Rusi Jaspal | Nottingham Trent University (original) (raw)
Books by Rusi Jaspal
Antisemitism and anti-Zionism are complex, delineable, yet inter-related social-psychological phe... more Antisemitism and anti-Zionism are complex, delineable, yet inter-related social-psychological phenomena. While antisemitism has been described as an irrational, age-old prejudice, anti-Zionism is often represented as a legitimate response to a ‘rogue state’. Drawing upon media and visual sources and rich interview data from Iran, Britain and Israel, Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism: Representation, Cognition and Everyday Talk examines the concepts of antisemitism and anti-Zionism, tracing their evolution and inter-relations, and considering the distinct ways in which they are manifested, and responded to, by Muslim and Jewish communities in Iran, Britain and Israel.
Providing insights from social psychology, sociology and history, this interdisciplinary analysis sheds light on the pivotal role of the media, social representations and identity processes in shaping antisemitism and anti-Zionism. As such, this provocative book will be of interest to social scientists working on antisemitism, race and ethnicity, political sociology and political science, media studies and Middle Eastern politics."
We live in an ever-changing social world, which constantly calls forth changes to our identities ... more We live in an ever-changing social world, which constantly calls forth changes to our identities and actions. Advances in science, technology and medicine, political upheaval, and economic development are just some examples of social change that can impact upon how we live our lives, how we view ourselves and each other, and how we communicate. Three decades after its first appearance, Identity Process Theory remains a vibrant and useful integrative framework in which identity, social action and social change can be collectively examined. This book presents some of the key developments in this area that have occurred in the last three decades. In eighteen chapters by world-renowned social psychologists, the reader is introduced to the major social psychological debates about the construction and protection of identity in face of social change. Contributors address a wide range of contemporary topics – national identity, risk, prejudice, intractable conflict and ageing – which are examined from the perspective of Identity Process Theory. This fresh approach promises to make an important impact on social psychology and will appeal to scholars and students of identity, social action and social change.
Papers by Rusi Jaspal
Social Science and Medicine, 2018
The social sciences have long been concerned with how human beings interact with, and make sense ... more The social sciences have long been concerned with how human beings interact with, and make sense of, their social environments; indeed, social psychology seeks to integrate the societal and psychological levels of analysis and provides the tools for understanding how the social world, and the social changes inherent to it, can impact a person’s sense of identity and psychological wellbeing, as well as the individual’s response to change. Drawing upon the body of available social psychological evidence that has emerged in recent years, this entry focuses upon the identities, experiences and wellbeing of LGB Muslims. Much of this research has centered around gay/ bisexual Muslim men but some has also focused upon Muslim lesbians. This entry will provide (i) brief insights into the theological, legal and social representations of homosexuality in Islamic societies, (ii) empirical insights into the identities, experiences and wellbeing of LGB Muslims, and (iii) recommendations for further research, and policy and practice.
This article examines the relationships between exposure to terrorism news and state social paran... more This article examines the relationships between exposure to terrorism news and state social paranoia, death anxiety and Islamophobia and wellbeing. In two experiments we show that, contrary to previous research in this area, the terrorism news condition did not significantly increase state social paranoia, death anxiety and prejudice toward Muslims, but that paranoid thinking was the sole predictor of Islamophobia. Trait paranoia is associated with both poor wellbeing and with negative perceptions of Muslim competitive players - a form of inter-relational prejudice. Results indicated that the frequency of paranoid thoughts mediates the relationship between death anxiety and anti-Muslim prejudice and trait paranoia is the main predictor of the negative perceptions of a Muslim competing player. This study elucidates new pathways to understanding Terror Management Theory, by including paranoia as a type of thinking that predisposes individuals to be suspicious of salient out-groups.
UK higher education (HE) has become increasingly diverse. Despite the clear social, economic and ... more UK higher education (HE) has become increasingly diverse. Despite the clear social, economic and pedagogical benefits of diversity, it can also be challenging for identity as it may bring about psychological change and compel both the “dominant majority” and “minorities” to adjust to the presence, identities and worldviews of the other. Drawing upon Identity Process Theory from social psychology, the present article explores the potential challenges to identity in a diverse HE context and how students may subsequently cope with these challenges. After a brief overview of Breakwell’s (1986) Identity Process Theory, two case studies are presented, namely how social class and ethnic/religious diversity can impact identity. The more general aim of this article is to develop the basic tools for enhancing students’ learning experience in a diverse HE context. It is suggested that HE institutions need to support students from diverse backgrounds in ways that are conducive to a positive identity, and that they must facilitate a shared superordinate identity which can be viewed as inclusive and available to all, regardless of class, ethnicity, religion or any other identity.
