Nutrition or eating habits are not only a biological necessity, but also a social and cultural activity, strongly influenced by peer groups. People make eating an activity that transcends the purely physiological facet, and transform it into a social event (Benarroch, 2013). When choosing foods to eat, a number of factors are taken into account, for example, availability. This may be influenced by the economy, climate, geography, agricultural production techniques, politics, communication infrastructures, etc. Furthermore, given that eating is a physiological, social and cultural event, other factors will also have an influence, some of them related to physiological needs (e.g., age, sex, etc.), and others related to sociocultural and ideological factors, including traditions, taboos and beliefs, cross-cultural influences, religious convictions, etc. What we eat, our diet as a whole and what we do not eat, i.e., dietary requirements, dislikes or taboos, are indicators of identity and reveal membership of a particular sociocultural group.
The objective of this paper is to evaluate the efect of participation-based democratic innovations on psychological empowerment and group identifcation of children. To do so, it analyses the impact on the participants of a participatory democracy programme for groups of schoolchildren, 'Ágora Infantil' (AI). Evaluation is performed via a longitudinal study carried out over two years, with pre and post quantitative measurements of the target and control group. The sample consisted of 182 boys and girls. The data were gathered via a questionnaire made up of items prepared by a group of experts for the current study based on Zimmerman's empowerment theory (American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(5), 581–599, 1995, 2000). Items were also taken from other authors, for example afective links, which were used as an indicator to measure group identifcation (Gaviria et al. International Journal of Social Psychology, 30(3), 531–562, 2015). The results show that institutional political participation generates positive changes in the participants. More specifcally, the children improved in the two components of psychological empowerment (intrapersonal and interactional), with an intensifcation of relationship links with the group (the class). These fndings demonstrate the political and psychosocial importance of these participatory innovations being introduced and their medium-term efects. ; Project PAIDI (HUM-590). Universidad de Málaga / CBUA. This research project was made possible by the research agreement Ref. 8.07/5.38.4408 between the social agency Coglobal and the universities of Malaga, Huelva and Cádiz. Coglobal was responsible for the design and execution of the democratic initiative studied. We would also like to highlight the key role of the children that participated in the study and the invaluable support of the participating schools. Finally, we would like to thank the local councils that have promoted these types of experimental policies.
This investigation aims to show the relationship between participation and psychological empowerment and between participation and interaction under an institutional political participation programme. This initiative known as Ágora Infantil (AI) is characterised by an obligatory draw‐ based deliberative participation methodology with superordinate goals based on group dynamics, with games playing a central role. The evaluation was carried out using a quasi‐experimental design, with quantitative measurements of the experimental and control groups, along with systematic observation of the target group. The results support the hypotheses proposed: Participation in the AI programme led to an increase in psychological empowerment and positive interactions between the participants. These results offer information as to what design should be used for these types of political initiatives to favour inclusion and empowerment of children, while at the same time improving classroom relationships.
The objective of this paper is to evaluate the efect of participation-based democratic innovations on psychological empowerment and group identifcation of children. To do so, it analyses the impact on the participants of a participatory democracy programme for groups of schoolchildren, 'Ágora Infantil' (AI). Evaluation is performed via a longitudinal study carried out over two years, with pre and post quantitative measurements of the target and control group. The sample consisted of 182 boys and girls. The data were gathered via a questionnaire made up of items prepared by a group of experts for the current study based on Zimmerman's empowerment theory (American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(5), 581–599, 1995, 2000). Items were also taken from other authors, for example afective links, which were used as an indicator to measure group identifcation (Gaviria et al. International Journal of Social Psychology, 30(3), 531–562, 2015). The results show that institutional political participation generates positive changes in the participants. More specifcally, the children improved in the two components of psychological empowerment (intrapersonal and interactional), with an intensifcation of relationship links with the group (the class). These fndings demonstrate the political and psychosocial importance of these participatory innovations being introduced and their medium-term efects. ; Project PAIDI (HUM-590). Universidad de Málaga / CBUA. Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature.
