Društvene i humanističke studije DHS (Social Sciences and Humanities Studies) is an international open access double blind peer-reviewed interdisciplinary scientific journal published by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina). We publish refereed original scientific research and review articles on both the fields of social sciences and the humanities. The call for papers is permanently open. There is no deadline for manuscript submission. If the manuscript successfully passes the review process, it will be published in the first upcoming issues. Authors will receive a peer review report no later than one month after receiving the manuscript. ISSN: 2490-3604 (print) ● ISSN: 2490-3647 (online) DOI: 10.51558/2490-3647.2025.10.2
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tuzla
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Eponyms With a Slavic Anthroponymic Component in the Bosnian Language
The lexicon of the Bosnian language, alongside its various lexical layers, also includes eponyms – specific lexical units derived from proper names. These lexemes have been adopted from different languages and at different stages in the development of Bosnian, mostly within broader processes of internationalization, and they represent an open list that expands according to communicative needs. This paper focuses on one particular type of eponym: those whose constituent element is a Slavic proper name – an anthroponym; in other words, eponyms borrowed from other Slavic languages. The research corpus consists of various sources: a number of Slavic eponyms are recorded in dictionaries of contemporary Bosnian, while some belong to specialized lexical systems. This means that they occur in professional or scientific registers and are not included in general-purpose dictionaries, but they areverified in various scientific and professional publications and manuals. Based on the analysed corpus, the paper establishes a classification of eponyms according to word-formation and semantic criteria, as well as according to the fields of science to which they belong.
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The Power of Naming in Describing Oronyms: From Geolocalities and Appellatives to Geotourism
Words and ideas are associated in the human consciousness in various ways, and so the words that express these ideas and terms can also be associated with each other or associate in a variety of ways. Romantic mental images would certainly be awakened by the terms Nevjestina glava, Draga kosa and Ljubinska. Those triggered by the series: Mrtvanje, Prokletnice, Ubojiti do, Vražija kosa would be eerie, and more dangerous than these could be the ideas for the terms Crnačka ladina, Crna or Turska glava, in case there are allusions to racism and nationalism. However, if we approach the same examples as geoinformation, it is clear that the first ideas were on the wrong track. Since the highlighted terms are oronyms, if we think about them, we are on the track of visualizing the hilly and mountainous area of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While it is more difficult to grasp the meaning of oronyms in which the motive of naming is a metaphor or the basis has become archaism, in semantically transparent oronyms, mental images, clear and idyllic, are easily created. Special attention is paid to anthropomorphic metaphors in oronymy, which are proof that oronyms can often deceive; to show and speak one thing and to be and mean something else. That is why it is necessary to approach them with the utmost caution. In this regard, the paper analyzes oronyms motivated by the geomorphological features of the area, and determines appellatives, meanings, categorization, altitude and location. The analysis of the names of natural elevations in Bosnia and Herzegovina will not only improve onomastic research but will also offer conclusions for the valorization of the tourist potential in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Defined groups of oronyms that refer to attractive geolocalities and geodiversity in general could serve the development of geotourism.
Between Exclusion and Belonging – Vienna as a Third Space in the Works of Ana Bilić and Alma Hadžibeganović
Due to geopolitical and social changes, migration, urban diversity, and questions of belonging have gained increasing importance in German-language theatre. This article examines the plays Im Prater by Ana Bilić and Das Stück by Alma Hadžibeganović from a postcolonial perspective. The analysis is based on Homi Bhabha’s concept of the Third Space, which serves as a framework for examining urban spaces as sites of cultural negotiation. Both authors choose Vienna as the setting of their plays. The city emerges as a space of cultural encounter and social tension, as well as a site where migrant identities are formed. The focus lies on migrant characters who are pushed to the margins of society. They actively appropriate the spaces assigned to them. Language, the body, and everyday practices become means of visibility and self-assertion. These practices open up a Third Space in which boundaries between centre and periphery, as well as between self and other, are called into question. Vienna becomes legible as a space of resistance, transformation, and cultural renegotiation. A comparative analysis of the two plays that focuses on the significance of urban space for migrant subject positions has so far been lacking. This article closes this research gap and expands perspectives on migration in contemporary German-language drama.
Examining the Interplay of Foreign Language Enjoyment and Classroom Anxiety in German Speaking Tasks: A Pilot Study Employing a Task-based Approach
This pilot study examines the relationship between Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety (FLCA) and Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE) among undergraduate and graduate students of German studies at the University of Split, Croatia. Participants engaged in speaking tasks within a Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) framework, designed to promote oral proficiency, reduce performance-related stress, and foster positive emotional experiences. FLCA and FLE were assessed using adapted instruments based on established theoretical constructs, capturing students’ perceptions of anxiety, enjoyment, and engagement in classroom speaking tasks. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, grouping participants according to their anxiety and enjoyment levels, and non-parametric testing to examine differences across groups and academic levels. Results indicate that students generally experienced high levels of enjoyment, particularly regarding the relevance and perceived effectiveness of TBLT activities. Participants reported moderate to high levels of anxiety, particularly during unprepared or spontaneous speaking tasks, although overall FLCA appeared lower than in previous academic years. Statistically significant inverse associations were observed between enjoyment and specific dimensions of anxiety, with graduate students reporting lower anxiety levels and higher motivation for speaking activities compared to undergraduates. Qualitative responses further underscored the importance of a supportive classroom environment, ample speaking op-portunities, and constructive feedback in enhancing enjoyment and mitigating anxiety. These preliminary findings provide insights into optimizing foreign language instruction and suggest directions for further research.
Phraseological Constructions Što V‘, V‘ in Bosnian and Croatian and Corresponding German Expressions
This paper examines the phraseme construction što V’, V’ in Bosnian and Croatian, as well as its corresponding translation equivalents in German. The introductory section defines phraseme constructions, which have been somewhat neglected in traditional phraseology but have received increasing attention in contemporary linguistic research. The construction što V’, V’ occurs frequently in both Bosnian and Croatian; however, it has not been sufficiently described in previous studies.The paper provides a detailed analysis of this construction, outlining its formal properties and semantic functions in the two source languages. Based on the findings of this analysis, a contrastive analysis with German is subsequently conducted. The results indicate that certain meanings can be translated into German with full equivalence, whereas meanings that exhibit a higher degree of idiomatization require different translation strategies, as full equivalence is not always attainable in such cases. As part of the contrastive analysis, several proposals are offered for rendering these meanings in German.The findings presented in this study provide a solid basis for further research on phraseme constructions as independent linguistic units, as well as for contrastive studies that may be conducted on other types of phraseme constructions. The analysis is based on examples collected from the Sketch Engine corpus for Croatian and examples attested in the Clarin.si corpus for Bosnian.
Stylistic Figures Expressed Through Persian Izafet Constructions in the Novel by Halit Ziya Uşakligil Ferdi Ve Şürekâsi
This paper examines the use of stylistic figures expressed through Persian izafet constructions in the novel Ferdi ve Şürekâsı by Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil. The aim of the research is to identify stylistic figures that appear in the form of izafet constructions of Persian origin and to indicate their function within the text. A particular objective of the study is to recognize Persian izafet constructions as fundamental grammatical patterns through which textual figurativeness is achieved, thereby making such fi-gurativeness the dominant stylistic feature of the text. For the purposes of this study analytical and comparative methods of scientific research were employed. Numerous stylistic figures were identified in the form of Persian izafet, such as metaphor, personification, hyperbole and others. It was concluded that figurative expressions in the novel are largely realized through the use of izafet constructions of Persian origin and that their primary function is aesthetic.
