This thesis investigates how selected Zimbabwean female writers narrate HIV and AIDS. It argues that, generally, the prevailing images of women in Zimbabwean society and literature are incapacitating. Male authors have been portraying women in disempowering ways as loose, dangerous, weak and dependent on men. This unjust portrayal of women has been worsened by the prevalence of HIV and AIDS. Women have been depicted as vectors in the spread of HIV, thus perpetuating sexist ideologies. Presuming that women authors can do better in their depiction of female characters, this research investigates whether female authors differ in their representation of female characters in contexts of HIV and AIDS. The works critiqued are Virginia Phiri’s Desperate (2002), Sharai Mukonoweshuro’s Days of Silence (2000), Valerie Tagwira’s The Uncertainty of Hope (2006), Tendayi Westerhof’s Unlucky in Love (2005) and Lutanga Shaba’s Secrets of a Woman’s Soul (2006). The study further explores the extent to which Zimbabwe female authors sanction, conform, undermine, assess critically or do away with unconstructive images of women in contexts of HIV and AIDS. This study emphasized the possibility of literature to offer a platform for the liberation of women, or a counter- platform for reactionary politics. Predicated on the notion of gender and danger, the study questions whether female authors perpetuate the stereotypes of women’s roles as destructive, or whether some view ‘dangerous’ images of women in literature as liberating. Overall, this thesis argued that contrary to the postulation of female authors being similar in their understanding and depiction of the concept of gender and danger, they are not. It is at this juncture that this study breaks new ground by utilizing the concept of agency to show how different female writers interpret and narrate gender and danger in contexts of HIV and AIDS. This study applies the notion of agency as a means of evaluating the extent to which women employ nonconformist acts in order to undercut patriarchy and other oppressive socially constructed ideologies. / English Studies / (D. Litt et Phil. ( English Studies))

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2016-09-01T19:26:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Luciano Gonçalves De Lima.pdf: 1294606 bytes, checksum: dccdca1a28a0a58223d4d0b0cd9a050a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-01T19:26:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luciano Gonçalves De Lima.pdf: 1294606 bytes, checksum: dccdca1a28a0a58223d4d0b0cd9a050a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-29 / The area of entrepreneurship with the fragmented studies has inhibited some consensual aspects to explain the phenomenon of entrepreneurial behavior. The replies are sought in several subjects under the most varied aspects, but it is in psychology which is supported for the explanations in order to establish characteristics that lead to understanding the entrepreneurial behavior: need for achievement, initiative, the statement, the orientation to efficiency, systematic planning and commitment to work (McClelland, 1961). In the context of positive psychology arises the organizational behavior giving rise to the psychological capital. Thus, four important forces are formed that produces a state of psychological growth in the individual: self-efficacy, optimism, hope and resilience (Luthans, Luthans, & Luthans, 2004). Not unlike the social cognitive theory, in the perspective of human agency, the psychological capital has fundamental characteristics such as intentionality in which people form intentions that include plans and action strategies to accomplish them (anticipation). This involves more than make plans directed to the future, but to create goals for yourself predicting outcomes likely to prospective acts in order to guide and motivate the efforts in advance (Bandura, 2001). Considering the characteristic of these two theories, the general purpose of this research is to analyze the entrepreneurial behavior in light of the components of the construct of psychological capital and social cognitive theory, in the perspective of human agency. For this purpose, the phenomenological procedure as research strategy was chosen in this study. Therefore, the researcher can identify the essence of human experiences described by participants. The research emphasizes the understanding of the life story of 21 entrepreneurs, who make up the Board of Commercial and Business Association, the Council of Woman Entrepreneur and the Council Young Entrepreneur in Paranavaí city, state of Paraná, Brazil. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview. It allows security and flexibility to the researcher to the issues of research interest are addressed while giving freedom to the interviewed to express their experiences. The interviews were recorded with the consent of the participants in order to facilitate the transcription and preserve the essence of the data. The results showed that both the need for self-realization, initiative, relationship, ability to handle adversity and family basis are striking features in all the entrepreneurs of the three survey groups. One aspect that has not been investigated in the research, but that emerged in the results of this research was the solidarity. This construct is more present in the behavior of the Board of ACIAP (Commercial and Business Association) and women entrepreneurs of CME (Council of Woman Entrepreneur) to be elected the solidarity actions as a way of giving back to society by business success that was won by them over time. How the enterprises of young entrepreneurs participating in the research are at the initial stage or phase of maturation, this construct was not relevant in the study and can touch on over time during the entrepreneurial path. This way, the actions that elect an individual with entrepreneurial behavior can be explained through the optics of these two theories that supported this research. However, the psychological capital showed greater explanation because it has among other components the construct of self-efficacy that has been the basis of human agency. It is concluded that entrepreneurs bring sufficient subsidies to exhibit beliefs of self-efficacy, optimism, hope, resilience, intentionality, anticipation, self-relativity and self-reflection that can be analyzed and explained from the perspective of both the psychological capital and human agency. The three groups of entrepreneurs have psychological capital and human agency. This leads us to believe they can be characterized by their entrepreneurial behavior and stigmatized as entrepreneur. / A área de empreendedorismo face aos estudos fragmentados tem inibido alguns aspectos consensuais para explicar o fenômeno do comportamento empreendedor. As respostas são buscadas em várias disciplinas sob os mais variados aspectos, porém é na psicologia que se encontra suporte para os esclarecimentos e entendimentos com vistas a estabelecer características que levam a compreender o comportamento empreendedor: necessidade de realização, a iniciativa, a afirmação, a orientação para a eficiência, o planejamento sistemático e o comprometimento com o trabalho (McClelland, 1961). No contexto da psicologia positiva, surge o comportamento organizacional positivo, contexto que deu origem ao capital psicológico, cujo constructo é formado por quatro importantes forças que produzem um estado de acréscimo psicológico no indivíduo: autoeficácia, otimismo, esperança e resiliência (Luthans, Luthans, & Luthans, 2004). Não diferente, a teoria social cognitiva na perspectiva da agência humana possui características fundamentais como a intencionalidade, onde as pessoas formam intenções que incluem planos e estratégias de ação para realizá-las; antecipação, visto que isso envolve mais do que fazer planos direcionados ao futuro, mas criar objetivos para si mesmos e prever os resultados prováveis de atos prospectivos para guiar e motivar seus esforços antecipadamente (Bandura, 2001). Considerando-se a característica dessas duas teorias, o objetivo geral desta tese é analisar comportamento empreendedor à luz dos componentes do constructo do capital psicológico e da teoria social cognitiva, na perspectiva da agência humana. Para tanto foi eleita a pesquisa fenomenológica como estratégia de investigação em que o pesquisador identifica a essência das experiências humanas descritas pelos participantes. A pesquisa enfatiza a compreensão da história de vida de 21 empreendedores que integram a diretoria da Associação Comercial e Empresarial, o Conselho da Mulher Empresária, e o Conselho do Jovem Empresário da cidade de Paranavaí - PR. A entrevista em profundidade apoiada em um roteiro semiestruturado foi o instrumento de coleta de dados, pois ela permite segurança e flexibilidade ao pesquisador para que os assuntos de interesse da pesquisa sejam abordados, ao mesmo tempo em que dá liberdade ao entrevistado de expressar suas experiências. As entrevistas foram gravadas com o consentimento dos participantes visando facilitar a transcrição e preservar a essência dos dados. Os dados foram categorizados por meio da análise de conteúdo e tratados à luz destas teorias. Os