Published since June 1, 1991

Human Affairs

Postdisciplinary Humanities & Social Sciences Quarterly

ISSN: 1337-401X

Editor-in-chief: Gabriel Bianchi

Edited by: Marek Hrubec, James Tartaglia, Kamila Urban

About this journal

Postdisciplinary international journal for humanities and social sciences published in English by the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia. The underlying editorial strategy is to advance human self-understanding and communication via publishing innovative theoretical, interpretative, critical and historical contributions transcending traditional disciplinary and cultural frontiers.

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www.humanaffairs.sk

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Brings together contributions from all traditional and non-traditional fields of humanities and social sciences which relate to crucial contemporary human affairs.

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Fast, fair, and constructive peer review and editing Language-correction services for authors.

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Rejection Rate

30%

Human Affairs is committed to maximize free access to scientific knowledge. Therefore we enable free access to one Editors’ Choice paper in each issue, provide free access to the full content of the journal after 24 months from publishing and offer authors an option to publish their articles in an Open Access format (upon payment of an Article Publishing Charge). More information can be found under https://www.degruyter.com/cms/pages/oa-articles?lang=en.

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Topics

Volume 33 Issue 1

February 2023

Publicly Available February 3, 2023

Frontmatter

Page range: i-iv

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Research Articles

December 23, 2022

Against Gender: The Anti-Gender Movements and the Socio-Cultural and Moral Deconstructions in Europe

Alexandra Matejková, Jaroslav Mihálik

Page range: 1-12

Abstract

Gender ideology has quickly developed as a response to fostering human rights, especially in the case of gender equality. Gender policy thus became a political and ideological instrument that subjects human rights to another contest – a new form of crusade pursued by anti-gender movements which advocate traditional and conservative ideologies against gender equality and gender theories. In this paper, we seek to track and map the recent development of anti-gender movements and their mobilisation. We apply critical discourse analysis to several doctrines of antigenderism in order to understand the global popularity and mass appeal of these movements.

December 19, 2022

Into the Black Box: Sex and Gender in the Study on Decision-Making – An Evidence from a Slovak Sample

Magdalena Adamus, Eva Ballová Mikušková

Page range: 13-33

Abstract

The main goal of the paper was to obtain insights into how gender measures can be incorporated into quantitative research on risk-related behaviour. We explored relations between the measures (short versions of Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ), and Traditional Masculinity-Femininity (TMF) scale) and their explanatory power in relation to risky behaviours (Decision Outcome Inventory, DOI). The sample consisted of 470 adults (238 men). The corresponding BSRI and PAQ subscales correlated significantly, while TMF correlated positively with the femininity subscales. All the instruments demonstrated good internal consistency and the measures explained a significant portion of risky behaviour. The results suggest that, although sex is a proxy of behaviour, using a measure of the gender-related aspects of identity could enhance understanding of risk-related behaviour. Finally, men and women viewed themselves as equally masculine, indicating that gender stereotypes about desirability of agentic characteristics change.

Publicly Available December 22, 2022

Cultural Differences in the Construction of Gender: A Thematic Analysis of Gender Representations in American, Spanish, and Czech Children’s Literature

Lucy Roberts, Karolina Bačová, Tigist Llaudet Sendín, Marek Urban

Page range: 34-50

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Abstract

Children’s literature provides a critical method of socialization and familiarization with gender roles, providing examples, boundaries, and limitations for gender identity construction. While extensive research has been done on how children’s literature depicts both traditional and non-traditional gender roles, very little research has been published on the cultural differences between literary representations. The aim of the present paper is to describe the representations of social roles of men and women in American, Czech, and Spanish children’s books published between 2010 and 2020. Three best-selling children’s picture books from each year from each respective culture were selected and analyzed, culminating in a thematic analysis of ninety-nine books. Using inductive thematic analysis, the study found all three cultures to be conservative in their depictions of gender roles, with Czech books as the most likely to feature traditional gender roles. Spanish books are more, and American books are the most subversive in their depiction of gender roles, containing an increasing number of non-traditional elements over an examined time period.

