Megan Hughes - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Megan Hughes

First described in a German paper in 1944, Hans Asperger’s account of an autistic psychopathy was... more First described in a German paper in 1944, Hans Asperger’s account of an autistic psychopathy was only translated and brought to America in 1981. Despite the apparent similarities to the description of autism (based on the 1943 writings of Leo Kanner) given in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) III, Asperger’s disorder was included in the DSM IV as a distinct and separate disorder (Sanders, 2009).
Although much research has been generated since its inclusion, Asperger’s disorder remains an area of great controversy. While some have argued that it is a disorder in its own right (Kaland, 2011), others have maintained that it is merely a manifestation of high functioning autism (Sanders, 2009). Another argument is that Asperger’s is not a mental disorder at all but is instead social construction (Allred, 2009).
At present, Asperger’s disorder is being recommended for removal from the DSM V (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2011).

The rise in new communication technologies makes anonymous interactions increasingly possible, ex... more The rise in new communication technologies makes anonymous interactions increasingly possible, extending the possibilities for understanding the effects of anonymity on the behaviour of individuals. Theories of deindividuation and dehumanisation propose that anonymity will automatically lead to aggressive and antisocial behaviour, while the Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects adds that the social environment can mediate this effect. The first phase of this study was created to test the Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects prediction of the role of the social environment. A quasi-experimental design was used within the online computer gaming environment as a testing platform. The results of this phase point to the salience of competitive environments in inducing aggressive behaviour (an effect that may be heightened by large group sizes and human-player opponents). Due to the unusual nature of the results of the first phase, a follow-up study was conducted as a further exploration of the results through open discussions held on various South African gaming-related forums. A number of important themes emerged from these dialogues, specifically that of aggression in others, personal investment, stress relief, and gender. Overall, the results of both phases of this study offer support for the Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects model and suggestions of new avenues for future researchers to explore.

An individual’s concept of him or herself (his or her self-identity) is not only an internal and ... more An individual’s concept of him or herself (his or her self-identity) is not only an internal and mental process but a social one as well. Cultural and societal norms, which influence both internal dialogue and interactions with others, have a massive impact on the formation of any individual’s self-identity (Charmaz, 1983). For the chronically ill individual, notions around health and wellness, which are inextricably linked to ideas of moral good (Furedi, 2005), become particularly important in their interpretations of their experiences with their bodies.

People living in westernised societies today find themselves enveloped within an emotion culture ... more People living in westernised societies today find themselves enveloped within an emotion culture that heavily promotes personal and emotional wellbeing (a term that is used as a synonym for happiness in psychology) through the forging of relationships with others (Pflug, 2009). This societal and cultural focus is the result of a number of precipitating circumstances that led to the move away from the collectivist society to the individualistic one (Cancian & Gordon, 1988). This cultural shift allowed for the rise of relational psychology, which was brought about by the feminist movement, and the emergence of a therapeutic culture which accentuated ideas about the emotional self in relation to others as well as notions of emotional wellness.

First described in a German paper in 1944, Hans Asperger’s account of an autistic psychopathy was... more First described in a German paper in 1944, Hans Asperger’s account of an autistic psychopathy was only translated and brought to America in 1981. Despite the apparent similarities to the description of autism (based on the 1943 writings of Leo Kanner) given in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) III, Asperger’s disorder was included in the DSM IV as a distinct and separate disorder (Sanders, 2009).
Although much research has been generated since its inclusion, Asperger’s disorder remains an area of great controversy. While some have argued that it is a disorder in its own right (Kaland, 2011), others have maintained that it is merely a manifestation of high functioning autism (Sanders, 2009). Another argument is that Asperger’s is not a mental disorder at all but is instead social construction (Allred, 2009).
At present, Asperger’s disorder is being recommended for removal from the DSM V (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2011).

The rise in new communication technologies makes anonymous interactions increasingly possible, ex... more The rise in new communication technologies makes anonymous interactions increasingly possible, extending the possibilities for understanding the effects of anonymity on the behaviour of individuals. Theories of deindividuation and dehumanisation propose that anonymity will automatically lead to aggressive and antisocial behaviour, while the Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects adds that the social environment can mediate this effect. The first phase of this study was created to test the Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects prediction of the role of the social environment. A quasi-experimental design was used within the online computer gaming environment as a testing platform. The results of this phase point to the salience of competitive environments in inducing aggressive behaviour (an effect that may be heightened by large group sizes and human-player opponents). Due to the unusual nature of the results of the first phase, a follow-up study was conducted as a further exploration of the results through open discussions held on various South African gaming-related forums. A number of important themes emerged from these dialogues, specifically that of aggression in others, personal investment, stress relief, and gender. Overall, the results of both phases of this study offer support for the Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects model and suggestions of new avenues for future researchers to explore.

An individual’s concept of him or herself (his or her self-identity) is not only an internal and ... more An individual’s concept of him or herself (his or her self-identity) is not only an internal and mental process but a social one as well. Cultural and societal norms, which influence both internal dialogue and interactions with others, have a massive impact on the formation of any individual’s self-identity (Charmaz, 1983). For the chronically ill individual, notions around health and wellness, which are inextricably linked to ideas of moral good (Furedi, 2005), become particularly important in their interpretations of their experiences with their bodies.

People living in westernised societies today find themselves enveloped within an emotion culture ... more People living in westernised societies today find themselves enveloped within an emotion culture that heavily promotes personal and emotional wellbeing (a term that is used as a synonym for happiness in psychology) through the forging of relationships with others (Pflug, 2009). This societal and cultural focus is the result of a number of precipitating circumstances that led to the move away from the collectivist society to the individualistic one (Cancian & Gordon, 1988). This cultural shift allowed for the rise of relational psychology, which was brought about by the feminist movement, and the emergence of a therapeutic culture which accentuated ideas about the emotional self in relation to others as well as notions of emotional wellness.