This article charts the development of a label that appeared early on in Australian debates on cl... more This article charts the development of a label that appeared early on in Australian debates on climate change, namely ‘greenhouse sceptics’. We explore who uses the label, for what purposes and with which effects, and how this label may contribute to the development of social representations in the climate debate. Our findings show that over the last 25 years ‘greenhouse sceptic’ has been used by journalists and climate scientists to negativise those criticising mainstream climate science, but that it has also been used, even embraced, by Australian climate sceptics to label themselves in order to construct a positive identity modelled on celebrity sceptics in the US. We found that the label was grounded in religious metaphors that frame mainstream science as a catastrophist and alarmist religious cult. Overall, this article provides detailed insights into the genealogy of climate scepticism in a particular cultural and historical context.
Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran have had a problematic relationship for the last four dec... more Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran have had a problematic relationship for the last four decades. Despite their tense relations, Israel is home to thousands of Persians and Iran has the second largest Jewish population in the Middle East. There are social, political and psychological obstacles to dual identification. Using qualitative thematic analysis and Identity Process Theory, this article examines the construction and management of Persian/Iranian and Jewish/Israel identities among these groups. The following themes are discussed: (1) The Challenges and Maintenance of Dual Identification, (2) Breaking Down Boundaries Between Identities, and (3) Persian/Iranian or Jewish/Israel? Establishing Coherence in Identity. Results suggest that, while the social and political institutions in Iran and Israel construct barriers to dual identification, individuals deploy creative strategies for constructing an ethnic identity that acknowledges both components of their heritage. The implications for self-identity are discussed.
Relationship dissolution has generally been associated with decreased psychological well-being, b... more Relationship dissolution has generally been associated with decreased psychological well-being, but little is known about how ethnic and religious minority gay men experience and cope with relationship dissolu- tion. This article examines interview data from sixteen self-identified British South Asian gay men who provid- ed insights into how they experienced and coped with relationship dissolution and into the potential effects of this for identity. Data were analyzed qualitatively using interpretative phenomenological analysis and identity process theory. The following themes are outlined: (i) constructing identity around the relationship; (ii) rela- tionship breakdown and threats to identity; and (iii) repairing identity in silence. The data indicate the cen- trality of the relationship to identity because of its ability to enhance identity processes and the detrimental effect for identity processes that dissolution can there- fore have. Individuals relied heavily upon intrapsychic, deflection strategies for coping with identity threat, which was due to a general lack of social support. Minority group members who are fearful of disclosing their sexual identity to others may cope inadequately with relationship dissolution, exposing identity to chron- ic threat.
Antisemitism and anti-Zionism constitute two important ideological building blocks of the Islamic... more Antisemitism and anti-Zionism constitute two important ideological building blocks of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This article is the first to present quantitative empirical survey data elucidating attitudes towards Jews and Israel among an opportunity sample of Iranians. This article examines the correlates of antisemitism and anti-Zionism in Iran with particular attention to the effects of identity, threat and political trust. Consistent with emerging research into antisemitism and anti-Zionism, there was a positive association between both forms of prejudice, suggesting social psychological overlap between the constructs. Given the pervasiveness of antisemitic and anti-Zionist representations in Iran, there were no significant differences in levels of anti-Zionism or antisemitism on the basis of gender and educational orientations. Political conservatives did manifest greater antisemitism and anti-Zionism than political reformists, although both groups scored highly on these scales. There was a significant interaction effect of Iranian national identity and political trust on anti- Zionism, and a significant interaction effect of Muslim religious identity and political trust on antisemitism. Political trust was by far the most powerful predictor of both forms of prejudice, followed by the perception of identity threat. These observations are considered through the lenses of Social Identity Theory and Identity Process Theory from social psychology.
