ISSN : 1229-067X
A considerable amount of attention has been paid to the concepts of agency and communion over the past few decades overseas, as reflected in three special issues in academic journals. However, these concepts are barely introduced to the psychology literature in Korea. In the present article, we presented an organized overview of the so-called "Big Two" which has triggered research on various topics across different fields of studies. First, we introduced different measurements to assess agency and communion. We then explained how these two are related to mental health, physical health, and social relationships. In doing so, we organized studies depending on whether they included the concept of unmitigation. Next, we reviewed narrative studies and how agency and communion themes in narratives are related to psychological well-being. We also detailed the dual perspective model of agency and communion, an approach based on social cognition research. This model uses the two concepts to explain the actor-observer discrepancy in social interactions. Finally, we summarized studies done in Korea about agency and communion, and discussed the future directions of research.
This study attempted to analyse the confucian value, ‘Zhongyong(Doctrine of the Mean)’ which pervade every aspect of Koreans. There are two approaches to study of confucian concept by using psychological methodology: the ‘top-down’ as theoretical approach and the ‘bottom-up’ as empirical approach. These two approaches are complementary to each other. In order to clarify psychological construct of Zhongyong, we studied the documents about Confucianism and Zhongyong and classified Zhongyong into four dimensions(top-down); cognition, emotion, motive, and the self. Then we conducted a survey with 101 individuals who have academic experiences about Zhongyong(bottom-up). The two questionnaires about concept and experience of Zhongyong were collected and analysed 94 valid responses(48 male and 46 female, mean age = 31.6, standard deviation = 7.19). 94’s response-sets were categorized according by the four dimension criteria. Zhongyong which lay people have recognized was also classified into four dimensions such as cognition, emotion, motive, and the self but few responses were classified as the self. The four dimensions of Zhongyong are considered as follows: The cognitive factor is dialectic thinking/cognitive flexibility. The emotional factor is emotion regulation/affect balance. Zhongyong is internal motive related to autonomy and competence of Self Determination Theory. Lastly, Zhongyong is understood by the self-actualization/self-realization.
Item parcels, defined as the sum or mean scores of individual item scores, have been widely used in covariance structure models, such as structural equation models, because of their statistical advantages. The aims of the present study are to integrate studies on item parceling in the past 20 years and to propose appropriate methodological strategies with which researchers can apply when utilizing item parceling technology. This study first outlines the reasons why item parcels are used in light of psychometric properties and a structural equation model, and then it discusses controversies surrounding item parceling. After explaining and comparing the strategies for creating parcels, the study gives some appropriate suggestions. Finally, the study proposes steps researchers can follow and emphasizes precautions that should be considered. This study highlights the fact that using parcels is not a technique employed to resolve any problems in a model, but is a useful method to enhance the quality of research if it is used in an appropriate manner. The present study is expected to contribute to the field where item parcels are used and to enhance the quality of quantitative research.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the emotional distress, fear of contagion, non-dailiness, public government trust, media usage and credibility, and public awareness related to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(MERS) on general public in South Korea. Furthermore, the influence of individual characteristics variables and social variables on emotional distress and fear of contagion related to MERS were examined. Present study found that 90% of the respondents feared about chances of their own or/and their family being infected by MERS, and 46% of respondents experienced emotional distress during the MERS outbreak. Logistic regression analysis identified three factors as being significantly associated with increased fear of contagion of their own and/or their family: perception of not being protected by government, feeling of helpless under uncontrollable circumstance, non-dailiness which limits going out, and using public transportation. A sense of helplessness, and non-dailiness were identified as being significantly associated with the emotional distress, and the quality of life is significantly related to decrease the presence of emotional distress. The implications and limitations of these results are discussed.
This study is an analysis of the present state of affairs about the suicide to be developed and to be carried out to the public induced by the major news media, occurring in present-day society called risk society. Research purpose is to suggest the development of the healthy discourse through an interdisciplinary approach and the establishment of the suicide prevention policy. For the purpose of the analysis, Suicide related articles through the five major daily newspapers were chosen. Text analysis, discourse analysis, and social analysis by the critical discourse analysis of the Fairclough were used. The results indicated that first, discourse on medicine including mental health and treatment for depression was the main issue of the production of discourse by using the text and discourse analysis. As time goes on, policies for social security and suicide occurred with the Social Implication simultaneously. Second, the social analysis showed that monopolistic discourse on medicine without any introspection about the medical problem made the suicide discourses to be fragment. Third, although the changes of government policy and frequent mention of social safety is noted, practical measures for suicide are lacking. And finally, discourse on medicine had a negative impact on the public and social integration through the citizenship investigation for the suicide