Este trabalho apresenta uma reflexão baseada em pesquisa bibliográfica e etnográfica a respeito das formas de socialidade dos Chiquitano, grupo indígena da família lingüística Chiquitano que habita a região da fronteira mato-grossense com a Bolívia. Mesmo com uma expressiva população em território brasileiro, de cerca de 2.000 indivíduos, apenas recentemente esses índios foram reconhecidos pelo órgão indigenista oficial por ocasião de uma perícia realizada em suas terras. Com base em uma pesquisa bibliográfica apoiada no levantamento das fontes documentais de origens diversas sobre a longa história de contato, que remonta ao século XVI, é aqui efetuada uma análise que possibilita mapear certas características dos contatos dos Chiquitano com as populações vizinhas, ao mesmo tempo em que procura circunscrever um conjunto de denominações atribuídas a eles ao longo destes anos. A partir de uma pesquisa etnográfica de campo é efetuada uma descrição da constituição dos grupos locais denominados de Fazendinha, de Vila Nova e de Santa Luzia, em especial quanto às relações de parentesco, de casamento e de compadrio, com enfoque no modo de inserção de estrangeiros ao grupo. Do mesmo modo, o xamanismo e a escola são estudados com o objetivo de refletir sobre os espaços de abertura para o outro, integrando aspectos sociológicos e cosmológicos de um grupo ainda pouco conhecido pela Etnologia Brasileira. / This study presents a reflection based on bibliographic and ethnographic research into the forms of sociality of the Chiquitano, an indigenous group of the Chiquitano linguistic family that inhabits the border region of the Brazilian state Mato Grosso with Bolivia. Despite having a substantial population in Brazilian territory, of around 2,000 individuals, only recently were these Indians recognised by the official agency for indigenous peoples following an investigation performed on their land. Based on bibliographic research of documental sources of various origins about the long history of contact with the group, dating back to the 16th century, an analysis is carried out to enable the mapping of certain characteristics of the contacts between the Chiquitano and the neighbouring populations. At the same time the study attempts to determine a set of denominations attributed to the group throughout these years. Based on ethnographic field research a description is made of the constitution of the local groups named Fazendinha, Vila Nova and Santa Luiza, especially as regards relations of kinship, marriage and companionship, focused on the form of inserting outsiders into the group. Similarly, the shamanism and the school are studied in order to draw conclusions about the spaces of access to the other, integrating sociological and cosmological aspects of a group which remains largely unknown by Brazilian Ethnology.

A growing body of research points to the value of multiple group memberships for individual well-being. However, much of this work considers group memberships very broadly and in terms of number alone, and in so doing, advances an argument that when it comes to group memberships, more is better. We conducted five studies to delve further into this idea. Specifically, across these studies we considered how different features of groups may impact on how group memberships combine with one another and affect individual well-being. In two correlational studies, we found that multiple group membership indeed contributed to well-being, but also that this effect was moderated by the distinctiveness of those groups within the overall self-concept (Study 1), and by the social value and visibility of individual group memberships (i.e., stigma; Study 2). In both studies, these effects were mediated by perceived access to social support and by the reported ability to engage in identity expression (i.e., to communicate to others who one “really is”). Across another three studies we experimentally demonstrated that multiple group membership increased well-being and resilience to stress (Study 3 and 4), but only when the given groups were perceived as compatible in nature (Study 3 and 5). Together, these studies suggest that the benefits of multiple group membership depend on factors that go beyond their sheer number. Indeed, the content and social meaning of group memberships, individually and in combination, and the way in which these features guide self-expression and social action, determine whether multiple group memberships are a benefit or a burden for individual well-being and resilience.

Att kunna socialt identifiera sig med sin arbetsgrupp är för många förenat med välmående och trygghet på arbetsplatsen men även som något viktigt för gruppens dynamik. Syftet med studien är att öka förståelsen för kvinnors upplevda hinder och möjligheter att kunna socialt identifiera sig med arbetsgruppen på en mansdominerad arbetsplats och på så sätt skapa förståelse för kvinnors subjektiva upplevelser. Tio kvinnor som arbetar på mansdominerade arbetsplatser har intervjuats. Kvalitativ metod har använts tillsammans med Tematisk Analys som analysmetod. Studien har kommit fram till att kvinnor upplever fler hinder (t.ex diskriminering och bristande förtroende) än möjligheter att kunna socialt identifiera sig med sin arbetsgrupp på en mansdominerad arbetsplats. Ju fler kvinnor det finns på arbetsplatsen desto lättare är det att socialt identifiera sig med arbetsgruppen.