In a context of resource scarcity and political instability, new energy sources are being explore... more In a context of resource scarcity and political instability, new energy sources are being explored in many parts of the world and exploited in some. One of these new energy sources is shale gas and one of the countries seeking to shore up its energy independence and security is Poland which is currently dependent on oil imports from Russia. In order to engage social and political engagement with fracking in Poland, this article presents the results of a thematic content analysis of articles reporting on shale gas/fracking published in Gazeta Wyborcza and Rzeczpospolita, two leading Polish newspapers, from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012. Findings suggest that in media reporting the geopolitical dimension of fracking overrides the technological/scientific dimension and that representations are overwhelmingly positive. Positive representations are bolstered through particular linguistic framings. It is argued that the Polish press has polarised the debate on fracking in a particular (positive) direction, which has silenced an open and constructive debate concerning energy policy in Poland and constructed criticism of fracking as counter-normative and “un-Polish.” The potential socio-political and policy implications of these media representations are discussed.
The concept of “identity” is most relevant to the domains of “race”, ethnicity and nation, given ... more The concept of “identity” is most relevant to the domains of “race”, ethnicity and nation, given that these social categories can gain particular social and psychological traction when they are construed as forms of self-definition. This essay provides a brief overview of social psychological approaches to identity, focusing specifically upon the contribution of Identity Process Theory (IPT) to the social psychology of identity. It is argued that an integrative theory such as IPT is necessary for a holistic understanding of the antecedents and consequences of identity in relation to “race”, ethnicity and nationalism.
Culture, Health & Sexuality: An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care, 2012
This paper presents the findings from a comparative qualitative study of British Indian and Briti... more This paper presents the findings from a comparative qualitative study of British Indian and British Pakistani gay men, all of whom self-identified as members of their religious communities. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and identity process theory. Results suggest that the intersection between sexuality and religion is more relevant to British Pakistani participants, while the intersection between sexuality and ethnicity is more relevant to British Indian participants. For British Indian participants in particular, homosexuality seems to be socially problematic, posing potential obstacles for interpersonal and intergroup relations. Conversely, for British Pakistanis, homosexuality is both socially and psychologically problematic, affecting intrapsychic as well as interpersonal levels of human interdependence. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
This article examines how British Muslim gay men may safeguard membership in the religious group,... more This article examines how British Muslim gay men may safeguard membership in the religious group, which can be threatened as a result of self-identifying as gay. Twenty British Pakistani Muslim gay men were interviewed. Data were analyze using an interpretative phenomenological analysis through the heuristic lens of identity process theory. The following themes are discussed: (i) ‘gay identity casting doubt upon one’s Muslim-ness’; (ii) ‘Ramadan: a symbolic opportunity to be a “true Muslim”’; and (iii) ‘accepting “Muslim views” and religious authenticity’. Data suggest that threatened Muslim identity can lead to hyper-affiliation to the religious in-group, which is achieved through a multitude of substrategies. Practical implications are discussed.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran, the largest non-Arab country in the region, has sought to play an ... more "The Islamic Republic of Iran, the largest non-Arab country in the region, has sought to play an influential role in regional politics since its establishment in 1979, and the Arab Spring protests have provided the prime opportunity for doing so. The Iranian government has vocally supported the revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya, but has remained defiantly supportive of the Syrian president despite popular opposition to his government. The Iranian media have been pivotal in communicating the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Using thematic analysis, this article examines emerging media representations of the Arab Spring in two major English-language Iranian newspapers, The Tehran Times and Press TV. The following two themes are discussed: (1) “Islamic Awakening”: Islamicizing the Arab Spring, and (2) “Bashar Al-Assad is not Muammar Al-Gaddafi”: Compartmentalizing the Syrian Ally. Islamic identity and ingroup-outgroup dynamics are mobilized in order to increase the political influence of Iran and to undermine that of its foes. It is argued that there is a systematic “instrumentalization” of the Arab Spring in the Iranian press - it is employed to validate and accentuate tenets of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s revolutionary ideology and to support its political interests in the region.
Keywords: Arab Spring; media representations; Iran; Iranian press; groups; politics"
Background: Low rank makes people feel vulnerable and so paranoia about being harmed by people of... more Background: Low rank makes people feel vulnerable and so paranoia about being harmed by people of higher rank becomes an adaptive response.
