Yolanda Zografova | Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (original) (raw)
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Societies, Oct 11, 2023
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Социологически проблеми, 1992
Социологически проблеми, 1994
Психологични изследвания, 2004
Problems of psychology in the 21st century, Dec 15, 2013
The wide range of transformations subsequent to the enlargements of the European community reverb... more The wide range of transformations subsequent to the enlargements of the European community reverberate in all important spheres of the way of life. The individual and social psychic experience the important influence of the enlargement processes and so do the interhuman, intergroup and cross-cultural relations. To a mutual intergroup tolerance and the lacking conflicts integration of foreign citizens, of immigrants and refugees in a certain country, lead the importance of a collective European identity and the formation of commonly shared values, norms and rules. This is found to be a controversial and uneasy process. Social knowledge and social psychology in particular could help elaborate new models of relations on a supra-individual level directed toward research on collective phenomena through interdisciplinary approach. Modern processes of globalization and integration have great impact and change social psychic on national, community and group level. Nevertheless the dynamics in development of interpersonal and intergroup relations, there is a problem that remains crucial-the identity problem. Furthermore, the higher the integration of the communities, the sharper the outlined identification parameters. Phenomena as increased mobility, developed communication opportunities, migration flows, refugees, determine formation of new attitudes, new representations and new forms of social behavior among European citizens. However, some of the social development trends are unpredictable and this leads to unscheduled changes in social relations and intergroup tolerance. Multiculturalism that should have been a theory and at the same time real social context so as communities with their specificities and diversity to coexist in mutual tolerance, could not overcome the intergroup conflicts (Putnam, 2007) and was even accused of stimulating intolerance. Thus, in the field of social psychology one of the most often quoted and seemingly most often confirmed theory remains Tajfel's TSI (Tajfel, 1981) with the clear positioning of We and They, of others and ours. However, Druckman suggests that studies should develop toward analysis of the reality of multiple and mutually crossing identities that are intrinsic to to contemporary individuals (Druckman, 2001). Social processes provoked new challenges both for politicians and social knowledge, including psychology. Diversity paradigm could be one unifying idea for the different branches and it is approached by some of the social sciences, however it still rarely is in the focus of psychological knowledge. This paradigm allows one's own Self to be viewed as one of the Others and approach to harmonization of the multiple systems to which person relates to be outlined (Sicakkan, 2003). Acceptance of the ethnical, national, communal diversity on individual and collective level could be the factor for development of intergroup tolerance. When speaking of European citizens in particular, at the foreground comes also the issue of the common, collective European identity. Nevertheless the number of authors who are sceptical to its formation, awareness of the common affiliation to the EU is obviously outlined as the basis, necessary for overcoming many social and economic issues, as well as for attainment of the important adaptation, integration of the foreigners, immigrants, etc. in one state or another. Increasing the European citizens' awareness about the principles, promulgated through EC instruments such as the Lisbon treaty or about the opportunities of European Citizens Initiative facilitates development of common normative and value models, but
Problems of psychology in the 21st century, Dec 15, 2013
The dynamically ongoing processes of integration are among the crucial premises for the developme... more The dynamically ongoing processes of integration are among the crucial premises for the development of contemporary interpersonal, intergroup and cross-cultural relations, attitudes, conflicts and more. The research problem here directs to an analysis, based on ESS data collected in 8 countries, rounds 2006 and 2008, on the extent to which Europeans' personal orientations significantly influence the attitudes towards ethno-national diversity, in this case, towards two social groups: immigrants coming from poorer countries outside Europe and people with different sexual orientation. Furthermore, the influence of the same factors on the civic activeness and involvement in the social-political processes has been followed. Through regressive analysis the important effect of the co-otherness orientation (a concept developed by Sicakkan, 2003), the orientation to success and traditionalism on all included dependent variables has been proved. The expectations for predicting effects of the three personal orientations have been confirmed regarding the civic involvement and tolerance to diversity. Simultaneously the necessity of working EU politics to deal with the risks of emerging negative attitudes has been pointed out in relation to the broad immigrant and refugee wave to European countries.
