Little is known about strategic intentions of help-seekers. The current research explored potential interpretations of help requests based on help-seekers’ traits. Participants (n = 189) read a...Show moreLittle is known about strategic intentions of help-seekers. The current research explored potential interpretations of help requests based on help-seekers’ traits. Participants (n = 189) read a scenario, in which one group requests help from another, and indicated their agreement with statements regarding help-seekers’ intentions. Scales for help-seekers’ intentions were constructed using the dimensions warmth and competence from the stereotype content model by Susan Fiske: exploitation (unfairly benefitting from support), assistance (having someone else do the “dirty work”), genuine request (asking help out of need) and gentle dominance (showing appreciation). A help-request was more likely to be perceived as gentle dominance for help-seekers perceived as warm, and exploitation and assistance interpretations were more likely when help-seekers were perceived as cold. No effects were found for competence. It is argued that these results suggest that a request for help itself might label help-seekers as incompetent, while warmth influences the perceived intention.Show less
During the human past, the process of species mass extinction has sped up from thousands of years to just several decades. The time period this research focuses on is the Holocene, which spans from...Show moreDuring the human past, the process of species mass extinction has sped up from thousands of years to just several decades. The time period this research focuses on is the Holocene, which spans from 11,500 years ago until present day and is filled with massive changes around the globe including a rising impact of humans on their surroundings causing the extinction of a wide variety of species. Two species that have been impacted by anthropogenic processes throughout the Holocene are the two European freshwater mussels, Margaritifera margaritifera and Margaritifera auricularia, which are both critically endangered at the moment. They serve an important role in the upkeep of water quality in rivers by their water filtering capacity; an adult mussel can filter up to 50 liters a day. Not only do they have an important role in their own habitat, both mussels produce pearls which were highly valuable especially in the Roman period and during modern history up until the 20th century. Both species are also of interest to archaeologists because they are great bioindicators which enables archaeologists to reconstruct past environments based on the occurrence of these mussels. The main goal of this research is to find out how and where the two European freshwater mussels, Margaritifera margaritifera and Margaritifera auricularia, were exploited throughout the Holocene throughout Europe and what eventually caused their decline. Investigating archaeological sites throughout Europe where artefacts made of either species are found provides an answer to how and where these freshwater mussels were exploited. Further literature and historical sources will also be accessed to discover how these mussels were used throughout the Holocene. The data recovered during this research were used to create a map in QGIS, illustrating where both species occurred in the past throughout Europe and where humans harvested them to be manufactured into tools or decoration. This research provides us with a better understanding of how both species were affected by anthropogenic and natural causes throughout the Holocene and what caused their dramatic decline. This enables us to prevent further damage and focus on the conservation of both so that they do not end up extinct, like many other species.Show less
Despite decades of extensive oil extraction, the inhabitants of the Niger Delta remain very poor. This thesis addresses this issue by questioning the role that Shell plays in the Niger Delta. In...Show moreDespite decades of extensive oil extraction, the inhabitants of the Niger Delta remain very poor. This thesis addresses this issue by questioning the role that Shell plays in the Niger Delta. In order to do so, Shell is related to five common negative practices of multinational presence: not taking care of the environment, social conditions and labour rights as well as contributing to corruption and conflict. After explaining the wider system of neocolonialism that Nigerian people are subjected to, it is stated that Shell is an active player in this system. Shell is involved with all five practices and this phenomenon is explained by referring to dependency theory and world-system theory.Show less
The DRC has been a conflict-ridden country since pre-colonial times, it is paradoxical that a country so rich in natural resources remains so poor and underdeveloped. This thesis attempts to...Show moreThe DRC has been a conflict-ridden country since pre-colonial times, it is paradoxical that a country so rich in natural resources remains so poor and underdeveloped. This thesis attempts to discover whether the modern, industrialised countries play any role in the perpetuation of the conflict situation in the DRC regarding the exploitation of 'Coltan' which is a widely used mineral for the manufacturing of smartphones and other electronic devices. The historical legacies of the DRC will be explored, an analysis of the conflict situation in the eastern provinces of the DRC will be provided and the commodity chain of coltan will be discussed.Show less
The trade in humans for forced labor is the fastest growing criminal industry, with estimated annual profits of $150 billion, whereby trafficking for commercial sexual services (henceforth sex...Show moreThe trade in humans for forced labor is the fastest growing criminal industry, with estimated annual profits of $150 billion, whereby trafficking for commercial sexual services (henceforth sex trafficking)generates $100 billion alone and hereby is responsible for the largest proportion of the profit (Luscombe, 2014). Advanced communication and widespread Internet access, often considered positive outcomes of globalization, in fact help the trafficking industry to function efficiently. Popular tourist destinations in Panama and Mexico with high demand for sex tourism are researched to assess their role as sex hubs in the trafficking debate.Show less