Aims: To establish the relationship between job rank and paranoia, as well as avoidant personality traits because these can also be adaptive responses.
Results: The sample comprised 1,248 managers, 1,146 supervisors and 4,955 employees with non-managerial and non-supervisory jobs who took part in the Mental Health Survey of England. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of job rank. Depressive ideas, panic, obsessions, paranoia and avoidant personality disorder are significantly more prevalent among workers with non-managerial or supervisory jobs in comparison to workers who are supervisors or managers. Moreover, managers present narcissistic personality disorder at a significantly higher rate than people with other job ranks.
Conclusions: Low job rank triggers paranoia and avoidant personality disorder.
In 2006, the Iranian government-aligned newspaper Hamshahri sponsored The International Holocaust... more In 2006, the Iranian government-aligned newspaper Hamshahri sponsored The International Holocaust Cartoon Contest. The stated aim of the contest was to denounce “Western hypocrisy on freedom of speech,” and to challenge “Western hegemony” in relation to Holocaust knowledge. This government-backed initiative was a clear attempt to export the Iranian regime’s anti-Zionist agenda. Using qualitative thematic analysis and Social Representations Theory, this article provides an in-depth qualitative analysis of the cartoons submitted to the contest in order to identify emerging social representations of Jews and Israel. Three superordinate themes are outlined: (i) “Constructing the ‘Evil Jew’ and ‘Brutal Israel’ as a Universal Threat”; (ii) “Denying the Holocaust and Affirming Palestinian Suffering”; (iii) “Constructing International Subservience to ‘Nazi-Zionist’ Ideology”. Although the organizers of the International Holocaust Cartoon Contest claimed that their aims were anti-Zionist, this article elucidates the overtly anti-Semitic character of the contest and its cartoons. It is argued that the cartoons exhibit a distorted, one-sided version of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and of Jewish history, and are therefore likely to shape viewers’ beliefs concerning Jews and Israel in fundamentally negative ways, with potentially negative outcomes for intergroup relations and social harmony.
Antisemitism and anti-Zionism are complex, delineable, yet inter-related social-psychological phe... more Antisemitism and anti-Zionism are complex, delineable, yet inter-related social-psychological phenomena. While antisemitism has been described as an irrational, age-old prejudice, anti-Zionism is often represented as a legitimate response to a ‘rogue state’. Drawing upon media and visual sources and rich interview data from Iran, Britain and Israel, Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism: Representation, Cognition and Everyday Talk examines the concepts of antisemitism and anti-Zionism, tracing their evolution and inter-relations, and considering the distinct ways in which they are manifested, and responded to, by Muslim and Jewish communities in Iran, Britain and Israel.
Providing insights from social psychology, sociology and history, this interdisciplinary analysis sheds light on the pivotal role of the media, social representations and identity processes in shaping antisemitism and anti-Zionism. As such, this provocative book will be of interest to social scientists working on antisemitism, race and ethnicity, political sociology and political science, media studies and Middle Eastern politics."
We live in an ever-changing social world, which constantly calls forth changes to our identities ... more We live in an ever-changing social world, which constantly calls forth changes to our identities and actions. Advances in science, technology and medicine, political upheaval, and economic development are just some examples of social change that can impact upon how we live our lives, how we view ourselves and each other, and how we communicate. Three decades after its first appearance, Identity Process Theory remains a vibrant and useful integrative framework in which identity, social action and social change can be collectively examined. This book presents some of the key developments in this area that have occurred in the last three decades. In eighteen chapters by world-renowned social psychologists, the reader is introduced to the major social psychological debates about the construction and protection of identity in face of social change. Contributors address a wide range of contemporary topics – national identity, risk, prejudice, intractable conflict and ageing – which are examined from the perspective of Identity Process Theory. This fresh approach promises to make an important impact on social psychology and will appeal to scholars and students of identity, social action and social change.
