Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Consumer Society'

The principal purpose of this essay is to research how the development of needlework education interacts and interconnects with consumption patterns. Iceland has been used as a case for this study but any country would be applicable. The point of departure is the assumption that when a society develops more and more into being a consumer society, the needlework education also will change – in drastic forms. And that tracing a development towards consumerism can be traced in the curricula regarding this specific subject. People’s changing attitude towards spending, wasting, and an extravagant living is an important feature which explains the shift between non-consumer societies to a consumer society. Society’s outlook on these features is best reflected by that policy the institutions society uses to form its citizens’ desirable (consumer) behavior. In understanding the development from a non-consumerist society to a consumer society the study on the Icelandic syllabi for needlework and textile education plays a prominent part. A presentation on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the period of time in question has also been used in order to see the general increase of the standard of living and rise of consumerism in Iceland. Also numbers on trade and unemployment have been enclosed in order to give a more telling picture of the development and the results. The spatial imprint of the development of the Icelandic educational system and the development of syllabi for the textile handicraft subject show that an established consumer society firstly can be found in Iceland somewhere between 1960 and 1977, thus slightly ensuing the most immediate period after the World War II. A society that educates its young ones to darn, mend, and knit with the explicit motive to help deprived homes and states that this is a necessary virtue for future housewives cannot rightly be called a consumer society. It is also worth mentioning that the subject was after this breakthrough also available for boys. Furthermore, this seems to coincide with the so called “haftatímanum”, the restriction era, which lasted from 1930 to 1960. During this time the Icelandic government controlled the market having an especially harsh policy on the import of consumer goods, with product rationing as a result. Both of these two matters - the syllabi for the textile handicraft subject and the haftatímanum - had an anaesthetized impact on the development of the Icelandic consumer society.

This thesis focuses on the complex cultural, social and material factors that combine to hasten the decay of value and precipitate disposal in contemporary consumer societies. I argue that the dominance in waste studies of constructivism as a framework for understanding the endowment of objects with value, has lead to an underestimation of the materiality of devalued materials and objects. This overemphasis on abstract value theory in dominant discourses, I suggest, necessitates a return to a more grounded theory of va1ue that can be re-integrated with both the material affordances of objects and political economy. I therefore reconsider and re-theorise Marx's concept of use-value in order to redress these concerns; particularly the tendency to treat waste as an issue autonomous of production in capitalist societies. I argue that use-value can be reinterpreted as encompassing symbolic as well as material aspects of objects and that Marx therefore provides a significant basis for reworking theories of waste and impurity. I also argue for a renewed emphasis on the changing temporal characteristics of objects and their value in order to counter the overly synchronic and spatial basis of classic approaches to dirt, waste and disposal. My argument is brought into critical engagement with the cultura1 theory of Mary Douglas and Michael Thompson's influential Rubbish Theory: The Destruction and Creation of Value (I979), as well as more recent engagements in debates. With reference to the thesis I develop, I ask whether it can be legitimately claimed that capitalist consumer societies are also necessarily 'throwaway societies' and I discuss the possibility that objects devoid of use and exchange values can offer a critique of the capitalist economic system

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
Este trabalho tem como objetivo discutir a sociedade de consumo, o rock and roll e a manifestação da melancolia na segunda metade do século XX, em especial a partir dos anos 1990. Conjugados, esses termos representam um diálogo íntimo e combinatório, que nos ajuda analisar a sociedade sob diferentes aspectos: a produção musical e seus reflexos sociais; a melancolia – e sua conceituação – com crescente relevância em diagnósticos e percepções; a sociedade de consumo como campo, tanto para o surgimento do rock quanto para a aparição do fenômeno melancólico; e a própria relação rock x melancolia que ora denuncia, ora é produtora de significados sociais. Entram em discussão as noções sobre individualismo, linearidade, invisibilidade social, fetichismo mercadológico e a falência do conceito de progresso.
This thesis discusses the consumer society, rock and roll and the manifestation of melancholia in the second half of the twentieth century, especially since the 1990s. Together, these terms represents an intimate dialogue which helps us to analyze the society in different aspects: music production and its social consequences; melancholia - and its concept - with an increasing relevance in diagnostic and perceptions; consumer society as field for the emergence of rock as to the appearance of the phenomenon melancholia; and the relation rock x melancholy that produces social meanings. Also discusses notions about individualism, linearity, social invisibility, market fetishism and failure of the concept of progress.

This dissertation examines the emerging practice of consumer neuroscience and neuromarketing, combined called CNNM. CNNM utilizes tools and technologies to measure brain activity and human behavior coupled with scientific theories for explaining behavior and cognition. Consumer neuroscience is one of the newest areas of application of neuroscience and related techniques, and is of significant social consequence for its possible deployment in the market place to both study and shape consumer behavior. Concerns arise in terms of consumer influence and manipulation, but there are also concerns regarding the actual efficacy and utility of the technologies and the application of behavioral theories. The dissertation's three essays each examine a facet of CNNM. Using historical sources, conference participation, and ethical analyses, the dissertation forms a multi-prong effort at a better understanding of CNNM through the use of science and technology studies (STS) methods. The first essay is an historical review of the usage of technologies to measure brain activity and behavior, parallel to the development of psychological theories created to account for human decisionmaking. This essay presents a new conception of "closure" and "momentum" as envisioned by social construction of technology and technological momentum theories, arriving at a new concept for inclusion called "convergence" which offers a multi-factor explanation for the acceptance and technical implementation of unsettled science. The second essay analyzes four discourses discovered during the review of approximately seventy presentations and interviews given by experts in the field of CNNM. Using and adapting actor-network theory, the essay seeks to describe the creation of expertise and group formation in the field of CNNM researchers. The third essay draws on a variety of ethical analyses to expand understanding of the ethical concerns regarding CNNM. It raises questions that go beyond the actual efficacy of CNNM by applying some of the theories of Michel Foucault relating to the accumulation of power via expertise. This essay also points in the direction for actionable steps at ameliorating some of the ethical concerns involving CNNM. CNNM is a useful technique for understanding consumer behavior and, by extension, human behavior and neuroscience more generally. At the same time, it has been routinely misunderstood and occasionally vilified (for concerns about both efficacy and non-efficacy). This dissertation develops some of the specific historical movements that created the field, surveys and analyzes some of the foremost experts and how they maneuvered in their social network to achieve that status, and identifies novel ethical issues and some solutions to those ethical issues.
Ph. D.

This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Technology and Policy Program, 2019
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 79-85).
Security notification schemes hold great promise for improving both consumer cybersecurity and general network health as malware and other sources of malicious activity are becoming more prevalent on home networks. For example, botnets of Internet of Things devices engage in denial of service (DoS) attacks and ransomware holds data on personal and commercial systems hostage. Many of these threats are relatively opaque for an end user. An end user may not know that their smart device is participating in a DoS attack at all, unless they notice a protracted slowdown in network speeds. An upstream network provider like a consumer ISP has more visibility into the issue. Due to their privileged position, ISPs often have more data about the status of a malware infection, denial of service attack, or other malicious activity. This extra information can be of great benefit for the purposes of notification. For instance, an ISP may be able to notify a customer that a device on their network is being used for a DoS attackor that they see communication with a server involved in distributing ransomware. ISPs and other organizations that try and implement these schemes often run into a set of questions: How do I get the right data to power the notification? How do I ensure the user trusts the notification? Can I ensure the notification is not spoofed? Is there an optimal way to present the notification? How do I make sure a user takes the proper remedial action? This thesis presents a framework for new notification schemes to answer these questions by examining four key elements of a notification: form, delivery, and content. It also proposes multi-factor verification, a novel scheme to address trust and spoofing issues within a notification scheme. Finally, it provides a model for a new ISP-user security notification scheme within the context of the United States market and policy landscape.
by Nathaniel H. Fruchter.
S.M. in Technology and Policy
S.M.inTechnologyandPolicy Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Technology and Policy Program

The aim of this thesis is to conduct a case study examining the intrusion of marketplace ideals on various aspects of everyday life. In this thesis, I provide a case study of a new business in San Francisco, ReservationHop, that transforms the previously first come, first serve restaurant reservation service into an auction style scalping (resell at a higher price) system, thereby affecting the distribution of an economic service, or good. In order to investigate this phenomenon, this thesis is organized into six main sections. First, I will provide a brief introduction to the thesis, presenting my aim and purpose in writing and why I believe that this is an important topic. I then introduce ReservationHop and describe the site and its business model, the controversy that it has evoked, and the app's creator Brian Mayer's attempts to defend the app's legitimacy. Thirdly, I will provide considerations in support of the ethical permissibility of the ReservationHop business model, using two neoclassical economic arguments: consumer choice theory and the Pareto-efficiency argument. Fourthly, I will counter these arguments, claiming that this service is not a Pareto optimal improvement because it involves deception, which is incompatible with genuine Pareto optimality. In the fifth section, I will introduce my main argument against ReservationHop in which I introduce the idea that there is something inherently wrong with the service even if its deceptive characteristics were corrected for. I argue that there should be "things that money cannot buy" because unfettered marketization erodes the nonmarket value of community, or commonality. In conclusion, this thesis argues that the intrusion of marketplace values on all aspects of society should be resisted, and that we must rethink the increased influence of marketization for it crowds out other important non-market values, e.g., our sense of community solidarity.

This thesis explores the ways in which the body is positioned within consumer society. The development of body ideals in Western societies is examined in order to point out consumers’ occupation with appearances and their bodies as signifiers of success. The three case studies (A&F, Calvin Klein Underwear and fitness magazines) will enable a close analysis of contemporary society and its engagement with the body. I argue that today the body acts as a signifier for people’s narcissistic obsession with the surface, and that the body itself has come to exhibit characteristics of a commodity in consumer society.

