Journal of Social Issues最新文献

{"title":"Meritocracy Beliefs Are Positively Related to Institutional Trust Only in Societies With Many Economic Freedoms: A Multi-Society Multi-Level Analysis","authors":"Xiaowei Geng,&nbsp;Chi-yue Chiu,&nbsp;Yiwen Wang","doi":"10.1111/josi.70046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.70046","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Meritocracy refers to the ideology that reward should be allocated to individuals based on their merits (effort and abilities). Social psychologists have studied it as a universal justice principle in reward allocation and a belief that justifies merit-based social stratification. Taking a geopolitical stance, we further contextualize meritocracy is a socially and historically situated hierarchy-legitimizing construct used to reinforce social division of labor and justify social inequality in the post-industrial neoliberal society, so that the society can excel in global competition. As such, subscription to meritocracy should be associated with higher institutional trust in more mature market economies only. To test this hypothesis, we collated World Values Survey (WVS) data related to institutional trust and meritocracy beliefs from 84,638 participants in 57 societies (47.34% males, mean age = 42.89, <i>SD </i>= 16.43) and society-level data of these societies’ economic freedom, economic performance, and economic inequality. Institutional trust data were analyzed both at the society level and the individual level. The results showed that at the society level, institutional trust was higher in a society that stronger shared beliefs in meritocracy and had many more economic freedoms. At the individual level, in societies with more economic freedoms, people trusted public institutions more if they held stronger meritocracy beliefs. In contrast, in societies with fewer economic freedoms, institutional trust was higher among people who opposed to meritocracy beliefs.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":17008,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Social Issues","volume":"81 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145626338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Colonialism and Relative Preferences for (In)Equality: How Indigenous and Displaced Populations Reason About Rights and Democratic Governance in Postcolonial Fiji","authors":"Anne Lehner,&nbsp;Starlett Hartley,&nbsp;Michael H. Pasek,&nbsp;Adiama R. M. Israel,&nbsp;Reshmi Wati,&nbsp;Jung Yul Kwon,&nbsp;Jeremy Ginges","doi":"10.1111/josi.70038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.70038","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To what extent are preferences for individual versus collective rights shaped by historical experiences, particularly colonialism? To answer this question, we conducted field studies in Fiji, a former British colony, home to two populations with distinct histories of colonial subjugation. We reasoned that for Indigenous iTaukei, for whom collective rights were stripped, prioritizing group rights on issues tied to colonial harm would be seen as essential for cultural survival. Contrastingly, we reasoned that Indo-Fijians (descendants of indentured laborers brought to Fiji under colonial rule) would prefer equal rights for all. In Study 1, we assessed attitudes toward equality across various social and political issues, finding that iTaukei were less likely to endorse equality, particularly concerning land ownership. Study 2 explored iTaukei perceptions of land rights, revealing that they view granting Indo-Fijians land access as a threat to their identity and survival. Study 3 explored support for democratic norms, themselves an artifact of Western legal thinking imposed upon Fiji. While support for democratic norms was high in abstract, members of both groups were more supportive of democratic violations when such violations served their group's interests. Findings highlight the lasting psychological impact of colonialism, demonstrating how historical grievances shape reasoning about rights and governance in postcolonial societies. Understanding these dynamics provides insight into contemporary intergroup conflict and the tension between universal democratic principles and Indigenous collective rights. This work contributes to broader discussions on decolonization and underscores the need for culturally sensitive approaches to human rights discourse.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":17008,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Social Issues","volume":"81 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145626218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Utopian Institutions of Society and Governance: The Case of Global Geopolitics","authors":"Yoshihisa Kashima,&nbsp;Lisette Yip,&nbsp;Julian W. Fernando,&nbsp;Mathew Ling,&nbsp;Emma F. Thomas,&nbsp;Morgana Lizzio-Wilson","doi":"10.1111/josi.70044","DOIUrl":"10.1111/josi.70044","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>From the rise of China and the relative decline of the United States to regional instabilities throughout Eurasia, we are living in a geopolitically dynamic time. Despite the relative neglect of international relations as an influence on domestic political behavior, geopolitics can play a critical role in domestic politics and citizens’ societal engagement. This is likely pronounced in Australia as a middle power in a geopolitically uncertain and dynamic environment. Using the lens of utopian thinking, the present research investigates ordinary Australians’ utopian visions of geopolitical, economic, and social institutions, and their role in domestic political behaviors and societal engagement. Across two studies, we find that a newly developed measure of the Utopian Institutions Scale can capture utopian institutions in terms of geopolitical, economic, and social conservatism or progressivism and that these visions differentiate supporters of different political parties in Australia and predict motivations to engage in political processes. Nevertheless, a nationally representative sample in Australia showed a general tendency to endorse a geopolitically progressive vision of a Multilateral world order and to reject a geopolitically conservative vision of a Hegemonic world order. The finding is interpreted in terms of Australia's geopolitical location in its spatial geography, temporal history, and economic and cultural relationships.