resultados evidenciaram que tanto a necessidade de autorrealização, iniciativa, relacionamento, capacidade de lidar com adversidade e base familiar, são características marcantes em todos os empreendedores dos três grupos participantes da pesquisa. Um aspecto não investigado na pesquisa, mas que surgiu nos resultados foi a solidariedade. Este constructo está mais presente no comportamento dos empreendedores diretores da ACIAP e nas mulheres empreendedoras do CME, ao elegerem as ações de solidariedade como uma forma de retribuir à sociedade pelo sucesso do negócio conquistado por eles ao longo do tempo. Como os empreendimentos dos jovens empreendedores participantes da pesquisa estão na fase inicial ou fase de maturação, este constructo não se mostrou relevante, podendo vir aflorar com o tempo no decorrer da trajetória empreendedora. Dessa forma, fica evidente que as ações que elegem um indivíduo com comportamento empreendedor podem ser explicadas através da ótica dessas duas teorias que embasaram o estudo. Porém o capital psicológico mostrou maior poder de explicação por possuir entre outros componentes que formam o constructo a autoeficácia, que é base da agência humana. Conclui-se que os empreendedores trazem subsídios suficientes ao exibirem crenças de autoeficácia, otimismo, esperança, resiliência, intencionalidade, antecipação, autorreatividade e autorreflexão que podem ser analisados e explicados sob a ótica tanto do capital psicológico, quanto da agência humana. Os três grupos de empreendedores adotam, no seu dia a dia, ações provenientes do capital psicológico e da agência humana, evidenciando que seus comportamentos os caracterizam como empreendedores.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify and interpret former criminal delinquents experiences of what internal, social and structual factors are contingent on the process of change in offending. Method: A qualitative method was used with a hermeneutic approach. A qualitative inquiry was conducted through three semi-structured life story interviews with former criminal delinquents working on an organization that specifically strives to help delinquents to desist from crime.  The mode of analysis utilized in this study was the concept of turning points and a life course perspective which are useful tools in understanding the crucial parts of the processes and factors in the desistance process. Results: The results identified twelve sub-interpretations which were distilled into three over-arching interpretations which lead to the following singular conceptual interpretation: Creating preconditions to promote reintegration and readaptation to society is viewed as important to successfully desist from crime, which, in turn, depends on three sets of factors: cognitive transformation, individual’s social environment and structural/external factors which are interdependent on each other. Future research areas are suggested.

[pt] O Design Computacional Generativo é uma forma de Design que consegue gerar uma quantidade virtualmente infinita de possíveis soluções e filtrá-las através de análises computacionais. Cada análise, experimenta e gradua uma demanda, que pode ser relacionada a diversos entes e como estes afetam e são afetados por um design. Dessa maneira, essas análises podem ser entendidas como uma forma de incluir de maneira integrada diversos fatores na síntese da forma do Design. Mesmo com todo esse potencial, as abordagens baseadas no Design Computacional Generativo ainda enfrentam dificuldades na análise e na inclusão de algumas demandas, principalmente naquelas de natureza subjetiva. Isso vem mudando devido a recente introdução de técnicas de Aprendizado Profundo no Design. Essas ferramentas conseguem captar conhecimentos implícitos através da sua aptidão para encontrar padrões em grandes quantidades de dados e replicá-los. Assim, elas podem replicar a avaliação de um designer humano. Essa pesquisa foca especificamente nas análises de critérios processados pelas capacidades humanas não simbólicas. Essas capacidades são aquelas que os humanos partilham com os animais vertebrados e permitem a compreensão de significados e o acionamento de ações sem a necessidade de linguagem. Essas capacidades possuem ao mesmo tempo um caráter objetivo, porque possuem uma base biológica comum a todos os humanos; e subjetivo, porque são influenciadas pelo estado psíquico, pelas motivações e pela experiência de um sujeito. Nesse contexto, o problema identificado é que sem um embasamento teórico essas técnicas acabam se limitando a um exercício fantasioso e ingênuo de automação de Design. Portanto, esta pesquisa parte