This dissertation augmented Kahlor’s (2010) planned risk information seeking model (PRISM). According to the PRISM, people’s intentions to seek risk information hinge on their attitudes toward seeking, seeking-related subjective norms, perceived control over seeking, affective response to the perceived risk, and information need. As well, this dissertation examined the role of self-identity as an information seeker, independent self-construal, past risk information seeking, involvement, and motivation orientation in people’s intention to seek risk information about radon and poor indoor air quality. In a pilot study of a convenience sample (N = 59), I derived an information-seeking self-identity scale and a novel instrument for measuring information need. The main study of a national probability sample (N = 602) evaluated the proposed structural model, tested several hypotheses, and explored several research questions. Both the pilot and main study gathered data via online surveys. Results supported the proposed model (R2 = .62) and several hypotheses. Notably, information-seeking self-identity and past risk information seeking positively predicted seeking intention. Also, the effects of attitudes and norms on seeking intention were stronger among more independent respondents. Finally, in a series of multiple regression analyses, I detailed the roles of involvement and various motivation orientations in each model component. An unexpected finding was that perceived control over seeking did not significantly predict seeking intention. Post-hoc analysis revealed that the strength of the control-intention relationship was—at least with the current sample—inversely related to socioeconomic status (SES), where at higher levels of SES, the importance of perceived control over seeking diminished. / text

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2007. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 174-176). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

This thesis examines the work of two of the twentieth century’s foremost cultural figures, the Palestinian-American literary critic Edward Said (1935-2003) and the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish (1941-2008), and focuses specifically on the formulation and representation in their respective work of the theme of identity. It explores the depictions of this concept in their writing; comparing and contrasting their personal viewpoints on the various facets of their own identity as Palestinian Arabs and cosmopolitan global citizens expressed through their chosen literary medium, prose for Said and poetry for Darwish. At the same time, this analysis of the creative writing of these two authors will serve to shed light on the complex and ongoing process which is involved in identity formation and maintenance, and conceptualization of the self. Said and Darwish’s multi-conceptualisations of self-identity take place in Chapter Three, which is divided into seven zones of self-identity. Their understanding of self-identity is observed through the spaces of their names, language, family relationships, friendships, ethnicities, nationalism, hybrid identities, and cosmopolitanism. The concept of post-Nakba and Naksa literature maps the critical developments in evaluations of Arabic literature and, more particularly, Palestinian literature. The understanding of Palestinian cultural context requires an adequate assimilation regarding the impact of Nakba and Naksa in Palestinian literature, linked strongly with the general impact of Nakba in all Arab literature. The thesis begins by establishing the major socio-political, cultural and historical contexts which shaped the lives and work of Said and Darwish. Then using an innovative theoretical framework which draws on elements of post-colonial theory Said’s own contrapuntal technique and close textual analysis, the thesis explores a number of key facets pertaining to identity construction which it can be argued are of particular relevance to the Palestinian case. These include trauma, collective cultural memories, displacement, the Diasporic experience and the dream of return. At the same time, the thesis reveals how whilst both Said and Darwish remained dedicated to the Palestinian cause they adopted a cosmopolitan identity which was reflected in their respective work and its identification with diverse groups of oppressed peoples.

abstract: Working with participants in schools for highly gifted students, this study asked adolescents to create a digital story to address the prompt, "How has your life changed since coming to this school?" Participant interviews were conducted in an attempt to determine how gifted students view their educational experiences and how those experiences influence the current development of self-identity. Digital story creation and photo elicitation methods were chosen in an effort to remove researcher bias and allow participant voices to be heard more accurately. Parent and educator interviews were also conducted. Data analysis was completed using narrative construction methods. Findings include several themes among participant self-identity influences including how labels affect participant's view of themselves, perfectionism and competitive drive function in each gifted child, necessity of intellectual challenge, appropriate learning environment helps to create self-confidence and self-identity, and grades are more important than learning for knowledge. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction 2014

The aim of this study is to put forth, examine and understand eight young adult Muslims view of Islam and what it means to be a Muslim in Sweden. The analysed material consists of eight interviews with young adult Muslims, in the age 16 to 19 years old, made in december of 2017. To aid the research three questions were formulated: (1) What is Islam according to young adult Muslims?, (2) What does it mean to be Muslim according to young adult Muslims? and (3) What affect does religion have on the identity of young adult Muslims? In order to answer the questions and fulfill the purpose of this study a qualitative method of semi-structured interviews have been used. Further a theory of strategic and tactic religion along with a theory about self-identification were applied to analyze the result of the interviews. The study shows that young adult Muslims in Sweden, though they are affected of strategic religion, use tactics to individualize Islam in order to align with their every day life. The study also shows that Swedish young Muslims’ identity are affected by religion and that this can be related to categories such as continuity, between cultures, hybrid and deculturation.