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":17008,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Social Issues","volume":"81 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145572383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Racial Justice Intervention Research: Reflections, Challenges, and the Road Ahead","authors":"Alexander Rothman,&nbsp;Peter Mende-Siedlecki,&nbsp;Nao Hagiwara","doi":"10.1111/josi.70043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.70043","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this closing commentary, we consider the contents of this special issue in full and contemplate the lessons learned in the process of its composition. Ultimately, the goal of racial justice intervention research is to meaningfully and tangibly reduce real-world discrimination and inequity. We offer guidance to researchers in three thematic domains that we hope will be in service of these efforts. In the first section, the second and the third authors reflect on the editorial process—and in particular, note an interplay between reviewers’ uneasiness with the “messiness” of applied work and authors’ tendency to, at times, overpromise about their work's advancement through the Translational Research Framework (TRF). In the second section, we examine the value of the TRF itself, focusing on its utility for formally structuring the development of an intervention, as well as for effectively addressing the challenges that arise when transitioning from highly controlled experimental contexts to unpredictable real-world domains. In the final section, we review the feedback we received from our authors themselves, which highlighted the necessities of interdisciplinary collaboration, building relationships with stakeholders, and flexibility in the face of uncertainty.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":17008,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Social Issues","volume":"81 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145580946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neurodiversity-Affirming Intersectional Approaches That Target Public Policy: Moving the Focus From Changing Individuals to Changing Systems of Power","authors":"Monique Botha,&nbsp;Kristen Gillespie-Lynch,&nbsp;Morénike Giwa Onaiwu,&nbsp;Desiree R. Jones,&nbsp;So Yoon Kim,&nbsp;Rita Obeid","doi":"10.1111/josi.70042","DOIUrl":"10.1111/josi.70042","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The neurodiversity movement challenges traditional deficit-oriented models of autism. However, inclusion efforts often prioritize individual attitudinal change over structural reform (e.g., policies and research practices) or exclude Autistic people with intersecting marginalized identities. Just research requires scientific inquiry to challenge the oppressive systems from which it emerges, and can sometimes reinforce, by directly addressing interlocking structures of power. Otherwise, research can fail to serve, and even perpetuate harm against, the most marginalized Neurodivergent people, including those with intellectual disabilities, nonspeaking individuals, and racial, ethnic, and gender minorities who remain underrepresented in broader research and policy generation. This special issue, <i>Using Neurodiversity-Affirming Intersectional Approaches to Build More Equitable Societies and Shape Public Policy</i>, therefore, seeks to challenge the systems of inequality dominant in autism research by uniting neurodiversity and intersectional frameworks with a focus on policy recommendations. In this introductory article to our special issue, we share the strategies we used to improve representation in our special issue and an overview of the papers in the special issue. We, the guest editors of the special issue, intentionally used our networks to seek contributions from scholars, advocates, and communities traditionally excluded from academic publishing, such as nonspeaking people and those from the Global South. This resulted in a special issue organized into three thematic sections: grounding neurodiversity in intersectionality to improve policy, addressing underrepresentation in research, advocacy, and publishing, and promoting systems-level and grassroots approaches to wellbeing. Across contributions, authors offer empirical and/or theoretical insights with actionable policy recommendations and demonstrate a range of approaches such as community-led methods, Open Scholarship practices, and decolonial and critical race frameworks that can shift power, improve measurement and access, and guide equitable resource allocation. Together, we call for a field-wide pivot from changing individuals to transforming systems, so that justice, participation, and self-determination are attainable for all neurominorities, especially those at multiply marginalized intersections.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":17008,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Social Issues","volume":"81 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145407445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using Neurodiversity-Affirming Intersectional Approaches to Build More Equitable Societies and Shape Public Policy in Liberia and Sierra Leone","authors":"Agnes Fallah Kamara,&nbsp;Sia Mary Kamara,&nbsp;Michael Gebeh,&nbsp;Reginald Fallah-Turay","doi":"10.1111/josi.70041","DOIUrl":"10.1111/josi.70041","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This paper discusses the consequences of cultural misunderstandings, institutional and structural obstacles, and ableism on non-speaking autistic people and their families in post-conflict Liberia and Sierra Leone, based on the global neurodiversity literature and gaps in diagnosis, support, and inclusion in the West African context. The research question will focus on whether intersectional neurodiversity perspectives can improve public policy for diverse people. The objectives will be (1) to assess social, educational, and family concerns; (2) to analyze cultural stigma and beliefs; (3) to test neurodiversity-inclusive interventions. The study utilized a thematic analysis-based qualitative and feminist multimodal design to purposely select 30 participants (10 non-speaking autistics aged 5–18, 10 parents, 10 caregivers) living in urban (60%) and non-urban (40%) areas in both countries, using interviews, focus groups, arts-based approaches, and observations as methods over the 8 months. Results revealed 90% attributing autism to supernatural causes, only 1/30 of the participants were formally diagnosed, 80% female caregivers facing isolation and financial strain, and less than 20% primary school completion due to inadequate resources. The results point to systemic injustice, and the implications include culturally responsive policies that incorporate traditional healers, diagnostic expansion (which may increase the rate of diagnostics by 50%), and equitable caregiving practices to build more equitable societies.