Fernand Braudel (1972) in his study The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II suggested, among other things, that the Mediterranean world despite its differences should be conceived of as a unit. The present study is not an attempt to challenge Braudel's entire work on historical, empirical or pragmatological grounds, but an effort to question the unitary and totalitarian conception of the Mediterranean region. Specifically, I explore how a small Mediterranean town, Rethemnos, Crete, Southern Greece, was theorized on the back of this widespread conception that wants the Mediterranean to be a unit, and how a differential reading of the town is possible once various theories and conceptions of postmodernism and poststructuralism are put forward with respect to Rethemnos. I will be drawing on theories of the consumer society (Jean Baudrillard's and Zygmunt Bauman's analyses) in an attempt to document that Rethemnos is a society that is currently organized by recourse to the internal contradictions of the consumer society and on theories of the event and the subject (Alain Badiou's analysis) in order to explain that the Rethemniot subject is undecidable and bound to truth procedures as long as there is an event named after an intervention. Prior to that, I will be challenging, with respect to how the Greek subject was depicted on the back of the unitary fashion of conceiving of the Mediterranean region, a variety of studies of anthropological origin, based on Greece; and I will be also criticizing with respect to how the Greek social formation was dissected, on the back of the same unitary fashion, a variety of other studies of politico-economic origin this time, based on Greece as well, by focusing and drawing on certain aspects of Jacques Derrida's deconstructive strategies and Gilles Deleuze's and Felix Guattari's geo-philosophy's lines of flight.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An opportunity currently exists for retailers to develop store image strategies to target the female large-size apparel consumer market within the multicultural South African consumer society. This exploratory study set out to generate and describe retail store image attributes perceived as important to the female large-size apparel consumer within the South African context, as well as identifying differences and similarities in the perception of these attributes based on race and age group. The study also aimed to determine if the existing store image attribute groupings by Lindquist (1974-1975:31) is applicable when studying the female largesize apparel consumer. Focus groups were used as method of data collection in this study. The sample population (n=37) consisted of account holders who purchased apparel from a specific large-size apparel retail store during a specific time period. Three race groups, namely Africans, Coloureds, and Whites, as well as three age groups i.e. 20-29, 30-39, and 40-54 year age groups were included. Each focus group was homogenous in race and age composition. A facilitator conducted group discussions by following a focus group schedule. The first part of the discussion generated retail store image attributes deemed important by the focus group participants, followed by the rating of the perceived importance of these attributes using the Schutte Visual Scale. The second part of the discussion generated participants' description of Lindquist's nine identified store image attribute groupings, followed by the rating of the perceived importance of each of these attribute groupings using the Schutte Visual Scale. Transcriptions of all the focus group discussions were made. For the first part of the study the transcriptions were compiled into composite lists and refined based on Lindquist's nine attribute groupings. The aggregate ratings for each specific attribute and attribute grouping were calculated. For the second part of the study's results, the descriptions of each of Lindquist's nine attribute groupings was compiled into a single list of descriptive attributes. The aggregate ratings for each of these attributes groupings were calculated. Respondents perceived Merchandise and Clientele the most important attribute groupings in the analysis of all race and age groups, followed by Service, Post-transaction satisfaction, Promotion and Store atmosphere. Institutional factors and Physical facilities were perceived as the least important attribute groupings. No attributes relating to Convenience were generated. In the analysis of race and age groups, Merchandise and Service, followed by Store atmosphere, were perceived as the most important attribute groupings by most of the focus groups. The specific attributes generated by the different groups showed similarities, whereas the rating and definition of these attributes differed. Lindquist's descriptions of the nine attribute groupings were compared to the descriptions of the respondents. Similarities and differences were identified. Recommendations were made to refine and adapt Lindquist's attribute groupings and descriptions to develop a store image research framework that could be more applicable to the female large-size apparel consumer. This exploratory study provides some insight into the perceived importance of retail store image attributes by the female large-size apparel consumer, given the context of a multi-cultural South African society. Recommendations for future research were made and the implications for retailers were outlined.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar bestaan tans 'n geleentheid vir kleinhandelaars om 'n winkelbeeld strategie te ontwikkel wat gemik is op die vroulike groter figuur kledingverbruiker binne die multikulturele Suid- Afrikaanse verbruikersamelewing. Hierdie verkennende studie poog om kleinhandel winkelbeeldeienskappe wat deur die vroulike groter figuur kledingverbruiker binne die Suid- Afrikaanse konteks as belangrik beskou word, te genereer en te beskryf, sowel as om die verskille en ooreenkomste in persepsies van die belangrikheid van hierdie eienskappe tussen ras en ouderdomsgroep te identifiseer. Die studie het ook ten doeI om te bepaal of die bestaande winkelbeeldeienskap groeperinge, soos deur Lindquist (1974-1975:31) voorgestel, toepaslik is wanneer die vroulike groter figuur kledingverbruiker bestudeer word. Fokusgroepe is as metode van data-insameling gebruik. Die steekproef (n=37) was rekeninghouers wat aankope gedoen het by 'n bepaalde groter figuur kledingkleinhandelaar binne 'n spesifieke tydsperiode (n=37). Drie rassegroepe naamlik Swartes, Kleurlinge, en Blankes, sowel as drie ouderdomsgroepe te wete 20-29, 30-39, en 40-54-jariges is ingesluit. Elke fokusgroep was homogeen in ras- en ouderdomsamestelling. 'n Fasiliteerder het die fokusgroepbesprekings gevoer deur 'n fokusgroepskedule te volg. Die eerste deel van die bespreking het kleinhandel winkelbeeldeienskappe, wat deur die fokusgroepdeelnemers as belangrik beskou is, gegenereer. Dit is gevolg deur die meting van die respondente se persepsie van die belangrikheid van hierdie eienskappe met behulp van die Schutte Visuele Skaal. Die tweede deel van die bespreking het beskrywings van Lindquist se nege winkelbeeldeienskap groeperinge gegenereer en is gevolg deur die meting van respondente se persepsie van die belangrikheid van hierdie eienskap groeperinge met behulp van die Schutte Visuele Skaal. Transkripsies is van al die fokusgroepbesprekings gemaak. Vir die eerste deel van die studie is die transkripsies in lyste van spesifieke eienskappe saamgestel en georden volgens Lindquist se nege eienskap groeperinge. Die gemiddelde waarde vir elke spesifieke eienskap sowel as vir die eienskap groepering is bereken. Vir die tweede deel van die studie is beskrywings van elk van Lindquist se nege eienskap groepering saamgestel in 'n enkele lys van beskrywende eienskappe. Die gemiddelde waarde vir elk van hierdie eienskap groeperinge is bereken. Respondente beskou Goedere (Merchandise) en Kliëntebasis (Clientele) as die belangrikste eienskap groeperinge in 'n analise van alle ras- en ouderdomsgroepe, gevolg deur Diens (Service), Na-verkoop tevredenheid (Post-transaction satisfaction), Promosie (Promotion) en Winkelatmosfeer (Store atmosphere). Institusionele faktore (Institutional factors) en Fisiese fasiliteite (Physical facilities) is die minste belangrik. Geen eienskappe wat met Gerief (Convenience) verband hou, is gegenereer nie. In die analise van ras- en ouderdomsgroepe is Goedere en Diens, gevolg deur Winkelatmosfeer, as die belangrikste eienskap groeperinge beskou deur meeste van die fokusgroepe. Die spesifieke eienskappe wat deur die verskillende groepe gegenereer is, dui op ooreenkomste, terwyl die gemiddelde waarde en fokus van die eienskappe verskil. Lindquist se beskrywings van die nege eienskap groeperinge is vergelyk met die beskrywings van die respondente. Ooreenkomste en verskille is geïdentifiseer. Voorstelle is gemaak om Lindquist se eienskap groeperinge en beskrywings te verfyn en aan te pas ten einde 'n winkelbeeld navorsingsraamwerk te ontwikkel wat meer toepaslik is op die vroulike groter figuur kledingverbruiker. Hierdie verkennende studie bied insig in die vroulike groter figuur kledingverbruiker se persepsies van die belangrikheid van kleinhandel winkelbeeldeienskappe, gegewe die konteks van 'n multkulturele Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing. Aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing word gemaak en die implikasies vir kleinhandelaars is uitgewys.

My project considers the extent to which personal insolvency law has evolved, and should evolve, to meet the conditions of the modern consumer credit society. I illustrate how unprecedented household borrowing has become essential to sustaining macro-economic growth and household living standards, and present economic theories explaining this development, as well as the legal/regulatory norms which facilitated it. Exploring insolvency law theory (particularly ideas from law and economics), I then contrast the law’s traditional debt collection objective with the more recently developed fresh start policy in arguing that the circumstances of modern consumer over-indebtedness require a re-orientation of the law to prioritise its debt relief objective. I explore next factors influencing the development of consumer insolvency law. I contrast the laws of England and Wales, Ireland, France and Belgium, highlighting the extent to which each law is oriented towards the goals of debt collection or debt relief. Using empirical data to question theories which attribute such differences to contrasting legal traditions, social welfare systems or cultural values, I argue that political factors such as interest group influence and shifting policy salience have been more influential in shaping laws, and may occasionally impede the advancement of the fresh start policy. Next I evaluate the extent to which the realities of consumer over-indebtedness and the fresh start policy have been accepted by English policymakers, administrators and courts. My case studies focus on the conditions for access, scope of debt relief, and sanctions for culpable debtors under English personal insolvency procedures. I argue that in certain aspects English law has not departed sufficiently from its origins in commercial law and its traditional role as a debt collection mechanism. I propose reforms which would allow the law to reflect better its transformation into a de facto consumer law and its need to embrace more comprehensively the fresh start policy.