Qualitative sociology review, Apr 30, 2019
This article examines the nature of group identity in order to gain insight into the character an... more This article examines the nature of group identity in order to gain insight into the character and quality of intergroup contacts, particularly the conditions for positive contacts between members of different ethnic groups. An important conception underlying the discussion is that identity is not a stable construct or fixed essence, but rather is discursive in nature and turns upon how individuals and collectivities distinguish themselves in their relations with other individuals and collectivities. Both resemblance and difference are thus essential principles of social identity, while ethnic identity is distinct from culture and may be analyzed as a form of social organization. This heightens the importance of the degree of permeability of group boundaries, and of one's relation with their own ethnic group, in minimizing prejudice and fostering interethnic relations. Analysis of field interviews with members of Bulgarian and Bulgarian Turkish ethnic groups provided the basis for the theoretical discussion concerning intergroup contacts. The interviews also serve to illustrate the inverse relationship between intergroup contacts and prejudices, as well as the fact that insofar as intergroup ethnic conflicts and perceived differences occur between narrative constructs, they can be transformed and resolved through openness towards differences and dialogue.
ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCHES AND STUDIES
Objectives. The aim is to study the emigration attitudes among young Bulgarians and the influence... more Objectives. The aim is to study the emigration attitudes among young Bulgarians and the influence of social factors and values on these attitudes. Material and methods. In-depth online and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 45 individuals, representatives of the age group from 18 to 35 years. These interviews are part of a wider study on the psychological determinants of emigration attitudes. Results. They are presented through a qualitative analysis of both characteristic features of the studied group of attitudes to emigration, and some generational differences within the sample – between Generation Millennium and Generation Z. For individuals with clearly expressedintentions to emigrate specific plans and target destinations are typical. People who declared a clearly expressed intention not to emigrate, the value orientations are related to maintaining relationships with relatives and friends and achieving professional realization in Bulgaria. A third group of interviewe...
The mass media are key social actors in the articulation of themes of common concern in the Europ... more The mass media are key social actors in the articulation of themes of common concern in the European public space, nowadays. Through mediation of messages, symbols and visions on important issues the media may infl uence on which themes to dominate the European public sphere. In this article we examine the patterns of media reporting on important EU-related issues, particularly the issues of Construction of the EU and Reform Treaty, in 16 European countries, incl. Turkey. We analyse the EU-related content of 77 print and broadcast media actors by focusing on two dimensions of media reporting: the frequency of reporting and the attitudes manifested by the media actors while reporting on EU-related issues. Our general fi ndings suggest that at the time of data collection (May-October 2008) there was a prevailing country-specifi c, instead of a unifi ed pattern of media reporting in Europe. Signifi cant interdependencies between the types of state membership (old, new and non-member) a...
This article examines the nature of group identity in order to gain insight into the character an... more This article examines the nature of group identity in order to gain insight into the character and quality of intergroup contacts, particularly the conditions for positive contacts between members of different ethnic groups. An important conception underlying the discussion is that identity is not a stable construct or fixed essence, but rather is discursive in nature and turns upon how individuals and collectivities distinguish themselves in their relations with other individuals and collectivities. Both resemblance and difference are thus essential principles of social identity, while ethnic identity is distinct from culture and may be analyzed as a form of social organization. This heightens the importance of the degree of permeability of group boundaries, and of one's relation with their own ethnic group, in minimizing prejudice and fostering interethnic relations. Analysis of field interviews with members of Bulgarian and Bulgarian Turkish ethnic groups provided the basis for the theoretical discussion concerning intergroup contacts. The interviews also serve to illustrate the inverse relationship between intergroup contacts and prejudices, as well as the fact that insofar as intergroup ethnic conflicts and perceived differences occur between narrative constructs, they can be transformed and resolved through openness towards differences and dialogue.
The present report is one of the sixteen country studies that have been produced by the EUROSPHER... more The present report is one of the sixteen country studies that have been produced by the EUROSPHERE Consortium. EUROSPHERE is an integrated project which is funded by the European Commission within the EU's 6 th Framework Programme. The EUROSPHERE Consortium comprises seventeen European universities and research institutes and approximately 100 researchers work in the project's different parts and phases. Two of our partners have now left the Consortium after having successfully completed their tasks in ...
Problems of Psychology in the 21st Century
The wide range of transformations subsequent to the enlargements of the European community reverb... more The wide range of transformations subsequent to the enlargements of the European community reverberate in all important spheres of the way of life. The individual and social psychic experience the important influence of the enlargement processes and so do the interhuman, intergroup and cross-cultural relations. To a mutual intergroup tolerance and the lacking conflicts integration of foreign citizens, of immigrants and refugees in a certain country, lead the importance of a collective European identity and the formation of commonly shared values, norms and rules. This is found to be a controversial and uneasy process. Social knowledge and social psychology in particular could help elaborate new models of relations on a supra-individual level directed toward research on collective phenomena through interdisciplinary approach.