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":17008,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Social Issues","volume":"81 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145407446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Autistic Experiences of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Toward Improved Autistic-Centered Supports","authors":"Nancy Sharon Marshall,&nbsp; Russel,&nbsp; Clara,&nbsp; Damon,&nbsp; Kendra","doi":"10.1111/josi.70037","DOIUrl":"10.1111/josi.70037","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study (extracted from a larger doctoral-level dissertation project) adopts a Critical Autism Studies (CAS) framework, and transformative mixed methods design, to examine lived experiences of Applied Behavior analysis (ABA) and to guide improvements in autism services. Autistic people have shared their lived experiences of the ways ABA has caused them harm due to the rigidly applied positive reinforcement and punishment procedures used to make them appear less autistic. Increasingly, ABA practitioners and researchers have responded by attempting to transform their practices to be more accepting of autistic ways of being. The four-staged methodology (surveys—interviews—analysis—participatory dissemination) responds to Milton's (2014) call for “interactional expertise” between non-autistic researchers and autistic people. The survey stage yielded 68 completed surveys from autistic people in Canada—22 respondents had received ABA and 46 had not but wished to express their views. Four participants who had received ABA—two with positive experiences and two with negative experiences—participated in semi-structured interviews and authorship of recommendations. Findings revealed diverse perspectives on ABA practices. Implications for policy and practice highlight the importance of authentically engaging with autistic communities to develop supports that are helpful and not harmful.</p>","PeriodicalId":17008,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Social Issues","volume":"81 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/josi.70037","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145406889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Legal Defense of Autistic Defendants in the United States: A Qualitative Analysis of the Experiences of Legal Professionals","authors":"Carolina R. Caliman,&nbsp;Colleen M. Berryessa","doi":"10.1111/josi.70034","DOIUrl":"10.1111/josi.70034","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Autistic individuals encounter distinct barriers within the criminal-legal system, such as misinterpretations of their behaviors, a lack of accommodations, and systemic biases. Despite growing understanding of these challenges, research on how defense attorneys understand and advocate for autistic clients remains limited. This study explores how defense attorneys in the United States conceptualize autism and apply neurodiversity-informed strategies in their advocacy. Semi-structured interviews with 31 defense attorneys revealed that while most attorneys view autism through a medicalized lens, they acknowledge the need for better strategies to secure accommodations in court. Findings suggest that attorneys often rely on expert testimony and recognize the courtroom as primarily designed for neurotypical individuals. Gaps in training and understanding about neurodiversity may hinder effective defense strategies and limit access to justice for autistic defendants. This research highlights the urgent need for enhanced legal training and systemic reform to improve representation and legal experiences for autistic individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":17008,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Social Issues","volume":"81 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/josi.70034","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145406888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Genealogy of Neurodiversity and Its Entangled Politics","authors":"Tom Walters","doi":"10.1111/josi.70036","DOIUrl":"10.1111/josi.70036","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This article will outline a genealogy of neurodiversity, highlighting the power structures and systems that brought about the neurodiversity movement and their implications. Understanding the neurodiversity paradigm from the politicized perspective of genealogy, it builds on this to conduct an intersectional analysis of the categories of neurodiversity in the present day. It draws attention to their “entangled” relations with other types of identity and political movements. In so doing, this paper proposes the concept of “neuroliberalism.” Finally, it applies this perspective to UK education and healthcare policy, critiquing policies, such as performance-related pay.</p>","PeriodicalId":17008,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Social Issues","volume":"81 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/josi.70036","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145406713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Positioning Neurodiversity: The Perspectives of Neurodivergent African Migrants in Aotearoa, New Zealand","authors":"Rachel Mukwezwa Tapera,&nbsp;Karen Brewer,&nbsp;Dr Anneka Anderson","doi":"10.1111/josi.70039","DOIUrl":"10.1111/josi.70039","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Neurodiversity, a complex phenomenon acknowledging natural variations in human brain function and behaviour, is predominantly conceptualised through a Western-centric lens. This narrow perspective excludes diverse understandings across different communities and contexts, significantly impacting equity and inclusivity for neurodivergent individuals. This paper, grounded in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, investigates the social effects of neurodiversity on African migrants and their families in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Key findings underscore the critical importance of relationality, connectedness, and diverse perspectives in understanding neurodiversity. The research reveals complex lived realities and challenges in accessing services and supports. Importantly, it highlights the profound impact of intersectionality on the everyday experiences of neurodivergent African migrants. This study argues for the urgent prioritisation of these intersectional experiences in conceptualising and implementing neurodiversity-affirming approaches across research, policy, and practice. Such inclusion is vital for creating truly equitable and inclusive societies where all neurodivergent individuals can thrive.</p>","PeriodicalId":17008,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Social Issues","volume":"81 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/josi.70039","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145406712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}