Suchergebnisse

In this first of two articles on chanting and enchantment we introduce the problem of mass synchronisation via collective communicative action that works to eliminate or lessen independent and critical assessment. Chanting forges a singular 'collective' identity with little to no structure that would allow for logical tests such as falsifiability. We argue that this problem can be a fundamental threat to democratic polity, and we offer the Neo-Kantian theory of dimensional accrual and dissociation as an explanation. In Part 2, we will continue with examples and a discussion of the confluence of philosophical examination and social scientific explanations.

The term cult has been variously applied to contemporary groups and organizations, marking them as unusual or frightening. Scholarly literature has yet to settle on a concrete conceptualization of cults and reveals little about the communicative processes by which the stigmatizing name becomes attached to certain groups. This study utilizes a constant comparison method to assess qualities associated with groups regularly labeled as cults in the popular press. Results establish a typology of qualities associated with a "cult genre" of speech and illuminate the role of popular narrative in socially constructing stigma.

An individual's membership in a fandom can constitute an important aspect of their identity. Accordingly, intrafandom conflicts can create division, prompting members to build hierarchies. Previous work examined intrafandom conflicts and what symbolic resources and fan capital (e.g., knowledge) are used to reinforce these hierarchies. However, little work has thoroughly assessed how communication facilitates stratification by linking symbolic currency to social strata. Expanding Weber's (1947) work on social stratification, we examine Marvel fandom to understand how symbolic resources gain power and how resources are invoked via stratifying communications. Through interviews with Marvel fans, we uncovered six intrafandom communication stratification strategies and found that external resources, including finances and gender, play an influential role in stratification.