Background: Several crises have passed and today, the world is witnessing the pandemic Covid-19. As a consequence, society is affected at large where new insights and attitudes are born. Existing literature suggests that a crisis may be a crucial determinant in shaping one’s attitudes and actions, and therefore marketing needs to adapt to these new attitudes and expectations. Involving consumers' perception of this issue, together with companies’ views within the industry, lies the foundation for this research to investigate any changing consumer attitudes towards the airline industry during Covid-19. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how consumer attitudes have changed within the airline industry in Sweden due to the Covid-19 pandemic, applying both consumers’ and companies’ perspectives to provide managerial implications for marketers. Method: With an interpretive nature, the study is qualitative added by quantitative measures, hence stated as multi-method. Primary data is collected through an analytical survey and four semi-structured interviews.  Findings: Investigating attitudes from economic, social and environmental perspectives, the study concludes that consumer attitudes have changed in several perspectives while some attitudes stay consistent with pre-crisis attitudes, hence not directly affected by the crisis. The empirical findings are coherent with the conceptual framework, explaining the complexity of the tourism airline industry and how new attitudes that arise from the Covid-19 pandemic is a predictor of future behavior during the crisis, which may be useful for future crises to come.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Recently, Participatory action research (PAR) has become a common approach to social programmes in South Africa. This tendency has created a need to evaluate this kind of programmes to determine if it really achieves what it sets out to do. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an entrepreneurial skills training programme in a rural community where a participatory action research approach was followed. A literature review was undertaken to present an in-depth look into the body of literature that surrounds the study. Programme evaluation was discussed as a research design, including types and stages of evaluation. The concept of empowerment was investigated. The review also included a study of literature on PAR, especially the definitions, context and process of PAR. The role of entrepreneurship in rural development was also investigated as well as the evaluation of entrepreneurial skills training programmes. An entrepreneurial skills training programme was implemented in the rural town of Darling on the West Coast of South Africa. The PAR approach was followed in the implementation of the study that was conducted over a period of 15 months. Participants joined the programme that included different projects, voluntarily. The participants were divided into three groups according to their period of participation in the programme. The researcher facilitated actions as well as reflection meetings with the group of participants before and after the entrepreneurial skills training course. The researcher made field notes during the implementation of the programme. The participants' empowerment status was measured with a standardized questionnaire using a pre-test-post-test design. The participants' application of the entrepreneurial skills that were taught in the course was measured during semi-structured interviews at the end of the research perico. four case studies document the extremes of the respective outcomes of the programme, namely empowerment and entrepreneurship. Statistical analysis showed statistically significant improvements in the micro, macro and total empowerment scores of the total group. Looking at the three groups separately, group one showed statistically significant improvements on the micro and interface levels and group two on the micro level. Even though group three showed small improvements on all three levels, none of them were statistically significant. Data from the field notes wer:e analyzed according to the PAR concepts of participation, action and reflection. Participation mostly had a collaborative nature; action was aimed at economical change and reflection aimed at practical problem solving. The interviews revealed that 20 of the 24 participants had micro baking businesses at the end of the research period and they succeeded in the short-term goal of applying the skills that were taught in the course. The case studies showed no correlation between the participants' application of entrepreneurial skills and the changes in their empowerment status. The findings of the study suggest that the longer participants participate in a PAR programme, the bigger the improvement in their empowerment status will be. Monitoring of the implementation revealed that the study fell short of the "ideal type" of PAR, since participation was not yet collegiate. Actions were only effective in economic change and not in social transformation. Reflection resulted in limited critical self-awareness among the participants. The PAR approach has proven to be successful in the attainment of the short-term goals of an entrepreneurial skills training programme. The long-term sustainability of the entrepreneurs' businesses will have to be followed-up by further research.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die afgelope tyd is deelnemende aksie navorsing (DAN)'n algemene benadering tot sosiale intervensie programme in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie tendens het 'n behoefte laat ontstaan om hierdie tipe programme te evalueer om te bepaal of dit werklik die program doelwitte bereik. Die doel van hierdie studie was om 'n entrepreneursvaardighede opleidingsprogram in 'n landelike gemeenskap waar die DAN-benadering gevolg is, te evalueer. 'n Literatuuroorsig is onderneem om die konseptueie raamwerk wat vir die studie saamgestel is, te kan beredeneer. Programevaluering, insluitende tipes and stadia van evaluering, is bespreek as 'n navorsingsontwerp. Die konsep van bemagtiging is ook bestudeer. Die oorsig het 'n ook studie van literatuur oor DAN ingesluit, veral definisies, die konteks en die proses van DAN. Die rol van entrepreneurskap in landelike ontwikkeling is 00~ ondersoek sowel as die evaluering van opleidingsprogramme gemik op die ontwikkeling van entrepreneursvaardighede. 'n Entrepreneursvaardighede opleidingsprogram is in 'n landelike dorpie, Darling, aan die Weskus van Suid-Afrika geïmplementeer. Oor 'n periode van 15 maande is die DAN-benadering in die implementering van die program gevolg. Deelnemers het vrywillig by die program wat uit verskillende projekte bestaan het, aangesluit. Die deelnemers is na aanleiding van hul tydperk van deelname in die program in drie groepe verdeel. Die navorser het aksies sowel as refleksie byeenkomste met die groep deelnemers voor en na die entrepreneursvaardighede opleidingskursus gefasiliteer. Die navorser het veldnotas tydens die implementering van die program gemaak. Die deelnemers se bemagtigingstatus is gemeet met 'n gestandaardiseerde vraelys terwyl 'n voor-en-na-toets ontwerp gevolg is. Die deelnemers se toepassing van die entrepreneursvaardighede wat in die kursus geleer is, is tydens semigestruktureerde onderhoude aan die einde van die navorsingsperiode gemeet. Vier gevallestudies dokumenteer die uiterstes van die onderskeidelike uitkomste van die program, naamlik bemagtiging en entrepreneurskap. Statistiese analise het statisties betekenisvolle verbeteringe in die mikro, makro en totale bemagtigingsvlakke van die totale groep getoon. Afsonderlik gesien, het groep een statisties betekenisvolle verbeteringe op die mikro en tussenvlak getoon en groep twee net op die mikrovlak. Alhoewel groep drie klein verbeteringe op al drie vlakke getoon het, was geen van die verbeteringe statisties betekenisvol nie. Data van die veldnotas is volgens DAN konsepte, naamlik deelname, aksie en refleksie geanaliseer. Die deelnemers en die fasiliteerder se deelname het meestal In samewerkende aard gehad, aksie was gemik op ekonomiese verandering en refleksie was gemik op praktiese probleemoplossinq. Die onderhoude het aangetoon dat 20 van die 24 deelnemers aan die einde van die navorsingsperiode In mikro bakbesigheid gehad het en dat hulle daarin geslaag het om die korttermyn doelwit, naamlik die toepassing van die vaardighede wat in die kursus geleer is, te bereik. Die gevallestudies het geen korrelasie getoon tussen die deelnemers se toepassing van entrepreneursvaardighede en die veranderinge in hulle bemagtigingstatus nie. Die studie se bevindinge dui daarop dat hoe langer deelnemers aan In DAN-program deelneem, hoe groter sal die verbetering in hulle bemagtigingstatus wees. Die monitering van die implementering van die program het laat biyk dat die studie tekort skiet in vergelyking met die "ideaaltipe" van DAN, want die deelname was nog nie korporatief nie. Aksies was net suksesvol in ekonomiese verandering en nie in sosiale transformasie nie. Refleksie het tot beperkte kritiese "selfbewustheid" by die deelnemers gelei. Dit blyk dat die DAN-benadering suksesvol was om die korttermyn doelwitte van In entrepreneursvaardighede opleidingsprogram te bereik. Die langtermyn volhoubaarheid van die entrepreneurs se bakbesighede sal met verdere navorsing opgevolg moet word.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2006.
Title from first page of PDF file (viewed June 14, 2006). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 392-417).