Lexemes Kardeş (Brother, Sister), ağbi̇ (Older Brother), and Abla (Older Sister) as Markers of Solidarity and Closeness in Orhan Pamuk’s Novel Kafamda Bi̇r Tuhaflik
In Turkish, terms used to express kinship relations are often employed as identity markers through which group affiliation is expressed in order to enable easier and more pleasant communication. Scholarly studies dealing with the pragmatics of the Turkish language analyze the pragmatic values of identity markers through which closeness and intimacy with the interlocutor are established. In this way, they provide a good foundation and a good starting point for a detailed analysis of the pragmatic functions of identity markers formed through the use of terms for expressing kinship relations.This paper analyzes conversational situations from the novel Kafamda Bir Tuhaflık within which the terms kardeş (brother, sister), ağbi (older brother), and abla (older sister) are used as identity markers. The analysis applies the analytical, descriptive and contrastive methods. Such an analysis shows that the terms kardeş, ağbi, and abla, as well as their translation equivalents in Bosnian, function as identity markers in the realization of different speech acts in different conversational situations. The paper contributes to the study of Turkish pragmatics and to the contrastive analysis of two genetically and typologically different languages.
A View of Phraseme Constructions in Literary Translations: Between Creativity and Necessity
Within the framework of Construction Grammar, phraseme constructions are viewed as structures consisting of fixed and variable components, characterized by a high degree of expressiveness and frequent use in everyday language. This paper aims to examine how such constructions are translated from the source language, German, into the target languages, and it focuses on the issue of their equivalents in Bosnian and Croatian literary translations. Since literary translation itself requires excellent linguistic and translational competence and often reflects the translator’s own poetic and literary sensibilities, translators frequently find themselves balancing between the principles of creativity and the necessity of structural reproduction when translating phraseme constructions. The analytical part of the paper presents examples of translations in relation to their structural and semantic adaptation to the source phraseme constructions and discusses possible deviations. The corpus analyzed originates from the COST Action PhraConRep – A Multilingual Repository of Phrasem Constructions in Central and Eastern European Languages (CA22115), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), which explores phraseme constructions from a contrastive perspective. Within the project, German serves as the source language, while the corresponding constructions or translation proposals are presented and analyzed in the target languages. The established high percentage of translations with structural-semantic equivalence can be explained by the tendency for translators to try to remain faithful to both the structure and the meaning of the given structure and to look for equivalent phrasal constructions in the target languages.
The Myth of the “Fallen Angel” in Western Culture
The “fallen angel” is a nickname for a mythical being known in Western culture by many names – Satan, Lucifer, the Devil – to whom, during the Christian mega-epoch, responsibility was attributed for humanity’s fall and for the existence of evil in the world. A still not fully interpreted reversal in this understanding occurs at the threshold of the nineteenth century, when a generation of Romantic poets, fascinated by the sublime figure of Milton’s Satan, read the epic Paradise Lost against the author’s own Christian intentions to. In their rebellion against the Christian image of the world, the Romantics recognized in the “fallen angel” a kind of Prometheus, a figure that itself, during the great project of overcoming Christianity, also played the role of a capital metaphor of cultural progress. It turns out, however, as we will show in this study, that the similarity between the “fallen angel” and Prometheus, the “light-bearer” and the “thief of fire,” did not need to be invented or constructed. The oldest myth of the “sons of God” in the Book of Enoch, the first “fallen angels,” testifies that the mythopoetic destinies of these two rebellious figures are intertwined and mutually conditioned. In this respect, the emergence of the “fallen angel” as a specific version of Prometheus can be viewed through the lens of Assmann’s theory of the “Mosaic distinction” (Die MosaischeUnterscheidung), which explains the difference between the monotheistic Imago Mundi and polytheistic cultures. In a broader cultural horizon, the mutually conditioned histories of these two mythopoetic relatives, from the ancient “distinction” between them to the modern, seemingly unsuccessful attempts to establish a syncretism between Lucifer and Prometheus, may help us understand two different ideas of rebellion in the epoch of Western modernity: one conducted under the banner of civilizational progress, and the other unfolding within the domain of decadence.
This paper discusses the beauty of design, i.e. the foundation for the aesthetic experience of design. In scholarly discussions, the affirmation of an intellectual approach to the subject of the beauty of design is stated. On the other hand, this work promotes an approach to the beauty of design based on the everyday aesthetics and the expansion of the field of aesthetics beyond traditional aesthetics. Aestheticians who promote an intellectual approach to the phenomenon of design attribute priority to the sense of vision over other senses when assessing its value, adhering to the traditional aesthetic approach. The central thesis of the paper is that the beauty of design cannot be understood based on the traditional definition of aesthetic experience, which was aligned with the experience of art, but in the complex experience of the object in action. The foundation of the aesthetics of design is built on the trail of everyday aesthetics, which will truly enable the inclusion of use as one of the key parameters when assessing the aesthetic experience. Function, as an integral part of the aesthetic experience, is not considered only intellectually. The goal is to discover the uniqueness of the aesthetic dimensions of design when understanding the object of design in our activities, taking into account the long-term evolutionary process of the object. The paper reveals Henri Focillon's concept of tactility as relevant for the judgment of design objects in everyday life. The beauty of design is therefore not measured by the standards of aesthetic experience according to traditional cut. In the case of design, a true expansion of the aesthetic area occurs in such a way that its usefulness to man becomes a key parameter of aesthetic experience.
Etymology and Geomythology: Uncovering Hidden Histories of Earth and Language
This paper investigates the interrelated roles of etymology and geomythology in revealing how human cultures have interpreted, named, and remembered the Earth across time. By situating language at the centre of interdisciplinary inquiry, the study demonstrates how scientific terminology, particularly vocabulary with Greco-Roman roots, encodes narratives, metaphors, and cultural memory within its structure. Drawing on connectionist cognitive theory, it argues that etymology strengthens semantic networks by linking linguistic forms to mythic and symbolic associations, thereby enhancing vocabulary acquisition and conceptual understanding. The paper then turns to geology and mythology, showing how traditional societies encoded environmental events such as earthquakes, eruptions, and floods into durable mythic narratives. Through foundational geomythological scholarship, including Vitaliano’s work and subsequent cross-cultural studies, the analysis demonstrates how myths function as repositories of environmental knowledge. In parallel, scientific nomenclature continues to draw on mythological figures, such as Atlas, Prometheus, or Hades, embedding cultural memory within modern mineralogy and chemistry. Finally, the paper examines the figure of Hades/Pluto as an interdisciplinary nexus connecting geology, psychology, astronomy, art, and pedagogy. This approach illustrates how geomythology serves as a bridge between the sciences and humanities, offering an integrated framework for teaching, interpretation, and understanding the deep entanglement of Earth, language, and imagination.
The Influence of Hate Speech on Social Media on Shaping Young People’s Socio-Political Attitudes
The modern media environment today includes forms of interactivity through a wide variety of communication channels. Promoting and supporting hatred, violence, and intolerance through the media and other communication channels in sensitive ethnically divided societies, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, can result in immeasurable consequences. The research aimed to analyze, within a selected group of respondents, the degree of recognition and perception of content with elements of hate on social networks using the survey and focus group method, and to identify possible forms of influence of such content on the formation of attitudes of young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The analysis starts from the standpoint that adequate forms of recognition and condemnation of all forms of dissemination of content with elements of hate can influence the creation of consensus, unity, tolerance, peace, and a stable and safe socio-political environment in the future. The research results show that young people to a significant extent recognize content with elements of hate speech and assume their harmful consequences. Social networks, as the primary communication tools of young people, are becoming a space in which identities are affirmed, contested and redefined, and hate narratives often gain wide reach and legitimacy through user interaction. Hate speech on social networks is not manifested exclusively through open and explicit forms of insults, but also through covert discursive patterns, with topics related to ethnic and religious identity being the dominant triggers for polarized user reactions and the production of additional radicalization of discourse.