da hipótese de que um embasamento teórico de conhecimentos da Teoria Pós- humana, da neurociência Conexionista e das Teorias de Fundamentos do Design possibilita que estímulos humanos não simbólicos possam ser incluídos de maneira efetiva na síntese da forma de processos de Design Computacional Generativo através de técnicas de Aprendizado Profundo. O objetivo do trabalho é compreender como a inserção dessas novas técnicas associadas a uma fundamentação teórica específica, vão propiciar a inclusão de fatores não- simbólicas na síntese da forma em processos de Design Computacional Generativo. Para atingir esse objetivo, a pesquisa propõe a elaboração de um conjunto de diretrizes, de uma estrutura metodológica conceitual e de um experimento prático que verifique o funcionamento da avaliação através de máquinas de Aprendizado Profundo. Esses três itens partem do estado da arte da interseção entre o Design Computacional Generativo e as técnicas de Aprendizado Profundo e se baseiam nos conhecimentos Pós-humanos, da neurociência Conexionista e das teorias de Fundamentos do Design. A pesquisa entrelaça dois temas atuais e significativos para o Campo do Design. De um lado, ela busca conhecimentos que preparem os designers para as transformações que a incorporação das técnicas recentes de inteligência artificial vem causando; e de outro, ela se insere nos esforços para que o Design seja um instrumento de transformação da sociedade através de uma reaproximação com as capacidades não simbólicas. / [en] Generative Computational Design is a form of Design that manages to generate a virtually infinite amount of possible solutions and filter them through computational analysis. Each analysis experiences and grades a demand, which can be related to different entities and how they affect and are affected by a design. In this way, these analyzes can be understood as a way of including in an integrated way several factors in the synthesis of the form of Design. Even with all this potential, approaches based on Generative Computational Design still face difficulties in analyzing and including some demands, especially those of a subjective nature. This has been changing due to the recent introduction of Deep Learning techniques in Design. These tools are able to capture implicit knowledge through their ability to find patterns in large amounts of data and replicate them. Thus, they can replicate the assessment of a human designer. This research specifically focuses on the analysis of criteria processed by non-symbolic human capacities. These capabilities are those that humans share with vertebrate animals and allow them the understanding of meanings and the triggering of actions without the need for language. These capacities have at the same time an objective character, because they have a biological basis common to all humans; and subjective, because they are influenced by a subject s psychic state, motivations and experience. In this context, the problem identified is that without a theoretical basis these techniques end up being limited to a fanciful and naive exercise in Design automation and simplistic approaches to style transfer. Thus, this research starts from the hypothesis that a theoretical foundation of knowledge from the Post- Human Theory, from the connectionist neuroscience and from the Fundamental Theories of Design can enable non-symbolic human factors to be effectively included in the synthesis of the form of processes of Generative Computational Design through Deep Learning techniques. The objective of this work is to understand how the insertion of these new techniques associated with a specific theoretical foundation will enable the inclusion of non-symbolic factors in the synthesis of form in Generative Computational Design processes. To achieve this objective, the research proposes the elaboration of a conceptual methodological framework based on the state of the art of the intersection between Generative Computational Design and Deep Learning techniques associated with Post-human knowledge, connectionist neuroscience and Design Foundations theories; as well as the verification of the operation of the technique through the execution of a practical experimental procedure. The research intertwines two current and significant themes for the Field of Design. On the one hand, it seeks knowledge that prepares designers for the transformations that the incorporation of recent artificial intelligence techniques has caused; and on the other hand, it is part of efforts to make Design an instrument for transforming society through a rapprochement with non-symbolic capacities.