Social Science and Medicine, 2018
The social sciences have long been concerned with how human beings interact with, and make sense ... more The social sciences have long been concerned with how human beings interact with, and make sense of, their social environments; indeed, social psychology seeks to integrate the societal and psychological levels of analysis and provides the tools for understanding how the social world, and the social changes inherent to it, can impact a person’s sense of identity and psychological wellbeing, as well as the individual’s response to change. Drawing upon the body of available social psychological evidence that has emerged in recent years, this entry focuses upon the identities, experiences and wellbeing of LGB Muslims. Much of this research has centered around gay/ bisexual Muslim men but some has also focused upon Muslim lesbians. This entry will provide (i) brief insights into the theological, legal and social representations of homosexuality in Islamic societies, (ii) empirical insights into the identities, experiences and wellbeing of LGB Muslims, and (iii) recommendations for further research, and policy and practice.
This article examines the relationships between exposure to terrorism news and state social paran... more This article examines the relationships between exposure to terrorism news and state social paranoia, death anxiety and Islamophobia and wellbeing. In two experiments we show that, contrary to previous research in this area, the terrorism news condition did not significantly increase state social paranoia, death anxiety and prejudice toward Muslims, but that paranoid thinking was the sole predictor of Islamophobia. Trait paranoia is associated with both poor wellbeing and with negative perceptions of Muslim competitive players - a form of inter-relational prejudice. Results indicated that the frequency of paranoid thoughts mediates the relationship between death anxiety and anti-Muslim prejudice and trait paranoia is the main predictor of the negative perceptions of a Muslim competing player. This study elucidates new pathways to understanding Terror Management Theory, by including paranoia as a type of thinking that predisposes individuals to be suspicious of salient out-groups.
UK higher education (HE) has become increasingly diverse. Despite the clear social, economic and ... more UK higher education (HE) has become increasingly diverse. Despite the clear social, economic and pedagogical benefits of diversity, it can also be challenging for identity as it may bring about psychological change and compel both the “dominant majority” and “minorities” to adjust to the presence, identities and worldviews of the other. Drawing upon Identity Process Theory from social psychology, the present article explores the potential challenges to identity in a diverse HE context and how students may subsequently cope with these challenges. After a brief overview of Breakwell’s (1986) Identity Process Theory, two case studies are presented, namely how social class and ethnic/religious diversity can impact identity. The more general aim of this article is to develop the basic tools for enhancing students’ learning experience in a diverse HE context. It is suggested that HE institutions need to support students from diverse backgrounds in ways that are conducive to a positive identity, and that they must facilitate a shared superordinate identity which can be viewed as inclusive and available to all, regardless of class, ethnicity, religion or any other identity.
This article charts the development of a label that appeared early on in Australian debates on cl... more This article charts the development of a label that appeared early on in Australian debates on climate change, namely ‘greenhouse sceptics’. We explore who uses the label, for what purposes and with which effects, and how this label may contribute to the development of social representations in the climate debate. Our findings show that over the last 25 years ‘greenhouse sceptic’ has been used by journalists and climate scientists to negativise those criticising mainstream climate science, but that it has also been used, even embraced, by Australian climate sceptics to label themselves in order to construct a positive identity modelled on celebrity sceptics in the US. We found that the label was grounded in religious metaphors that frame mainstream science as a catastrophist and alarmist religious cult. Overall, this article provides detailed insights into the genealogy of climate scepticism in a particular cultural and historical context.
Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran have had a problematic relationship for the last four dec... more Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran have had a problematic relationship for the last four decades. Despite their tense relations, Israel is home to thousands of Persians and Iran has the second largest Jewish population in the Middle East. There are social, political and psychological obstacles to dual identification. Using qualitative thematic analysis and Identity Process Theory, this article examines the construction and management of Persian/Iranian and Jewish/Israel identities among these groups. The following themes are discussed: (1) The Challenges and Maintenance of Dual Identification, (2) Breaking Down Boundaries Between Identities, and (3) Persian/Iranian or Jewish/Israel? Establishing Coherence in Identity. Results suggest that, while the social and political institutions in Iran and Israel construct barriers to dual identification, individuals deploy creative strategies for constructing an ethnic identity that acknowledges both components of their heritage. The implications for self-identity are discussed.
