Arnold Groh
Prof. Dr. Arnold Groh is a psychologist, linguist, literary scholar and semiotician. He has been teaching as a Visiting Professor at the University of the Arts, Berlin, and he did his habilitation at the Technical University of Berlin, where he is currently an Associate Professor / Private Lecturer. Arnold Groh is head of the research institution Structural Analysis of Cultural Systems, which is in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economical and Social Council.
Address: Germany
Address: Germany
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This paper introduces a research project exploring cultural interpretations of nonverbal signs through olfactory perception. Building on previous work regarding colour perception in indigenous cultures, the study critiques universalist evolutionary models of cultural development, such as Berlin and Kay's "Basic Color Terms." The research emphasises the precision of indigenous languages in naming sensory experiences, challenging rather colonialist assumption of their inferiority. Initial findings suggest parallels between colour and scent perception, where indigenous groups demonstrate remarkable specificity, exemplified by detailed descriptions of particular smells. The project underscores the largely unexplored potential of studying culture-specific interpretations of sensory stimuli, with implications for broader understandings of cognition and cultural expression.
Este artículo presenta un proyecto de investigación que explora las interpretaciones culturales de los signos no verbales a través de la percepción olfativa. Basándose en trabajos previos sobre la percepción del color en culturas indígenas, el estudio critica los modelos evolucionistas universalistas de desarrollo cultural, como el de los "Basic Color Terms" (Términos Básicos de Color) de Berlin y Kay. La investigación destaca la precisión de los idiomas indígenas para nombrar experiencias sensoriales, cuestionando la suposición, en gran medida colonialista, de su inferioridad. Los hallazgos iniciales sugieren paralelismos entre la percepción del color y la del olor, donde los grupos indígenas demuestran una especificidad notable, ejemplificada por descripciones detalladas de olores particulares. El proyecto subraya el potencial aún poco explorado de estudiar interpretaciones culturales específicas de estímulos sensoriales, con implicaciones para una comprensión más amplia de la cognición y la expresión cultural.
Este artigo apresenta um projeto de pesquisa que explora as interpretações culturais de sinais não verbais através da percepção olfativa. Baseando-se em trabalhos anteriores sobre a percepção de cores em culturas indígenas, o estudo critica os modelos evolucionistas universalistas de desenvolvimento cultural, como o dos "Basic Color Terms" (Termos Básicos de Cor) de Berlin e Kay. A pesquisa enfatiza a precisão das línguas indígenas na nomeação de experiências sensoriais, questionando a suposição, amplamente colonialista, de sua inferioridade. Os resultados iniciais sugerem paralelos entre a percepção de cores e a percepção de odores, nos quais os grupos indígenas demonstram uma notável especificidade, exemplificada por descrições detalhadas de odores particulares. O projeto destaca o potencial ainda pouco explorado de estudar interpretações culturais específicas de estímulos sensoriais, com implicações para uma compreensão mais ampla da cognição e da expressão cultural.
Cet article présente un projet de recherche explorant les interprétations culturelles des signes non verbaux à travers la perception olfactive. S'appuyant sur des travaux antérieurs concernant la perception des couleurs dans les cultures indigènes, l'étude critique les modèles évolutionnistes universalistes de développement culturel, tels que celui des « Basic Color Terms » (Termes de Couleurs Fondamentaux) de Berlin et Kay. La recherche met en avant la précision des langues indigènes dans la désignation des expériences sensorielles, remettant en question la présomption largement colonialiste de leur infériorité. Les résultats initiaux suggèrent des parallèles entre la perception des couleurs et celle des odeurs, les groupes indigènes démontrant une spécificité remarquable, illustrée par des descriptions détaillées de parfums particuliers. Le projet souligne le potentiel encore largement inexploité d'étudier les interprétations culturelles spécifiques des stimuli sensoriels, avec des implications pour une compréhension plus large de la cognition et de l'expression culturelle.