Firearms Policy in Habsburg Bosnia during the Crisis (1912–1918)
The Austro-Hungarian administration in Bosnia and Herzegovina maintained a strict policy of civilian firearms control to ensure the stability of the established order. Although significant for understanding the security landscape, the specific dynamics of this policy during the turbulent period from the beginning of the Balkan Wars to the dissolution of the Monarchy remain under-examined. This paper examines how Austro-Hungarian authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina managed civilian possession of firearms in the period, revealing how the firearms policy became increasingly repressive, but failed to mitigate the rising insecurity. Through an analysis of scholarly literature and unpublished archival materials, the study demonstrates that the tightening of measures during the crisis led, for the first time, to the differentiated treatment of the population — in terms of firearms policy — along confessional lines, albeit temporarily, then to a complete prohibition on civilian firearms possession, followed by more extensive control of illegal activities, illustrating both successes and failures. These findings underscore how firearms control served as an indicator of the Monarchy’s declining authority in the South Slavic lands during the First World War.
Sociology Before Sociology: A Comparative Analysis of Ibn Khaldun’s Concepts and Classical Sociological Thought
This paper examines Ibn Khaldun’s thought as a pre-sociological foundation and analyzes its multifaceted significance for the development of both classical and contemporary sociology. The main premise is that Ibn Khaldun’s masterpiece Al-Muqaddimah should not be regarded merely as a historical or philosophical text, but as a theoretical framework that anticipates key sociological concepts, methods, and questions. Special attention is given to his concept of asabiyyah – social cohesion, solidarity, and the strength of collective action – which serves as a central element for understanding the dynamics of social change. By comparing Ibn Khaldun’s ideas with Durkheim’s theory of mechanical and organic solidarity, Marx’s dialectic of class struggle, and Weber’s notion of rationalization and the “iron cage”, the paper highlights the profound anticipatory dimensions of his thought. His methodological innovation, empirical orientation, and systemic view of society position him among the pioneers of social sciences. Beyond its historical relevance, Ibn Khaldun’s theory provides valuable insights for interpreting modern social crises, inequalities, and processes of disintegration, thereby reaffirming its universal, timeless, and interdisciplinary significance.
Navigating between Sea and Family: Sociocultural Dimensions of Seafarers’ Lives and Their Wives in Split
The maritime profession is widely recognised as a form of employment that profoundly shapes family organisation and intimate relationships, primarily due to long periods of physical absence and cyclical patterns of separation and reunion. Such working arrangements require continuous emotional, social, and practical adaptation from both seafarers and their family members.The aim of this paper was to explore the impact of the maritime profession on the lives of seafarers and their wives in the city of Split, as well as to analyze the dynamics of marital relationships in the context of prolonged separation. The research was conducted in 2019 using semi-structured interviews with seafarers and their wives. The results show that seafarers tend to perceive their wives as bearing a greater share of the burden, while the wives report that sacrifices are distributed equally. The main advantages of the maritime profession relate to financial stability and the possibility of spending intensive, high-quality time with the family during periods at home, whereas the key disadvantage is prolonged separation, which places greater responsibility on wives for household and family duties. Despite these challenges, both groups of participants express a high level of satisfaction with their lives and their long-distance marriages. Overall, the findings emphasise the sociocultural specificity of maritime family life.
Citizen E-Participation at the Local Level: Perceptions, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Digital Public Administration of Međimurje County
This study explores the relationships between digital competencies, patterns of use, and attitudes toward digitalization in the context of local public administration, with a particular focus on Međimurje County. The analysis includes digital skills, use of the e-Citizens system, readiness for e-participation, beliefs about its democratic potential, the perceived importance of di-gitalization, evaluation of investments in digitalization, assessment of the current level of e-participation, support for further digitalization, and views on the future role of e-participation. These variables are examined in relation to the perceived importance and quality of e- -government, its actual use, and levels of e-participation on social media. The results indicate consistent positive associations between more frequent use of the e-Citizens system, higher readiness for e-participation, stronger beliefs in its democratic potential, and more positive attitudes toward digitalization, and higher perceived importance and quality of e-government dimensions. Digital skills show weaker, more selective associations, primarily with more basic dimensions, whereas associations with more advanced dimensions, such as digital democracy, are limited or absent. The use of e-government is most strongly associated with the e-Citizens system and readiness for e-participation, particularly at lower and intermediate levels of maturity and orientation dimensions, whereas associations with more advanced participatory dimensions are less frequent. Levels of e-consultations and e-decision-making. The findings point to the importance of participatory orientations, usage experience, and perceptions of digitalization in shaping attitudes toward e-government, while also highlighting limitations in developing more advanced dimensions of e-participation at the local level.
Upright Spines and Sticky Signs: Affective Politics in Bosnia’s 2022 Election Campaign
Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are consistently framed by emotionally charged disputes rooted in the country’s ethnonational divides. This article analyzes the 2022 general election through the lens of affective politics. Drawing on systematic monitoring of media coverage, it examines mainstream and party-aligned outlets to map how leaders and partisan media mobilized fear, spite (inat), resentment, humiliation, pride, and dignity to rally bases and delegitimize opponents. Rather than appearing as isolated outbursts, these emotions circulated through recognizable repertoires of naming and shaming, commemorative invocations of past injury, and choreographed displays of defiance. The analysis shows how distinct affects were bundled into mutually reinforcing scripts that displaced policy debate and stabilized antagonistic expectations across communities. While the specific cues and targets varied by party and region, the underlying affective grammar was strikingly shared, helping explain both the persistence of bloc voting and the limited traction of cross-ethnic appeals. Conceptually, the article bridges affect theory and discourse analysis to operationalize “affective repertoires” for electoral contexts. Empirically, it demonstrates how these repertoires sustain adversarial structures even under formal democratic competition.
Stratified Reconciliation and the Politics of Recognition in Post-War Bosnia and Herzegovina: Youth Narratives from Cazinska Krajina
This article examines how young people in north-western Bosnia and Herzegovina construct and negotiate post-war memory and reconciliation in the context of the intra-Bosnia conflict of the 1990s. Drawing on a corpus of online forum discussions among participants aged 18–23 from the Una-Sana Canton, the study applies a critical discourse analysis framework to explore how competing narratives, identity labels, and moral evaluations are articulated in everyday interaction. The analysis focuses on discursive strategies such as nomination (e.g. labels like “autonomaš” [autonomist], or “izdajnik” [traitor]), predication, deontic modality, pronoun use, and metaphorical framing (e.g. “stare rane” [old wounds], “clean start”). Particular attention is given to how participants position themselves in relation to inherited conflict narratives, intergenerational transmission of memory, and present-day socio-economic concerns. Findings show that young participants simultaneously reproduce, question, and reframe dominant narratives of division. While some discourses sustain boundaries rooted in wartime affiliations, others shift focus toward shared structural challenges such as unemployment and political clientelism. The data also reveal tensions between calls for reconciliation and persistent moral polarization, as well as the emergence of future-oriented discourses that imagine distancing from the past. By foregrounding intra-community divisions and everyday meaning-making practices, the paper contributes to critical discourse studies of post-conflict societies and offers insight into how reconciliation is negotiated beyond institutional and elite-level processes.