Relationship dissolution has generally been associated with decreased psychological well-being, b... more Relationship dissolution has generally been associated with decreased psychological well-being, but little is known about how ethnic and religious minority gay men experience and cope with relationship dissolu- tion. This article examines interview data from sixteen self-identified British South Asian gay men who provid- ed insights into how they experienced and coped with relationship dissolution and into the potential effects of this for identity. Data were analyzed qualitatively using interpretative phenomenological analysis and identity process theory. The following themes are outlined: (i) constructing identity around the relationship; (ii) rela- tionship breakdown and threats to identity; and (iii) repairing identity in silence. The data indicate the cen- trality of the relationship to identity because of its ability to enhance identity processes and the detrimental effect for identity processes that dissolution can there- fore have. Individuals relied heavily upon intrapsychic, deflection strategies for coping with identity threat, which was due to a general lack of social support. Minority group members who are fearful of disclosing their sexual identity to others may cope inadequately with relationship dissolution, exposing identity to chron- ic threat.
Antisemitism and anti-Zionism constitute two important ideological building blocks of the Islamic... more Antisemitism and anti-Zionism constitute two important ideological building blocks of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This article is the first to present quantitative empirical survey data elucidating attitudes towards Jews and Israel among an opportunity sample of Iranians. This article examines the correlates of antisemitism and anti-Zionism in Iran with particular attention to the effects of identity, threat and political trust. Consistent with emerging research into antisemitism and anti-Zionism, there was a positive association between both forms of prejudice, suggesting social psychological overlap between the constructs. Given the pervasiveness of antisemitic and anti-Zionist representations in Iran, there were no significant differences in levels of anti-Zionism or antisemitism on the basis of gender and educational orientations. Political conservatives did manifest greater antisemitism and anti-Zionism than political reformists, although both groups scored highly on these scales. There was a significant interaction effect of Iranian national identity and political trust on anti- Zionism, and a significant interaction effect of Muslim religious identity and political trust on antisemitism. Political trust was by far the most powerful predictor of both forms of prejudice, followed by the perception of identity threat. These observations are considered through the lenses of Social Identity Theory and Identity Process Theory from social psychology.
In a context of resource scarcity and political instability, new energy sources are being explore... more In a context of resource scarcity and political instability, new energy sources are being explored in many parts of the world and exploited in some. One of these new energy sources is shale gas and one of the countries seeking to shore up its energy independence and security is Poland which is currently dependent on oil imports from Russia. In order to engage social and political engagement with fracking in Poland, this article presents the results of a thematic content analysis of articles reporting on shale gas/fracking published in Gazeta Wyborcza and Rzeczpospolita, two leading Polish newspapers, from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012. Findings suggest that in media reporting the geopolitical dimension of fracking overrides the technological/scientific dimension and that representations are overwhelmingly positive. Positive representations are bolstered through particular linguistic framings. It is argued that the Polish press has polarised the debate on fracking in a particular (positive) direction, which has silenced an open and constructive debate concerning energy policy in Poland and constructed criticism of fracking as counter-normative and “un-Polish.” The potential socio-political and policy implications of these media representations are discussed.
The concept of “identity” is most relevant to the domains of “race”, ethnicity and nation, given ... more The concept of “identity” is most relevant to the domains of “race”, ethnicity and nation, given that these social categories can gain particular social and psychological traction when they are construed as forms of self-definition. This essay provides a brief overview of social psychological approaches to identity, focusing specifically upon the contribution of Identity Process Theory (IPT) to the social psychology of identity. It is argued that an integrative theory such as IPT is necessary for a holistic understanding of the antecedents and consequences of identity in relation to “race”, ethnicity and nationalism.