Societies, Oct 11, 2023
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Социологически проблеми, 1992
Социологически проблеми, 1994
Психологични изследвания, 2004
Problems of psychology in the 21st century, Dec 15, 2013
The wide range of transformations subsequent to the enlargements of the European community reverb... more The wide range of transformations subsequent to the enlargements of the European community reverberate in all important spheres of the way of life. The individual and social psychic experience the important influence of the enlargement processes and so do the interhuman, intergroup and cross-cultural relations. To a mutual intergroup tolerance and the lacking conflicts integration of foreign citizens, of immigrants and refugees in a certain country, lead the importance of a collective European identity and the formation of commonly shared values, norms and rules. This is found to be a controversial and uneasy process. Social knowledge and social psychology in particular could help elaborate new models of relations on a supra-individual level directed toward research on collective phenomena through interdisciplinary approach. Modern processes of globalization and integration have great impact and change social psychic on national, community and group level. Nevertheless the dynamics in development of interpersonal and intergroup relations, there is a problem that remains crucial-the identity problem. Furthermore, the higher the integration of the communities, the sharper the outlined identification parameters. Phenomena as increased mobility, developed communication opportunities, migration flows, refugees, determine formation of new attitudes, new representations and new forms of social behavior among European citizens. However, some of the social development trends are unpredictable and this leads to unscheduled changes in social relations and intergroup tolerance. Multiculturalism that should have been a theory and at the same time real social context so as communities with their specificities and diversity to coexist in mutual tolerance, could not overcome the intergroup conflicts (Putnam, 2007) and was even accused of stimulating intolerance. Thus, in the field of social psychology one of the most often quoted and seemingly most often confirmed theory remains Tajfel's TSI (Tajfel, 1981) with the clear positioning of We and They, of others and ours. However, Druckman suggests that studies should develop toward analysis of the reality of multiple and mutually crossing identities that are intrinsic to to contemporary individuals (Druckman, 2001). Social processes provoked new challenges both for politicians and social knowledge, including psychology. Diversity paradigm could be one unifying idea for the different branches and it is approached by some of the social sciences, however it still rarely is in the focus of psychological knowledge. This paradigm allows one's own Self to be viewed as one of the Others and approach to harmonization of the multiple systems to which person relates to be outlined (Sicakkan, 2003). Acceptance of the ethnical, national, communal diversity on individual and collective level could be the factor for development of intergroup tolerance. When speaking of European citizens in particular, at the foreground comes also the issue of the common, collective European identity. Nevertheless the number of authors who are sceptical to its formation, awareness of the common affiliation to the EU is obviously outlined as the basis, necessary for overcoming many social and economic issues, as well as for attainment of the important adaptation, integration of the foreigners, immigrants, etc. in one state or another. Increasing the European citizens' awareness about the principles, promulgated through EC instruments such as the Lisbon treaty or about the opportunities of European Citizens Initiative facilitates development of common normative and value models, but
Problems of psychology in the 21st century, Dec 15, 2013
The dynamically ongoing processes of integration are among the crucial premises for the developme... more The dynamically ongoing processes of integration are among the crucial premises for the development of contemporary interpersonal, intergroup and cross-cultural relations, attitudes, conflicts and more. The research problem here directs to an analysis, based on ESS data collected in 8 countries, rounds 2006 and 2008, on the extent to which Europeans' personal orientations significantly influence the attitudes towards ethno-national diversity, in this case, towards two social groups: immigrants coming from poorer countries outside Europe and people with different sexual orientation. Furthermore, the influence of the same factors on the civic activeness and involvement in the social-political processes has been followed. Through regressive analysis the important effect of the co-otherness orientation (a concept developed by Sicakkan, 2003), the orientation to success and traditionalism on all included dependent variables has been proved. The expectations for predicting effects of the three personal orientations have been confirmed regarding the civic involvement and tolerance to diversity. Simultaneously the necessity of working EU politics to deal with the risks of emerging negative attitudes has been pointed out in relation to the broad immigrant and refugee wave to European countries.