December 23, 2022

Different Minority Groups Elicit Different Safety, Economic, Power, and Symbolic Threats

Dóra Kanyicska Belán, Miroslav Popper

Page range: 51-66

Abstract

Populistic political discourse often portrays ethnic minorities as threats to the majority society. However, the deeper characteristics of perceived threats have not been sufficiently empirically investigated. The goal of this study is to identify the similarities and differences in intergroup threats perceived by Slovak majority from Roma, Muslims, and ethnic Hungarian minorities. The participants included 1244 adults who were instructed to write the first five associations that came to mind when thinking about one of the minorities. Our findings indicate that power threat was dominant from the Hungarian minority and safety threat from the Roma and Muslim minorities. Moreover, the safety threat from the Roma minority related mainly to theft and violence, while from Muslims it was terrorism. Mapping and addressing specific threats associated with different minorities can help explain misperceptions and reduce prejudice against them.

January 17, 2023

Social Representations of Political Polarization through Traditional Media: A Study of the Brazilian Case between 2015 and 2019

Andréia Isabel Giacomozzi, Juliana Gomes Fiorott, Raquel Bertoldo, Alberta Contarello

Page range: 67-81

Abstract

Brazil has recently been experiencing a phenomenon of political polarization: a conflict involving political views and social identities. Considering the extent to which this socially constructed conflict has been partially fueled by the media, we propose to use the Social Representations Theory. The present study explores how discourses in the mainstream media construct the political polarization taking place in Brazil. The topics covered in 82 texts published between January 2015 and August 2019 in Brazilian mainstream press, Folha da S. Paulo and Estado de S. Paulo, were examined using content analysis and Reinert’s method with IRaMuTeQ software. A descending hierarchical analysis divided the corpus into four classes, and content analysis showed that both daily newspapers strongly criticized the political polarization underway, which was anchored to and objectified through episodes of violence, and they supported the valorization of democracy.

December 26, 2022

Terrorists’ Violence Threats and Coping Strategies: A Phenomenological Approach of Former FATA, Pakistan

Jan Alam, Nazir Ullah, Hidayat Rasool

Page range: 82-100

Abstract

Terrorism is a global phenomenon that constantly challenges human survival. Based on the social structure, human beings adopt different strategies to overcome its negative consequences on their mind and behavior. Coping strategies and those processes essential for adjustment and survival illustrate how individuals perceive, consider, deal with, and realize a stressful situation in the era of terrorism. The study focuses on exploring coping strategies and avoidance of terrorism impacts. This research study was qualitatively designed to explore the coping strategies adaptation and their influence on the former FATA individuals during the wave of terrorism in the region. The study was undertaken in five districts of erstwhile FATA, including Dara Adam Khel, Orakzai Agency, Khyber Agency, and North and South Waziristan agency. A sample size of twenty-five (25) participants was purposively selected and interviewed, ten (10) focused group discussions (FGDs) were done from each district, and the other 50 participants were chosen for ten (10) FGDs. The collected data were analyzed via the thematic analysis technique. The findings revealed that coping strategies included four different phases: the welcome, resistance, acceptance, surrender, and flee phases for overcoming threats of terrorism. Furthermore, it was also found that fear of terrorism had strongly influenced the individuals’ physical, socio-economic, psychological, emotional stress and fear, education, and social integration. The study recommended that social integration and solidarity among the people, as well as their cooperation with the government, can eliminate the threat of terrorism.

December 28, 2022

Genealogy, Immanent Critique and Forms of Life: A Path for Decolonial Studies

James William Santos, Emil Albert Sobottka

Page range: 101-114

Abstract

This article argues for a viable genealogical approach within critical theory that could settle the questions regarding normative viability of such critique. Then, the implications of the normative inheritance implied lead to the pairing of Jaeggi’s conceptualization and critique of forms of life with Rosa’s dual diagnosis of (late) modernity through the structural lenses of genealogy as tridimensional endeavor posed by Saar. In the end, the final argument is that a genealogical critique in these terms could be the next step towards the revitalization of decolonial studies and a path for direct political action.

December 23, 2022

Philosophical Inquiry into Computer Intentionality: Machine Learning and Value Sensitive Design

Dmytro Mykhailov

Page range: 115-127

Abstract

Intelligent algorithms together with various machine learning techniques hold a dominant position among major challenges for contemporary value sensitive design. Self-learning capabilities of current AI applications blur the causal link between programmer and computer behavior. This creates a vital challenge for the design, development and implementation of digital technologies nowadays. This paper seeks to provide an account of this challenge. The main question that shapes the current analysis is the following: What conceptual tools can be developed within the value sensitive design school of thought for evaluating machine learning algorithms where the causal relation between designers and the behavior of their computer systems has been eroded? The answer to this question will be provided through two levels of investigation within the value sensitive design methodology. The first level is conceptual. Within the conceptual level, we will introduce the notion of computer intentionality and will show how this term may be used for solving an issue of non-causal relation between designer and computer system. The second level of investigation is technical. At this level the emphasis will be given to machine learning algorithms.