Economic Integration in Southeast Asia: Assessing the Impact of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) on Regional Trade and Investment
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was established to enhance economic integration in Southeast Asia by supporting the liberalisation of trade, investment, and economic cooperation in the region. Although ASEAN has made significant progress in terms of tariff reductions and drawing in an influx of foreign direct investment (FDI), challenges remain in terms of non-tariff barriers, regulatory differences, and uneven economic growth among member states, which hinder further integration. One of the key challenges is the relevance of the AEC in terms of achieving its integration objectives. There are scholars who stressed the role of the community in promoting regional trade and investment, but there are those who argue that the consensus-based strategy of ASEAN and the lack of strong enforcement mechanisms limits its ability to deal with structural economic challenges. The study critically evaluates these debates in terms of neoliberal institutionalism by focusing on the impacts that ASEAN governing structures have on trade and investment performance. The study useda qualitative research method by reviewing policy documents, academic literature, and institutional reports. The results reveal that, despite the contribution of the AEC to the growth of the region, inconsistency of governance, non-tariff barriers, reliance on foreign trade partners, and economic imbalance within the region weaken its efficiency. This study finds that even with these hitches, the institutional structure of ASEAN is still vital in perpetuating regional trade and investment and that there is a need to reform the institutions to improve policy harmonisation, lower trade barriers, and augment institutional enforcement mechanisms.
The Perceptual Discourse of Voters in Serbia on Student Protests and Their Political Engagement
Student protests in Serbia have been ongoing since December 2024 and arose from demands to find those responsible for the collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad Railway Station. These protests have grown into one of the most massive gatherings in the modern history of Serbia, which has allowed their popularity to grow within the public opinion. This can be consider- ed one of the reasons why students have come out with a political demand to call early parliamentary elections and the intention to nominate a Student List in these elections, which should consist of university professors and other public figures who have gained a public image in recent years of fighting against the current government in Serbia. These facts prompted us to conduct 10 focus groups in order to determine the perception that the Student Movement has among voters in Serbia. When creating the research, care was taken to ensure that the focus group participants were individuals belonging to different gender, age and educational structures. Each focus group was attended by 10 respondents, and the focus groups were organized in different cities in Serbia: two each in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš, and one each in Subotica, Kragujevac, Užice and Požarevac. The central research question that was asked of the respondents was which discourse can be considered dominant in voters’ perception of student political activity. The focus group participants most often described it as “brave”, believing that students managed to restore “hope” and “future” through their political engagement, and they particularly emphasized the “unity” present in student protests.
The Diplomatic Dimension of Criminal Justice: Protecting Bosnian and Herzegovinian Citizens Arrested and Convicted Abroad
Using Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) as an example, this essay explores the diplomatic aspect of criminal justice and its obligation to defend its nationals who are detained, imprisoned, or found guilty elsewhere. It places BiH in the context of both the traditional doctrine of diplomatic protection and the developing human rights-based approach, examining how BiH’s constitutional and statutory obligations interact with international norms, specifically the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, human rights treaties, and the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on Diplomatic Protection. The study maps the primary patterns of criminal activity involving Bosnian nationals abroad and evaluates the reactions of Bosnian and Herzegovinian (BiH) diplomatic-consular missions using doctrinal legal analysis in conjunction with qualitative case studies (including specific cases in EU states, the US, and migration detention contexts). The results show a continuous gap between the unequal, resource-constrained reality of consular practice and BiH’s constitutional guarantee that its people overseas „shall enjoy the protection of BiH.“ Consistent protection is undermined by structural issues such as a lack of staff and funds, fragmented institutional competencies, communication difficulties, prejudices against foreigners, and politicization of high-profile cases. The research also proposes specific ways to improve BiH’s practice, such as early notification systems, focused capacity training, the establishment of a specialized crisis consular team, increased collaboration with NGOs and the diaspora, and digital case-management tools. The study concludes that diplomatic and consular protection should not be viewed as a solely discretionary act of foreign policy, but rather as an integral aspect of BiH’s human rights and rule of law commitments.
The Illusion of Order: Rethinking the Structural Relationship Between Formal Law and Informal Norms
This article challenges legal formalism’s assumption that rule of law emerges from perfecting constitutional texts and statutory drafting. Instead, it demonstrates that legal order requires dynamic alignment between formal state institutions and informal social norms—what the article terms “virtuous equilibrium.” Drawing on evolutionary psychology, institutional economics, and legal pluralism theory, the analysis reveals that law functions not as self-executing machinery but as a coordination mechanism embedded within dense networks of informal institutions. The article synthesizes theoretical frameworks from Hart, Dworkin, Tamanaha, Weber, and Krygier to show how mechanical jurisprudence fails due to law’s inherent “open texture” and the necessity of interpretive judgment. Using the Helmke-Levitsky typology, it demonstrates how informal institutions can complement, accommodate, compete with, or substitute for formal law. The North-Wallis-Weingast framework explains elite resistance to impersonal legal order in “limited access orders,” while path dependence theory illuminates why inefficient legal systems persist despite reform efforts. Examining judicial discretion through the lens of Sally Falk Moore’s “semi-autonomous social fields,” the article distinguishes virtuous from vicious informality in legal practice. It concludes that effective rule of law exists only within a “narrow corridor” where state capacity and social norms counterbalance one another, requiring cultivation of legal culture rather than mere institutional transplantation. Without this alignment, formal law remains an empty shell—an illusion of order masking either despotism or state failure.
Towards a Typology of Educational Chatbots: From Classroom Learning to Cultural Memory and Emotional Understanding
This paper proposes an original typology of educational chatbots distinguished by their narrative role, audience, and emotional or ethical dimension. It identifies three categories: pedagogical chatbots, designed for instructional and interactive learning; memorial chatbots, created to preserve collective memory and convey moral lessons about the past; and grief chatbots (griefbots), developed to mediate experiences of loss and reflection. Unlike existing studies that treat educational chatbots primarily as cognitive support tools, this typology expands their scope to include cultural and affective learning, positioning chatbots as mediators between knowledge, empathy, and remembrance. Examined through three interpretive lenses – (1) pedagogical, focusing on learning outcomes such as empathy, historical awareness, and cultural literacy; (2) ethical, addressing issues of consent, authenticity, and the moral limits of simulating deceased individuals; and (3) practical, concerning the curricular and institutional conditions for responsible adoption – the study situates chatbot development within Serbia’s educational and cultural landscape. It argues that the real innovation lies not in technical creation alone, but in the pedagogical and research work that transforms AI prototypes into meaningful tools for learning and reflection. The paper contributes an interdisciplinary framework for evaluating educational chatbots as pedagogical, memorial, and grief agents, and calls for future policy and research to establish national guidelines for their ethical, evidence-based use in schools, museums, and other learning environments.
