Jovana Balanovic | Victoria University of Wellington (original) (raw)

Papers by Jovana Balanovic

Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics

Journal of Trust Research

Predator Free 2050 (PF2050) was launched in 2016 with the aim of ridding New Zealand of the most ... more Predator Free 2050 (PF2050) was launched in 2016 with the aim of ridding New Zealand of the most damaging introduced predators—possums, rats, and mustelids (stoats, ferrets, weasels)—by 2050. However, it’s overarching goal is more inclusive than predator eradication alone. Indeed, it has been acknowledged that, to achieve PF2050, it will be vital to have national collaboration across multiple agencies, organisations, iwi, communities, and individuals (Department of Conservation, 2020a, 2020b). To be able to work well with individuals and communities, however, it is important to understand the human dimensions of biodiversity conservation and related methods (i.e., pest control and predator eradication). The aim of the following report is to provide a ‘snapshot’ of research on or related to the human dimensions of PF2050 to aid subsequent research scoping and allow for more targeted research prioritisation. It does this by presenting an overview of the social science research to date...

Pacific Conservation Biology, 2021

Context. In Aotearoa New Zealand, a significant threat to biodiversity, conservation efforts and ... more Context. In Aotearoa New Zealand, a significant threat to biodiversity, conservation efforts and Indigenous cultural identity is the unwanted introduction of invasive pests, plants and pathogens. Currently methods to control invasive species in Aotearoa New Zealand, in particular mammalian pests (i.e. possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)) have had decreasing public support. This has likely come about for a number of reasons, including lack of social engagement and concerns over impacts combined with an increasing distrust of top-down initiatives. Aims and methods. We analysed opinions towards existing and emerging technologies to manage invasive species. Data were obtained from 1015 respondents who identified as Indigenous Maorī from a national survey of 8199 respondents. Utilising psychological frameworks to investigate underlying beliefs of social acceptance, we analysed the responses using exploratory and latent class analysis methods to summarise the main perspectives. Key results. Our results revealed four distinct clusters of viewpoints amongwithin Maorī respondents that were explained by known (objective) and subjective scientific knowledge around pest control methods, and Indigenous community wellbeing. We also observed a general neutrality in trust towards science, but more trust in scientists than science institutions. Conclusions and implications. Understanding the underlying values and viewpoints associated with pest control and including these in developing engagement plans will ensure a responsible process that empowers Maori. This way forward is key to sustain pathways of engagement and positive participation in decision-making.

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 2021

The current investigation sought to better understand the role individuals play in navigating the... more The current investigation sought to better understand the role individuals play in navigating their own cultural identity development during the process of acculturation. To this end, a qualitative methodology was used to examine how a specific group of individuals negotiate identity changes in the face of intercultural contact. In-depth interviews concerning processes of identity management and development were conducted with a sample of 11 Muslim women (8 Malay and 3 Saudi Arabian) permanently residing in New Zealand. Using applied thematic analysis, emergent themes were identified, and these were then analyzed using the concepts of “self-awareness” and “agency” to understand and structure how these individuals perceive and position themselves throughout their acculturation experiences. Findings showed that participants’ typical descriptions of intercultural encounters reflected active processes of both negotiating and managing cultural perspectives, with participants often citing...

Wildlife Research, 2020

Context. Developing a new tool for wide-scale rat eradication is necessary for significant biodiv... more Context. Developing a new tool for wide-scale rat eradication is necessary for significant biodiversity gains. Underlying beliefs linked to public opinion can help guide policy makers to understand public concern and inform an effective discourse. Aims. We investigated underlying beliefs linked to levels of support for a potentially disruptive tool, gene drive, compared with a traditional stepwise tool, aerial distribution of a new pest-specific toxin. Methods. Using the theory of planned behaviour, we surveyed (n = 1200) a representative sample of New Zealanders to assess the level of support for the tool related to attitude, normative and control beliefs. Key results. Attitude (e.g. gene drive is good/bad and gene drive is risky/safe) and two norms (e.g. people like me and people in my household) were key contributors to level of support for gene drive. Behavioural beliefs (if scientific evidence can prove it works, concern there are unknown consequences, a humane way to rid New Z...

PLoS ONE, 2019

Prejudiced attitudes and political nationalism vary widely around the world, but there has been l... more Prejudiced attitudes and political nationalism vary widely around the world, but there has been little research on what predicts this variation. Here we examine the ecological and cultural factors underlying the worldwide distribution of prejudice. We suggest that cultures grow more prejudiced when they tighten cultural norms in response to destabilizing ecological threats. A set of seven archival analyses, surveys, and experiments (∑N = 3,986,402) find that nations, American states, and pre-industrial societies with tighter cultural norms show the most prejudice based on skin color, religion, nationality, and sexuality, and that tightness predicts why prejudice is often highest in areas of the world with histories of ecological threat. People’s support for cultural tightness also mediates the link between perceived ecological threat and intentions to vote for nationalist politicians. Results replicate when controlling for economic development, inequality, conservatism, residential ...