The literature on depression is dominated by theories which focus on individualistic variables, including biological differences, personality, and individual cognition. Whilst the importance of social variables for depression risk and recovery has also been recognised, there has been a notable absence of a unifying theory explaining, how, when, and why they might impact on depression. In recent years, the Social Identity Approach (SIA) - a theoretical framework with roots in social psychology - has been used to provide a new understanding of the role of group processes in depression. The aim of this thesis was to add to a growing body of evidence in support of the SIA to depression by replicating previous findings using a sample, who on average, scored high on a measure of depression symptomology, and by identifying additional mediators of the relationship between social identity processes and depression. Specifically, it was theorised that optimism - a personality variable associated with depression, but traditionally conceptualised as a fixed trait - would vary along with group memberships and mediate the effect of social identity processes on depression. Participants who had experienced depression (N = 288) completed an online survey. It was found that in support of previous research, an increase in group involvement predicted lower depression scores. However, this relationship was mediated by increased optimism. Similarly, identifying more strongly with a specific group predicted depression indirectly through an increase in perceived social support, and increased optimism. For a sub-sample of participants with experience of psychological therapy (N = 135), the negative association between a good therapeutic alliance and depression was serially mediated by increased identification with the therapist, internalisation of the therapist identity between sessions, and increased optimism. The extent to which the therapist was perceived as prototypical of therapists in general also indirectly reduced depression via increased identification with the therapist category, and increased optimism. These findings are discussed in relation to the further development of the social identity approach to depression, with consideration of their implications for onset, maintenance and recovery.

In response to the scarcity of biblical scholarship analysing the function of the Hebrew Bible’s exodus stories as persuasive communication, this dissertation investigates how these mnemonically dense stories were capable of creating and maintaining a long-term collective identity for ancient Israel. A narrative approach is selected in keeping with this intent, and the primary exodus story (Exod 1:1–15:21) and the 18 retold exodus stories found in the Hebrew Bible are identified as the focus of research. Since the tools used for analysing the narratives of non-fictional peoples need not be limited to those used for analysing literary fiction, a methodological tool—based on the principles of the social identity approach (SIA)—is developed and outlined to assist in exposing identity construction at a rhetorical level. Using the SIA heuristic tool, rhetorical formulations of identity—cognitive, evaluative, emotional, behavioural and temporal—like those occurring in face-to-face relationships, are identified in the exodus stories. These formulations make certain identity claims upon their hearers. A shared experience of oppression and deliverance is represented as the significant feature defining group membership in Israel. The literary portrayal of nine of the eighteen retold exodus stories in a setting just after the death of the adult exodus generation, asserts the importance of the appropriation of the story by a purportedly new generation. Likewise, exodus narratives with a literary setting in every major socio-cultural transition in Israel’s larger story portray Israel’s rehearsal of and participation in exodus as central and essential to her ongoing collective identity. Possible social identities offered to Israel include the temporal expansion of this ingroup based on the retelling and reappropriation of exodus and the “othering” of Israel based on non-compliance. Pre-exodus narratives are noted to have been shaped so as to include the patriarchs in “the people whom God brought out of Egypt.” Plurivocal retold exodus stories also reflects the recasting of narratives to fit identities so that, anachronistically, post-exodus members may also be included in “the people whom God brought out of Egypt.” This points to the revision and reuse of exodus narratives rather than to their unilinear development. Apart from any speculation on the historical motives of their producers, the identity-forming potential of exodus narratives characterized by the well-established, recognizable language of social identity is identified. The newly developed heuristic tool used in this analysis is its most significant contribution. It makes visible the nascent social identity language and concepts implicitly noted by prior scholarship, places them within the larger validating theoretical framework of the SIA and systematically identifies the specific persuasive elements and integrating qualities of exodus narratives.

Social media is connecting individuals all over the world, where the power of interaction and information sharing has shifted from companies to consumers. Since companies now have a harder time reaching out to consumers, social media influencers have been used as a solution to influence the purchase decisions of consumers and thereby drive purchases. However, while social media influencers are said to have an impact on the purchase decisions of consumers, less is actually known about the influence on all stages of the purchase decision process. As the purchase decision is not solely based on its own but rather follows from a series of steps, also called the purchase decision process, more research based on this area is of importance. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to explore how consumers perceive the influence of social media influencers during the different stages of the purchase decision process. In order to gather consumers’ perceptions about the influence of social media influencers, a qualitative study has been conducted where thoughts and experiences of participants have been studied. The findings of this study show that social media influencers ability to provide content, expertise, attractiveness, social identity and trust shows evidence of how the influence of social media influencers play an important role in each and every stage of the purchase decision process of consumers. The implications of this thesis is that the study could be of use to companies who seek to engage in influencer marketing and want to better understand how social media influencers affect consumers. The original value of the study is that it acknowledges how the influence of social media influencers affects all stages of the purchase decision process, as no previous study has explored this context.