Among the topics covered:
· Cultural theories and cultural dominance.
· The legal framework of research in indigenous contexts.
· The role of language within indigenous peoples’ cultural rights.
· Methodology: how to optimally collect data in the field.
· Researchers’ influence and philosophy of science.
· Learning how to prepare research in indigenous contexts.
Research Methods in Indigenous Contexts is an important reference benefitting a wide audience, including students and researchers in the social sciences, humanities, and psychology; decision-makers of NGOs and GOs that act with regard to humanitarian aid, for tourism projects, or any other contingency with indigenous contexts; and policymakers interested in the aspects of human activity upon which indigenous cultural concerns are based.
The indigenous subjects were able to name the colours presented. Indigenous vs. globalised cultural factors were reflected in the use of reference objects for naming colours. Both metonymical and non-metonymical indigenous colour names did not follow a stage pattern as proposed by Berlin & Kay (1969) and others. The high precision of indigenous colour names corresponds both to the precision of experts’ colour names in the industrial culture, and to the highly precise grammar that characterises indigenous languages.
Subjects from various cultural backgrounds filled out a forced-choice questionnaire concerning different job and living
conditions in the Third and in the First World. The investigations took place in Nigeria, Switzerland, Cameroon, South Africa and Germany. The preferences ascertained reflect attitudes on a scale ranging from very traditional to very globalised ways of living.
Objectives:
Investigation of lifestyle preferences of subjects in Third and First World contexts.
Methods:
Subjects in Nigeria (University of Ibadan), Switzerland (UNO, Geneva), Cameroon (Universities of Yaounde and Buea), South Africa (University of Limpopo) and Germany (Technical University of Berlin) filled out a forced-choice questionnaire. Preferences were calculated according to the Law of Comparative Judgement.
Results:
Indigenous representatives at the UN preferred a rural, non-industrialised setting, whereas students at the Technical University of Berlin preferred a high-tech job in a First World city. In all of the African investigations, a high-class job in a major African / 3rd World city top-ranked the preferences.
Conclusions:
Findings conform to the Theory of Symbolic Self-Completion. Within the "dominant-dominated" spectrum of cultures in the presently globalising world, subjects of a dominated cultural background show complementary / compensative patterns of lifestyle preferences in a dominated respectively dominant context.
Keywords:
Cultural Psychology, Comparative Judgement, globalisation, cultural dominance, Indigenous peoples, Third World, First World.
[Para Português role para baixo]
[Pour le Français, faites défiler vers le bas]
This paper introduces a research project exploring cultural interpretations of nonverbal signs through olfactory perception. Building on previous work regarding colour perception in indigenous cultures, the study critiques universalist evolutionary models of cultural development, such as Berlin and Kay's "Basic Color Terms." The research emphasises the precision of indigenous languages in naming sensory experiences, challenging rather colonialist assumption of their inferiority. Initial findings suggest parallels between colour and scent perception, where indigenous groups demonstrate remarkable specificity, exemplified by detailed descriptions of particular smells. The project underscores the largely unexplored potential of studying culture-specific interpretations of sensory stimuli, with implications for broader understandings of cognition and cultural expression.
Este artículo presenta un proyecto de investigación que explora las interpretaciones culturales de los signos no verbales a través de la percepción olfativa. Basándose en trabajos previos sobre la percepción del color en culturas indígenas, el estudio critica los modelos evolucionistas universalistas de desarrollo cultural, como el de los "Basic Color Terms" (Términos Básicos de Color) de Berlin y Kay. La investigación destaca la precisión de los idiomas indígenas para nombrar experiencias sensoriales, cuestionando la suposición, en gran medida colonialista, de su inferioridad. Los hallazgos iniciales sugieren paralelismos entre la percepción del color y la del olor, donde los grupos indígenas demuestran una especificidad notable, ejemplificada por descripciones detalladas de olores particulares. El proyecto subraya el potencial aún poco explorado de estudiar interpretaciones culturales específicas de estímulos sensoriales, con implicaciones para una comprensión más amplia de la cognición y la expresión cultural.