O ser humano não adquire mercadorias, ele se tornou uma. Assim, da interação dos personagens da relação de consumo, diversos questionamentos são erigidos: Existe algum risco à natureza ou ao ser humano? Que estímulos induzem os seres humanos a consumir? As pessoas estão envoltas pelos caracteres da sociedade de consumo, em que vínculos objetivos e subjetivos são erigidos entre os seres humanos e artefatos, sendo que influências diversas motivam o ato de consumo, destacando que a informação, entendida como publicidade, é um deles. Todos são consumidores em potencial, visto que a publicidade assedia qualquer cidadão, incentivando que todos consumam. Surge o cidadão-consumidor. Nessa linha, cabe ao Direito a tentativa de regulamentar tal fato, harmonizando prerrogativas e interesses. Paralelamente, visualiza-se que os riscos afloram como um espectro sobre os cidadãosconsumidores, sendo a cadeia de produção/consumo um de seus principais motivadores. Todavia, pelo aculturamento do consumo e pela construção de signos/significados movediços, a maioria da população não reflete sobre a amplitude do ato de consumo, renegando para segundo plano a reflexão sobre a existência de riscos. Tomando-se por base a Lei 8.078/80 – Código do Consumidor – e a legislação ambiental, vê-se que existem conexões entre o consumo e o meio ambiente: ambos são difusos. Assim, atrelado à relação de consumo e a percepção do princípio da informação, surge a reflexão acerca da informação ambiental, que, em tese proporciona aos cidadãos-consumidores, dados oportunos para uma tomada de decisão contextualizada, não baseada apenas no convencimento extrínseco sobre determinado produto. Dessa maneira, as relações jurídicas de consumo, diretas e indiretas, vinculam-se a perspectiva da informação ampla e contextualizada, estimulando, entre outros pontos uma conscientização ecológica. Tal vínculo pode motivar a consecução do consumo sustentável repercutindo positivamente sobre o ambiente, bem como sobre a sociedade. Apresentam-se diversas propostas de utilização da informação ambiental como mecanismo para incentivar a preservação dos recursos naturais. Também, nota-se que está em curso uma mudança de concepção do Estado, o qual deixa de ser entendido apenas como um Estado Democrático de Direito para ser compreendido como um Estado Democrático Socioambiental de Direito. A informação, além de ser compreendida como um mecanismo de indução ao consumo, também se transforma em um elemento de motivação à reflexão dos cidadãos-consumidores, quanto à amplitude da cadeia de produção/consumo e em especial sobre o ato individual de consumo. E de tudo uma conclusão: a informação ambiental pode suscitar mudanças de atitudes, contudo, em paralelo, é necessário que os cidadãos-consumidores repensem costumes e hábitos. Caso contrário, a perspectiva da informação ambiental também será transformada em clichê, como já ocorre com determinados temas, tanto do Direito do Consumidor como do Direito Ambiental.
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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
The human does not buy products, he became one. Thus, the interaction of the characters of the consumption relation, several questions are erected: Exist any risk to humans or nature? What stimulus induced humans to consume? People are surrounded by the characters of the consumer society, in which ties objective and subjective are erected between humans and artifacts, being diverse influences motivated the act of consumption, noting that the information, understood as advertising, is one of them. All are potential consumers, because advertising harass any citizen, encouraging all of them to consume. Appears the citizenconsumer. Along this line, it is the Right attempting to regulate this fact, harmonizing interests and prerogatives. In parallel, visualizes which risks arise as a spectrum above of citizens, consumers, being the chain of production/consumption of its main motivators. However, by the consumption acculturation and construction of signs/meanings tenuous, most of the population does not reflect on the extent of the act of consumption, relegating to the background the reflection on the existence of risk. Taking as a basis the Law 8.078/80 - Consumer Code - and environmental legislation, see which there are connections between the consumer and the environment: both are diffuse. Thus, tied to consumption relation and the perception of the principle of information comes the reflection on the environmental information, which in theory gives citizens-consumers, satisfactory data for decision making context situation, not based solely on extrinsic conviction about a particular product. Therefore, the legal relations of consumption, direct and indirect, are tied to the prospect of broad and contextualized information, stimulating, among other things, ecological awareness. This bond can motivate the achievement of sustainable consumption causing an impacted positively on the environment and on society. Are presents several proposals for the use of environmental information as a mechanism to encourage the preservation of natural resources. Also, note that there is an ongoing change in the concept of the state, which ceases to be understood only as a democratic state to be understood as a Democratic State Environmental Law. The information, in addition to being understood as a mechanism to induce consumption also becomes an element of motivation for reflection citizen-consumers as to the ampleness of the production/consumption and in particular on the individual act of consumption. And of all a conclusion: environmental information can elicit changes in attitudes, however, in parallel, it is necessary which the citizen-consumers rethink your customs and habits. Otherwise, the prospect of environmental information will also be transformed into cliché, as already occurs with certain themes, both of Consumer Law how the Environmental Law.

This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Technology and Policy Program, 2018
Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2018
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 97-103).
In many developing countries, access to electricity remains a significant challenge. Electrification planners in these countries often have to make important decisions on the mode of electrification and the planning of electrical networks for those without access, while under resource constraints. To facilitate the achievement of universal energy access, the Reference Electrification Model (REM), a computational model capable of providing techno-economic analysis and data-driven decision support for these planning efforts, has been developed. Primary among REM's capabilities is the recommendation of the least-cost mode of electrification - i.e by electric grid extension or off-grid systems - for non-electrified consumers in a region under analysis, while considering technical, economic and environmental constraints.
This is achieved by the identification of consumer clusters (either as clusters of off-grid microgrids, stand-alone systems or grid-extension projects) using underlying clustering methods in the model. This thesis focuses on the development and implementation of partitioning algorithms to achieve this purpose. Building on previously implemented efforts on the clustering and recommendation capabilities of REM, this work presents the development, analysis and performance evaluation of alternative approaches to the consumer clustering process, in comparison with REM's previously incorporated clustering methodology. Results show that the alternative methodology proposed can compare favorably with the hitherto implemented method in REM. Consequently, the integration of the pro- posed network partitioning procedures within REM, as well as some potential future research directions, is discussed.
Finally, this thesis concludes with a discourse on the social and regulatory aspects of energy access and electricity planning in developing countries, providing some perspectives on the development policies and business models that complement the technological contributions of this work.
by Olamide Oladeji.
S.M. in Technology and Policy
S.M.
S.M.inTechnologyandPolicy Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Technology and Policy Program
S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR
Partindo de uma análise introdutória da lógica do consumo fundada nas contribuições das Ciências Sociais, este trabalho desenvolveu a seguir o argumento segundo o qual a sociedade de consumo se beneficia, em grande medida, da permanência no psiquismo de um ideal de onipotência narcísica que aponta para um estado originário de ausência de necessidade, sintetizado na primeira experiência de satisfação. A intenção central deste trabalho foi, portanto, detectar quais os elementos psíquicos responsáveis pela sustentação do arranjo social representado pela sociedade de consumo, a partir de uma discussão das conseqüências subjetivas da constituição do sujeito numa cultura do consumo que, por outro lado, representam apoios psíquicos consistentes com sua manutenção.
Starting from an introductory analysis os consumer logic, based on the contributions derived from Social Sciences, this study develops the argument that consumer society benefits largely from the persistence in the psyche of an omnipotent narcissist ideal which points to an original state of completeness, synthesized by the first experience of satisfaction. The core purpose of this work was, therefore, to detect which psychic elements are responsible for sustaining the social arrangement represented by consumer society, emphasizing the subjective consequences that result from the process of the constitution of a subject within a consumer cultura whilst, on the other hand, provide psychic support consistent with its maintenance.

Thesis: Ph. D. in Engineering Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, 2015.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 165-169).
The cost of waste for products such as soft drinks, shelf stable dry food, and dairy in the consumer packaged goods industry is massive, about $15 billion annually in the U.S.A. This thesis focuses on waste associated with product expiration since this type of waste involves both manufacturers and retailers as well as different functional areas such as production, warehousing, sales, procurement, and store operations. As a result, the industry has not made much progress in reducing this type of waste. We study three problems related to product expiration. Chapter 2 presents a descriptive study examining the root causes of product expiration and their impact on expiration. Using econometrics and our collaborator's data, we find that the amount of expiration can be reduced considerably via a case size reduction. We identify the next important opportunities in the areas of inventory aging in the manufacturer's supply chain and sales incentives, and thus the remainder of this thesis focuses on these two areas. Chapter 3 examines the manufacturer's sell-or-dispose decision for aged inventory. We develop an optimization model to find the minimum remaining shelf life below which the manufacturer does not sell the product since the cost of expiration is more than the sunk cost of production. We use machine learning to approximate optimum values which can be used as a low cost alternative method. If supply chain managers are held accountable for the cost of disposed items, they will have an incentive to better manage inventory. As a result, expiration will be reduced. Chapter 4 analyses sales-force compensation schemes from the perspective of product expiration caused by overselling. We develop a game theoretic model of the decision process of the manufacturer and the sales representative. We find a compensation scheme that aligns the interests of the manufacturer and the sales representative preventing overselling while achieving full profit potential for the manufacturer.
by Arzum Akkas.
Ph. D. in Engineering Systems

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FACEPE
O objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar o morar nos condomínios fechados não como uma simples resposta a crescente violência urbana, fortalezas defensivas contra os perigos e ameaças à espreita nas ruas, mas como uma forma de distinção e status. Assim, o enfoque volta-se ao entendimento dessa tipologia urbana como a transfiguração de um tipo de habitação em objeto de consumo, atravessada pela publicidade e permeada de conotações com diferentes significados e hierarquias, de prestígio e de moda, parte de uma lógica da diferenciação característica da sociedade de consumo sobre a qual discorreu Jean Baudrillard. A partir dessa referência teórica optou-se, como procedimento metodológico, privilegiar a análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin dos anúncios imobiliários dos residenciais AlphaVille-SP, de modo a mostrar como esses anúncios tornaram os condomínios uma moradia extremamente atraente, dialogando com valores caros à sociedade contemporânea.
The objective of this project research is to analyze the living in gated communities not as a simple response to the growing urban violence, defensive fortresses against the dangers and threats lurking on the streets, but as a way of distinction and status. Thus, the focus turns to the understanding of this urban typology as the transfiguration of housing in a consumer object, crossed by advertising and fraught with connotations with different meanings and hierarchies of prestige and fashion, part of a logic of differentiation feature of the consumer society on which Jean Baudrillard argued about. From this theoretical framework was chosen, as methodological procedure, to privilege the analysis of content proposed by Bardin of the real estate ads of AlphaVille-SP residentials, in order to show how these ads made condominiums a very attractive housing, interacting with important values to the contemporary society.

Galima sakyti, kad vartojimo visuomenėje žmogus dažnai orientuojamas iš išorės. Turbūt neatsirastų abejojančių, kad didžiausią įtaką vartotojškų vertybių formavimuisi turi masinės komunikacijos priemonės.Pagrindinę vietą šiame procese užima televizijos reklama.
Consumerism has become the central axis of modern society.Consumerism has one particular quality, namely that it exists everywhere and at the same time it is short-lived.Life itself is organised around one's possessions.Consumers often choose certain product, service and activities because those are linked to a particular life style.The main role here is played by television advertisement.