Pedagogical Dimension of Geoheritage and Geotourism in the Municipality of Rožaje
The paper considers the pedagogical value of geoheritage and geotourism potential of the municipality of Rožaje in the context of education for sustainable development and environmental protection. Special emphasis is placed on the possibilities of using geological resources in formal and informal education, as well as on the development of environmental awareness and responsibility. Rožaje is a municipality located in the northeastern part of Montenegro and covers an area of 432 km2. According to the latest census data from 2023, this municipality has a population of 23,184 (MONSTAT 2023). Rožaje is home to a large number of geolocalities that have potential for tourism development and thus stimulate the economically sustainable development of this municipality. The aim of the paper is to identify and valorize geoheritage objects, their geoconservation and assess the possibilities of sustainable geotourism development by applying the M-GAM model (Modified Geosite Assessment Model), which will determine whether this area has potential for economic development from the aspect of sustainable geotourism in the future. The research includes four representative geolocalities: Musina Jama, the limestone clique of Ganića karst, the Vrelo Ibra spring and the Ibra canyon with meanders. Using the M-GAM model, it will be assessed which geolocalities are suitable for the development of geotourism, as well as propose measures for the preservation of geolocalities, their geoconservation, i.e. how to manage and sustainably plan the development of tourism. The methodological approach includes the analysis of relevant literature, field observations, as well as the interpretation of available data on the natural and cultural resources of Rožaje. The results show that the geoheritage of Rožaje has significant scientific, pedagogical and tourist values, whereby the integration of geotourism into educational programs can contribute to sustainable economic development and the preservation of the natural identity of the region.
Valuing, Tolerating or Labeling Differences in Formal Education: Experiences from Serbia
The subject of the paper is diversity in formal education and linking international documents in the field of education policies with the application in educational practice in the Republic of Serbia (RS). The aim of the paper is to find connections between the normatively expressed needs of the child/student in the development of authenticity and personal competencies and skills, with application in real situations in educational practice in the RS. An overview of planned measures, actions and their implementation in formal education in RS, in the period covering the first and second Decade of Roma Inclusion (2005-2015; 2016-2025), is presented. The influx of migrants was intense at that time, so the efforts of the Ministry of Education to include children and students from the migrant population in the national formal education system were emphasized. At the same time, there is a debate about other differences that are equally important for the child and the quality of his/her life and development that can cause damage if they are not recognized, respected and supported by adults and peers. The examples of good practice show the tendency that exists in society, while at the same time they open up new issues and non-coverages that require pedagogical interventions and implications.
Epistemological and Methodological Foundations of the Mixed Research Approach in Pedagogy
The mixed-methods approach in educational research enables a comprehensive understanding of pedagogical phenomena by integrating both quantitative and qualitative dimensions of knowledge. This study emphasizes that methodological choices are not mere technical steps but a reflection of epistemological assumptions about the nature of knowledge and educational reality. Pragmatism, dialectics, and the transformative-emancipatory framework provide philosophical and epistemological flexibility, facilitating dialogue between contrasting perspectives while ensuring validity, credibility, and theoretical coherence. The mixed-methods approach allows for simultaneous breadth and depth of knowledge: quantitative data provide generalizability and predictability, whereas qualitative data offer insight into context, meanings, and participants’ experiences in educational processes. Design flexibility, differentiated sampling, and data integration strategies make the research process both reflective and adaptive. At the same time, the challenges of combining paradigms and reconciling dissonant findings require the researcher to explicitly articulate their epistemological stance. This study contributes to the theoretical and methodological understanding of the mixed-methods approach, highlighting its role in overcoming the limitations of single-method research and advancing educational practice. Thus, the mixed-methods approach emerges as a strategic tool for integrating scientific rigor with creative, dialectical insight into educational reality.
Parental Involvement in Preschool Education
Given the dynamics of the contemporary social context and the speed of change that characterizes it, positive developmental outcomes of children’s lives are increasingly being questioned. In order to point out the importance of integrated roles, functions and shared responsibilities of the family, preschool institution and community for the outcomes of children’s lives, the term parental involvement is conceptualized in scientific literature and empirical research. Parental involvement is defined as a complex and dynamic process aimed at the comprehensive development of the child, based on the partnership of primary systems of children’s lives. Starting from the importance of preschool upbringing and education for achieving long-term positive effects in the field of learning and social development of children, the aim of the paper is to examine those aspects of the quality of parental involvement that contribute to its effectiveness. These aspects in the preschool context include two-way communication between parents and the educator, parental participation in kindergarten activities and engagement in raising the child at home. An analysis of the scientific literature in this area indicates that active parental involvement and quality mutual communication contribute to the formation of a positive and stimulating environment for children’s development and learning. This paper points to opportunities for improving partnerships and recommends continued support for parents through structured participation programs and effective two-way communication with educators.
Teacher Emotional Competence as a Predictor of Classroom Support and Cohesion
The paper presents the results of a study that aimed to examine the determination of teacher support and class cohesion by teachers’ emotional competence. The stated determination was analyzed based on teachers’ self-assessment of their own emotional competence and the quality of the classroom atmosphere they create. The study was conducted on a sample of 302 teachers employed in primary and secondary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Data collection was conducted online, using the Emotional Competence Questionnaire (UEK-45), the Classroom Atmosphere Questionnaire, and the Sociodemographic Questionnaire. Linear multiple regression determined that the dimensions of teachers’ emotional competence: the ability to express and name emotions, the ability to perceive and understand emotions, and the ability to manage emotions statistically significantly determine the elements of classroom atmosphere, teacher support, and class cohesion. The conducted study indicates the importance of teachers’ emotional competence for creating a positive classroom atmosphere. In this regard, the results obtained can serve as a guideline for creating initial education and professional development programs for teachers that would lead to the acquisition and further strengthening of emotional competencies in the area of shaping the classroom atmosphere.
Educational and Motivation Potential of Interactive Digital Tools in Class Teaching
This paper examines the educational and motivational potentials of interactive digital tools in primary education, with a particular emphasis on the possibilities of their implementation in the instructional process. The theoretical framework of the research is based on the TPACK model, which entails the synergy of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge of teachers a prerequisite for successful digital transformation in the learning and teaching process. The paper presents an analysis of contemporary empirical research, providing insight into the positive impact of digital technologies on the educational process, primarily through the strengthening of students’ intrinsic motivation and the enhancement of their academic achievement. To achieve optimal pedagogical effects, the importance of continuity in the application of these tools in the classroom is highlighted. The study provides an overview of three selected tools – ThingLink, Kahoot!, and LearningApps – the analysis of which identifies the possibilities of implementing interactive scenarios, gamification, and a multisensory approach. Furthermore, the paper considers aspects of teacher competence within digital environments, confirming that the selected platforms are highly applicable and beneficial for instructional practice. Ultimately, this work affirms the transition from traditional teaching frameworks to an interactive learning environment, representing a key step toward the modernization of education adapted to the needs of the digital age generation.
The Role of Family, School, Peers, and the Wider Community in Creating of Free Time for Elementary School Students
The free time of elementary school students is an important developmental resource that can contribute to the formation of personal competencies, creativity, social skills and healthy lifestyles. The aim of the paper is to present and analyze the role of family, school, peers and the wider social community in shaping the quality and content of students’ free time. The research was conducted on a sample of 210 respondents from two elementary schools in the city of Tuzla, students from grades VII to IX, of whom 107 are male and 103 are female. The results obtained show that parents/guardians, as the primary social environment, do not have a major role when it comes to creating free time or the function of completely protecting students from accessing social networks and using modern technologies, nor for the organization and quality of spending time outside of school obligations. In addition to the educational function, the school also has a significant educational function, and through its programs, extracurricular activities and cooperation with the local community it can encourage the constructive use of free time. Peers play a key role in socialization and interest formation, while the wider social community – including cultural, sports and other activities – provides conditions and opportunities for diverse activities. The results indicate the need for an integrated approach, in which the cooperation of all the above-mentioned actors contributes to the stimulating and balanced development of students.