Este artigo apresenta um projeto de pesquisa que explora as interpretações culturais de sinais não verbais através da percepção olfativa. Baseando-se em trabalhos anteriores sobre a percepção de cores em culturas indígenas, o estudo critica os modelos evolucionistas universalistas de desenvolvimento cultural, como o dos "Basic Color Terms" (Termos Básicos de Cor) de Berlin e Kay. A pesquisa enfatiza a precisão das línguas indígenas na nomeação de experiências sensoriais, questionando a suposição, amplamente colonialista, de sua inferioridade. Os resultados iniciais sugerem paralelos entre a percepção de cores e a percepção de odores, nos quais os grupos indígenas demonstram uma notável especificidade, exemplificada por descrições detalhadas de odores particulares. O projeto destaca o potencial ainda pouco explorado de estudar interpretações culturais específicas de estímulos sensoriais, com implicações para uma compreensão mais ampla da cognição e da expressão cultural.
Cet article présente un projet de recherche explorant les interprétations culturelles des signes non verbaux à travers la perception olfactive. S'appuyant sur des travaux antérieurs concernant la perception des couleurs dans les cultures indigènes, l'étude critique les modèles évolutionnistes universalistes de développement culturel, tels que celui des « Basic Color Terms » (Termes de Couleurs Fondamentaux) de Berlin et Kay. La recherche met en avant la précision des langues indigènes dans la désignation des expériences sensorielles, remettant en question la présomption largement colonialiste de leur infériorité. Les résultats initiaux suggèrent des parallèles entre la perception des couleurs et celle des odeurs, les groupes indigènes démontrant une spécificité remarquable, illustrée par des descriptions détaillées de parfums particuliers. Le projet souligne le potentiel encore largement inexploité d'étudier les interprétations culturelles spécifiques des stimuli sensoriels, avec des implications pour une compréhension plus large de la cognition et de l'expression culturelle.
Among the topics covered:
· Cultural theories and cultural dominance.
· The legal framework of research in indigenous contexts.
· The role of language within indigenous peoples’ cultural rights.
· Methodology: how to optimally collect data in the field.
· Researchers’ influence and philosophy of science.
· Learning how to prepare research in indigenous contexts.
Research Methods in Indigenous Contexts is an important reference benefitting a wide audience, including students and researchers in the social sciences, humanities, and psychology; decision-makers of NGOs and GOs that act with regard to humanitarian aid, for tourism projects, or any other contingency with indigenous contexts; and policymakers interested in the aspects of human activity upon which indigenous cultural concerns are based.
The indigenous subjects were able to name the colours presented. Indigenous vs. globalised cultural factors were reflected in the use of reference objects for naming colours. Both metonymical and non-metonymical indigenous colour names did not follow a stage pattern as proposed by Berlin & Kay (1969) and others. The high precision of indigenous colour names corresponds both to the precision of experts’ colour names in the industrial culture, and to the highly precise grammar that characterises indigenous languages.
Subjects from various cultural backgrounds filled out a forced-choice questionnaire concerning different job and living
conditions in the Third and in the First World. The investigations took place in Nigeria, Switzerland, Cameroon, South Africa and Germany. The preferences ascertained reflect attitudes on a scale ranging from very traditional to very globalised ways of living.
Objectives:
Investigation of lifestyle preferences of subjects in Third and First World contexts.
Methods:
Subjects in Nigeria (University of Ibadan), Switzerland (UNO, Geneva), Cameroon (Universities of Yaounde and Buea), South Africa (University of Limpopo) and Germany (Technical University of Berlin) filled out a forced-choice questionnaire. Preferences were calculated according to the Law of Comparative Judgement.