The transition to a care home can be a difficult experience for older people, with various changes and losses, which can impact an older person’s sense of identity. However, it is not clear how older people perceive and manage their sense of identity within a care home, particularly in the United Kingdom. This study aimed to explore how the transition to a care home impacted on the identities of care home residents, and how they addressed this impact. Findings were interpreted using the Social Identity Perspective (SIP), which postulates that people strive to maintain a positive identity. Identities are composed of a personal identity (relating to personality traits), and a social identity (relating to group membership). SIP can help to interpret the symbolic nature of interactions and experiences, although to date has been infrequently used in care home based research. This study used a case study approach with qualitative methods. Cases of three care homes were purposefully sampled within Greater Manchester. Residents, relatives, and care home staff were asked to participate. Semi-structured interviews with 18 participants (nine residents; four relatives; five staff), and approximately 260 hours of observations were conducted over one year. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis. Results revealed five overlapping themes: 1) Social comparison; 2) Frustration; 3) Independence and autonomy; 4) Personal identity vs. Care home; 5) Ageing and Changing. Overall, the transition to a care home had a negative effect on residents’ identities, due to organisational restrictions and associations with cognitively impaired older people. In order to forge a positive identity, residents without dementia aimed to distance themselves from residents with dementia, whom they perceived negatively. To achieve this distance, residents without dementia engaged in social comparison, by emphasising their comparatively superior cognitive abilities and physical independence. Symptomatic behaviours of residents with dementia also caused frustrations amongst staff and other residents. Furthermore, differing expectations of the care environment caused frustrations between residents, relatives, and staff. Most routines and restrictions made it difficult for residents to express their personalities. Although staff aimed to incorporate residents’ individuality into care, they often reported feeling restricted by a lack of staffing and resources. Additionally, residents considered the physical impact of ageing to alter their established sense of identity. However, the care home further undermined residents’ identities, particularly in relation to their independence and autonomy, which were important elements of their personal identities. Residents’ perceptions of what counted as independence changed in light of their declining physical abilities and what they were allowed to do within the care home, in order to maintain this element of their identities. Findings indicated that the care homes would benefit from more resources to organise more meaningful activities for residents. However, small changes to routines, such as allowing ‘duvet days’, also helped to support residents’ identities. Recommendations for practice include the introduction of an ‘identity champion’ to provide guidance and support on how care home staff could make identity-relevant changes.

Gamingindustrien är idag en verksamhet som årligen omsätter flera miljarder kronor. Forskning har indikerat att dess utövare, så kallade gamers, betraktar karaktärerna i spelen som mindre könsstereotypa än de som inte spelar (Gillentine 2007). Syftet med studien var därför att undersöka huruvida gamers faktiskt skattade könsstereotypa karaktärer som mindre stereotypa än icke-gamers. En förstudie gjordes utifrån vars resultat fem karaktärer valdes ut som exempel på könsstereotypa karaktärer. I en enkät skattade sedan 134 deltagare graden av könsstereotypi för dessa samt ett antal icke-stereotypa karaktärer. Vidare fick respondenterna, utöver att svara på frågor hämtade från Videogame Experience Survey (Terlecki & Newcombe, 2005), även skatta sin inställning till negativ forskning om gamers. Resultatet visade på en signifikant korrelation mellan en identifikation som gamer och att dessa gav en lägre skattning av könsstereotypi hos stereotypa karaktärer. Dock visade sig kön vara en lika stor prediktor då kvinnor i högre grad än män skattade karaktärerna som mer stereotyp. Utifrån Social Identity Theory och Banduras Social Learning Theory diskuterade studien möjligheten att skillnaderna mellan gamers och de som inte identifierar sig som gamers beror på kombinerade effekter av gamers identitetsbildning och vilja att försvara denna, samt subkulturens och spelens normalisering av könsstereotypier. Mot bakgrund av denna studie skulle det i framtiden vara av intresse att studera effekten gaming har på kvinnliga gamers och om de faktiskt blir mer accepterande gentemot könsstereotyper i videospel. / Today, gaming is an industry which has a turnover of several billion SEK. Research has shown that people who play videogames, so called gamers, see the characters as being less stereotypical than people who do not game (Gillentine 2007). The aim of the paper was therefore to see whether gamers truly did consider stereotypical characters as less stereotypical than non-gamers did. Five gender stereotypical characters were chosen as examples by conducting a pilot study. Using a survey, 134 participants graded the characters as more or less stereotypical. Besides answering the questions taken from Videogame Experience Survey (Terlecki & Newcombe, 2005), the participants were further asked to grade their own attitudes towards negative research done on gaming. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between identifying oneself as a gamer and a lower grading of gender stereotypicality of the stereotypical characters. However, gender turned out to be an equal indicator, as women in a larger extent than men graded the characters as more stereotypical. From the point of view of Social Identity Theory and Banduras Social Learning Theory it is possible to view the difference between gamers and non-gamers is based on a combination of two things; the gamers identity formation and the need to defend it, and the games normalisation of gender stereotypes. In light of this study, it would be interesting to further look at the effects gaming has on female gamers and whether they truly do become more accepting towards gender stereotypes in video games.