Thesis (Ph. D. in History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology and Society (HASTS))--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Science, Technology and Society, 2007.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 278-289).
This dissertation is a multi-sited ethnography among marketers, consumer-patients and psychiatrists in the U.S. It explores the recent history of styles of pharmaceutical advertising that have come about in response to FDA regulations and ethical issues raised by patients and the press about how the pharmaceutical industry shapes drug research. Specifically this dissertation explores the role of direct-to-consumer drug marketing (DTC) in the consumption and experience of antidepressants, including a cultural shift in the U.S. towards how the consumer negotiates new ethical injunctions to manage his or her own identity through pharmaceuticals. A key focus is how marketers carve out their own ethical niche from which they innovate on ways to persuade consumer audiences with scientific facts that double as public relations. This dissertation gives special attention to how individuals encounter and incorporate the putative neuroscience of DTC advertising of antidepressants to negotiate their personal knowledge of illness, and to manage their identity, everyday practices, and professional pursuits. From these ethnographic encounters I have identified "illness," "fantasy," and "capital" as three key themes for my analysis of DTC marketing. In turn I have combined the very different literatures on illness (which address patient advocacy movements and health care seeking and questions of how medical diagnoses can be deployed as social norms), fantasy (which address psychoanalytic conceptions of desire and self, as well as semiotic understandings of consumption), and capital (which address health care market competition, and negotiations with the FDA over truth in advertising). In sum, this dissertation offers a thick description of "ethical identity management" in the contemporary landscape of U.S. pharmaceutical consumption.
by Nathan P. Greenslit.
Ph.D.in History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology and Society (HASTS

Dissertation (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Female apparel shopping behaviour in a multi-cultural consumer society is a complex phenomenon. This study set out to identify the variables that influence female apparel shopping behaviour in a multi-cultural consumer society and to determine whether distinct clusters of female apparel shoppers could be identified. Three theoretical models from the two study disciplines, Consumer Behaviour and Clothing and Textiles, were investigated, i.e. the Sproles Model of Fashion Adoption, the Engel-Blackwell-Miniard Model of Consumer Decision-Process Behaviour and De Klerk's Clothing Consumer Decision-making Model. These models were synthesised and developed further into a new conceptual theoretical model of variables influencing female apparel shopping behaviour in a multi-cultural consumer society. The Macro conceptual theoretical model presented the variables under market dominated variables, market and consumer interaction variables and consumer dominated variables. The scope of the study was delimited by the choice of two primary variables under each classification, for further investigation. The variables investigated were: the place of distribution, the apparel product, shopping orientation, patronage behaviour, socio-cultural influences (family, lifestyle and culture) and demographics. An overview of the South African apparel industry was provided and future trends in retailing were highlighted. Literature on shopping orientation as a variable was extensively studied, resulting in a proposed new classification system. Lifestyle and cultural consciousness, i.e. the individualist and collectivist orientation, and the impact thereof on female apparel shopping behaviour were investigated. Data for this exploratory study were generated by means of a store-intercept research method. A questionnaire was developed and trained fieldworkers undertook in-store interviews with approximately eight hundred female apparel shoppers representative of three population groups, African/black, coloured and white. The data analysis yielded acceptable questionnaire reliability and multivariate statistics showed shopping orientation and lifestyle to be multi-dimensional constructs with three components each. The three shopping orientation components were labelled shopping selfconfidence and enjoyment; credit-prone, brand-conscious and fashion innovator and local store patronage. A Yuppie lifestyle, apparel-orientated lifestyle and a traditional lifestyle were the three labels ascribed to the lifestyle components. Three clusters of female apparel shoppers were formed by means of cluster analysis, according to the three components of lifestyle and shopping orientation respectively, the two cultural consciousness scales and eleven patronage behaviour items. A demographic profile of each cluster completed the typology of the three female apparel shopper groups. Group one was the largest (49%) and was labelled Actualisers. Group two (28%) was labelled Strugglers and group three (22%) Aspirationals. The female apparel shopper could therefore be successfully segmented into distinct market segments with statistically significant differences in profiles. The profiles showed similarities to international and South African typology research. The results are presented in a conceptual model. The following main implications for manufacturers, marketers, retailers, researchers, educators and students can be stated: .:. Knowledge regarding consumers will be of paramount importance for survival in the competitive and more globally orientated 21st century . •:. The female apparel market is not homogeneous. Different groups of consumers require different types of products and will evaluate them differently. Modern technology such as CAD, EDI, QR and CIM should be implemented to assist stakeholders in this regard. Fashion changes rapidly and if the window of opportunity is not seized, it is lost . •:. Different advertising and marketing strategies are necessary to reach the various female apparel shopper groups. Special attention should be given to advertising approaches and media vehicles that will gain the attention of the various groups . •:. Electronic retailing and marketing will form a large part of future retailing and marketing activities. Stakeholders should be geared towards seizing these opportunities for growth. .:. Researchers, educators and students will benefit from the application of the Conceptual Theoretical Model - a Macro perspective. It could provide a conceptual framework for curriculum development, be used as an evaluation tool and assist in the understanding of the complexities of variables impacting on female apparel shopping behaviour in a multi-cultural consumer society. Recommendations for future research were made in order to encourage researchers to research the complex nature of female apparel shopping behaviour in a multi-cultural consumer society scientifically.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vroueklere aankoopgedrag in 'n multi-kulturele verbruikersgemeenskap is 'n komplekse fenomeen. Hierdie studie poog om die veranderlikes wat vroueklere aankoopgedrag in 'n multi-kulturele verbruikersgemeenskap beïnvloed, te identifiseer en om te bepaal of onderskeibare groepe vroulike verbruikers geïdentifiseer kan word. Drie teoretiese modelle vanuit die twee dissiplines, naamlik Verbruikersgedrag en Kleding en Tekstiele, is ondersoek, naamlik: die Sproles Model van Modeaanvaarding (Sproles Model of Fashion Adoption), die Engel-Blackwell-Miniard model van Verbruikersbesluitnemingsproses-gedrag (Engel-Blackwell-Miniard Model of Consumer Decision-Process Behaviour) asook De Klerk se Kledingverbruikerbesluitnemingsmodel. (De Klerk's Clothing Consumer Decision-making Model). Hierdie modelle is gesintetiseer en verder ontwikkel tot 'n nuwe konseptueie teoretiese model van veranderlikes wat vroueklere-aankoopgedrag in 'n multi-kulturele verbruikersgemeenskap beïnvloed. Die Makro konseptueie teoretiese model orden veranderlikes onder mark-gedomineerde veranderlikes, mark- en verbruiker-interaksie-veranderlikes en verbruiker-gedomineerde veranderlikes. Die omvang van die studie is begrens deur die keuse van twee primêre veranderlikes onder elke groepering vir verdere studie. Die bestudeerde veranderlikes sluit die volgende in: plek van distribusie, die klereproduk, aankooporiëntasie, winkelvoorkeurgedrag, sosio-kulturele invloede (familie, lewenstyl en kultuur) asook demografie. 'n Oorsig van die Suid-Afrikaanse kledingindustrie word gegee en toekomstige tendense in die kleinhandel word uitgelig. Literatuur rakende aankooporiëntasie as veranderlike is breedvoerig bestudeer en resulteer in 'n nuwe klassifikasie stelsel. Lewenstyl en kulturele bewustheid, nl. die individualistiese versus kollektivistiese oriëntasie, en die impak daarvan op vroue se klere-aankoopgedrag is ondersoek. Data vir hierdie verkennende navorsing is verkry deur respondente in winkels te nader (store-intercept research method). Vir hierdie eksploratiewe studie is 'n vraelys ontwikkel en opgeleide veldwerkers het onderhoude (binne winkels) met ongeveer aghonderd vroue klereverbruikers, verteenwoordigend van drie populasie groepe, nl. Swart, Kleurling en Blank gevoer. Die data ontleding dui op aanvaarbare vraelys betroubaarheid. Die meervoudige veranderlike statistiek resultate toon aan dat aankooporiëntasie en lewenstyl multi-dimensionele konstrukte is, met onderskeidelik drie komponente elk. Die drie aankooporiëntasie komponente is benoem as aankoop selfvertroue en genot (shopping self-confidence and enjoyment); krediet geneigdheid, handelsmerk bewustheid sowel as mode innoveerder (credit prone, brand conscious and fashion innovator) en plaaslike winkelvoorkeur (local store patronage). Die Yuppie lewenstyl (Yuppie lifestyle); klere georienteerde lewenstyl (apparel orientated lifestyle) en tradisionele lewenstyl (traditional lifestyle) was die drie name wat aan die lewenstyle komponente toegeskryf is. Drie groepe vroulike klere aankopers is gevorm met behulp van trosanalise. Die trosanalise is gedoen op grond van die drie komponente van lewenstyl en aankooporiëntasie onderskeidelik, die twee kulturele bewustheid skale en die elf winkelvoorkeur gedrag items. Die tipering van die drie groepe is aangevul deur 'n demografiese profiel. Groep een was die grootste (49%) en is genoem Aktualiseerders (Actualisers). Groep twee (28%) is genoem Sukkelaars (StruggIers) en groep drie (22%) Aspireerders (Aspirationals). Die vroulike klere aankoper kon derhalwe suksesvol gesegmenteer word in duidelik onderskeibare segmente met statisties beduidende verskille in die profiele. Die profiele toon ooreenkomste met internasionale en Suid-Afrikaanse tipologie navorsing. konseptueie model. Die resultate word aangetoon in 'n Die volgende hoof implikasies vir vervaardigers, bemarkers, kleinhandelaars, navorsers, opvoedkundiges en studente kan gestel word: .:. Kennis rakende verbruikers sal krities wees vir oorlewing in die kompeterende en globaal georiënteerde 21ste eeu. •:. Die vroue klere mark is nie homogeen nie. Verskillende groepe verbruikers vereis verskillende tipes produkte en sal dit derhalwe verskillende evalueer. Moderne tegnologie soos rekenaar gesteunde ontwerp, elektroniese data interaksie, vinnige respons en rekenaar geintegreerde vervaardiging moet geïmplimenteer word ten einde alle belanghebbendes te ondersteun in hierdie verband. Mode verander vinnig en indien geleenthede nie aangegryp word nie, is dit verlore . •:. Verskillende bemarking en reklame strategieë is nodig ten einde die verskillende groepe vroue klere verbruikers te bereik. Spesifieke aandag moet geskenk word aan die advertensie aanslag en media voertuie wat die aandag van die onderskeie groepe sal trek . •:. Elektroniese kleinhandel en bemarking sal 'n groot komponent van die toekomstige kleinhandel en bemarkingsaktiwiteite beslaan. Belanghebbendes moet ingestel wees om hierdie geleenthede vir groei aan te gryp . •:. Navorsers, opvoeders en studente sal voordeel trek uit die toepassing van die Konseptueie Teoretiese Model - 'n Makro Perspektief. Hierdie model kan dien as 'n konseptueie raamwerk waarbinne kurrikulering kan plaasvind, asook aangewend word as evaluasie instrument. Die model kan ook hulp verleen ten einde die komplekse aard van die veranderlikes wat vroue klere aankoopgedrag beïnvloed in 'n multi-kulturele verbruikergemeenskap, te verstaan. Aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing word gemaak ten einde toekomstige navorsers aan te moedig om op 'n wetenskaplik verantwoordbare wyse die komplekse aard van vroueklere-aankoopgedrag binne 'n multi-kulturele verbruikersgemeenskap, na te vors.

