Prejudice research shows that most psychologists focus on moderate prejudice in superficial settings, rather than extreme prejudice in real-life situations. The present study used an interpretive phenomenological analysis guided by social constructivism on 21 biographies to investigate how the authors voluntarily disaffiliated from their groups and altered their prejudice. The narratives were retrieved from popular and academic book and journal memoirs, digital and print interviews and articles, podcasts and video clips of members of closed faith societies who were socialized to resent outsiders, with their resentments turning into violence. The analysis used Willig's 4 stages: immersion in material, identifying core themes, summary of themes, and the amalgamation of the summary into themes. Results of this study indicate that there seems to be a turning point in which participants perceive the outside world in a different way. This change in perception may occur in members of closed groups through conducting critical analyses, reading source texts, and experiencing altruism from a member of the resented outside groups. Recommendations include that communication between outsiders and group members should reflect subtle, fact-based reasoning and manifest a customized approach to reducing prejudice. The study offers an original approach for understanding socialized violence. Governments and relevant entities could use this research to train invited outsiders of a cult or closed faith society regarding how to decrease the prejudice of closed group members.

The purpose of this thesis is to take a closer look at Jane Austen’s work and understand the importance of it in both the academic and cultural sphere. With a specific focus on Pride and Prejudice, this research starts with a focus on feminist readings of the novel. Primarily, this research looks at the novel with a feminist lens in order to better understand the female characters and their involvement in the marriage plot. Secondarily, the research goes on to look at the cultural impact of Pride and Prejudice and attempts to understand the ways in which this novel re-appears in different adaptations. Finally, the research suggests that there should be a new way of reading Austen that better fits contemporary society. Despite how far removed Jane Austen’s world may seem, her work remains important and worth studying. This thesis argues in favor of the appreciation of Jane Austen’s work both academically and culturally.

Nous examinons si l'augmentation de la variabilité perçue dans un groupe peut réduire les préjugés et la discrimination à l'égard de ses membres. Dans une série de 16 expériences en laboratoire et sur le terrain, nous avons d'abord attiré l'attention des participants soit sur l'homogénéité soit sur l'hétérogénéité des membres de ce groupe, et ensuite nous avons mesuré les attitudes ou les comportements. La variabilité perçue a été manipulée de différentes manières (en mentionnant ou non l'existence de plusieurs sous-groupes à l'intérieur du groupe cible, ou en montrant que les membres de l'exogroupe ont des opinions variées ou des caractéristiques différentes, ou en demandant aux participants de penser aux différences au sein des membres du groupe en question). Les préjugés et la discrimination ont été mesurés à l'aide d'échelles d’auto-évaluation, par la distribution de ressources, par le comportement d'aide d'un membre de l'exogroupe, ou encore par l'évaluation d'un candidat de l'exogroupe dans une situation de simulation de recrutement. Dans toutes les expériences, la variabilité perçue a réduit les préjugés et la discrimination. Cet effet pourrait être dû au fait que la variabilité perçue réduirait le rôle du groupe d'appartenance de la cible dans la production des attitudes et des comportements à l'égard des individus / We examined whether increasing individuals' perceived variability of an out-group reduces prejudice and discrimination toward its members. In a series of 16 laboratory and field experiments, we attracted participants' attention to either the homogeneity or the heterogeneity of members of an out-group, and then measured their attitudes or behaviors. Perceived variability was manipulated by making subgroups salient, by portraying the out-group members as having diverse opinions, by making salient that out-group members have different characteristics, or by asking participants to think about differences among out-group members. Prejudice and discrimination were measured in terms of self-reported attitudes, distribution of rewards, helping an out-group confederate, and evaluation of an out-group candidate in a simulated hiring decision. In all experiments, perceived variability decreased prejudice and discrimination. This effect may be due to the fact that perceived variability decreases the role of group membership in the production of attitudes and behaviors toward other individuals

The creative writing is preceded by a critical introduction that explores the history of the steampunk genre, the YA literature movement, and many novels and short stories in both genres. The critical introduction establishes genre guidelines and expectations, as well as provides examples for important qualities of the genre. The nature of the story required additional research into steam engines, WWI history, the RMS Olympic, tree climbing ascension techniques, and various other subjects. This informal research was used to improve the descriptions of technology in the creative work, as well as the naval terminology and battle tactics performed by steam powered ships before and during the first World War. Though not a historical novel, this information assists in building a believable steampunk world.

