Constructions of and negotiations on interaction norms and gender on electronic discussion lists in Norway

The focus of this article is on the genre of Internet-mediated discussion, and the processes that create discussion culture on the Net. Using examples from two Norwegian e-mail-based mailing lists, I argue that the interactional norms that get a hegemonic position in a certain context result from socially and culturally situated negotiation processes. These processes are connected to gender as well as to culture, and the discourse of Netiquette can be said to be connotated to masculinity as well as to North American culture. To what degree are the hegemonic cultural values that form the basis of Netiquette rules understood as normative for the participants in these two Norwegian groups? How do they influence the interaction values that are chosen, and with what gendered consequences?     

The Interplay of Loneliness and Depressive Symptoms Across Adolescence: Exploring the Role of Personality Traits

Based on current theories of depression, reciprocal links between loneliness and depressive symptoms are expected to occur. However, longitudinal studies on adolescent samples are scarce and have yielded conflicting results. The present five-wave longitudinal study from mid- to late adolescence (N=428, M age at T1=15.22 years; 47% female) examined the direction of effect between loneliness and depressive symptoms, using cross-lagged path analysis. In addition, the robustness of these prospective associations was tested by examining the role of the Big Five personality traits (i.e., extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, and openness) as explaining factors and moderators. Results indicated that loneliness and depressive symptoms influenced one another reciprocally, and these reciprocal associations were not attributable to their mutual overlap with personality traits. In addition, neuroticism was found to be a moderator, in that the bidirectional effects between loneliness and depressive symptoms were only found in adolescents high in neuroticism. Practical implications are discussed, and suggestions for future research are outlined.     

A salt on the land: A narrative analysis of the controversy over irrigation-related salinity and toxicity in California's San Joaquin Valley

A narrative network analysis of the seeming paralysis of efforts to deal with the problem of toxic elements in agricultural drainage in California's San Joaquin Valley shows irrigation agencies to be caught in a dilemma. Despite pressures to reduce uncertainty about treatment methods, reducing this uncertainty risks increased political polarization over agricultural subsidies. As a result, policy-makers are reluctant to move in any action-forcing direction, and continue to order further studies. We sketch out those areas of contention that must be addressed if real progress is to be made, demonstrating that the issues are primarily organizational and political rather than technical. We also discuss our experience in presenting these findings, along with our recommendations for structural separation of drainage functions from present irrigation agencies, to the relevant policy audience.     

法律保护和犯罪预防中的儿童参与权

尽管成年人在履行保护儿童的天赋职责时，总是按自己的标准和要求来实施对儿童保护和犯罪预防的传统思维定势已开始扭转，但我们不得不承认，从整体上看，我们在儿童法律保护和犯罪预防中的着重点很大程度上还停留在灌输性说教上，儿童并没有真正参与进去。其实，儿童参与早已成为国际社会的共识，并在《儿童权利公约》中将其作为儿童的一项基本权利予以规定。