One of the main goals in this study is to investigate how young children's identity formation and social relationships are depicted by today's consumer society.  In order to reach the goals of the study I also concentrated myself on questions regarding the reflection of symbolic aspects consumption in younger children's interaction and preschool-teachers' ideas about how and in what ways children's consumption patterns are created and developed nowadays. In order to answer the presented research questions I used the theoretical arguments of researchers in the field of pedagogy Gert Biesta in connection with the ideas and concepts of the consumer society characteristics developed by the sociologist Zygmunt Bauman. The thesis' methodological approach consists of a combination of semi-structured interviews with teachers and observations of children's interaction, which contributed to a systematic investigation of the thesis' problem area and served as a tool for obtaining answers to the research questions. The results demonstrate that consumption occupies a lot of space in young children's lives, which means that it greatly affects their social relationships today. Both consumption and knowledge of the known brands prove to be the child's path to the desired community on the one hand, and the children's way to the consumer world on the other (hand), which in turn points to an obvious dependence between children's consumption and their social relationships. The results also show that there is a tension between the perception of identity formation as preschool-policy-document on the one hand and the attitude of the identity prescribed by consumer society norms and regulations on the other.
Denna studie lyfter upp frågor som samtida föräldrar och pedagoger dagligen ställs inför. Dessa frågor behandlar barns tillvaro i dagens konsumtionssamhälle. Resultaten av flera vetenskapliga studier visar att samtida marknadsföring märkbart genomsyrar barns liv idag. Barndomen blir alltmer kommersialiserad av marknaden som med hjälp av kända konsumtionssymboler dagligen bygger en drömvärld bestående av sagolika figurer från barns fantasier. Denna värld har blivit samtida barns verklighet. Samtidigt pekar resultaten av ett antal studier på att den ekonomiska situationen i olika hushåll utmärks av en kraftigt växande klyfta då många familjer lever med små ekonomiska resurser vilket i sin tur innebär att det är långtifrån alla barn som ges plats i den sagolika bilden som marknaden målat ut. I samband med detta uppstår en fråga om vad som händer med de barn som inte har tillgång till kända konsumtionsvaror och hur denna situation påverkar deras relationer med omvärlden.  Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur yngre barns sociala relationer ser ut i dagens konsumtionssamhälle samt att ta reda på hur vissa förskolepedagoger resonerar kring yngre barns identitetskonstruktion i den samtida konsumtionsvärlden. Jag har också fokuserat på hur konsumtionens symboliska aspekter återspeglas i yngre barns interaktion och även på hur informanterna beskriver sin handlingsberedskap i relation till barns konsumtionsmönster och identitetskonstruktioner. Studiens resultat visar att konsumtion tar mycket plats i barns tillvaro vilket gör att den avsevärt påverkar deras sociala relationer idag. Det visar sig att barnen har omfattande kunskaper om samtida konsumtionssymboler som de ofta använder för att vinna uppmärksamhet och för att uppfattas som populära bland jämnåriga. På så sätt får de tillträde till en önskad gemenskap. Man kan även tala om barns investering i det egna sociala medlemskapet i form av konsumtion av populära konsumtionsvaror. Studien har även kunnat visa på ett rådande spänningsfält mellan den syn på identitetsskapande som förskolepedagogerna har och den inställning som konsumtionssamhällets normer och regler föreskriver vilket i sin tur pekar på behovet av utveckling av en mångfacetterad pedagogisk diskurs om barns utveckling och identitetsskapande i det samtida konsumtionssamhället. Samtidigt har denna studie belyst problematiken i de förhållningssätt som används i relation till värdegrundsfrågan på förskola och i förskoleklass. Detta faktum har även synliggjort behovet av ett nytt pedagogiskt förhållningssätt som ska bidra till utveckling av kritiskt tänkande kring konsumtionskultur och marknadsföringsfrågor hos barn som lever i den samtida konsumtionsvärlden.

As sociedades ocidentais atuais tentam influenciar as mulheres e, em especial, as mães, sobre comportamentos e condutas na criação de seus filhos. Através de práticas enraizadas e estabelecidas, propagam que tudo que for derivado da tecnologia e do desenvolvimento é melhor e traria, como consequência, mais benefícios para a prole do que que o for instintivo e natural. A prática de cesáreas agendadas, o uso de leite artificial, o desaconselhamento ao uso da cama ou cômodo compartilhado, bem como a utilização de alimentos industrializados e processados na nutrição dos filhos seriam, desta forma, práticas “modernas” e “contemporâneas”. Já, em contrapartida, o parto natural, o aleitamento materno, a prática da cama compartilhada, bem como a alimentação baseada em produtos naturais seriam condutas “anacrônicas”, “inconvenientes” e “ultrapassadas”. No entanto, as práticas atuais e derivadas do “desenvolvimento não só não trazem benefícios para a saúde dos filhos, como também não são praticas ditas “sustentáveis”. Possuem altos custos de produção, além de gerar resíduos e descarte degradando, assim, o meio ambiente e diminuindo os recursos naturais do Planeta. O Ecofeminimo entende que a mitigação do protagonismo feminino e a exploração da Natureza são consequências de um mesmo fenômeno: a dominação masculina sobre ambas que existe em sistemas de opressão, como o patriarcado. Através de várias premissas, coloca mulheres e Natureza em um regime de submissão: trata a mulher como incompetente e incapaz para o ato de parir e de cuidar da prole e a Natureza como uma mera fonte de recursos, apta a ser degradada e explorada. A Filosofia Ecofeminista embasa teoricamente, assim, o presente estudo, já que trata, dentro de suas diferentes correntes, sobre a falácia de que tudo que for “tecnológico” e “desenvolvido” seria melhor que o “natural” e “instintivo”, quando na verdade, o que ocorre, é exatamente o contrário: o retorno às origens e às práticas primitivas relativas à maternidade, além de ser sustentável, também é, infinitamente melhor para a saúde das futuras gerações.
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Current western societies try to influence women, particularly mothers; regarding their behavior and conduct in relation to the way they raise their children. Through practices ingrained and established, it is spread that everything derived from technology and development is better and consequently brings more benefits to the child than those which are natural and instinctive. The practice of arranged caesareans, the use of artificial milk, the non-use of a shared bed or room, as well as the use of industrialized and processed foods in the diet of the children to be, “modern” and “contemporary”. On the contrary, a natural birth, breast feeding and the practice of a shared bed, as well as foods based on natural products are “outdated”, “inconvenient” and “old-fashioned”. However, current practices derived from “development” not only fail to bring health benefits to the children, but are also not “sustainable” processes. They have high production costs, generate waste and harmful disposal to the environment and to the Earth’s natural resources. Ecofeminism understands the mitigation of female leadership and the exploration of nature are consequences of the same phenomenon; male domination over both that exists in systems of oppression as well as patriarchate. Through various assumptions which put women and nature in a regime of submission, treat women as incompetent and incapable of raising their children and nature as a mere source of resources, there to be degraded and exploited. The philosophy of ecofeminism theoretically underlies this, as does this study, and addresses within their different branches, the illusion that everything “technological” and “developed” is better than what is “natural” and “instinctive”, when in reality, what happens is the exact opposite; the return to our origins and primitive practices related to maternity, as well as being sustainable are infinitely better for the health of our future generations.

Global warming is an international problem which has led to that many corporations today has an increased environmental awareness.

This thesis includes a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) approach which evaluates whether carbon offsetting is a profitable alternative for corporations and society wide. The study is predominately focusing on the emissions of the greenhouse gas . The calculations of CBA show the difference between the scenarios with or without the carbon offsetting. In the CBA approach effects are divided into benefits and costs.

The study includes a case study of Husqvarna AB and is carried through with aim to get a decision support whether or not to make the corporation carbon neutral. Basic data from Husqvarna AB has been used.

O presente estudo tem como tema a análise de como, nos dias de hoje, o capitalismo pode ser considerado uma religião. Essa religião capitalista, diferentemente das demais religiões conhecidas, não visa a salvação, mas sim, a destruição. Pois, por meio dos diversos mecanismos que a servem, faz com que as pessoas se sintam culpadas, as tornando cada vez mais individualistas, egocêntricas e consumistas. Ao concentrar o capital nas mãos de alguns poucos; e condenando muitos outros à morte ou à criminalidade, o capitalismo age como uma epidemia religiosa sistêmica, incluindo a seus “fiéis” a ausência de percepção dessa condição. Essa dissertação apresenta também como, atualmente, não é mais possível afirmar que se faça política: o que existe é biopolítica, que tem o controle e regulação/ normatização dos corpos dos viventes como principal objetivo. Esse domínio é exercido por meio da disciplina e do controle, obtido a partir dos mais diversos dispositivos, imperando um estado de exceção. Por fim, o trabalho propõe como uma comunidade de singularidades pode reverter essa religião capitalista, ou, ao menos, minimizar seus efeitos a médio prazo, auxiliando para que os homens voltem a fazer política, fugindo assim da biopolítica e, consequentemente, do capitalismo.
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The present study has as its theme the analysis of how, currently, capitalism can be considered a religion. This capitalist religion, unlike other known religions, is not about salvation, but about destruction. For through the various mechanisms that serve it, it makes people feel guilty, making them increasingly individualistic, egocentric, and consumerist. By concentrating capital in the hands of a few; Condemning many others to death or crime, capitalism acts as a systemic religious epidemic, including its "faithful" lack of awareness of this condition. This Dissertation presents how, at present, it is no longer possible to affirm that politics is done: what exists is biopolitics, which has the control and regulation / normalization of the bodies of the living as the main objective. This control is exercised through discipline and control, obtained from the most diverse devices, ruling a state of exception. Finally, the work proposes how a community of singularities can reverse this capitalist religion, or at least minimize its effects in the medium term, helping men to return to politics, thus avoiding biopolitics and, consequently, capitalism.