This thesis provides an analysis of the history and social context of the labret (lip plug) on the Northwest Coast of British Columbia over the last 5,000 years. Although labrets have typically been characterized as markers of ‘status’ with connotations of gender, the variability in observations made by early explorers and ethnographers suggests that this simplistic depiction belies a complexity in what aspect of social identity this form of personal communicated. Therefore, this research has sought to explore the relationship between labrets and social identity by conducting a comprehensive typological analysis by which to examine patterning in materiality through time and space. Although hindered by a lack of temporal data and contextual information on gender association, the results of this research demonstrate that there is geographical patterning at multiple scales—regional, sub-regional and even on the village or site level—which supports the hypothesis that the labret has been an exclusionary tradition conveying both individual and group social identity that varies through time and space in this region. The social meaning of labrets is further explored through research on contemporary labret use, which highlights a tension between individual expression and group acceptance that is expressed materially, contrasting the physical permanence of the labret and the mutability in social meaning conveyed. Finally, interviews with First Nations artists who include labrets in their art has shown that cultural identity both informs and is informed by a concept of shared heritage; thus, the labret is a symbol and expression of social identity that continues to hold significant meaning for the descendants of this heritage. Therefore, while simple correlations of the labret with ‘status’ and ‘gender’ are not wrong, nonetheless they betray the complexity of body ornamentation which, though manifested materially, is highly contextual. This research contributes to the ongoing anthropological discussion of materiality and identity, considering the ways that structured style is negotiated through practice, and asking whether this recursive, dynamic and dialectical relationship can be accessed archaeologically—a task that ultimately requires a commitment to reflexivity, multivocality, and critical examination of the research process itself. / Arts, Faculty of / Anthropology, Department of / Graduate

Objectives: The majority of individuals who sustain a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) will experience a full recovery within the first weeks or months post-injury. However, some individuals will experience ongoing difficulties, or persistent post-concussion symptoms (PCS), for years following the injury. To date, most researchers have attributed PCS to either neuropathological factors or to psychogenic factors. Lacking exploration has been the role of psychosocial variables and the consideration of PCS from a more holistic, or 'whole person', perspective. As such, the goal of the current study was to undertake an investigation of persistent PCS using a broad, neuropsychosocial framework. Specifically, this was done by investigating how (a) cognitive functioning, (b) susceptibility to anxiety while in the context of a stressful situation (i.e., anxiety susceptibility), and (c) multiple components of identity (including self-perception, TBI- related self-concept, and TBI-related social identity) influence the severity of persistent PCS. The main underlying assertion to this research is that there are multiple factors that underlie the experience of persistent PCS; a purely neuropathological or psychogenic perspective is not sufficient to understand the complex processes inherent in recovery after mTBI. Method: The sample consisted of 21 adults, between 20 and 65 years of age, who had sustained an mTBI at least one year earlier. Following a telephone interview to determine eligibility (and a separate telephone interview with a source of collateral information) the participants completed a number of standardized neuropsychological measures and self- report questionnaires during an in-person, one-on-one data collection session. Results: The only injury-related or demographic variable that had an influence on PCS was injury etiology, whereby individuals with sports related injuries reported significantly less PCS than did those who sustained non-sports related injuries (e.g., motor vehicle accidents). Cognitive functioning had no influence on PCS severity, nor did anxiety susceptibility. However, one's general propensity to experience anxiety (i.e., trait anxiety) was a significant predictor of PCS. Further, multiple aspects of identity influenced PCS with both current self-perception and TBI-related social identity being significant predictors of self-reported PCS severity. Conclusions: Despite the failure to find any impact of neuropsychological factors on PCS in the current study, other lines of research have demonstrated neuropathological changes associated with mTBI – some of which may be chronic. Therefore, cognitive functioning may not be a sufficiently sensitive indicator of possible neuropathology at more than one year post-injury. On the other hand, the current study demonstrates that psychological and psychosocial factors are highly relevant to recovery and outcome following mTBI, and are significant predictors of PCS severity. Overall, the results support the assertion that recovery after mTBI is complex and that there are multiple factors that underlie persistent PCS. Further, the study demonstrates the importance of conceptualizing the process of recovery from a broad, neuropsychosocial perspective. Implications for treatment interventions and future research are discussed. / Graduate