Culture, Health & Sexuality: An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care, 2012
This paper presents the findings from a comparative qualitative study of British Indian and Briti... more This paper presents the findings from a comparative qualitative study of British Indian and British Pakistani gay men, all of whom self-identified as members of their religious communities. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and identity process theory. Results suggest that the intersection between sexuality and religion is more relevant to British Pakistani participants, while the intersection between sexuality and ethnicity is more relevant to British Indian participants. For British Indian participants in particular, homosexuality seems to be socially problematic, posing potential obstacles for interpersonal and intergroup relations. Conversely, for British Pakistanis, homosexuality is both socially and psychologically problematic, affecting intrapsychic as well as interpersonal levels of human interdependence. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
This article examines how British Muslim gay men may safeguard membership in the religious group,... more This article examines how British Muslim gay men may safeguard membership in the religious group, which can be threatened as a result of self-identifying as gay. Twenty British Pakistani Muslim gay men were interviewed. Data were analyze using an interpretative phenomenological analysis through the heuristic lens of identity process theory. The following themes are discussed: (i) ‘gay identity casting doubt upon one’s Muslim-ness’; (ii) ‘Ramadan: a symbolic opportunity to be a “true Muslim”’; and (iii) ‘accepting “Muslim views” and religious authenticity’. Data suggest that threatened Muslim identity can lead to hyper-affiliation to the religious in-group, which is achieved through a multitude of substrategies. Practical implications are discussed.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran, the largest non-Arab country in the region, has sought to play an ... more "The Islamic Republic of Iran, the largest non-Arab country in the region, has sought to play an influential role in regional politics since its establishment in 1979, and the Arab Spring protests have provided the prime opportunity for doing so. The Iranian government has vocally supported the revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya, but has remained defiantly supportive of the Syrian president despite popular opposition to his government. The Iranian media have been pivotal in communicating the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Using thematic analysis, this article examines emerging media representations of the Arab Spring in two major English-language Iranian newspapers, The Tehran Times and Press TV. The following two themes are discussed: (1) “Islamic Awakening”: Islamicizing the Arab Spring, and (2) “Bashar Al-Assad is not Muammar Al-Gaddafi”: Compartmentalizing the Syrian Ally. Islamic identity and ingroup-outgroup dynamics are mobilized in order to increase the political influence of Iran and to undermine that of its foes. It is argued that there is a systematic “instrumentalization” of the Arab Spring in the Iranian press - it is employed to validate and accentuate tenets of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s revolutionary ideology and to support its political interests in the region.
Keywords: Arab Spring; media representations; Iran; Iranian press; groups; politics"
Background: Low rank makes people feel vulnerable and so paranoia about being harmed by people of... more Background: Low rank makes people feel vulnerable and so paranoia about being harmed by people of higher rank becomes an adaptive response.
Aims: To establish the relationship between job rank and paranoia, as well as avoidant personality traits because these can also be adaptive responses.
Results: The sample comprised 1,248 managers, 1,146 supervisors and 4,955 employees with non-managerial and non-supervisory jobs who took part in the Mental Health Survey of England. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of job rank. Depressive ideas, panic, obsessions, paranoia and avoidant personality disorder are significantly more prevalent among workers with non-managerial or supervisory jobs in comparison to workers who are supervisors or managers. Moreover, managers present narcissistic personality disorder at a significantly higher rate than people with other job ranks.
Conclusions: Low job rank triggers paranoia and avoidant personality disorder.
In 2006, the Iranian government-aligned newspaper Hamshahri sponsored The International Holocaust... more In 2006, the Iranian government-aligned newspaper Hamshahri sponsored The International Holocaust Cartoon Contest. The stated aim of the contest was to denounce “Western hypocrisy on freedom of speech,” and to challenge “Western hegemony” in relation to Holocaust knowledge. This government-backed initiative was a clear attempt to export the Iranian regime’s anti-Zionist agenda. Using qualitative thematic analysis and Social Representations Theory, this article provides an in-depth qualitative analysis of the cartoons submitted to the contest in order to identify emerging social representations of Jews and Israel. Three superordinate themes are outlined: (i) “Constructing the ‘Evil Jew’ and ‘Brutal Israel’ as a Universal Threat”; (ii) “Denying the Holocaust and Affirming Palestinian Suffering”; (iii) “Constructing International Subservience to ‘Nazi-Zionist’ Ideology”. Although the organizers of the International Holocaust Cartoon Contest claimed that their aims were anti-Zionist, this article elucidates the overtly anti-Semitic character of the contest and its cartoons. It is argued that the cartoons exhibit a distorted, one-sided version of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and of Jewish history, and are therefore likely to shape viewers’ beliefs concerning Jews and Israel in fundamentally negative ways, with potentially negative outcomes for intergroup relations and social harmony.
