This book presents a mode by which to discuss and assess Jewish religious participation and religious group membership as a social phenomenon through the lens of social identity theory. It... Show moreThis book presents a mode by which to discuss and assess Jewish religious participation and religious group membership as a social phenomenon through the lens of social identity theory. It includes analyses and discussion of minority groups’ self-perception within broader national contexts, self-esteem as a result of religious group membership, and the dichotomy between religious in-group identity and active belief. If we are able to distinguish ‘belief’ from ‘belonging’ relative to institutional religions, we might better accommodate the needs and values of these groups. This book focuses on a Canadian group of secular Jews, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to illuminate how religious identity, connection and membership affect daily modern life. Show less
Cross-cultural research shows that cultural frameworks provide guidance on what to feel and when, and how to express emotions from a young age. These cultural variations can cause misinterpretation... Show moreCross-cultural research shows that cultural frameworks provide guidance on what to feel and when, and how to express emotions from a young age. These cultural variations can cause misinterpretation and misunderstanding and are especially relevant for ethnic minority groups, who may be described as living ‘in between’ cultures. This thesis examines the extent to which Moroccan-Dutch adolescents’ emotional functioning can be considered in between cultures. Their emotion awareness, acknowledgment of social emotions, anger regulation, and anger communication was compared with those of their Dutch peers and with those of their peers living in Morocco. The thesis also addresses the adaptiveness of these aspects of emotional functioning in terms of psychological functioning. The results reveal that, overall, Moroccan-Dutch adolescents’ emotional functioning shows more similarities with that of their Dutch than their Moroccan peers. Although these ‘Dutch’ emotion patterns do not always seem adaptive for Moroccan-Dutch adolescents’ psychological wellbeing, the findings suggest that their emotional functioning in peer situations is a product of the Dutch culture. Show less