<p>Existing career theories are largely based on a stable working environment and have focused excessively on men and single work roles. In the postindustrial era, however, women’s careers, characterized by the constant negotiation of multiple roles and more frequent job changes, have had implications on the changing nature of careers. The general purpose of this thesis is to increase knowledge about the process of career development of women. The focus is on two aspects: Life Career (characterized by multiple role constellations over the life course) and Occupational Career (characterized by different shapes of occupational movement over the life course). Three sets of questions addressed these two aspects of career: trajectory patterns, interrelationships, and antecedents and consequences. Career biographies covered ages 16 to 43. Antecedents reflecting individual agency (e.g., life role value, aspiration, and early experiences) were investigated. The impact of family context on occupational choice was also examined. Among the consequences examined were midlife work wellness and stress, health, and wellbeing.</p><p>Results showed that (1) Career patterns were highly diverse, including nine distinct life career patterns and ten occupational career patterns. (2) Occupational and life careers were significantly related, indicating that the paid work career is embedded in the overall life role structure throughout the life course. (3) Individual agency factors predicted life career. Occupational career was related to life career more than family context. (4) Occupational career did matter in work wellbeing. In terms of stress, health, and wellbeing at midlife, there was little difference among life career patterns, but more significant differences among occupational career patterns. The thesis indicates career theory can benefit from taking multiple roles and career development into account. Implications for career counseling, social policy, and organizations are discussed.</p>

Notre recherche vise à identifier pour notre partenaire socio-économique, le Pôle services à la personne PACA (PSP PACA), les manières possibles dont il peut soutenir l’activité d’innovation de ses adhérents et des acteurs du champ des services à domicile. Nous avons dans un premier temps, à l’aide de revues de littérature, bâti un modèle théorique d’analyse nous permettant de mettre en évidence l’ensemble des activités cognitives, politiques, constructives et productives, fondamentales dans la conduite de projet entrepreneuriaux visant à transformer ou à renforcer un champ. Nous nous sommes pour cela appuyés sur une littérature portant sur la perspective fondée sur le projet, et sur trois ensembles de littérature sur l’appropriation d’objets de conception. Nous avons ensuite mobilisé ce modèle d’analyse dans la lecture approfondie de deux cas de projets conduits par le PSP sous forme d’actions collectives. La mobilisation de ce modèle d’analyse nous a permis d’examiner les dispositifs (organisationnels, d’animation, d’accompagnement, …) mis en place par l’équipe du pôle au niveau des actions collectives, et leur incidence sur les activités qui s’y sont déroulées. Celle-ci nous a également permis d’identifier, en contexte, les éléments qui ont été par la suite appropriés ou adoptés par les opérateurs de services, durant la conduite de leurs propres projets. Nous avons alors mis en évidence un certain nombre de leviers d’ordre méthodologique, sur lesquels peut s’appuyer l’équipe du pôle pour optimiser l’organisation et l’animation de telles actions collectives. Ces résultats nous ont alors conduits à émettre trois principaux axes de discussion théorique / Our research aims to identify, for the PSP PACA our socio-economic partner, the possible ways to support the innovation activity of its members and the home-care services field players. Firstly, based on an expanded literature review, we built a theoretical model of analysis allowing us to highlight all the cognitive, political, constructive and productive fundamental activities in the implementation of entrepreneurial projects intended to transform or strengthen a field. Thus, we rely on a project-based view literature and on three sets of literature on the appropriation of human artefacts. Secondly, we mobilized this model of analysis in the in-depth reading of two cases of projects carried out by the PSP PACA, setting up collective actions. Mobilizing this analytical model allowed us to examine the different ways (organization, collective animation and individual support) by which the PSP team carried out theses collective actions, and their subsequent impact on the activities. It also allowed us to identify, in context, the elements that were appropriated or adopted by the participants while conducting their own projects. We then highlighted a certain number of methodological levers, on which the team of the cluster can rely to optimize - according to its aims and its orientations - the organization and the animation of such collective actions. We articulated these levers according to four different modalities in order to facilitate their mobilization by participants or project carriers. These results then led us to put forward three main axes of theoretical discussion