January 18, 2023

National Identity and Belonging of Yemenite Jews in The Journey of Buried Secrets

Ebrahim Mohammed Alwuraafi

Page range: 128-149

Abstract

This article discusses the national identity of the Yemenite Jews as portrayed in Majdi Saleh’s novel The Journey of Buried Secrets . The novel, in addition to being a journey to the ancient past of Yemen, is a journey to the secret life of the Yemenite Jews as well. It is an exploration of their customs, traditions, worries, passions and identity. The writer has been able to dive deep into the depths of Yemeni society, both Muslim and Jewish, depicting the beauty of Yemen architecture, ancient inscriptions and living styles of bygone days. Saleh’s novel presents a new perspective of the Yemenite Jew, one who identifies himself with Yemen and feels proud of this attachment to the land of his birth. The article argues that Yemenite Jews have been emotionally and cognitively attached to their motherland and perceived themselves as being Yemenites belonging to the country where they were born and grew up. It asserts that such a sense of belonging is the outcome of religious tolerance and coexistence of the larger Muslim community.

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Volume 33 (2023)

Issue 1

Volume 32 (2022)

Volume 31 (2021)

Volume 30 (2020)

Volume 29 (2019)

Volume 28 (2018)

Volume 27 (2017)

Volume 26 (2016)

Volume 25 (2015)

Volume 24 (2014)

Volume 23 (2013)

Volume 22 (2012)

Volume 21 (2011)

Volume 20 (2010)

Volume 19 (2009)

Volume 18 (2008)

Volume 17 (2007)

Cite Score	0.8
European Reference Index for the Humanities
Journal Citation Indicator	0.33
SCImago Journal Rank	0.240
Source Normalized Impact per Paper	0.476

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Mission and Scope Statement

Human Affairs: Postdisciplinary Humanities & Social Sciences Quarterly (founded in 1990 as Human Affairs) is an international journal for humanities and social sciences published in English by the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia. It aims to bring together contributions from all traditional and non-traditional fields of humanities and social sciences which relate to crucial contemporary human affairs. The underlying editorial strategy is to advance human self-understanding and communication via publishing innovative theoretical, interpretative, critical and historical contributions transcending traditional disciplinary and cultural frontiers. By publishing primarily, though not exclusively, original and theoretical articles, empirical studies and their interpretations, reviews and notes of domestic authors, Human Affairs: Postdisciplinary Humanities & Social Sciences Quarterly serves the mission of fostering multicultural and international conversation concerning the whole range of human and social issues.

Online Manuscript Submission

Human Affairs: Postdisciplinary Humanities & Social Sciences Quarterly operates an online submission and peer review system that allows authors to submit articles online and track their progress via a web interface. All papers must be submitted via the online system. Please visit https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/humaff and submit your article.

Upon acceptance of an article, authors will be asked to transfer a copyright.

Manuscript preparation

Authors are requested to follow strictly guidelines for authors as given below. Submissions that do not conform to Human Affairs style requirements will not be considered for publication.

Manuscripts should be submitted in English. Only Microsoft Word 6.0 (or higher) or rich text (rtf) formats will be accepted. Human Affairs accepts original articles which are not under consideration for publication by another publisher at the time of submission.

Manuscripts should not exceed 20 pages, including endnotes and references, that is, 5,000 words or 36,000 characters including letters and spaces altogether. Book review articles should not exceed 10 pages (2,500 words or 18,000 characters altogether). All texts should be edited using Times New Roman 12 p., line spacing 11/2.

Subtitles in the text - first level - bold, first letters capitalized, second level italics, all 12 p. Please use no more than two levels of subtitles.

References should be cited in the text by surname of the author and the publication date in parentheses, e.g. Rorty (1979) or (Rorty1979, 25-6). All references must be listed alphabetically at the end of the article and should follow the guidelines of APA Citation Manual.

For example,
book: Rorty, R. (1979). Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature. Princeton: Princeton University Press;
journal article: Rorty, R.(1993). Hilary Putnam and the Relativist Menace. Journal of Philosophy 90, 443–461;
book chapter: Rorty, R. (1994).Daniel Dennett on Intrinsicality. In B. Dahlbom (Ed.).Dennett and His Critics, pp. 10-25. Oxford: Blackwell.