Background:   The phenomenon of the 21st century, fashion bloggers, are having something that the glossy fashion magazines and fashion advertisements never had – a personal touch through their identity. Through sharing experiences, opinions and feelings about garments, shopping and other fashion related subjects, fashion bloggers share their self. Hence, blog can be the space where bloggers present, create or edit their self, shifting between who they really are and who they desire to be.Purpose:   The purpose of this study is to get a deeper insight into the phenomenon of the fashion blogger by investigating bloggers self-presentation through the blog and the relation of their online identity to their real- and ideal-self.Design/method:   This study was designed as an exploratory two case study. The data was collected by using three different methods: the content analysis, the go-along method and the semi-structured interviews. The sources included blog content, human behavior and verbalnarratives. The thematic analysis technique was used to analyze the data.Results:   Case I, a professional Croatian blogger, showed the usage of indirect elements to present the self on the blog and through blogging activities as well as the usage of ingratiation to maintain personal and business relationships, and competence to present the self as professionally competent. It also showed the usage of photo shooting as a cue for impression management as well as the struggle between different selves on the blog. Finally, the results highlighted the role of the blog in actualizing the self. Case II, a hobby Croatian blogger, showed the usage of direct and indirect elements to present the self on the blog and through blogging activities, as well as the intention to create a ‘fashionable personae’. It showed the usage of ingratiation to appear likeable and to get recognition, and competence to present the self as social. Analysis indicated the practice of fashion through dressing with an intention to create the ‘blogger’ identity and reach the ideal-self. The blog was found to be the place for practicing the self-confidence and the self-identity construction.Conclusion:   Case I showed the extensive conscious usage of the blog features and engagement into the blogging activities to present the self and usage of two self-presentation strategies; ingratiation and competence. Overall, it showed that the identity presented on the blog is majorly a reflection of already constructed identity and descriptive self while the significance of the blog is seen in the desire to reach self-actualization. Case II showed more unconscious usage of the blog features and engagement into the blogging activities to present the self and usage of two self-presentation strategies: ingratiation and competence. It also showed that the online identity on the blog mainly serves as a ‘trial identity’ through which the real-self is yetto be found and defined and through which the ideal-self is constantly reached. This study presents the first step into understanding how can blogger’s self-identity and self-presentation can be beneficial for the brand’s marketing strategy.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design / Marsha A. Dickson / The blending of small percentages of organic cotton has been a successful way for apparel manufacturers to introduce organic cotton into their supply chain. However, little is known on how consumers perceive small percentage blended organic cotton apparel products. The purpose of this study was twofold. One goal was to identify the groups of consumers who might be interested in buying blended organic cotton clothes and find out what kind of labeling they preferred. The second goal was to find out more about the consumer’s attitudes and interest in purchasing the organic cotton clothing. Theory in consumer behavior, and social psychology provided the conceptual framework for the study. Major variables included in the study were environmental attitudes, attitudes of the consumers and important other people towards organic cotton clothing, skepticism toward environmental product claims, consumer self-identity, and future purchase intention. Data were collected with a mail survey of consumers, stratified by state population, that was randomly drawn from a national mailing list of health and natural foods consumers (usable response rate=14.9%, n=422). Factor analysis uncovered latent variables from among the large number of items. Conjoint analysis revealed which product attributes were salient and cluster analysis identified segments of consumers with different attribute preferences. Finally, multiple regression analysis was used to examine the causal relationships among variables affection future purchase intention. Percentage of organic cotton content, price, and labeling for fairly traded fibers and donations to cancer research were all attributes used by the consumers to decide how likely the would be to purchase an organic cotton t-shirt. Two segments of consumers (53%) used the percentage of organic cotton more than any other attribute to decide their purchase likelihood. Results from the multiple regression were used to make a model of socially responsible consumer behavior. The research makes numerous contributions. Apparel manufacturers will benefit from knowing that seeing even small percentages of organic fiber helps consumers decide to purchase organic clothing. Theoretical contributions include the determination that the relationship between future purchase intention and both self-identity and the personal norm is mediated by the consumers’ evaluation of outcomes of the purchase.