Qualitative sociology review, Apr 30, 2019
This article examines the nature of group identity in order to gain insight into the character an... more This article examines the nature of group identity in order to gain insight into the character and quality of intergroup contacts, particularly the conditions for positive contacts between members of different ethnic groups. An important conception underlying the discussion is that identity is not a stable construct or fixed essence, but rather is discursive in nature and turns upon how individuals and collectivities distinguish themselves in their relations with other individuals and collectivities. Both resemblance and difference are thus essential principles of social identity, while ethnic identity is distinct from culture and may be analyzed as a form of social organization. This heightens the importance of the degree of permeability of group boundaries, and of one's relation with their own ethnic group, in minimizing prejudice and fostering interethnic relations. Analysis of field interviews with members of Bulgarian and Bulgarian Turkish ethnic groups provided the basis for the theoretical discussion concerning intergroup contacts. The interviews also serve to illustrate the inverse relationship between intergroup contacts and prejudices, as well as the fact that insofar as intergroup ethnic conflicts and perceived differences occur between narrative constructs, they can be transformed and resolved through openness towards differences and dialogue.
ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCHES AND STUDIES
Objectives. The aim is to study the emigration attitudes among young Bulgarians and the influence... more Objectives. The aim is to study the emigration attitudes among young Bulgarians and the influence of social factors and values on these attitudes. Material and methods. In-depth online and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 45 individuals, representatives of the age group from 18 to 35 years. These interviews are part of a wider study on the psychological determinants of emigration attitudes. Results. They are presented through a qualitative analysis of both characteristic features of the studied group of attitudes to emigration, and some generational differences within the sample – between Generation Millennium and Generation Z. For individuals with clearly expressedintentions to emigrate specific plans and target destinations are typical. People who declared a clearly expressed intention not to emigrate, the value orientations are related to maintaining relationships with relatives and friends and achieving professional realization in Bulgaria. A third group of interviewe...
The mass media are key social actors in the articulation of themes of common concern in the Europ... more The mass media are key social actors in the articulation of themes of common concern in the European public space, nowadays. Through mediation of messages, symbols and visions on important issues the media may infl uence on which themes to dominate the European public sphere. In this article we examine the patterns of media reporting on important EU-related issues, particularly the issues of Construction of the EU and Reform Treaty, in 16 European countries, incl. Turkey. We analyse the EU-related content of 77 print and broadcast media actors by focusing on two dimensions of media reporting: the frequency of reporting and the attitudes manifested by the media actors while reporting on EU-related issues. Our general fi ndings suggest that at the time of data collection (May-October 2008) there was a prevailing country-specifi c, instead of a unifi ed pattern of media reporting in Europe. Signifi cant interdependencies between the types of state membership (old, new and non-member) a...
This article examines the nature of group identity in order to gain insight into the character an... more This article examines the nature of group identity in order to gain insight into the character and quality of intergroup contacts, particularly the conditions for positive contacts between members of different ethnic groups. An important conception underlying the discussion is that identity is not a stable construct or fixed essence, but rather is discursive in nature and turns upon how individuals and collectivities distinguish themselves in their relations with other individuals and collectivities. Both resemblance and difference are thus essential principles of social identity, while ethnic identity is distinct from culture and may be analyzed as a form of social organization. This heightens the importance of the degree of permeability of group boundaries, and of one's relation with their own ethnic group, in minimizing prejudice and fostering interethnic relations. Analysis of field interviews with members of Bulgarian and Bulgarian Turkish ethnic groups provided the basis for the theoretical discussion concerning intergroup contacts. The interviews also serve to illustrate the inverse relationship between intergroup contacts and prejudices, as well as the fact that insofar as intergroup ethnic conflicts and perceived differences occur between narrative constructs, they can be transformed and resolved through openness towards differences and dialogue.
The present report is one of the sixteen country studies that have been produced by the EUROSPHER... more The present report is one of the sixteen country studies that have been produced by the EUROSPHERE Consortium. EUROSPHERE is an integrated project which is funded by the European Commission within the EU's 6 th Framework Programme. The EUROSPHERE Consortium comprises seventeen European universities and research institutes and approximately 100 researchers work in the project's different parts and phases. Two of our partners have now left the Consortium after having successfully completed their tasks in ...
Problems of Psychology in the 21st Century
The wide range of transformations subsequent to the enlargements of the European community reverb... more The wide range of transformations subsequent to the enlargements of the European community reverberate in all important spheres of the way of life. The individual and social psychic experience the important influence of the enlargement processes and so do the interhuman, intergroup and cross-cultural relations. To a mutual intergroup tolerance and the lacking conflicts integration of foreign citizens, of immigrants and refugees in a certain country, lead the importance of a collective European identity and the formation of commonly shared values, norms and rules. This is found to be a controversial and uneasy process. Social knowledge and social psychology in particular could help elaborate new models of relations on a supra-individual level directed toward research on collective phenomena through interdisciplinary approach.