Fracking or the extraction of shale gas through hydraulic fracturing of rock has become a contest... more Fracking or the extraction of shale gas through hydraulic fracturing of rock has become a contested topic, especially in the United States, where it has been deployed on a large scale, and in Europe where it is still largely speculative. Research is beginning to investigate the environmental and economic costs and benefits as well as public perceptions of this new energy technology. However, so far the social and psychological impact of fracking on those involved in it, such as gas workers, or those living in the vicinity of fracking sites, has escaped the attention of the social science research community. In this article we begin to fill this gap through a small-scale thematic analysis of representations of fracking in 50 YouTube videos, where a trailer of a controversial film, Gasland (Fox, 2010), has had a marked impact. Results show that the videos discuss not only environmental and economic costs and benefits of fracking but also social and psychological impacts on individuals and communities. These videos reveal a human face of fracking that remains all too often hidden from view.
The cultural expectation of an arranged heterosexual marriage poses social and psychological chal... more The cultural expectation of an arranged heterosexual marriage poses social and psychological challenges for British Asian gay men. This article examines the diary accounts of twelve British Asian gay men concerning their perceptions and feelings concerning marriage in face of familial pressure to get married and the implications for identity processes and psychological wellbeing. Data were analyzed qualitatively using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Identity Process Theory. The following themes are outlined: (1) “Bringing it up”: Coercion, threat and negative emotions; (2) Sidestepping marriage: Strategies for coping with threat; and (3) “A no-win situation”: Marriage as a dilemma. Familial coercion into marriage can threaten identity and psychological wellbeing and individuals will deploy intrapsychic/interpersonal coping strategies with have limited long-term efficacy.
This study is a qualitative exploration of British South Asian individuals’ accounts of intergrou... more This study is a qualitative exploration of British South Asian individuals’ accounts of intergroup relations with the British White majority and other ethnic groups. Twenty male and female participants were interviewed about several pertinent issues using a semi-structured interview schedule. These included the construction of ethnic and national identities; the management of any difficulties arising from the interactions between these identities; perceptions of discrimination; attitudes towards and social representations of other ethnic groups. Data were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis and the analysis was informed by identity process theory (Breakwell, 1986) and social representations theory (Moscovici, 1984). The study features a pluralist interpretative endeavor in that it synthesises critical realist and social constructionist epistemologies. The analysis revealed positive feelings towards settlement in Britain, downward comparisons with communities resident in the Subcontinent, the revision of (in)group dynamics, a psychological ‘rapprochement’ with the White British majority and the ‘otherisation’ of recent migrants to Britain. Possible theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
This study explores how a group of young British Muslim gay men (BMGM) in non-gay affirmative rel... more This study explores how a group of young British Muslim gay men (BMGM) in non-gay affirmative religious contexts understood and defined their sexual, religious and ethnic identities, focusing upon the negotiation and construction of these identities and particularly upon strategies employed for coping with identity threat. Twelve BMGM were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Transcripts were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke (2006). The aim was to explore participants’ lived experiences through the interpretive lens of identity process theory (Breakwell, 1986, 1992). Four superordinate themes are reported, entitled “I’m gay because..”: Making sense of gay identity, “It’s all about temptation”: Invoking religious discourses to explain sexual identity, “Going against God”: Fear of divine retribution, “It’s easier to be gay here”: External attributions and British national identity. The data suggest the existence of an additional identity principle, which is referred to as the psychological coherence principle. This motive represents the need to ensure a sense of coherence between existing identities, and we discuss how individuals may adopt strategies to deal with threats to the principle.
This study sought to explore the social psychological meanings and functions of language and the ... more This study sought to explore the social psychological meanings and functions of language and the impact of language upon identity directly from the perspective of a group of second generation Asians. Twelve male and female participants were interviewed about several pertinent issues using a semi-structured interview schedule. These included self-description, the discussion of taken-for-granted terminology such as ‘mother tongue’, an exploration of contextual factors in language choice/use, the psychological and social significance of individual languages, and cultural and linguistic socialisation. Data were subjected to Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis. Participants generally expressed a desire to maintain continuity of self-definition as British Asian, and maintenance of the heritage language was viewed as an essential part of this. Accordingly, an imperfect knowledge of the heritage language was said to have a negative impact upon psychological well-being. There were ambivalent responses to the perception of language norms, including internalisation and subversion. Various strategies were said to be employed in order to deal with dilemmatic situations and identity threat arising from bilingualism, including denial and re-conceptualisation of incoming information. Recommendations are offered for social and psychological interventions which might aid the ‘management’ of bilingualism among second generation Asians.