Results:
Indigenous representatives at the UN preferred a rural, non-industrialised setting, whereas students at the Technical University of Berlin preferred a high-tech job in a First World city. In all of the African investigations, a high-class job in a major African / 3rd World city top-ranked the preferences.
Conclusions:
Findings conform to the Theory of Symbolic Self-Completion. Within the "dominant-dominated" spectrum of cultures in the presently globalising world, subjects of a dominated cultural background show complementary / compensative patterns of lifestyle preferences in a dominated respectively dominant context.
Keywords:
Cultural Psychology, Comparative Judgement, globalisation, cultural dominance, Indigenous peoples, Third World, First World.
Las redes que funcionan como atrapanieblas requieren mano de obra constante para su mantenimiento. Además, las redes están hechas de material artificial, que no llega a adaptarse al entorno natural. No son, ni de lejos, tan efectivas como las plantas que están especializadas en la captación de humedad del aire. El Pinus canariensis, originario de las Islas Canarias, es posiblemente la planta más efectiva para este fin. Es muy conocida por su capacidad para recoger la humedad del aire y se utiliza con este fin desde hace ya muchos cientos de años. Este árbol supondría una manera de dar agua potable a las regiones áridas mucho más efectiva y medioambiental que las redes.
Einzigartig an diesem Sprachführer ist das deutsch-jiddische Vokabular: Alle bisher erhältlichen Glossare erlauben nur das Nachschlagen in der Richtung Jiddisch-Deutsch (was hier natürlich auch möglich ist), ab sofort kann man aber auch nachsehen, wie ein deutscher Ausdruck auf Jiddisch lautet.
Inhalt
Was ist Farbe? – Vorwort des Herausgebers
CHRISTIAN CHANG: Physik der Farben
CHRISTOPH WITZEL: Unterschiede in der Farbwahrnehmung
CHRISTIAN TRAUTSCH: Funktionen von Farbe in Bildsemiotik und Bildrhetorik
SUSANNE MARSCHALL: Die Symphonie der Empfindungen – Synästhesie als Filmerfahrung
MAX LÜSCHER: Die emotionale Wirkung der Farben
SVEN STAFFELDT: Wann rot und wann schwarz gesehen wird
SWETLANA VOGT: Farbwortsysteme im Vergleich
ARNOLD GROH: Indigene Farbbezeichnungen
RON JONTOF-HUTTER: Colour and Apartheid in South Africa
PETER STEPHAN: Die deutschen Landesfarben
JENNA INGALLS: Some Kinds of Blue
BARBARA HÄUSLER: Statt eines Nachworts: Der Montag ist rot, der Mittwoch blau
Kurzbiographien der Autoren
Inhalt
Was ist Zeit? Einleitende Vorbemerkungen des Herausgebers
HANS POSER: Zeit und Ewigkeit bei Plotin und Augustinus
HANS-ECKHART GUMLICH: Das Phänomen Zeit in der Physik
THOMAS RICHTER: Der Zeitpfeil und die Entropie: Warum der Kaffee kalt und der Schreibtisch unordentlich wird
KLAUS KORNWACHS: Tradierung von Wissen setzt Haltbarkeit von Information voraus
REINHARD KRÜGER: Unendlichkeit und Kosmos in Spätantike und Mittelalter: Die Grundlagen des mittelalterlichen Zeitbegriffs und der Zeitvorstellung
STEFAN GLASAUER und ERICH SCHNEIDER: Zeitempfinden
STEPHANIE KELTER: Zur mentalen Repräsentation von Geschehen
HANS-FRIEDEMANN RICHTER: Zeit in der althebräischen Sprache
ARNOLD GROH: Kulturspezifische Zeitstrukturen
SWANTJE EHLERS: Zeitzeichen in der modernen Phantastik
MADELEINE COHEN: „Ich singe den Gesang vom Sonnenuntergang“: Zeitbilder in den letzten Liedern Itzik Mangers
GALILI SHAHAR: Zeit und Wunden
Biographien der Autoren