When stigmatized or oppressed groups are able to protect their self-esteem by attributing a negative outcome to prejudice and/or discrimination, this has been titled "attributional ambiguity". Whereas it has been proven in many studies that attributional ambiguity does exist among the stigmatized and oppressed groups the methodological approach of these studies were bias. In these studies the evaluator(s) has always been white and/or physically able. The goal of this study was to investigate whether attributional ambiguity is utilized by any individual (stigmatized/oppressed or non-stigmatized/non-oppressed) who feels that their outcome is the result of prejudice and/or discrimination. Our methodological approach allowed participants to be evaluated by same-race, or cross-race evaluators of the same sex. It is believed that this did address the issue of stigmatized/oppressed being evaluators themselves. However, the lack of reported prejudice made it difficult to test the construct validity of attributional ambiguity. In addition this study yielded results that revealed that subtle differences such as skin color is not enough to imply prejudice even when paired with negative feedback.

In the past and present the inter-gender relationship has been based on male domination resulting in the overlooking of the female role and value. Many male-inspired theories helped to establish this hierarchical relationship and to perpetuate the belief that men and women have been created differently and not equally privileged. My research on the status of Korean women verifies these theories by examining how much social and cultural conditions have contributed to the difference between the genders to the disadvantage of women. It also reveals the distortion of patriarchal theories by investigating the principle of Confucianism which led to the depravation of Korean women's opportunities to develop themselves. The present level of achievement for women's equality is the result of these women's struggles. I as a women artist, present my work so that it will help both men and women to raise their awareness and to eliminate the prejudice towards females in society. The early principle of the Yin and Yang, distorted later for political benefits, implied a cooperative relationship of two forces for creation and development. Although these force are different and independent, when used cooperatively, they make a complete picture of stability and harmony. If they remain separate forces there is no resulting completion of creation, but instability and misfortunes. By disclosing this principle of harmony in Shamanism and early Confucianism, I also present the notion that all kinds of misfortunes come out of a broken harmony between creatures, peoples, and genders. / Master of Arts (Hons)

This qualitative modified participatory study underpinned by social critical theory explored the experiences of immigrant medical practitioners seeking registration in New Zealand. The occupational science notions of occupation, occupational deprivation and occupational apartheid were used to understand the experiences of the participants. The objective of the study was to understand the experiences of the participants and facilitate their self-empowerment through facilitated dialogue, affording them opportunities for collective action. Data was obtained through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with eighteen immigrant medical practitioners who were doctors and dentists as well as two physiotherapists. The two physiotherapists were sampled out of necessity to explore diversity in findings. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. This method included the processes of coding data into themes and then collapsing themes into major themes which were organised under categories. Four categories were created in the findings describing the experiences of immigrant practitioners and suggesting solutions. Firstly; findings revealed that immigrant medical practitioners had a potential worth being utilised in New Zealand. Secondly; it was found that these participants faced negative and disabling experiences in the process of being registered. Thirdly; the emotional consequences of the negative experiences were described in the study. Fourthly; there were collectively suggested solutions where the participants felt that their problems could be alleviated by support systems modelled in other Western English speaking countries that have hosted high numbers of immigrant medical practitioners from non-English speaking countries. This collective action was consistent with the emancipatory intent of participatory research informed by social critical theory. This study resulted in drawing conclusions about the implications of the participants’ experiences to well-being, occupational satisfaction as well as diverse workforce development initiatives. This study is also significant in policy making as it spelt out the specific problems faced by participants and made recommendations on what can be done to effectively utilise and benefit from the skills of immigrant medical practitioners. A multi-agency approach involving key stakeholders from the government departments, regulatory authorities, medical schools and immigrant practitioners themselves is suggested as a possible approach to solving the problems faced by these practitioners.