Two conceptual approaches which offer promise for improved understanding of biological invasions are conceptualizing the invasion process as a series of distinct stages and explicitly incorporating human actions into analyses. This study explores the utility of these approaches for understanding the invasion of Trifolium (true clover) species in New Zealand. From the published literature, I collected a range of Trifolium species attributes, including aspects of global transport and use by humans, opportunistic association with humans in New Zealand, native range attributes, habitat characteristics, and biological traits. I also searched historical records to estimate the extent to which each species had been planted in New Zealand, a search facilitated by the enormous importance of Trifolium in New Zealand's pastoral agriculture system. Regression analysis and structural equation modelling were then used to relate these variables to success at each invasion stage. Fifty-four of the 228 species in the genus Trifolium were intentionally introduced to New Zealand. Species introduced for commercial agriculture were characterised by a large number of economic uses and presence in Britain, while species introduced for horticulture or experimental agriculture were characterised by a large native range area. Nine of these 54 intentionally introduced species subsequently naturalised in New Zealand. The species that successfully naturalised were those that had been planted extensively by humans and that were well-matched to the New Zealand climate. A further 16 species (from the pool of 174 species that were never intentionally introduced) arrived and naturalised in New Zealand without any recorded intentional aid of humans. Several attributes appeared to assist species in unintentional introduction-naturalisation, including a good match to the New Zealand climate, a large native range area, presence in human-influenced habitats, a widespread distribution in Britain, and self-pollination capability. The 25 total naturalised species varied greatly in their current distributions and in the rates at which they had spread to achieve those distributions. Species that had spread quickly and are currently more widespread had been frequent contaminants in the pasture seed supply and have a long flowering period in New Zealand. Other biological traits and native range attributes played supporting roles in the spread process. Attributes facilitating success clearly varied among invasion stages. Humans played a dominant role at all stages of this invasion, although biological traits had increasing importance as a species moved through the invasion sequence. My findings suggest that incorporation of human actions and the stage-based framework provide valuable insight into the invasion process. I discuss potential avenues by which these approaches might be integrated into predictive invasion models.

Existing career theories are largely based on a stable working environment and have focused excessively on men and single work roles. In the postindustrial era, however, women’s careers, characterized by the constant negotiation of multiple roles and more frequent job changes, have had implications on the changing nature of careers. The general purpose of this thesis is to increase knowledge about the process of career development of women. The focus is on two aspects: Life Career (characterized by multiple role constellations over the life course) and Occupational Career (characterized by different shapes of occupational movement over the life course). Three sets of questions addressed these two aspects of career: trajectory patterns, interrelationships, and antecedents and consequences. Career biographies covered ages 16 to 43. Antecedents reflecting individual agency (e.g., life role value, aspiration, and early experiences) were investigated. The impact of family context on occupational choice was also examined. Among the consequences examined were midlife work wellness and stress, health, and wellbeing. Results showed that (1) Career patterns were highly diverse, including nine distinct life career patterns and ten occupational career patterns. (2) Occupational and life careers were significantly related, indicating that the paid work career is embedded in the overall life role structure throughout the life course. (3) Individual agency factors predicted life career. Occupational career was related to life career more than family context. (4) Occupational career did matter in work wellbeing. In terms of stress, health, and wellbeing at midlife, there was little difference among life career patterns, but more significant differences among occupational career patterns. The thesis indicates career theory can benefit from taking multiple roles and career development into account. Implications for career counseling, social policy, and organizations are discussed.

Young people who are homeless experience adversity, but many are able to overcome the challenges of street life and transition back into housing. This exploratory, qualitative research draws on the narratives from interviews and focus groups with 35 young people who have experienced homelessness, as well as interviews and focus groups with 30 service providers working in youth shelters and a youth drop-in centre. Exploring themes of victimization, criminal offending, police involvement, and interactions with community services, this research highlights the capacities of young people to navigate around obstacles and negotiate to meet their needs. Integrating symbolic interactionism and social constructivist perspectives, this research explores the importance of micro-level interactions and perceptions, as well as the contexts that frame the decision-making processes of young people passing through homelessness. The implications of these perspectives are discussed within the framework of resilience discourse.

Young people who are homeless experience adversity, but many are able to overcome the challenges of street life and transition back into housing. This exploratory, qualitative research draws on the narratives from interviews and focus groups with 35 young people who have experienced homelessness, as well as interviews and focus groups with 30 service providers working in youth shelters and a youth drop-in centre. Exploring themes of victimization, criminal offending, police involvement, and interactions with community services, this research highlights the capacities of young people to navigate around obstacles and negotiate to meet their needs. Integrating symbolic interactionism and social constructivist perspectives, this research explores the importance of micro-level interactions and perceptions, as well as the contexts that frame the decision-making processes of young people passing through homelessness. The implications of these perspectives are discussed within the framework of resilience discourse.