Die daraus resultierenden Begegnungen bringen ihrerseits Effekte für die Begegnenden mit sich. Bereits im Vorfeld eines Ortswechsels lassen sich unterschiedliche Motivationen aufzeigen, die vom Wunsch nach Erholung und Zerstreuung über die Suche nach wissenschaftlichem Erkenntnisgewinn oder die Absicht, in Krisensituationen zu intervenieren, bis zum Überlebenswillen von Flüchtlingen reichen können. Aber auch die Fortbewegung selbst, der Weg und das Erleben desselben ist im Fokus unterschiedlicher Forschungsinteressen. Literaturwissenschaft und Geschichte, Psychologie, Semiotik, Ethnologie, ja auch Theologie und Physik sind an diesen Diskursen beteiligt. Bei näherer Betrachtung der Phänomene des Reisens und Ortswechsels wird deutlich, daß die unterschiedlichen akademischen Ansätze oft untrennbar miteinander verbunden sind. Von ihrer jeweiligen Warte aus versuchen sie zu verstehen, warum und wie Menschen Ortswechsel vollziehen, seien sie Urlauber, Forscher oder Flüchtlinge.
Inhalt
Vorwort
CHRISTIAN CHANG: Reisen in Raum und Zeit: Elementare Aspekte der speziellen Relativitätstheorie
JULIA QUEHL: Komfort auf Reisen: Bedeutsamkeit von Schall und Vibration für einen komfortablen Flug
ERHABOR SUNDAY IDEMUDIA / KLAUS BOEHNKE: Globalisierung, Afrika und afrikanische Immigranten in Deutschland: Ein empirischer Bericht
WALTER ROTHSCHILD: „Alijah“
ITZIK MANGER (1901-1969): Ich hab’ mich jahrelang herumgetrieben
DILYANA BOTEVA: Der Reitende Gebieter der antiken Thraker
GALILI SHAHAR: Die Reise und die Schrift. Über Goethe, Kafka und das Reisetagebuch
REINHARD KRÜGER: Reisen in Gedanken in Spätantike und Mittelalter. Dante, Botticelli & ein Gepäcklabel der brasilianischen Fluggesellschaft VARIG
SWANTJE EHLERS: Bilder von Afrika in der Kinder- und Jugendliteratur
ROSEMARIE PLARRE: Wegskizzen und andere Mitteilungen. Zeichnungen und spontane Kartographie in Neuguinea
ARNOLD GROH: Minimalinvasives Reisen
Biographien der Autoren
This guide explores ideas around what culture is, when and why cultures change over time and whether there are any rules or principles behind culture-related phenomena and processes. For those seeking to answer questions on culture, familiarity with these topics is essential. From refugee movements caused by wars, to the ongoing demographical changes in regions of the world like sub-Saharan Africa or the Indian subcontinent, understanding the underlying mechanisms of culture-related processes has become an immediate and essential task. Covering everything from the processes of cultural change to counterculture and destabilisation, the book explains different ideas in a clear and objective fashion and includes approaches that have been unduly neglected but which have high explanatory value regarding culture and its phenomena.
Providing readers with an up-to-date idea of what culture is, and how our understanding of it has been established over the past century, this text is the perfect companion for advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers.
Among the topics covered:
· Cultural theories and cultural dominance.
· The legal framework of research in indigenous contexts.
· The role of language within indigenous peoples’ cultural rights.
· Methodology: how to optimally collect data in the field.
· Researchers’ influence and philosophy of science.
· Learning how to prepare research in indigenous contexts.
Research Methods in Indigenous Contexts is an important reference benefitting a wide audience, including students and researchers in the social sciences, humanities, and psychology; decision-makers of NGOs and GOs that act with regard to humanitarian aid, for tourism projects, or any other contingency with indigenous contexts; and policymakers interested in the aspects of human activity upon which indigenous cultural concerns are based.