Footnotes to the text are numbered consecutively, indicated by superscript. Do not use footnotes or endnotes as a substitute for a reference list.

Illustrations, figures, diagrams, tables, photographs and the like should be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals in order of appearance in the text beginning on a separate sheet and their incorporation into the text should be clearly indicated.

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Hybrid Open Access

In this journal, authors have the option to publish their article under an open access license. Open Access allows you as an author to retain copyright and share your findings with colleagues and interested parties worldwide without any restraints.
Please note that authors from institutions with which we have a transformative agreement can publish open access without paying an article processing charge (APC). More information on the eligible institutions and articles can be found under the "Funding and Support" tab here.

Editorial

Editorial Office

Editor in Chief:
GABRIEL BIANCHI, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia

Associate Editors:
MAREK HRUBEC, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
JAMES TARTAGLIA, University of Keele, United Kingdom
KAMILA URBAN, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia

Deputy Associate Editors:
ALBERT KASANDA, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
STEPHEN LEACH, University of Keele, United Kingdom
BARBARA LÁŠTICOVÁ, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia

Managing Editor:
NIKOLA KALLOVÁ, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia

Book Review Editor:
MAGDA PETRJÁNOŠOVÁ, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia

Editor in Chief Emeritus:
EMIL VIŠŇOVSKÝ, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia

Editorial Board:
LYUBOV BUGAEVA, University of St. Petersburg, Russia
EMANUELA CEVA, University of Geneva, Switzerland
GIDEON CALDER, Swansea University, United Kingdom
SANJIT CHAKRABORTY, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, India
JAKUB DRÁBIK, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
PETRA EZZEDDINE, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
JURAJ HVORECKÝ, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
KATARÍNA JARIABKOVÁ, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
LUCIE JARKOVSKÁ, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
GABRIELA KILIÁNOVÁ, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
ĽUBICA KOBOVÁ, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
SÁNDOR KRÉMER, University of Szeged, Hungary
IVAN LUKŠÍK, Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava, Slovakia
JURAJ MARUŠIAK, Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava, Slovakia
CARLOS MOUGAN, University of Cadiz, Spain
MIROSLAV POPPER, Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava, Slovakia
JOHN RYDER, American University of Malta, Cospicua and Marsaskala, Malta
PAUL STENNER, Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
MARIANA SZAPUOVÁ, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
ADAM WIESNER, Anthropology, Diversity and Integration, Complutense University of Madrid
CHRISOPHER J. VOPARIL, Union Institute & University Cincinnati, USA
OĽGA ZÁPOTOČNÁ, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia

Advisory Board:
VIERA BAČOVÁ, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
JÁN BAKOŠ, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
VÁCLAV BĚLOHRADSKÝ, University of Terst, Italy
MICHAEL BILLIG, Loughborough University, UK
MORITZ CSÁKY, University of Graz, Austria
KENNETH J. GERGEN, Swarthmore College, USA
HECTOR GRAD, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain
PETER HASLINGER , Herder-Institut, Marburg, Germany
LARRY A. HICKMAN, Southern Illinois University, USA
HANS JOAS, University of Erfurt, Germany
DUŠAN KOVÁČ, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
JOSEF KROB, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
MIROSLAV MARCELLI, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
SAMI PHILSTRÖM, University of Helsinki, Finnland
JANA PLICHTOVÁ, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
JOËLLE PROUST, Institut Jean-Nicod, CNRS, Paris, France
CARL RATNER, Institute for Cultural Research & Education, Trinidad (CA), USA
PETER SALNER, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia
THEODORE R. SCHATZKI, University of Kentucky, USA
SHALOM H. SCHWARTZ, Hebrew University, Israel
RICHARD SHUSTERMAN, Florida Atlantic University, USA
STEVEN REICHER, St. Andrews, UK
DAVIDE TORSELLO, University of Bergamo, Italy
KRYSTYNA WILKOSZEWSKA, University of Krakow, Poland
RUTH WODAK, Lancaster University, UK

Editorial Office

KAMILA URBAN
INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
Slovak Academy of Sciences
Dúbravská cesta 9, 841 04 Bratislava 4, SLOVAKIA

Tel.: 00421-2-54 77 56 83

email: humanaffairs@savba.sk; kamila.urban@savba.sk

(Deutsch)

Online ISSN: 1337-401X
Print ISSN: 1210-3055
Type: Journal
Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
First published: June 1, 1991
Publication Frequency: 4 Issues per Year