virtually any part of the earth. The tidal wave of democracy as the most acceptable system of government and capitalism as the best economic system synchronized with the shattering hurricane of globalization around the world has been producing innumerable political changes. Nigeria like most countries in the third word that were formerly under military rule embraced the civilian rule in 1999 after 16 years of its suspension from 1983-1999. From this point of view this paper will seek to know the meaning of globalization, democracy and the inverse relationship of the two concepts on most of the third world countries in general and Nigeria in particular. A conceptual clarification of globalization and democracy will follow next. Methodologically, the paper adopted a qualitative methods of content analysis to analysed the literature and empirical studies on topic reviewed and provided some insightful sociological analyses and conclusions.

Globalization has become a contagious phenomenon that has not spared any society and social institutions. Events happening at the global arena has far-reaching impact and implications at the remotest village in virtually any part of the earth. The tidal wave of democracy as the most acceptable system of government and capitalism as the best economic system synchronized with the shattering hurricane of globalization around the world has been producing innumerable political changes. Nigeria like most countries in the third word that were formerly under military rule embraced the civilian rule in 1999 after 16 years of its suspension from 1983-1999. From this point of view this paper will seek to know the meaning of globalization, democracy and the inverse relationship of the two concepts on most of the third world countries in general and Nigeria in particular. A conceptual clarification of globalization and democracy will follow next. Methodologically, the paper adopted a qualitative methods of content analysis to analysed the literature and empirical studies on topic reviewed and provided some insightful sociological analyses and conclusions.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the phenomenon of strategic alliances through a sociological perspective as a counterpoint to prevailing economic view, which privileges a conception of rational actor in a utilitarian and contractual basis. The case study investigates the process of constitution of a strategic alliance in the hotel industry in Brazil. Interviews and documentary data were analyzed qualitatively through traditional content analysis and oral history technique. The results revealed relevant emergent sociological aspects concerning strategic alliances which formed the basis for the establishment of four analytical propositions: 1. the process of constituting strategic alliances is influenced by the activity of different interested actors distributed in the political arena, whose actions are guided not only by utilitarian expectations, but also symbolic; 2. the effort of incumbent actors to justify and legitimize a project of interorganizational cooperation and to mobilize other actors in favor of ideas and interests that are consistent with this project influences the process of constituting strategic alliances; 3. principles, categories and shared understandings of interorganizational cooperation, built on the interaction of the constituent actors with external agents, determine the formal and relational arrangements in the process of constituting strategic alliances; 4. the constitution of strategic alliances depends on how organizational actors interpret their membership as desirable or obligatory in a given social context. We conclude in favor to a complementary approach between economic perspective and sociological view in strategic alliance studies, which recognize the social embeddedness of the economic actors as well as the relevance of the institutional dimension of organizational environment. In doing so, we believe the economic approach will benefit from a more complex and comprehensive understanding of strategic alliances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the variety of types or dimensions of implicit discourse. Specifically, a typological characterisation is proposed, based on the intentions of the producer of the discourse, including a distinction between four basic dimensions: insinuated discourse, hidden discourse, 'failed' discourse and underlying discourse. Some examples are provided of each dimension, and then it is held that the proposed typology is useful for the sociological analysis of implicit discourse, that is, for its detection and interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the variety of types or dimensions of implicit discourse. Specifically, a typological characterisation is proposed, based on the intentions of the producer of the discourse, including a distinction between four basic dimensions: insinuated discourse, hidden discourse, 'failed' discourse and underlying discourse. Some examples are provided of each dimension, and then it is held that the proposed typology is useful for the sociological analysis of implicit discourse, that is, for its detection and interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government, the private sector, and society at large need to appreciate the war on an insidious and cancerous phenomenon that requires concerted, strategic and comprehensive arrangements and initiatives to be implemented if we are to actually arrest and then reverse its current proliferation: Corruption. This cannot occur if government and society do not move beyond the various one and two dimensional approaches that are advocated by various anti-corruption proponents. Hence, a sociological dissection of corruption needs to establish the reasons that lead to an environment becoming characterised by loss of ethical standards, the compelling need for individuals to satisfy their own personal financial and material interests, the opportunities to do so, and the absence of sufficient deterrents not to do so. These processes are instrumental in raising the levels of corrupt behaviour to a point where a broad culture of corruption develops, or to the severe detriment of an entire country. A sociological analysis of corruption will be instrumental in showing how corruption can reach proportions that have a significantly negative bearing on a country's wellbeing, in terms of its impact on the national economy and development prospects, the political institutions and the public administration. The paper illustrates that without the utilisation of sociological imagination and its well researched empirical manifestations, the efforts to eliminate corruption are in danger of been in vain. The case of South Africa will provide the empirical dimension of the phenomenon in question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a truism to remind ourselves that scientific theory is a human product subject to many of the same social processes that govern other social acts. Science, however, whether social or natural, pretends to claim a higher mission, a more sophisticated methodology, and more consequential and reliable outcomes than human efforts arising from other spheres. The present paper examines the propagation, ascension, acceptance, and demise of twentieth century criminological theories in the United States. Data from publications in peer reviewed journals over the last 30 years suggest that several non-scientific factors are most influential in determining which theories are tested, cited, and discussed in criminological circles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the influence of the leading mass media (television, radio, youth magazines and Internet) on the tastes, cultural and musical consumption habits, and life styles of adolescents in Spain. Music plays a very important role in the daily lives of youth and their social and cultural context. Adolescents band together based on their musical preferences, sharing space, entertainment venues, lifestyles, and standards of social interaction [HARGREAVES & NORTH, 1999; NORTH & HARGREAVES, 2007]. Affinity with specific musical styles is used by young people as a sign of identity, a phenomenon that is decades-old, for example, during the 1950s in the United States, when listening to rock and roll was synonymous with youth, rebelliousness and freedom [CRIPPS, 2001]. Asimilar phenomenon is occurring today with the sociomusical behavior of adolescents in Spain [CREMADES, LORENZO & HERRERA, 2010], reinforced by the powerful musical influence of the mass media, television being the leading medium among young people [PINDADO, 2005]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on moral-psychological support (MPS) within the Russian Federation's (RF) Armed Forces. It states that to improve the efficiency of MPS and optimize its administration in RF armed forces, reliable knowledge is needed about present factors influencing the MPS. The article cites that analysis of social interaction among MPS participants is important in organizing the MPS system in the RF armed forces.