Understanding Social Exclusion Through a Sociopedagogical Perspective: Theoretical Frameworks and Pedagogical Implications
This paper analyzes social exclusion as a multidimensional process of rupturing the relationship between the individual and society, transcending the framework of material deprivation. The purpose of the study is a theoretical deconstruction of the phenomenon from a socio-pedagogical perspective, critically examining the mechanisms of marginalization within the educational system. The analysis encompasses the evolution of discourses and a comparison of key paradigms - solidarity, specialization, and monopoly - identifying the ideological differences that determine institutional action models. Key pedagogical implications suggest that educational inequalities are not merely the result of socioeconomic deprivation but are deeply rooted in the mechanisms of the hidden curriculum. Through symbolic violence, these mechanisms produce the paradox of “exclusion within inclusion,” where formal presence does not guarantee authentic belonging. Such pressures systematically weaken individual agency, while the contemporary digital divide acts as a technological multiplier of old forms of marginalization, perpetuating existing power structures. By affirming pedagogy as a practice of empowerment, the paper emphasizes a shift from technical models of mere cohesion toward authentic social inclusion. The pedagogical response focuses on transformative action and changing the conditions that generate marginalization, fostering a critical subjectivity where the student evolves from a passive recipient into a conscious agent.
(A)Symmetry of the Pedagogical Relationship
A hierarchically conceived relationship between educator and learner, in which the learner is positioned as a passive recipient of knowledge and the educator as the bearer of power and control, lacks pedagogical value. Contemporary educational theories question such asymmetry and raise the issue of symmetry within the educational process. The need for this analysis arises from the tension between demands for greater student participation and the necessity of preserving pedagogical responsibility and the purpose of education. The paper demonstrates that neither complete symmetry nor rigid asymmetry contributes to the quality of the pedagogical relationship. (Socio)constructivism, humanistic pedagogy, and critical pedagogy affirm dialogue, collaboration, and the active role of the learner. The perspective of Gert Biesta warns of the risk of “learnification” and insists on preserving the teleological dimension of teaching, as well as the educator’s responsibility to introduce the “radically new” into the learner’s horizon. The analysis confirms that ethically grounded asymmetry can have a developmental function. The balance between symmetry and asymmetry, authority and autonomy, remains a permanent pedagogical dilemma and challenge, but also a space for creative educational practice aimed at developing free, responsible, and critically minded individuals.
Contribution to the Improvement of Pedagogical Practice: Educational Methods in Additional and Intensive Educational Work
This paper discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of educational methods in the context of implementing additional and intensive educational procedures in schools. The main focus is on the normative changes introduced by the regulations on house rules in elementary and secondary schools of the Tuzla Canton from 2023, which formalized the differentiation of educational treatment towards students. The paper uses the methods of theoretical analysis of pedagogical literature and analysis of relevant normative documents, with the aim of considering the pedagogical implications of the application of various educational methods and tools within the framework of additional and intensive educational procedures. The results of the analysis indicate that the differentiation of educational work enables more effective educational work, clearer structuring of educational activities, greater individualization and pedagogical foundation of educational activities. Also, the importance of developing partnership and collaborative educational activities of family, school and other factors from the social environment is emphasized. A particularly important result is the introduction of unique pedagogical records, which contributes to the systematicity, transparency and professionalization of educational work in schools. In the end, the differentiation of educational work into additional and intensive educational procedures can be considered a pedagogically justified and methodologically sustainable concept of educational work in school, especially through additional efforts in training pedagogically competent teachers and parents.
Some Individual Differences as a Basis for Susceptibility to Misinformation and False News
The increase in the amount of misinformation and fake news, especially on social networks and on critically important topics, poses a threat to informed decision-making, both at the individual level and at the collective level. Although media literacy is often touted as the solution, psychological factors also play a key role in strengthening resistance to misinformation. This paper deals with understanding resilience through the analysis of cognitive, emotional-motivational and social processes, which include critical thinking, self-awareness and emotional regulation. We investigate how personality traits function as a filter of information from the outside and interact with social identity and group dynamics, potentially increasing susceptibility to misinformation and fake news. The most significant finding of the work is that resilience is not only a cognitive skill but a much broader psychological capacity based on individual differences and social context. In the paper, we emphasize how these insights can serve as a basis for targeted and theoretically grounded interventions aimed at strengthening resistance to misinformation. Finally, we conclude that resilience to misinformation represents a vital community resource that needs to be proactively nurtured, not only through reactive media strategies but also through preventive psychoeducational work.
Experience of Positive and Negative Emotions of Elementary School Students in 5-8th Grades
The aim of this study was to examine gender and grades differences in the experience of positive and negative emotions during the educational process among students of elementary school in 5-8th grades. The research was conducted among students from two elementary schools in the Republic of Croatia, of which n=158 were female and n=99 were male (average age= 12.1). Students completed General Data Questionnaire, the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience, and three subscales from the School Life Quality Questionnaire (School achievement, Teachers and Experience of learning). The results of Mann-Whitney U test revealed statistically significant gender differences, where female students achieve higher levels of sadness. No statistically significant gender differences were found regarding positive emotions. The Kruskal-Wallis’s test showed statistically significant higher levels of positive, pleasant, joyful, and satisfied emotions in younger students in the 5th grade compared to older students. A statistically significant higher level of unpleasant emotions was also recorded among sixth-grade students compared to 8th-grade students. These results suggest that gender and age play a role in the emotional experience of subject-based instruction, highlighting the need for strategies to support students’ emotional well-being. Practical implications include the development of targeted interventions, such as emotion regulation programs, especially for girls and older students, and the need for more dynamic and engaging teaching approaches to increase joy and engagement.
The Phenomenon of Screen Exposure and Early Child Development: Contemporary Challenges and Research Insights
The modern era is marked by the intensive digitalization of everyday life, which has resulted in earlier and more frequent use of screens among children. Given the potential and very certain impact of digital media on the overall development of a child, the phenomenon of screen exposure has become the subject of a large number of scientific studies, both foreign and domestic. The aim of this paper is to provide readers with an insight into contemporary knowledge about the phenomenon of screen exposure by reviewing and analyzing the available literature. The first part of the paper discusses the social conditioning of upbringing, screen exposure as a multidimensional phenomenon, and screen exposure in the light of developmental and other theories. The analysis of relevant research studies, as the second part of the paper, specifies the outcomes that screen exposure achieves in various areas of child development. Based on these outcomes, pedagogical implications necessary for all experts involved in educational work with children of different ages have been synthesized.
Relationship between Screen Time, Apgar Score, and Communication Skills in Children
Excessive screen time (ST) has been linked to delays in early communication, while the Apgar score (AS) is a widely used biological indicator of a newborn’s condition immediately after birth. This study examined the relationships of child ST, age of first ST exposure, and parental ST with early communication skills, as well as whether AS is related to or modifies these associations. The sample included 2,166 children aged 12–66 months. Communication skills were assessed using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3), whereas data on ST and AS were collected using a specially designed questionnaire. Exceeding recommended screen time, earlier screen exposure (<12 months), and higher parental screen time (>3 h/day) were associated with lower communication scores. However, the observed associations were statistically significant with small effect sizes. Early exposure and excessive ST were negatively associated with communication, whereas AS showed a positive association but did not modify the relationships between ST variables and communication. These findings underscore the critical relevance of ST-related behaviors in understanding early communication development in children.