Aggressive behaviour seems to be an extensive and severe problem negatively affecting both the victims and the offenders. Many factors affect aggression. In this study, one factor was examined: self-identity, in relation to societal strain and emotions. The study aims to explore the relations between self-identity (what do we think we are) societal strain and emotions with aggression. A theoretical exploration of the importance of self-identity in relation to aggressiveness and more specifically, explore the significance of additional concepts as a potential marker for the predisposition to aggressiveness. Also, verifying if these concepts are a stronger contributor than obstructor to aggressiveness. Evidence from interdisciplinary literature is used to answer the questions in this degree project. This thesis is based on a set of relevant scientific papers. Two theories, General Strain theory and Self-Control/bond theory, contrasted with the idea of self-identity. Findings - Self-identity influences the performance of an individual in everyday scenarios. Not being able to obtain a goal and improve our social status, can result in a higher probability of looking for illegal options. Further, there is a difference in the way emotions affect aggressive conduct and the way this conduct is expressed between genders. Finally, one's self-identity seems to be a relevant marker for the predisposition to aggressiveness. This thesis provides insights to some of the most important markers for the predisposition to aggressiveness in society.

Since 2008 with the Russo-Georgian war we observe the gradual deterioration of relations between Russia and the European Union which achieves its apogee during the Ukrainian crisis and the annexation of Crimea. The cultural approach is to be applied for understanding and exploration of the conflict: its reasons and mechanism. The work is aimed to define conflicting beliefs and values, considering them on a cultural basis. The current escalation of relationships is reviewed as a cultural conflict, the author claims different mentality as one of the influential factors and possible dimensions of conflict analysis. This work also points out internal cultural mechanisms and features provoking aggressive external policy and considers cultural identity as a container of ideas which justify and originate opposition and conflict with other cultures. This work is an attempt to introduce a concept of an individual's mentality, to link personal and group mentality and find out how cultural meaning content influences on formation of a personal mindset - a system of personal beliefs and values. Research part consists of preliminary comparative questionnaire-based survey with 30 respondents, secondary analysis of World Value Survey, and 10 depth interviews based on 3 survey questions, analyzed by means of mental...

Sedan covid-19-pandemins inträde i Sverige i mars år 2020 har vi uppmanats att hålla avstånd till varandra, och framförallt i början av pandemin betonades att den äldre befolkningen inte borde träffa människor utanför det egna hushållet om inte avståndet gick att säkerställa. Goda intentioner kan därför beskrivas ha utmynnat i negativa konsekvenser för denna del av befolkningen, delvis orsakade av att många äldre tvingats ändra livsstil. Syftet med denna studie är därför att med utgångspunkt i begreppen livsstil och självidentitet reflektera kring de äldres sätt att leva sina liv under covid-19-pandemin. Anthony Giddens (2014) menar att vår livsstil utgör en berättelse om vår självidentitet och berör själva kärnan av vårt jag, och det är också denna förståelse av begreppen som utgör den teoretiska referensramen. Semistrukturerade intervjuer med sju personer i åldrarna 70 år och uppåt visar att de äldres livsstil utmanas på många sätt och i synnerhet deras sociala livsstil. Särskilda prövningar uppstår för dem som inte träffar sina närstående fysiskt men de har alla hittat alternativa sätt att umgås. Somliga har dock valt att fortsätta träffa andra i en liknande utsträckning som tidigare men livsstilen har ändå utmanats på grund av inställda aktiviteter och framförallt för att många upplever att deras val inte uppskattas av omgivningen. Trots att de hanterat utmaningarna olika visar resultatet att detta är trygga individer och att deras sätt att leva under pandemin kan beskrivas styrka deras självidentitet vilket gör att denna vilar på en stabil grund. / Since the outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden in March 2020, there has been a request of maintaining a social distance between one another in society. Especially in the beginning of the pandemic it was emphasized that elder people should limit the number of interactions and keep a safe distance. However, good intentions may have turned out into negative consequences for the elderly, partly caused by having been forced to a change of lifestyle. The aim of this study is consequently to reflect the lives of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the concepts lifestyle and self identity. Anthony Giddens (2014) claims that our lifestyle represents a story about our self identity and that it touches the core of our own self, and his understanding of the concepts constitutes the theoretical frame of reference. Semi-structured interviews have shown how seven informers, aged 70 and older, express how lifestyles of the elderly have been challenged in many ways during the pandemic. Special trials arise for the ones that are not seeing others like they used to but they have all found alternative ways of interacting. However, some of the elderly have chosen to continue to interact like they used to but their lifestyle has still been challenged caused to cancelled activities, and above all because many of them feel that their choise to do so is not appreciated by the environment. Even though they are handling the challenges differently, the results show that they all are confident individuals and that their way of living during the pandemic even can strengthen their self identity.