Global warming is an international problem which has led to that many corporations today has an increased environmental awareness.

This thesis includes a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) approach which evaluates whether carbon offsetting is a profitable alternative for corporations and society wide. The study is predominately focusing on the emissions of the greenhouse gas . The calculations of CBA show the difference between the scenarios with or without the carbon offsetting. In the CBA approach effects are divided into benefits and costs.

The study includes a case study of Husqvarna AB and is carried through with aim to get a decision support whether or not to make the corporation carbon neutral. Basic data from Husqvarna AB has been used.

There is a growing body of research demonstrating the effects of age-related changes on product usability and the value derived from consumption experiences. In particular, difficulties with packaging have been identified as a source of dissatisfaction and a key barrier to older people maintaining their independence. Despite this, marketing literature into older consumers’ packaging experiences is limited. Likewise, packaging development has been afforded scant attention in the new product development literature. Whilst there is extensive design literature exploring packaging openability among older consumers, these studies focus largely on biological ageing, thus overlooking aspects of psychological and social ageing. As such, these studies only capture a small part of the various consumer-packaging interactions. Based on these limitations, the purpose of this study is twofold: to explore how ageing affects packaging needs; and to examine how the management of packaging development affects firms’ abilities to deliver value to older consumers. The findings highlight the importance of packaging development in contributing to older people’s abilities to access, open and consume fast-moving consumer goods products independently. Maintaining this independence is found to positively contribute to quality of life. However, a variety of organisational factors and development team characteristics are found to inhibit firms from targeting older consumers and identifying and exploiting a variety of new packaging opportunities. This study contributes to the literature by providing new insights into the packaging needs of older consumers. The conceptual framework presented contributes to new product development literature by providing a new perspective with which to view fast-moving consumer goods product development; one where packaging development is used to offer value to older consumers.

This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, 2019
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 75-82).
Fifty years ago, the United States Congress coalesced around a vision for fair consumer credit: equally accessible by all consumers, and developed on accurate and relevant information, with controls for consumer privacy. In two foundational pieces of legislation, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), legislators described mechanisms by which these goals would be met, including, most notably, prohibiting certain information, such as a consumer's race, as the basis for credit decisions, under the assumption that being "blind" to this information would prevent wrongful discrimination. While the policy goals for fair credit are still valid today, the mechanisms designed to achieve them are no longer effective.
The consumer credit industry is increasingly interested in using new data and machine learning modeling techniques to determine consumer creditworthiness, and with these technological advances come new risks not mitigated by existing mechanisms. This thesis evaluates how these "alternative" credit processes pose challenges to the mechanisms established in the FCRA and the ECOA and their vision for fairness. "Alternative" data and models facilitate inference or prediction of consumer information, which make them non-compliant. In particular, this thesis investigates the idea that "blindness" to certain attributes hinders consumer fairness more than it helps since it limits the ability to determine whether wrongful discrimination has occurred and to build better performing models for populations that have been historically underscored.
This thesis concludes with four recommendations to modernize fairness mechanisms and ensure trust in the consumer credit system by: 1) expanding the definition of consumer report under the FCRA; 2) encouraging model explanations and transparency; 3) requiring self-testing using prohibited information; and 4) permitting the use of prohibited information to allow for more comprehensive models.
This work was partially supported by the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab and the Hewlett Foundation through the MIT Internet Policy Research Initiative (IPRI)
by Grace M. Abuhamad.
S.M. in Technology and Policy
S.M.inTechnologyandPolicy Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
The credit allows several studies under different viewpoints, one of which is related to the possibility of it being a commodity credit and therefore, liable to be manipulated symbolically. This thesis focuses on an elrerly group - from sixty years old - men and women, retirees, which may have some occupation, the majority belonging to the middle class, surveys were conducted in order to develop this research. The research issue is based on the question concerning the fact of how these informants are inserted in consumer society and the extent to which the credit relates to the strategies they have adopted, such as mediation, recognition, prestige and social ascension. The findings relate to the fact that relationships involving consumer credit report to some aspects of Brazilian society as personalism, while considering the confidence value as well as the rationalization of consumer credit shows the transformation in the conduct of informants, with preference payment in cash instead of credit payment. Analyzes the moral drama resulting from the use of credit by the informants, approaching a particular type of morality and honor, shame and guilt, religiousness and the idea of sacrifice in the name of a greater good.
O crédito permite diversos estudos sob pontos de vista diferentes, sendo um deles o relacionado à possibilidade de ser o crédito um bem de consumo e, portanto, passível de ser manipulado simbolicamente. A presente Tese enfoca um grupo que se refere às pessoas idosas, a partir dos sessenta anos de idade, homens e mulheres, aposentados, podendo ter alguma ocupação, pertencentes, atualmente, em sua maioria, à classe média, sendo realizadas entrevistas e partir delas desenvolve-se esta pesquisa. A problemática investigada baseia-se na indagação referente ao fato de como esses informantes se inserem na sociedade de consumo e em que medida o crédito se relaciona com as estratégias por eles adotadas de mediação, reconhecimento, ascensão e prestígio sociais. As constatações se reportam ao fato de que as relações de consumo que envolvem crédito se reportam a alguns aspectos da sociedade brasileira como os do personalismo, considerando a confiança enquanto valor, bem como o processo de racionalização do crédito ao consumidor demonstra a transformação na conduta dos informantes, com a preferência do pagamento à vista em detrimento do pagamento a crédito. Analisa-se o drama moral decorrente do uso do crédito pelos informantes, abordando-se um tipo particular de moralidade como honra, sentimento de vergonha e de culpa, religiosidade e a ideia de sacrifício em nome de um bem maior.

In the past years there has been an increase in interest regarding the environment and this combined with the technological advancement has resulted in new opportunities to secondhand consume. The stigmatisation regarding second-hand consumption is in present day often considered something of the past. The aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of second-hand consumption as a phenomenon. Questions asked are how second-hand consumption interacts with the ideals of the consumer society, as well as what second-hand consumers can consider to buy or not buy second-hand and why this is. Previous research shows that the second-hand commodity is chosen for its value relative to its price, how second-hand consumption can contribute to overconsumption as well as how the perceived threat of the previous owner affects the second-hand commodity. This study, based on qualitative interviews with second-hand consuming students, indicates that second-hand consumption enables inadequate consumers to become adequate. The result also shows that second-hand consumption enables environmentally conscious consumers to follow the ideals of the consumer society with good conscience and that there is still some stigmatisation regarding second-hand consumption. However this stigma seems to be undergoing a revaluation process on both an individual and societal level.
Under de senaste åren har det ökade intresset för miljön och den tekniska utvecklingen öppnat upp nya möjligheter att andrahandskonsumera. Stigmat kring andrahandskonsumtion beskrivs numera som något förgånget. Syftet med denna studie är att bidra till förståelsen av andrahandskonsumtion som fenomen. Detta utifrån frågeställningarna hur andrahandskonsumtion interagerar med konsumtionssamhällets ideal samt vad andrahandskonsumenter kan tänka sig att köpa respektive inte köpa begagnat och vad detta kan bero på. Tidigare forskning har visat hur andrahandsvaran väljs för sitt värde i förhållande till varans pris, hur andrahandskonsumtion kan bidra till överkonsumtion samt hur det upplevda hotet från den tidigare ägaren påverkar andrahandsvaran. Denna studie, som baseras på kvalitativa intervjuer med andrahandskonsumerande studenter, visar hur andrahandskonsumtion möjliggör för fattiga konsumenter att konsumera enligt normen. Resultatet visar även att andrahandskonsumtion möjliggör för miljömedvetna konsumenter att med gott samvete följa konsumtionssamhällets ideal samt att det ännu finns ett stigma kring andrahandskonsumtion. Detta stigma tycks dock befinna sig i en omvärderingsprocess på både individ och samhällsnivå.

Research on parenting is increasingly being studied from a biological perspective. An understanding of the biological mechanisms leading to individual differences in maternal behaviors can help direct research toward more focused intervention resulting in closer mother-infant attachment relationships, and therefore, positive child outcomes. This research was a preliminary study that tested mothers' ability to taste a harmless chemical, 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP), in relation to their responses to a questionnaire about the emotional investment they experience towards their infant. Although research attempting to relate these two variables together has not been carried out before, individual studies show potential links between these two. The model underlying this research is that the hormones involved in parent investment, such as oxytocin and estrogen, are mediated on a cellular level by second messenger systems which vary in individuals, and that the ability to taste PROP, a chemical that some people can taste and others can not, has genetic connections to this second messenger system. Although the lack of previous research limited strong predictions, it was expected that tasters of PROP would possess a hormonal milieu that would relate to more invested parenting, compared to non-tasters. This study tested 220 low-income mothers of one-year-old infants enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Early Head Start (EHS) program for their ability to taste PROP, and correlated their taste sensitivity with parent investment as measured by a questionnaire. Additional questionnaires assessed adult attachment, breastfeeding, and close physical contact as possible mediators and moderators in the association between parent investment and PROP taste sensitivity. Findings were statistically significant, although in the opposite direction than hypothesized. Non-tasters of PROP, rather than tasters, had higher overall parent investment responses than tasters. Non-tasters also rated higher than tasters in secure adult attachment attitudes. Close physical contact related to increased parent investment. There was no relationship between taste sensitivity and duration of breast feeding or between taste sensitivity and close physical contact.