<p><strong>Syfte:</strong> Vi som studerar till fastighetsmäklare ser att fastighetsmäklarbranschen har hamnat i dålig dager. En tes vi har är att detta till stor del beror på media. En annan tes är att de flesta gliringar gentemot yrkesrollen kommer från personer som saknar erfarenhet av fastighetsmäklare. När vi tog del av statistik som tvärtemot visade att fyra av fem kunder var nöjda med sin fastighetsmäklare, bestämde vi oss för att undersöka saken djupare. Syftet med arbetet är att verifiera eller falsifiera våra två teser. Ytterst är vårt syfte att problematisera det negativa ryktet som fastighetsmäklarbranschen tycks ha.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Metod: </strong>Vi har använt oss av kvalitativ metod med intervjuer som bas för arbetet. Genom ett stort antal respondenter, uppdelade i två grupper, har vi kunnat göra jämförelser, både inom gruppen och mellan de två grupperna. Vi valde att intervjua bekanta till oss för att få så sanningsenliga svar som möjligt. Vi har utgått ifrån en, av oss, färdigformulerad frågemall för att sedan låta respondenten prata fritt kring frågorna. Utifrån respondenternas svar har vi lyft fram det primära budskapet från båda grupperna för att sedan diskutera dessa i uppsatsen.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Resultat & slutsats:</strong> Majoriteten av nyheterna som media tar upp är negativa och när en yrkesgrupp som fastighetsmäklare är ständigt återkommande skapas misstankar i människors medvetna och undermedvetna. Vår undersökning har visat att de som saknar egen erfarenhet av fastighetsmäklare i regel har fått sina värderingar från hörsägen och media. Det är också de som är mest fördomsfulla mot fastighetsmäklare. De som har erfarenhet tycker i regel bra om enskilda fastighetsmäklare men har fortfarande kvar en del fördomar gentemot branschen i stort. Undersökningar har visat att den övervägande majoriteten av säljare och köpare är nöjda med fastighetsmäklare och det stämmer alltså inte överens med den negativa bild som media sänder ut.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Förslag till fortsatt forskning: </strong>Då vi inte har fördjupat oss i vad det är som gör kunder nöjda med fastighetsmäklare kan ett förslag till fortsatt forskning vara<strong> </strong>att fördjupa sig i vad det innebär att vara nöjd med sin fastighetsmäklare.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Uppsatsens bidrag:</strong> Vår förhoppning är att denna studie ska bidra till en ökad medvetenhet angående problematiken med det negativa ryktet som fastighetsmäklarbranschen tycks ha.</p> / <p><strong>Aim:</strong> We, studying to become Real Estate Agents, have got the notion that the Real Estate market has a bad reputation. One thesis we have is that this has a lot to do with the media. Another thesis is that most of the sneers towards the profession come from people who lack experience with Real Estate Agents. When we took part in statistics that, on the contrary, showed that four out of five clients were satisfied with their Real Estate Agent, we decided to examine the issue deeper. The aim with the thesis is to verify or falsify our two hypotheses'. The primary aim is to problemize the negative reputation that the industry of Real Estate Agents seem to have.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Method:</strong> We have used a qualitative method by conducting interviews as bas for the study. With a large number of people to interview, divided into two groups, we have been able to make comparisons both within the groups and between the two groups. The interviews were conducted with our acquaintances with the intent of reaching answers as truthful as possible. We used a preconstructed list with questions from which they could answer freely and then we chose to discuss the primary messages from both groups in our paper.</p><p> <strong>Result & Conclusions: </strong>The majority of news that is brought up in the media is negative and when a group of professions, like Real Estate Agents, are constantly reoccurring it creates suspicions in people's minds. Our research has shown that those who lack experience get their values from hearsay and the media and they are also the most prejudice. Those with experience have a positive, attitude in general, towards single Real Estate Agents but they are still prejudice towards the industry. Studies have shown that most sellers and buyers are content with Real Estate Agents. This is not in agreement with the negative picture that the media show.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Suggestions for future research: </strong>We have not thoroughly examined what it means for a client to be content with his Real Estate Agent. This could be a suggestion for future research.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Contribution of the thesis: </strong>Our hope is that this study will contribute to an increased awareness regarding the problems with the negative reputation that the industry of Real Estate Agents seem to have.</p>

<p>A juxtaposition of Jane Austen's <em>Pride & Prejudice</em> and <em>Persuasion</em>. The two novels are analyzed from a Marxist theoretical perspective.</p>

<p>This essay aims to investigate how students in upper secondary school perceive the subject religion A. The study is both qualitative and quantitative and I will use a survey to investigate the perception of religion among students both vocationally oriented and theory oriented. I will use questions concerning religious background and perception on the subject in relation to the curriculum but also try to investigate whether there are differences on perception between the vocational and theory orientation. The theoretical approach is mainly based on the curriculum concerning religion A but former research is also used such as books written by Sven G Hartman (2000), Ulf Sjödin (1995), Ove Larsson (1991), Elsie Davidsson (1989) and Anders Törnwall (1988). The result in the study is that students for the most part perceive the subject religion A as something positive and the background has a connection to their present perception. Family, school and society play an important role when it comes to students’ perception regarding religion A, often through media which affects and contributesto a more secular attitude. Curriculum goals and objectives cohere fairly well with the students' perception on the subject and a majority of the asked students feel that education on religion contributes to a more open, tolerant and understanding society where peopleunderstand, accept and respect each other's similarities and differences in a better way.</p>