El objetivo de este texto es el estudio de la relación entre el uso de redes sociales digitales y el grado en que la población apoya varias teorías de la conspiración referidas al contexto español. Los resultados muestran una asociación entre un mayor grado de uso de redes sociales y un mayor grado de apoyo a las teorías de la conspiración en al menos 3 de las 4 teorías consideradas. El análisis multivariante ha encontrado en todos los casos que, además del uso de redes sociales digitales, múltiples variables sociodemográficas, políticas y psicosociales intervienen en esta relación y de una manera específica en cada caso. Se concluye que este es solo un primer resultado que necesita de varias matizaciones y futuros estudios que profundicen en la naturaleza de esta asociación. ; This work examines the relationship between the use of social networks and the extent to which populations support certain conspiracy theories, within the context of a Spanish region. Results suggest an association between a higher level of social network use and an increased degree of support for at least 3 of the 4 considered conspiracy theories. Multivariate analysis also reveals that social networking is significant in all cases, but certain sociodemographic, political and psychosocial variables are involved and may play a specific role in each considered case. It has been concluded that follow-up and additional studies are necessary to ensure a greater understanding of this relationship.
This article describes patterns of compliance with social distancing measures among the Spanish population during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It identifies several factors associated with higher or lower compliance with recommended measures of social distancing. This research is part of a 67-country study, titled the International COVID-19 study on Social & Moral Psychology, in which we use a Spanish dataset. Participants were residents in Spain aged 18 or above. The sample comprises 1,090 respondents, weighted to be representative of the Spanish population. Frequencies, correlations, bivariate analysis, and six models based on hierarchical multiple regressions were applied. The main finding is that most Spaniards are compliant with established guidelines of social distance during the pandemic (State of Alarm, before May 2020). Variables associated more with lower levels of compliance with these standards were explored. Six hierarchical multiple regression models found that compliance with social distance measures has a multifactorial explanation (R 2 between 20.4 and 49.1%). Sociodemographic factors, personal hygiene patterns, and the interaction between personal hygiene patterns and the support for political measures related to the coronavirus brought significant effects on the regression models. Less compliance was also associated with beliefs in some specific conspiracy theories with regard to COVID-19 or general conspiracy mentality (Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire, CMQ), consumption patterns of traditional mass media (television, paper newspapers, magazines, and radio) and modern means to get informed (online digital newspapers, blogs, and social networks), political ideology, vote, trust in institutions, and political identification. Among the future lines of action in preventing the possible outbreak of the virus, we suggest measures to reinforce trust in official information, mainly linked to reducing the influence of disinformation and conspiracy theories parallel to the pandemic.
The objective of this study was to evaluate a participative democracy programme called Ágora infantil, carried out with students between the ages of 10 and 12. As in participatory budgets, the process is based on the research-action model (Lewin, 1946) and consists of the city council opening up decision-making on a part of the municipal budget or a concrete policy to the children of the municipality. This process of diagnosis, prioritization and decision-making was completed over the course of 5 to 7 sessions during school hours and implemented by the Coglobal association. Once the participants make a decision, the city council carries out the project selected in the municipality (the decision made is binding). The main goal of Ágora Infantil is to generate psychological empowerment and wellbeing amongst its participants, and to measure the effects of this programme on children's psychological empowerment. To this end, we used Zimmerman´s model (Zimmerman, 1995; Zimmerman, 2000). The operationalization of the strengthening was based on: 1) knowledge of local politics (as a component of the interactional dimension of psychological empowerment) and 2) the self-perception of being able to influence the future of the municipality (component of the intrapersonal dimension of psychological empowerment). In addition, wellbeing was evaluated through the perception of being heard (Casas y Bello, 2012) and trust in the city council. ; Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.
The objective of this study was to evaluate a participative democracy programme called Ágora infantil, carried out with students between the ages of 10 and 12. As in participatory budgets, the process is based on the research-action model (Lewin, 1946) and consists of the city council opening up decision-making on a part of the municipal budget or a concrete policy to the children of the municipality. This process of diagnosis, prioritization and decision-making was completed over the course of 5 to 7 sessions during school hours and implemented by the Coglobal association. Once the participants make a decision, the city council carries out the project selected in the municipality (the decision made is binding). The main goal of Ágora Infantil is to generate psychological empowerment and wellbeing amongst its participants, and to measure the effects of this programme on children's psychological empowerment. To this end, we used Zimmerman´s model (Zimmerman, 1995; Zimmerman, 2000). The operationalization of the strengthening was based on: 1) knowledge of local politics (as a component of the interactional dimension of psychological empowerment) and 2) the self-perception of being able to influence the future of the municipality (component of the intrapersonal dimension of psychological empowerment). In addition, wellbeing was evaluated through the perception of being heard (Casas y Bello, 2012) and trust in the city council. ; Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.
