Suicide and the Internet: Changes in the accessibility of suicide-related information between 2007 and 2014

This research examines the shifting momentum of right-wing extremism (RWE) in Australia. The study provides an in-depth assessment of eight of the most active RWE groups in Australia, throu...

Right-wing extremism in Australia: the rise of the new radical right

Introduction.28 seconds, the total time the Google search engine takes to deliver nearly onehundred thousand websites for the search query "best rape scenes". The intent of this statement is not to reflect in availability of material or suggest the search reflects those looking for, in fact, the best rape scenes. Rather being able to identify these search queries and track the trends and popularity of user queries is methodologically worthy of inquiry. Researchers agree the Internet is an influential source of acquisition and replication of norms, behavior, and attitudes (Jaishankar, 2008; Yar, 2006). The evolving nature of these networks have fundamentally influenced production of knowledge, distribution of tasks, and activities society engages, shaping the perspectives of generations of individuals (Castells, 1996). While research continues to study the relative strength of the Internet within acquisition and reinforcement, it has remained a consistent source of interest within human development (Greenfield & Yan, 2006). Having access to track interesting search queries overtime or following specific events presents as an important source of data, one that may undoubtedly provide new insight into human behavior.Currently there are ~275 million Internet users in North America and ~2.4 billion Internet users globally (Miniwatts Marketing Group, 2013), making the study of this tool incredibly relevant to social scientists. Introducing new methods has the capacity to benefit and reinvigorate discussion on sexual violence and foster the emergence of new perspectives. The increasing use of the Internet and resulting immersion into the daily lives of users would prove an important data source, specifically if the data allowed a longitudinal analysis, which controlled for population changes. For example, if Internet queries for "how to be a better parent" gradually increased 50-percent over a ten-year period, or "racist jokes" decreased 35-percent, a nation and its people would offer signs of change.In the past, access to violent, heterosexual pornography was largely limited to pornographic magazines or dark curtained rooms in video stores. Growth in the Internet and diverse nature of Internet users has fostered spread of not merely pornography, but the growth of niche pornography. As pornography becomes more socially acceptable, accessible, and marketed to wider audiences, its role in perpetuating misogynistic behaviors and attitudes thereby increases (Jensen, 2011; Picker & Sun, 2008). Scholars have suggested that pornography has a prominent feature within acquisition of behaviors and attitudes that correlate increasingly with acceptance, reproduction, and transference of what scholars have voiced as 'rape culture' (Miller & Biele, 1993).Conceptualized and widely studied across disciplines since the late 1980s, 'rape culture' research concerns itself with operationalizing, evaluating, and mediating acquisition of the associated attitudes, behaviors, and norms correlated with violence against women (Herman, 1989). Researchers suggested that violence against women is multifaceted; reflecting the interplay between personal, situational, and socio-cultural factors (Heise, 1998, p. 263). The research took multiple paths, but as Heise (1998) offers, it was important that scholars understand the primacy of culturally constructed messages promoting and promulgating violence against women in a society. Therefore, it was important to understand further the acquisition, modes of transmission, and reinforcement of these intricate markers (attitudes, behaviors, and norms) for rape culture.The resulting research produced important insight into rape culture and sexual violence. Researchers have explained the characteristics reflected at a micro and macro level for prolongation of misogyny and manifestation of rape culture in society. However, accurately measuring individual characteristics within the current studies is limited to survey instruments and focus groups, or at a macro level, official crime statistics, surveys of victims, or content analysis of popular media. …

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The Dark Side of Internet Searches: A Macro Level Assessment of Rape Culture

Large truck and bus crashes still cause a high rate of fatalities and costs. Considering that the human factor plays an important role it is obvious that there is great interest in predicting safe driving performance in professional drivers, especially with new technologies emerging to assist drivers. This study uses a modern theoretical framework to assess which psychometric tests are still able to predict safe driving performance in today’s professional drivers under these new circumstances. 126 male professional bus drivers completed a standardized digital test battery and three driving exercises. The test battery was used to assess reaction time, concentration, ability to gain an overview, reactive stress tolerance, logical reasoning, and safety-related personality traits. The exercises consisted of an on-road driving test, an obstacle course, and a maneuvering course. The study yielded satisfactory indicators of criterion related validity. It also showed that different tests were relevant for the prediction of safe driving performance in different driving exercises. Contrary to previous research, logical reasoning showed significant effects. The results indicate that in order to assess safe driving performance in professional drivers, a comprehensive assessment with psychometric tests should be recommended.

Cognitive and personality determinants of safe driving performance in professional drivers

Throughout most of human history people with personal problems would need to seek out another person to obtain help or emotional support. The alternative was to deal with the problem oneself, pray for divine intervention or have some solace from religious beliefs. In more recent times, for those few with the ability and culture to do so, one could also seek information, guidance or support from printed books. The second half of the 20th century was a period when the use of face- to-face professional help expanded throughout the world. During this same period, books became a source of a “do-it-yourself” psychological treatment, with an exponential growth in self-help books for almost any human affliction. In the mid-20th century, a new technology, the telephone, expanded the options for help seeking. Telephone support for suicidal people expanded rapidly since the start of the Samaritan movement in the United Kingdom, founded by Reverend Chad Varah in 1953 (Mishara, 2012). Today, telephone helplines provide crisis inter- vention, emotional support and suicide prevention services throughout the world. For examples, Befrienders Worldwide has affiliate helplines in more than 40 countries that provide telephone help based upon the Samaritan approach.

Suicide Prevention and New Technologies: Towards Evidence Based Practice

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Bogdan Danciu

Papers

Searching Internet: a report on accessibility, nature, and quality of suicide-related information

Psychological risk factors for road safety