The relation of body size of male humpback whales to their social roles on the Hawaiian winter grounds

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 1938-1947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott S Spitz ◽  
Louis M Herman ◽  
Adam A Pack ◽  
Mark H Deakos

We examined the relation of body length of male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to the social roles they adopted on the Hawaiian winter grounds: principal escort in a competitive group, secondary escort, lone escort to a mother–calf pair, male partner in a dyad, and singer. Using underwater videogrammetry, we measured body lengths of 17 principal escorts, 68 secondary escorts, 40 single escorts, 17 male partners, and 8 singers. Results revealed that (i) principal escorts were, on average, significantly larger than males in each of the remaining social roles except singer, (ii) singers were significantly larger than male partners, (iii) there were no significant size differences among secondary escorts, single escorts, or male partners. Further, principal escorts tended to be the largest or second-largest male within their individual competitive group. All principal escorts were of sizes that indicated a 0.81 probability or better of sexual maturity, based on whaling data. In comparison, more than half of the male partners, almost one-third of the secondary escorts, and one-fifth of the single escorts were of sizes that indicated a 0.5 probability or less of sexual maturity. Seven of the eight singers had a 0.9 probability or better of sexual maturity and the eighth singer a 0.5 probability. However, the data for singers are too few to allow firm conclusions to be reached about the relation of body size to singing. Overall, our findings suggest that body size confers an advantage in physical competition between male humpback whales, and that a large proportion of males adopting the role of secondary escort, single escort, and partner are likely to be sexually immature. Additionally, the competitive group appears to be a major reproductive unit in terms of bringing together a receptive female and potential mates.

Author(s):  
Caroline da Rosa Ferreira Becker

The study was carried out through the theoretical foundation about the conceptions and objectives of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology, and also on the social role of the librarians of this educational institute. These Federal Institutes were created in Brazil in 2009 and they offer basic and higher education. This study aims at investigating, analyzing, and understanding if the librarians of the Federal Institutes of Education, Science, and Technology recognize their social roles as professionals that can contribute to the development of cognitive skills with regards to the information in the library’s users. A case study was carried out with all the librarians of the Federal Institutes and questionnaires were the method used for collecting data. It should be noted in the librarians’ answers that they recognize their social roles, and they act according to what they recognize. In their everyday practices, these librarians try to minimize the difficulties that the library’s users face in relation to the search, location, use, assessment, dissemination, and understanding of information.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-135
Author(s):  
Khadziq Khadziq

Islam is embraced by many people through a relatively fast spread. This fact cannot be separated firom the role of its preacher, Muhammad. His success in da’wa activities was contributed by his social roles as well as the revelation that he brought. This article tries to explain that both the revelation and the social factors greatly supported his da’wa. Beside his positives, the existence of Quran as a revelation contributed the social legitimacy that Muhammad was considered as a figure to be followed in spite of his contrary values to the cultures of his time.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (87) ◽  
Author(s):  
Myroslava Lohvynenko ◽  

The article is a study of the features of the individual’s communicative behavior, when implementing different social roles. By analyzing the concept of the social role and status, author puts forward the classification of the most frequent social roles represented by an individual in formal and informal communication situations (that of a father, lecturer, friend, colleague, employer, employee, consultant). The work is based on the number of studied and investigated dialogical fragments, where one character appears in different social roles and uses various language means. Having considered typical communicative situations, the author also singles out linguistic and extra-linguistic means which mark the changes of speaker’s social roles, namely: elevated, sarcastic, polite, sad, ironic, joyful, neutral, strict, humorous, angry, contemptuous, intrusive, friendly, confident and other tones as well as smile, frown and raised eyebrows, laugh, direct eye contact, pointing finger, pointing the hand etc. At the next stage of the analysis the author reveals the language means that mark the changes of the speaker's social roles as well as outlines the difficulties, connected with their translation into Ukrainian. Translation of the dialogical fragments was studied in order to find out types of rendition of the means that indicate realization of different social roles by the speaker. Non-verbal communication was also researched, aiming to find out correlation between the social role of the speaker and the means, used by the speaker, according to his social role. As a result, the paper presents the analysis of such means of translation as transliteration, transcription, antonymous, descriptive, and contextual tracing, literal types of translation as well as their dependence on the social role of the speaker. So the components of intercourse let communicative behavior of the individual to be comprehensively considered. Thereby, the results of the study, their representation in per cents, as well as examples of the communicative situations and their analysis, are represented in the following article.


Hypatia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 692-707
Author(s):  
Amy Olberding

Self‐presentation is a complex phenomenon through which individuals present themselves in performance of social roles. The success of such performances rests not just on how well a performer fulfills expectations regarding the role she would play, but on whether observers find her convincing. I focus on how self‐presentation entails making use of material environment and objects: One may “dress for the part” and employ props that suit a desired role. However, regardless of dress or props, one can nonetheless fail to “look the part” owing to expectations informed by biases patterned along commonplace social stereotypes. Using the social role of philosopher as my example, I analyze how the stereotype attached to this role carries implications for how demographically under‐represented philosophers may self‐present, specifically with regard to dress and decoration. I look, in particular, to the alienation from one's material environment that may follow on the frustration of self‐presentation through bias. One pernicious effect of bias, I argue, is the power it has to deform and distort its target's relation to her physical setting and objects. Where comfort and ease in one's material environment can be a significant ethico‐aesthetic good, bias can inhibit access to, and enjoyment of, this good.


2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vimbai Chibango

Male partners’ involvement in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) intervention programmes is crucial in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. However, male partner involvement in PMTCT is low in most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring the major factors associated with male partner involvement in PMTCT of HIV programmes in the Gokwe North District of Zimbabwe. The study utilised qualitative methods. Data was collected using a pretested interview guide. Purposive sampling methods were used to select participants of focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Interviews were conducted from May to September 2015. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. The study revealed that local traditional leaders played a role in mobilising men in communities. Awareness campaigns enhanced communities’ knowledge about PMTCT. Couple communication proved to be vital in promoting male involvement. However, stigmatisation against men utilising antenatal-care services, fear of HIV results and a lack of knowledge of the practices surrounding PMTCT of HIV programmes were hindrances to male partner involvement. Collaboration and engagement amongst stakeholders especially with traditional leadership can be essential in increasing male partner participation in PMTCT. Education has proved to be a catalyst in the de-stigmatisation of men in PMTCT programmes. Moreover, HIV counselling can illuminate an understanding on the implications of HIV test results. The significant contribution of this article is its demonstration of the role of African traditional leadership and belief systems in curbing HIV infections, particularly in terms of male partners’ involvement in PMTCT initiatives.Contribution: The significant contribution of this article is its demonstration of the role of African traditional leadership and belief systems in curbing HIV infections, particularly in terms of male partners’ involvement in PMTCT initiatives.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Zeyang Peng ◽  
Kehui Deng ◽  
Yilin Wei ◽  
Ziqi Wang

In response to the factor that affects the evolution of Leishan Miao embroidery style, this paper, based on field inspections and consulting related county chronicles, characterizes its style from two aspects: pattern composition and content, and tries to characterize its style from the perspectives of craftsmanship and the social role of embroidery women. By reviewing the angles of change, and analyzing the reasons for the evolution of embroidery styles, this research has found that the style of Miao embroidery can be summarized as the proper use of continuous and separate patterns, as well as the fusion of reality and illusion in the subject matter. The study holds that the comprehensive application of stitching is the technical guarantee for the evolution of styles. At the same time, the transformation of embroidery women's social roles from “women weavers” to “women farmers” and then to “businesswomen” is the potential motivation for the evolution of embroidery styles.


2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 735-765
Author(s):  
Joanna Bielecka-Prus

Abstract In this article I discuss the social roles of Polish sociologists in the period between 1945 and 1989. Sociologists in Poland are assumed to have constituted a heterogeneous group representing various attitudes towards the political system. Over time, they defined their intellectual role in public discourse differently. This picture remains incomplete without consideration of some crucial aspects: whether there were ways in which sociologists neutralized their participation in building the regime; and the techniques used for evasion and “legal criticism” of the system. The analysis is based on my comments of well-known sociologists published in the press and in books. Issues discussed include the function of sociology, the role of sociologists in a socialist country, and the position of sociology among other sciences and political doctrines.


Author(s):  
Josefina Abara

Resumen: Este artículo surge de una experiencia y reflexión personal como artista y profesora en formación, que plantea la crisis cultural y educativa en Chile como el contexto donde opera el sistema tanto artístico como educacional, y que ante la emergencia cultural, desde el rol social del artista surge la necesidad de educar como la única solución. A raíz de esto, posteriormente se aborda el límite difuso entre el rol del artista y el rol del educador estableciendo un  paralelo de factores que constituyen una metodología compartida en el modo de operar de ambos roles, que reflexiona en torno al constante diálogo y tránsito entre estos quehaceres. Finalmente se exponen las fortalezas y debilidades de ambas disciplinas que confirman la interdependencia de los roles en virtud de la misión social compartida. Palabras clave: artista, educador, cultura, pedagogía, rol social, metodología compartida. Abstract: This article arises from a personal experience and reflection as an artist and professor in formation, which considers the cultural and educational crisis as the context where artistic and educationalsystemdeploys, and under the cultural emergency, from the social role of the artist appears the necessity to educate as the only solution. Subsequently approaches the unclear boundaries between the artist and educator social roles, settling a parallel of factors which shows a shared methodology in the way both positions acts, reflecting about the constant dialogue and transition between these roles. Finally considers the virtues and weakness of both disciplines confirming the interdependance of the roles towards the social mission they have in common. Keywords:artist, educator, culture, pedagogy, social role, shared methodology.http://dx.doi.org/10.7203/eari.8.9458


2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (23) ◽  
pp. 6010-6015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Fernandez-Fournier ◽  
Jennifer Guevara ◽  
Catherine Hoffman ◽  
Leticia Avilés

Among the factors that may lead to differences in resource use among closely related species, body size and morphology have been traditionally considered to play a role in community assembly. Here we argue that for animals that live and forage in groups, level of sociality, reflecting differences in group size and cooperative tendencies, can be an additional and powerful dimension separating species in niche space. We compare 50+ communities of the social spider genus Anelosimus across the Americas against a null model that accounts for known effects of biotic and abiotic factors on the distribution of social systems in the genus. We show that these communities are more overdispersed than expected by chance in either or both body size and level of sociality, traits we have previously shown to be associated with differences in resource utilization (prey size, microhabitat, and phenology). We further show that the contribution of sociality to differences in the size of the prey captured is two to three times greater than that of body size, suggesting that changes in group size and cooperative tendencies may be more effective than changes in body size at separating species in niche space.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Schwandt ◽  
Angel Boulware ◽  
Julia Corey ◽  
Ana Herrera ◽  
Ethan Hudler ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Supportive male involvement is strongly correlated with contraceptive use. In Rwanda, where the contraceptive prevalence rate among married women increased from 17 to 52% from 2005 to 2010, and stagnated at 53% in 2015, understanding the role of male partners in collaborative couple contraceptive use can help inform programs designed to further increase the use of contraception in Rwanda. Methods This study utilized qualitative methods in 2018, specifically 32 in-depth interviewers with mostly current users of modern contraceptive methods and eight focus group discussions with family planning providers—both family planning nurses and community health workers (CHWs). Respondents were from Musanze and Nyamasheke Districts, the districts with the highest and lowest modern contraceptive use, respectively, to explore the role of couple collaboration in family planning use in Rwanda. Data were analyzed using the thematic content approach in Atlas.ti (8). Results Findings demonstrate that some men are opposed to use of male methods of contraception, and some are opposed to any contraceptive use, which can lead to covert use. Women and providers prefer collaborative couple contraceptive use—as a result, providers advocate for and encourage male partner participation in contraceptive use. Women are most often burdened with seeking out information, initiating discussions, and sharing information discovered about contraceptive use with partners. Decision-making about contraceptive use, once discussed, can be collaborative and motivated by financial considerations. When couple contraceptive use is collaborative, benefits range from marital harmony to husband’s support of sustained use through reminders about appointments, joint counseling, and support in managing side effects. Conclusion Family planning providers at the community and clinic levels encourage collaborative contraceptive use among couples and some Rwandan couples communicate well about family planning use. Despite the positives, women are expected to source family planning information, share that information with their male partners, seek out family planning services, and use family planning. If more Rwandan male partners accepted use, used male methods of contraception, and participated even more in the work it takes to use family planning, the potential for sustained, and even enhanced, contraceptive use in Rwanda could be realized.


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