Ágora Infantil es un programa de participación donde los chicos y chicas deciden en qué invertir los recursos económicos que el Ayuntamiento pone a su disposición. Se desarrolla en las aulas, y gracias al mismo sus destinatarios analizan el territorio en el que viven, realizan propuestas, deliberan y construyen colectivamente propuestas. Se trata por lo tanto de un programa de democracia participativa, basado en el modelo de investigación-acción de Lewin (1946), donde los más jóvenes adquieren un papel activo y deciden sobre algunos de los aspectos que afectan a su vida, lo que puede conducir a su fortalecimiento (Musitu y Huelga, 2004). Esta iniciativa política responde al artículo nº12 de la Convención sobre los derechos del niño: "Los Estados parte garantizarán al niño que esté en condiciones de formarse un juicio propio el derecho de expresar su opinión libremente en todos los asuntos que afectan al niño, teniéndose debidamente en cuenta las opiniones del niño, en función de la edad y madurez del niño" (ONU, 1989, p. 4); propiciando así que los niños y niñas sean un agente activo de la sociedad y adquieran una participación protagónica en sus contextos. Los principales objetivos del programa son favorecer el conocimiento y la confianza institucional, facilitar la percepción de escucha entre estudiantes y adultos, así como fomentar la potenciación psicológica. La evaluación se ha llevado a cabo mediante un diseño intergrupal (grupos diana y control) e intrasujeto (pre y post). Las variables dependientes han sido: percepción de ser escuchados/as, confianza en el Ayuntamiento, conocimiento de la política local y autoeficacia (componente de la dimensión intrapersonal del fortalecimiento psicológico). La muestra está compuesta por 224 personas en el grupo diana y 145 en el grupo control. Los resultados indican que no hay diferencias entre los grupos antes de la intervención, sin embargo la medición post intervención arroja valores más altos en el grupo diana en comparación con el control. Los análisis intrasujeto ...
CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND DISINFORMATION IN ANDALUSIA. Executive Report, 2019. 5th Wave of the Citizen Panel for Social Research in Andalusia (EP-1707, PIE 201710E018, IESA/CSIC, www.panelpacis.net). ; Teoría de la conspiración y desinformación. IESA-CSIC. EP-1707 5ª Ola. Panel Ciudadano para la Investigación Social en Andalucía (EP-1707, PIE 201710E018). http://ww.panelpacis.net. Researchers: Estrella Gualda (PI), Joaquina Castillo Algarra, Teresa González-Gómez, Elena Morales Marente, Marisol Palacios Gálvez, Carolina Rebollo, and Iván Rodríguez-Pascual (from the Universidad de Huelva); Alejandro Romero Reche (Universidad de Granada), and José Rúas Araujo (Universidad de Vigo)—names are listed according to alphabetical order. Funding: IESA-CSIC, 5th Wave of the Citizen Panel for Social Research in Andalusia (http://www.iesa.csic.es/blog/?p=2435). ; This research was conducted as part of the 5th Wave of the Citizen Panel for Social Research in Andalusia, PIE 201710E018 [Panel Ciudadano PACIS, IESA-CSIC, www.panelpacis.net]. Our work is based on the administration of a survey to a representative sample of Andalusians. The sample was composed by 1,103 participants. The survey universe of this research was defined as all individual residents in Andalusia aged 18 or over. For the data collection, the sample was selected from among the individuals who are part of the PACIS panel.The objectives of this Executive Report are, specifically to identify if Andalusians have generic beliefs in conspiracies, to identify if Andalusians share and support specific beliefs about some conspiracies that have been divulged, with left, right and neutral orientations, and to find out the degree of extension of these beliefs in conspiracies in Andalusia, that is, how many people are estimated to believe in unfounded information. This executive report is part of the work developed within the framework of the research project: "Teorías de la conspiración y desinformación" [Conspiracy Theories and Disinformation], which won a competition to conduct a survey on this topic in the 5th Wave of the Citizen Panel for Social Research in Andalusia (EP-1707, PIE 201710E018, IESA/CSIC, www.panelpacis.net). Furthermore, this work falls under the COST Action (H2020) on "Comparative Analysis of Conspiracy Theories" (COMPACT, 2016-2020), funded by the European Union's Framework Programme Horizon 2020. From this COST Action emerge the Project PiCOM, Political Ideology and Conspiracy Mentality", in which this report is framed.