The purpose of this study was to examine the types, frequency, and meaningfulness of connection rituals and the relation ship between these items and marital satisfaction. Past research has shown that rituals correlate with marital satisfaction. Three research questions guided the study: ( I) What connection rituals do couples participate in and with what frequency? (2) How meaningful are the connection rituals to the husband or wife? and (3) Are some connection rituals more strongly associated to marital satisfaction? The research questions were tested with data from eighty couples who completed a survey designed specifically for this study. The top three reported rituals in each category among men and women were obtained. Results found that men and women participate in many different types of rituals, with daily greeting being used most often and love rituals having the most meaning on ave rage for participants. A modest relationship was reported among husbands' report of meaningfulness in regular talk time, religious/spiritual activities and other categories and marital sat isfaction. A modest relationship was also reported among wives' report of meaningfulness in regular talk time and love rituals and marital satisfaction. Implications and suggestio ns for future research are also presented.

The purpose of this study was two-fold. The first intention was to identify a group of debtor characteristics that predicted discharge among Chapter 13 bankruptcy filers in the district of Utah from 1997. The second objective was to use that same set of characteristics to predict the likelihood of dismissal at three critical stages of the bankruptcy process. Those stages were identified, first, as the period before the 341 hearing or meeting of creditors (n = 115 or 12.7%), second, before confirmation of the debtor's repayment plan (n = 267 or 29.4%), third, the period after confirmation of the plan and before discharge (n = 286 or 31 .5%). Once the best group of characteristics was discovered, the effects of demographic characteristics were compared against those of economic debtor characteristics as predictors of the outcome of the Chapter 13 cases. The results of the study show that demographic characteristics were, in general, better predictors than economic factors of the disposition of the Chapter 13 cases within the sample. Discharged and dismissed debtors were found to have statistically significantly different levels of certain types of debts based on pairwise t-test results. Although limited to one district, this study was the first to examine the likelihood of dismissal at three stages of bankruptcy prior to discharge. The study concluded that single debtors, debtors with children, debtors with previous bankruptcies, and those with higher levels of mortgage arrears were the most likely to be dismissed before completion of their repayment plan. Plan completion was generally achieved by those with higher job tenure and debtors with a mortgage. The results of the study support arguments against changes in current bankruptcy law and warrant further investigation of low Chapter 13 repayment plan completion rates in the district of Utah.

Childhood immunization is acknowledged as being a crucial health intervention for children. Immunization rates of children may vary depending on their parents' knowledge and attitudes about the issue. The focus of this study is on parents' knowledge and attitudes about immunization, and employs Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory. A questionnaire was administered to 233 parents in India to explore the issues of parental immunization knowledge and attitudes. Correlates of parental knowledge and attitudes that were explored included gender, education, respondents' immunization status, and children's immunization status. Sources of parental knowledge about immunization were also examined. Overall, parents in this sample had a high level of awareness and positive attitudes about immunization. Parents' knowledge about immunization was correlated with their attitudes on immunization. Gender was correlated with parents' knowledge about immunization, but not their attitudes, with females having greater awareness about immunization than males. Parental education, parental immunization status, and children's immunization status were positively correlated with both knowledge and attitudes about immunization. Doctors and health care settings were the major sources of information abo ut immunization for parents in this sample. Implications for research, policy, and education are discussed.

A vast majority of individuals involve themselves in an intimate relationship at one time or another. This studly looks at a new, but increasing, forum of relationship development, that of the Internet. More specifically, this study addresses various stages of Internet relationship development, and deception individual 's use during the process of forming and maintaining these relationships. This research gathered quantitative and qualitative information from 134 individuals involved in online relationships. The quantitative analyses provided only a few significant findings and it is suggested that the current methods of measuring deception are inadequate and do not appear to represent the types of deception that may be employed by those developing relationships on the Internet. The qualitative findings indicate that over half the people in this study report using deception in their Internet relationships and there appear to be different motivations for doing so.

The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence of repeat filers in Utah and estimate the extent that repeat filers may be abusing the bankruptcy system. This study sought to develop a profile of repeat filers . Demographic and financial variables were examined to detem1ine their association with abuser/nonabuser status. In this study, abuse of bankruptcy was characterized only by the timing and number of filings over 20 years. Debtors with three filings in a 2-year period or less and debtors with four or more total filings were classified as abusers. Nonabusers were defined as debtors who filed only once as well as debtors who had two or three scattered filings over the 20-year period. About I I% of the total sample appeared to be abusing the bankruptcy system by filing repeatedly. The majority (76.2%) of the I 997 cases filed by abusers were dismissed while only 23.8% received a discharge of their unsecured debts. Only five (2.9%) of the I 71 abusers who filed chapter I 3 in I 997 completed their payment plan and received a discharge of their debts. The logistic regression model found chapter (7 versus 13), filing status, unsecured debt, and monthly income to be the most significant variables in estimating abuse. Males and females filing alone were nearly 50% less likely than joint filers to be abusers. Chapter 13 debtors are nearly five times as likely to be abusers when compared to chapter 7 debtors. Filers who had unsecured debt levels above the median were less likely to be abusers, and filers who had incomes above the median were almost twice as likely to be abusers. Realistic repayment plans that pay careful attention to construction of budgets and a financial counselor to work with debtors who miss payments is one approach to combating abuse by repeat filing. Judges may need to discipline attorneys who file cases repeatedly. Perhaps a new Code is not what we need to combat abusers; instead, closer monitoring of cases by trustees, more responsible attorneys, and more responsible lending are needed.

This study examined the relationship of three types of martial commitment and religiosity factors in a random sample of I ,316 Utah adults. Participants were surveyed to assess attitudes of marriage, divorce, and marriage education. A lack of commitment was cited by 83% of divorced adults as a major factor for their divorce. The level of commitment to spouse, commitment to marriage, and constraint commitment was determined by extrapolating items from the 2003 Utah Marriage Movement Statewide Baseline Survey. Religiosity included measures of the frequency of church attendance, church affiliation, and religious values. Regression analyses that included socio-demographics showed the strongest and most consistent predictor of commitment to spouse and commitment to marriage was religious values. This study confirms the distinct difference but strong interplay between the three types of marital commitment. There was a negative relationship between both commitment to spouse and commitment to marriage and constraint commitment. Premarital cohabitation was positively related to constraint commitment but negatively related to commitment to spouse and commitment to marriage. Frequency of church attendance, conservative church affiliation (particularly The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints religion), and religious values were all significant factors related statistically to marital commitment. Study findings suggest that educators and marriage therapists engaged in helping couples can productively focus on marital commitment, the influence of religious activity, and belief systems in strengthening marriage relationships.

The purpose of this study was to examine how welfare status, gender, and the interaction between welfare status and gender relate to the utilization of counseling services related to marriage (i.e., "marital help-seeking"). This study was a secondary analysis of the Utah Marriage Survey data set from 2003. Two samples were utilized in this study, and generated a total sample of I ,316 participants. The first sample was made up of I, 173 randomly selected Utah households, identified through a random-digit dialing sampling technique. The second sample was obtained from a random selection of current Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients. This sample of 143 TANF recipients provided an over-sample of low-income households, thus permitting comparisons with the first sample. Participants were identified through the sampling techniques described and contacted by telephone to complete the survey. The data pertaining to participants' welfare status, gender, and attitudes and behavior related to marital help-seeking were analyzed using chi-square analyses and I tests. The results indicated that welfare status is not significantly associated with marital help-seeking attitudes and behavior. In addition, no significant relationship was found between gender and marital help-seeking behavior. However, results indicated that males have less favorable attitudes than women toward marital help-seeking. Finally, welfare status and gender were not found to have a combined relationship effect on marital help-seeking attitudes and behavior.

This study examined the responses to a sexuality education questionnaire completed by 30 single mothers and 43 married mothers with preschool-aged children. Chi-square analyses were used to examine differences between married mothers and single mothers; mothers of males and mothers of females; and married mothers of males, married mothers of females, single mothers of males and single mothers of females. Age at which their preschool children first exhibited behaviors, frequency of that behavior, and comfort level of mothers' responses to those behaviors were addressed for each topic: male-female differences, reproduction and birth, privacy or modesty, taboo or obscene words, genital play, and sexual exploration play. Very few statistically significant differences were apparent in the comparisons that were made. Married mothers were more comfortable than single mother in responding to their child's questions about male-female differences and their child's use of taboo or obscene words. In addition, some interesting trends emerged. For instance, mothers tended to ex press more comfort when responding to hypothetical situations than when responding to actual situations. Questions about male-female differences, reproduction and birth, and privacy or modesty were responded to more frequently than questions about taboo or obscene words, genital play, or sexual exploration play. Moreover, maternal observation of behaviors that appeared to be more sensitive (and less comfortable, such as taboo or obscene words, genital play, and sexual exploration play) was lower than observation of less sensitive behaviors (male-female differences, privacy or modesty, and reproduction and birth). The implications of this study and directions for future research are discussed.

This is a systematic representative sample study of newlyweds designed to investigate aspects of participation in marriage preparation activities as well as determine what effect participation in activities had on marital satisfaction. A retrospective survey instrument was utilized which included the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. Statistical analysis revealed that the majority of individuals in Utah prepare for marriage by visiting with parents or relatives, visiting with other married couples, and talking with religious leaders, and considered these activities to be helpful in their preparation. The small er percentage of individuals who participated in more formal preparation activities also considered these activities to be very helpful. Wives and husbands who attended a class and talked with religious leaders showed significant increases in marital satisfaction within a year after marriage. In addition, marital sati sfaction was increased for wives who read a book on marriage and for husbands who visited with their parents, relatives, or other married couples. Findings show that bringing children into marriage, parents' marital status, and age are factors associated with marital satisfaction.