Mass Communication and the Disruption of Social Order
Intended for academics and students in media studies and political science, the authors of this book explore through a number of different contexts the way in which crises highlight the problematic issues of media performance in democratic states. They examine the relationship between communication and civil society through a number of actual cases of media responses to "crises", ranging from the Gulf War of 1991 to recent events in Eastern Europe. Individual examples of crises emphasize the complexities of understanding the role of the media in struggles of identity around nationality, ethnicity, and gender.
This book provides a systematic review of social policy developments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Leading specialists on the social policies of Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, West and East Germany, Hungary, Poland and the USSR interpret these policies in a framework that enables the reader to understand why the old bureaucratic state collectivist system of welfare had to go and why the emerging system is, at least initially, woefully inadequate.
This volume explores the new possibilities for the therapeutic process of adopting a social constructionist perspective. The first part of the book looks at the theoretical basis for social constructionist therapy, including the implications for client-therapist relationships. Authors then explore various approaches in practice, including "irreverant therapy", "the not-knowing therapist", the creative significance of difference, and the role of reflexivity. A number of case-studies are presented. The final section presents a mixture of overview, self-critique and agenda for the future. The text is suitable for therapists, counsellors, clinical psychologists and those in helping professions providing therapeutic services to their clients.
The methodological choices now confronting consumer researchers are daunting and for many years, researchers have wrestled with issues related to the nature of knowledge in the study of consumption phenomena. The authors of this book examine the philosophies and methods of consumer research both objectively and subjectively. First, they present philosophical concepts regarding the origin and content of knowledge relevant to consumer-behaviour phenomena. They then go on to consider a set of research methods aimed at implementing inquiry from the viewpoint of each particular philosophical perspective. In conclusion they discuss criteria for evaluating research conducted using the various methods.
Exploring the connections between family policies, individual and family well-being and political culture, this volume examines several research projects and concludes that their results challenge the view that governmental social programmes in the United States have been detrimental to family life. The results also clarify the relationship between states' political cultures and the kinds of family policies enacted. Additionally, Zimmerman provides guidelines to aid the development of a policy agenda designed to enhance the well-being of individuals and families - regardless of where they live.
This edited collection of articles, many appearing in print for the first time, links the study of gender with the study of organizations. Recent critiques of organizational theory have pointed out that gender issues have a great and previously unexamined impact on organizational structure and performance. The book addresses this issue by bringing together the field's most influential thinkers and writers.
This book provides concrete help on how to address the support needs of elderly residents of sheltered housing. Sheehan offers specific strategies to housing managers, social service providers and health care professionals working with elderly tenants. The book includes discussions of appropriate responses to increasing frailty of residents, and of how to judge when independent housing is no longer appropriate. It also includes an examination of guidelines available to housing managers in their expanded role, which is no longer simply a matter of `bricks and mortar' but now encompasses consideration of elderly residents' special needs.
This book explores the process of interpersonal conflict - from the initial decision as to whether or not to confront differences through to how to plan the actual confrontation. It deals extensively with negotiation and, where negotiation proves unsuccessful, with third-party dispute resolution. To avoid destructive or violent behaviour, Donohue emphasizes the importance of keeping conflicts under control and of focusing on the pertinent issues. He argues that the key to managing conflict is to address differences collaboratively so that the parties can create better solutions and, ultimately, strengthen their relationships.