Enculturation (cultural acquisition during identity development) has often been conceptualised as... more Enculturation (cultural acquisition during identity development) has often been conceptualised as an unconscious process of cultural internalization. However, little research has explicitly examined the degree to which people are aware of cultural influences on the self (enculturation awareness) and how varying levels of awareness may influence the development of the self-concept. Drawing from extant qualitative research (Balanovic & Ward, 2013), the current investigation addressed this paucity through the development of the Enculturation Awareness Scale (EAS), which captures the degree to which individuals have consciously considered and come to understand cultural influences on the self. Using two distinct samples drawn from English speaking, multicultural nations (sample 1, New Zealand, N = 224; sample 2, New Zealand, Australia, USA, N = 317), the results present initial evidence for the validity and reliability of the EAS by demonstrating consistent relationships between the EAS...

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

New genetic tools can potentially mitigate the decline of biodiversity. Democratisation of scienc... more New genetic tools can potentially mitigate the decline of biodiversity. Democratisation of science mandates public opinion be considered while new technologies are in development. We conducted eleven focus groups in New Zealand to explore three questions about novel technologies (gene drive and two others for comparison of pest control tools): (1) what are the risks/benefits? (2) how do they compare to current methods? and (3) who should be represented on a panel that evaluates the tools and what factors should they consider? Findings from the content analysis of the risks/benefits revealed three main considerations that were of social concern-Environmental, Practical, and Ethical. Most participants were self-aware of their insufficient knowledge to compare the different technologies. Unanimously, respondents wanted the available information provided throughout the tool development process and saw multi-sector panel oversight as essential. Scientists and policy makers should match the public's willingness to engage collaboratively.

Conservation Science and Practice, Aug 7, 2019

Engaging urban residents in greater proconservation behaviors is essential to mitigate the biodiv... more Engaging urban residents in greater proconservation behaviors is essential to mitigate the biodiversity crisis. To date, most behavior-change campaigns have been based on a one-size-fits-all "think-care-act" approach resulting in insufficient, sometimes counterproductive, conservation gains. In our study, we assess the "think-care-act" paradigm and also consider a range of cobenefits that may motivate different segments of urban populations to take greater conservation action for reasons other than biodiversity gains. We surveyed a representative sample of Auckland, New Zealand (n = 2,124) and four clusters emerged through clustering analysis. The first segment (Environmentally Active; 32%), exhibited the "thinkcare-act" paradigm. The second segment (Well Informed; 28%), was highly knowledgeable and concerned about conservation problems but exhibited lower conservation behaviors. The third segment (Active Outdoors; 19%) was actively engaged in outdoor activities, but exhibited low conservation knowledge, concern, and behaviors. The fourth segment (Socially Motivated; 21%), demonstrated high levels of conservation behaviors but lower knowledge and concern about conservation issues. We discuss potential ways to engage with each segment based on cobenefits and the need to move away from the traditional "think-care-act" paradigm and instead work with existing values systems and foster greater conservation behavior based on existing cobenefits.

Environmental Communication

Synthetic gene drive approaches are nascent technologies with potential applicability for pest co... more Synthetic gene drive approaches are nascent technologies with potential applicability for pest control for conservation purposes. Responsible science mandates that society be engaged in a dialogue over new technology, particularly where there exist global ramifications as with gene drive. We hypothesize that public attitudes towards gene drive are not formed on scientific knowledge or demographics alone, but are heavily influenced by underlying worldviews, which encapsulate a broad and interactive system of attitudes, beliefs, and values. To test this, we conducted a national survey in New Zealand (n = 8199) and found that respondents clustered into four distinct segments with underlying worldviews, better able to explain attitudes toward gene drive than either the participants' scientific knowledge or other explanatory factors such demographics, political ideology or religiosity. We found that the use of gene drive for biodiversity conservation currently has moderate (32%) levels of support in New Zealand but that varied substantially across the four segments. Should gene drive become a technically viable approach for pest control, understanding the worldviews that shape public decision-making can guide a more empathetic engagement process and empower society to participate in informed decisionmaking about if and how gene drive should be used for conservation purposes.

Journal of School Violence, 2016

ABSTRACT A growing body of research illustrating the detrimental consequences of bullying has led... more ABSTRACT A growing body of research illustrating the detrimental consequences of bullying has led to many antibullying interventions being developed. Despite good intentions, evidence suggests that such programs vary considerably in their efficacy. The current study examines the social discourse around bullying in the New Zealand environment in order to see whether underlying beliefs may undermine or influence approaches to mitigate bullying. The study employed an exploratory, qualitative approach of social discourses in the media. Using 31 online media articles, and 501 related online comments, methods of applied thematic analysis revealed three main themes which captured the beliefs that (a) victims of bullying are weak, (b) perpetrators of bullying are evil, and (c) bullying is a normal and, in some ways, acceptable behavior. Such findings illustrate the role that societal beliefs play in shaping the environment in which bullying occurs, and have important implications for future bullying research and interventions.

International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation