This thesis examined the extent to which relationships between emotional experiences and aggressive behaviours in adolescents are affected by culture. While existing studies often compare... Show moreThis thesis examined the extent to which relationships between emotional experiences and aggressive behaviours in adolescents are affected by culture. While existing studies often compare individuals from different countries to study cultural influences, this thesis also took a between-country approach by comparing Dutch and Malaysian adolescents; groups that reflect individualistic and collectivistic cultures, respectively. Also, the effect of individualistic and collectivistic values at an individual level was examined. First, the outcomes show that many relationships were culturally universal. Regardless of country or cultural orientation, adolescents who had more problems with anger control tended to be more aggressive; and those who experienced intense anger, fear and shame were more often bullied. Also, guilt was related to less aggressive behaviours in both Malaysian and Dutch samples. Yet, this thesis also revealed country/cultural specific relationships. Whereas shame was related to more aggression in Dutch adolescents, the opposite was true for Malaysian adolescents.Remarkably, this thesis found that the traditional classification between individualistic Western countries and collectivistic Eastern countries was not fully supported when cultural values were assessed at individual levels. For example, while higher levels of shame were related to less aggressive behaviours in individualistic-oriented adolescents, the opposite was true for collectivistic-oriented adolescents. Show less
In dit proefschrift worden drie verschillende studies beschreven naar de socialisatie en selectie van leeftijdsgenoten. Hierbij is onderzocht op basis van welke kenmerken leerlingen elkaar... Show moreIn dit proefschrift worden drie verschillende studies beschreven naar de socialisatie en selectie van leeftijdsgenoten. Hierbij is onderzocht op basis van welke kenmerken leerlingen elkaar selecteren als vrienden of groepsgenoten, en op welke kenmerken ze elkaar socialiseren. Voor het onderzoek hebben we sociale netwerk technieken (ERGM en SIENA) gebruikt. Uit de resultaten van de eerste studie (bij 296 basisschoolleerlingen uit groep 8) bleek dat etnische achtergrond van leerlingen een rol speelt bij de selectie van zowel vrienden als 'sociale interactie partners', die niet per sé tot de vrienden horen. Uit de andere twee studies (bij 542 middelbare schoolleerlingen uit 2e klassen ) bleek dat leerlingen elkaar niet selecteren als vrienden op basis van schoolprestaties. Ze bleken elkaar daarentegen wel te beïnvloeden, als het gaat om prestaties op de vakken Engels en Nederlands, en niet als het gaat om prestaties voor wiskunde. Vrienden werden tevens niet geselecteerd op basis van internaliserend probleemgedrag, maar wel op basis van externaliserend probleemgedrag: leerlingen met vergelijkbaar probleemgedrag zochten elkaar op als vrienden. Leerlingen trokken zich niet terug en werden niet vermeden op basis van hun probleemgedrag, en socialiserden elkaar niet m.b.t. internaliserend probleemgedrag. Wel bleken vrienden elkaar te socialiseren in termen van externaliserend probleemgedrag. Show less
In matters interpersonal it is not unusual to talk in terms of costs and benefits. But we also feel that all the money in the world cannot buy us real friends, for love is not for sale and “money... Show moreIn matters interpersonal it is not unusual to talk in terms of costs and benefits. But we also feel that all the money in the world cannot buy us real friends, for love is not for sale and “money can’t buy me love”. And in some situations we may also be hesitant to express our commitments in terms of assets and liabilities, because we do not want to come across as cynical. Is money talk in personal relations only a metaphor? Or is there more at stake? To what extent do economic ideas shape our understanding of value, obligations and commitments?These questions are not new. The Ancient Greeks of the Classical Period reflected upon the meaning of money in friendship, “philia”. The sources reflect an abundance of questions, views and dilemmas among the Greeks of the Classical Period, ranging from cynicism and pessimism, to thought experiments figuring friends as commodities and objects of purchase, to deeper and sustained attempts to grasp the meaning and morality of social life in the face of monetization. This book explores folk theories of social relations by offering an insight in Classical Greek conceptualizations of “philia” and the nature of reciprocity. Show less
