Projects / Programmes
Social psychology and Sociology of everyday life
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.03.00 |
Social sciences |
Sociology |
|
| 5.09.00 |
Social sciences |
Psychology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S210 |
Social sciences |
Sociology |
social psychology, everyday life, life course, transition, sociology of family, youth studies, gender studies, sociology of health, sociology of body, interpersonal relationship, interpersonal communication, social vulnerable groups, drop-outs, marginalisation, exclusion
Researchers (9)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The program is based on the analysis and evaluation of, and reflection on, new contents, trends, activities, practices and institutions belonging in the micro-sphere of everyday life. Everyday life has become a strategic goal and the strategic basis in the production and reproduction of modern developed societies. In this sense, the focus of social research has been shifting from the once predominant, grand themes to everyday life providing place for all those who used to be socially excluded (or are still excluded). During the next program term, our activity will concentrate on the following analysis:
1. Changes in life paths and the family structure in Slovenia. Despite the outward appearance and ideological proclamations, which define the family as a social model of privacy and intimate community, our thesis is that the family is an area and subject of political interests on several levels. Every state, particularly the welfare state, intervenes in social reproduction, which is a privilege of the family, so the relationship between the two inevitably becomes more intense. We will analyze the changes that have been brought about by the individualization of life paths and the transition from adolescence to adulthood with a special stress on the leaving of family of parents and starting own family; what we have in mind here is primarily the study of semi-family structures (LAT) i.e. changed patterns of partnership or family communities formation, and analysis of young families.
2. The quality of life of socially vulnerable youths in Slovenia: we will research the quality of life of drop-outs i.e. youths who failed at school, youths living in socially threatened environments, and those living in non-supportive families.
3. Changes in attitude towards health and disease, food practices and attitude towards one's own body. We will test the hypothesis that it is precisely the changed attitude towards health, body and physical self-image that discloses greater need for self-control, self-discipline, self-denial and self-management.
4. The analysis of the ideologies and exclusion practices. Human rights debate has given legitimacy to differences which have been gaining, or demanding, an equal position in the collective awareness. In this sense, the focus of research has been shifting from the once predominant, grand themes to everyday life providing place for all those who used to be socially excluded (or are still excluded). Research thus turns into the voice of those excluded and partly fulfills the function of public advocacy by making excluded groups visible and present.
Our research work is based on traditional analytical interpretative approaches integrated into empirical research of said phenomena. The latter combines quantitative and qualitative research methods. Tested methods of quantitative data gathering and use of official statistical data will be supplemented with qualitative methods such as biographical and narrative methods, in-depth interviews, focus groups, discourse analysis and the like.
The shift from grand social topics to the analysis of everyday life also entails changes in epistemology and methodology of the approach. The primary importance of everyday life is the basis for quantitative methodology, since the world in which we live is accessible primarily through experience and co-experience. The everyday world is the world that defies the split into the subject and object of research which is characteristic of traditional scientific methodologies. One can research everyday life only by participating in that life. At the same time, we should heed the warnings of the analysts of everyday life who point out that the shift to everyday life should not be used as an alibi for superficiality in theoretical approach and research, or for groundless speculations.
Significance for science
Thematic orientation towards life course, privacy, family and partnership, inter-generational and gender relationships, social inequalities and new social risks are at the very centre of the social sciences’ global interest. The research group has established its field of work time ago and therefore it does not just join the » fashion trend« in social sciences. It rather sees the primary relevance of its research for the development of science in the following: 1. the transmission of research results into higher education on undergraduate and graduate level within the following disciplines: sociology, social psichology, communication studies, social policy and social work. 2. intense participation in the international scientific community (publication of articles in referential journals, active participation at international scientific conferences, guest lecturing at foreign universities, participation in international research projects); 3. the assertion and popularisation of science is a pronounced characteristic of the programme group: intense co-operation with the media and non governmental organisations, evaluation activities, public lectures and group presentations of the research work especially within high school students and youth organisations.
Significance for the country
The members of the programme group contribute significantly to the development of professional branches and disciplines in Slovenia in the following fields: in sociology and social psychology and their subfields, in social, family, health and youth policies. Members of the group are creators and heads of a series of academic subjects and curricula at graduate and postgraduate levels of higher education; they are regular collaborators, reviewers and evaluators in sectorial policies run or co-ordinated by individual ministries and international institutions (such as the Council of Europe, the Open Society Institute, The Slovenian Science Foundation...).The programme group's attention and endeavours regarding the formation of personnel is reflected in a high number of mentorships of M.A. and Ph.D. theses (44, the total number being relatively high considering the number of members of the programme group) and in the training of early-stage researchers (4).In the past period members of the group have significantly participated and co-formulated strategies of the social development of Slovenia and public documents (national programmes) mainly in terms of social and family policies, health, youth policies and equal opportunities policy, as can be seen from the documentation. The significance of programme group's research activities for sustainable development in Slovenia lies in the possibility of better understanding and prognostic capabilities as far as private life, everyday practicies, inter generational and gender relationships are concerned. These are issues which, according to most eminent contemporary sociologists, rapresent crucial contents of the »new quality of life« and sustainable development. The once pronounced research priority of the so called »big public issues« is slowly vanishing in favour of topics and problems the programme group is dealing with .
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