The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Marital Quality
The aim of this research was to examine the direction and degree of the relationship between emotional intelligence and marital quality among spouses, i.e., to determine whether there is a correlation between emotional intelligence and marital quality. Furthermore, the research aimed to examine the predictive value of emotional intelligence in determining marital quality, i.e., to establish whether emotional intelligence is a positive or negative determinant of marital quality. The research was conducted on a sample of 130 participants (65 female and 65 male participants). The Sociodemographic Characteristics Questionnaire, the Emotional Competence Questionnaire (UEK-45), and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) were used. Correlational and logistic regression analyses were applied as research methods. The results of the correlational analysis indicated a positive correlation between emotional intelligence and marital quality among spouses. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that the emotional intelligence of spouses is a positive determinant of marital quality.
The Big Five Personality Traits as Determinants of Parental Behavior in Fathers of Older Adolescents
The aim of this study was to examine the role of the Big Five personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience) in explaining specific aspects of parental behavior (emotionality, psychological control, and behavioral control) in fathers of older adolescets. The study included 130 fathers of students in the second, third, fourth, and fifth years of study from several departments of the Faculty of Philosophy in Sarajevo. The following measurement instruments were used: General Data Questionnaire, Big Five Inventory (BFI-44), and Parents’ Report of Parental Behavior Inventory (PRPBI-30). Results from multiple regression analyses indicate that the set of predictor variables accounts for 23% of the total variance of emotionality, 17% of the total variance of psychological control, and 9% of the total variance of behavioral control. Agreeableness emerged as a significant predictor of emotionality, neuroticism as a significant predictor of psychological control, and openness to experience as a significant predictor of behavioral control. Overall, the findings suggest that fathers higher in agreeableness exhibit higher levels of emotionality toward child, fathers higher in neuroticism exhibit higher levels of psychological control toward child, and fathers higher in openness to experience exhibit lower levels of behavioral control toward child. The obtained results expand the existing body of empirical findings in this field of research and contribute to a deeper understanding of the relative contributions of the Big Five personality traits in explaining different aspects of parental behavior in fathers.
Student Well-being in Relation to Time Spent on Social Media and the Way They Are Used
Social networks represent an important part of students’ everyday life and a significant space for their social communication and academic networking. However, research findings on their connection with the well-being of young people are not unambiguous. Therefore, the aim of this research is to determine whether there are differences in the well-being of students with regard to the time spent on social networks and the way they are used. 402 students of the first and second cycle of studies from eight public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the research, where 75.4% were female students, and the average age was 22.48 years (SD = 3.63). Data were collected from May to October 2025 online through the SurveyMonkey platform using a general data questionnaire and the Short Mental Health Scale. The results of the two-factor analysis of variance showed that the time spent on social networks is not statistically significantly related to the well-being of students, while the way of their use showed a statistically significant effect, F(2, 384) = 8.49, p < .001, η² = .042. Students who use social networks or in an engaged manner achieve higher levels of well-being compared to passive and occasional users. The findings suggest that it is not only the time spent online, but the way of participating in digital communication that is crucial for understanding the relationship between social network use and student well-being. Research results can be useful in designing educational and counseling programs aimed at developing healthier patterns of digital communication and supporting student well-being.
Learning from Text or Video? The Role of Cognitive Load and Interest in Knowledge Acquisition
In contemporary education, video is often considered a more effective and engaging learning format than text, yet previous research has not provided consistent conclusions about its actual advantages. The aim of this study was to examine whether knowledge acquisition differs depending on the type of learning material (text with static images vs. video) and whether possible differences can be explained by cognitive load and interest in the learning material. The sample consisted of 194 university students who were randomly assigned, in an online experiment, to either a video-based learning condition or a text-based learning condition. After studying the material, participants completed a knowledge test and measures of prior knowledge, cognitive load, and interest. The results showed that participants who learned from the text-based material achieved higher scores on the knowledge test than those who learned from the video material(c = -2.142, p < .01). Mediation analyses did not confirm that cognitive load or interest mediated the relationship between type of material and knowledge acquisition, as the indirect effect via cognitive load (ab = -0.040, 95% bootstrap CI [-0.279, 0.208]) and the indirect effect via interest (ab = -0.397, 95% bootstrap CI [-0.879, 0.024]) were not statistically significant.These findings suggest that video does not necessarily lead to better learning outcomes than text and highlight the importance of careful instructional design regardless of the format in which learning materials are presented.
Parents’ and Educators’ Perceptions of the Impact of Media Exposure on the Cognitive and Communicative Development of Preschool Children
Modern childhood is characterized by intense media exposure, which simultaneously carries developmental opportunities and risks. The aim of this research was to examine how parents and educators in Serbia perceive the impact of different types of media content on the cognitive and communicative development of preschool children, with a special emphasis on the differences in perceptions between these two groups. The research was conducted on a sample of 205 respondents – 105 educators and 100 parents of children aged 3 to 6 from different regions of Serbia. Two original questionnaires were constructed for the research – the Educator Questionnaire (28 items) and the Parent Questionnaire (22 items) – both using a five-point Likert scale. The data were processed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square test of independence, supplemented by Cramér’s V as a measure of effect size. The results show that respondents perceive educational and interactive media content as a positive developmental activity, while passive and entertaining content in both groups is associated with negative perceptions. In all measured dimensions, statistically significant differences in perceptions between educators and parents were found (p < 0.05), with educators taking a more critical stance. The findings indicate the need to develop media literacy programs and harmonize approaches between families and preschool institutions.
Flow Experience in Students: The Role of Academic Motivation and Intellectual Styles
The aim of the study was to examine whether academic motivation and intellectual styles can serve as predictors of Flow experiences in students. The study included 115 students (N = 115) of the Faculty of Education of the University “Džemal Bijedić” in Mostar. Among the respondents, there were 25 men (21.7%) and 90 women (78.3%), and the average age was 20.5 years. In addition to the Soci-odemographic Characteristics Questionnaic re, the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS-28), based on the theory of self-determination, the Intellectual Styles Questionnaire (TSI-R2) and the Worrying Study Involvement Questionnaire (WOLF-S) were applied. To test the research hypotheses, hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the contribution of motivational and cognitive variables in explaining flow experiences. The results showed that intrinsic motivation was statistically significantly associated with a higher level of flow experience, while extrinsic motivation and amotivation did not show a significant independent contribution in the regression model. The findings indicate that the quality of motivation, i.e. intrinsic and autonomous involvement in academic activities, is particularly important for understanding the flow experience in students, which is in line with the self-determination theory. Although intellectual styles may have theoretical significance, the results of this study do not confirm their direct predictive contribution to the flow experience. The practical implications of the findings relate primarily to the creation of an educational environment that encourages interest, autonomy, and a sense of competence, while the role of intellectual styles should be further examined in future research.
Social Support and Resilience as Predictors of Teachers’ Task Performance
Teachers are often exposed to stressful situations and challenges that can affect their efficiency, resilience and professional satisfaction. In this paper, the relationship between sources of social support and teachers’ resilience and success in everyday teaching challenges was investigated. The main goal of the work was to examine the predictive role of social support and resilience in explaining the performance of teachers in their work tasks. The research was conducted on a convenient sample of 130 teachers (61 or 46.92% men and 69 or 53.08% women/), aged 25 to 60, who teach in upper grades of primary schools in the area of Tuzla Canton. The average age of the respondents was M= 41.02; SD=9.91. The paper used the Social Support Questionnaire, the Resilience Scale (BRS) and the Success Questionnaire in the performance of work tasks. In order to determine the significance of social support and resilience for the criterion variable of success in work tasks, a multiple regression analysis was used. Within the predictor model consisting of social support and resilience, only teacher’s social support was a significant predictor (β = .589, p < .001). Resilience in this research is not a significant predictor of success in the work tasks of teachers (β= .072, p = .328). No significant difference in performance in work tasks was confirmed by gender, while a significant difference was found in resilience by gender. There was also no significant difference in resilience and performance in work tasks with regard to age. To improve the effectiveness of teachers, measures aimed at strengthening social support, especially from family members, are important. Systemic social support can be a key factor for the professional development and resilience of teachers in a dynamic school environment.
Digital Competences of Students at the University of Banja Luka: Research in the Context of Distance Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced higher education institutions around the world to rapidly transition to distance learning, which has put students’ digital competences in the focus of research. The aim was to examine the digital competences of students at the University of Banja Luka in terms of accessing, creating and analyzing content, evaluating information, the ethics of using technology, and to identify potentials for further development of distance learning. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire on a sample of 454 students from all faculties of the University of Banja Luka during the state of emergency (March–May 2020). A combination of nominal and ordinal measurement scales was applied. The results show that 64% of students have never taken an online course before; 65% of students believe that they have coped well in the new circumstances; 74% do not pay enough attention to the credibility of information; 81% of students encountered the Zoom application for the first time. A gap was observed between self-assessment of digital competences and the actual level of media literacy. The results indicate that students possess the competences for the technical use of digital tools, but show deficiencies in understanding the underlying dangers and critical evaluation of information. The research emphasizes the necessity of systematic integration of digital education into curricula.
News Content on Instagram: The Diffusion of Short-form Vertical Audiovisual Formats in the Field of Television Journalism in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Access to news increasingly takes place via digital platforms, with social networks for sharing short-form video content, such as Instagram Reels, becoming ever more significant for news consumption and presentation, particularly among younger audiences. In the literature on the platformization of news, these technologies are understood not only as channels of news distribution but also as socio-technical environments that condition the ways in which journalistic content is presented. A central question in these debates concerns how journalistic content adapts to platform requirements while preserving professional norms. Previous research has predominantly focused on other platforms, while far less is known about how these practices unfold in the case of Instagram, especially within the context of television journalism in post-socialist countries. With the aim of gaining preliminary insights, this article examines the extent to which and the ways in which television newsrooms in Bosnia and Herzegovina adopt short-form vertical video formats designed for sharing on Instagram and for consumption via smartphones, for the purposes of presenting and distributing journalistic content. Drawing on the conceptual frameworks of diffusion of innovations and the platformization of news, the study analyzes Instagram Reels published on the official Instagram accounts of eight television stations with news departments, using content analysis as the research method. The findings provide insights into the rate of adoption of these formats, content production strategies, positioning in relation to platform affordances, and the implications for topic and source selection in journalistic content. The article contributes to an understanding of the transformation of television journalism in the digital age, particularly the diffusion of innovations in the production and distribution of news content as part of broader processes of the institutional adaptation of television within the digital platform ecosystem.
Communication in a Crisis: Framing the Pandemic in Press Releases of Public Health Institutions in Niš
The year 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the greatest threats to global health in modern history. The pandemic posed a serious challenge for crisis communication, requiring timely and clear information to citizens. At the local level, public health institutions play a key role in transmitting information and adapting national recommendations to the needs of the community. The subject of this research is the framing of the COVID-19 pandemic in the press releases of public health institutions in the city of Niš – the University Clinical Center, the Institute of Public Health and the Health Center. The research is based on two complementary approaches – on the framing theory, which is applied in public relations during crisis situations, and on the situational theory of crisis communication. The main objective of the empirical research was to determine the frames applied in the press releases of the aforementioned public health institutions, used with the intention of achieving their primary communication goal, which was the protection and preservation of public health. The results of the research showed that public health institutions in the territory of the city of Niš used framing models in their press releases.
The Role of the Media in Creating a Cult of Personality in Popular Culture: The Case of Taylor Swift
This paper explores the phenomenon of the cult of personality within contemporary popular culture through an analysis of the communication and marketing strategies that shape the Taylor Swift brand. Within the theoretical framework, the study draws on Weber’s concept of charisma and Lasch’s culture of narcissism, tracing the transformation of the cult of personality from a traditional, vertical model of political power to a horizontal, interactive digital phenomenon. Particular focus is placed on the role of media narratives, framing, and sensationalism in the construction of public identity, as well as the mechanisms of emotional identification and parasocial relationships. The empirical section examines the perception of Taylor Swift’s specific communication strategies among members of her fandom, the Swifties. Taylor Swift is perceived as an authentic emotional brand that transcends a conventional music career, becoming a center of social, political, and economic power. The results confirm that the modern cult of personality is no longer solely a product of media manipulation, but rather the result of a synergy between highly developed strategies, self-representation, and active audience participation. The paper concludes that in the case of Taylor Swift, the boundaries between the construction of power and authenticity are blurred, creating a new form of cultural strength that is simultaneously global, intimate, and highly profitable.
Children with Behavioral Problems in the Social Welfare System
Children with behavioral problems are among the most vulnerable groups within the social welfare system. Their behavior often results from complex psychological, social, and family- -related factors, requiring a multidisciplinary and individualized approach to support. This paper analyzes the position of these children in Serbia’s social welfare system, identifies key challenges, and reviews existing support models. The analysis draws on relevant literature, legal frameworks, and examples of good practice both domestically and internationally. Findings indicate gaps in capacities, limited access to specialized services, and challenges in intersectoral cooperation. Improvements can be achieved by strengthening professional capacities, developing new services, and enhancing collaboration among sectors to provide more effective protection and support.
Possibilities for Improving and Developing the Foster Care Training System in the Republic of Srpska – Comparative Analysis of Training Programs with Neighborhood Countries
Foster care training programs are an integral part of the process of acquiring foster family status and an important link in ensuring the quality implementation of foster care. The paper presents a comparative analysis of three foster care training programs in the country and the region (Regulation on Foster Care of the Republic of Srpska, Regulation on Foster Care of the Republic of Serbia and Regulation on Foster Care of the Republic of Croatia). The focus is on determining the characteristics of the existing Foster Care Training Program in the Republic of Srpska in relation to the regulations from the two neighboring countries and international standards and guidelines, with the aim of identifying elements of the program in which improvement is possible. The theoretical basis of the research is the attachment theory. The results show that areas for improvement can be identified in relation to: the duration of the program, continuity of education and supervisory support, program participants, training of training leaders, and the recording system. Based on the findings, the paper recommends: introducing continuous education and mandatory supervision for care, expanding training to the entire foster family, special preparation of educators, establishing measurable outcomes by thematic units, and modernizing the recording and monitoring process.
Barriers in Addressing and Preventing Child Involvement in Begging: Practice-Based Experiences
This paper presents the results of a qualitative study based on the experiences of professionals working directly in practice on the prevention and addressing of child involvement in begging. The aim of the study was to identify and classify barriers that affect both addressing this problem and the im-plementation of preventive activities. The study sample included a total of 16 participants: eight members of mobile teams for the prevention of begging, four professionals from social welfare centres, three representatives of non-governmental organizations working directly or indirectly on this issue, and one university professor. The findings indicate that professionals encounter numerous barriers in addressing the problem and implementing preventive measures. The identified barriers include limited access to information, low levels of education and distrust among beneficiaries, a shortage of professional staff, material constraints, and the lack of adequate accommodation facilities. In addition, challenges such as the normalization of begging by the public, organized forms of exploitation, insufficient accommodation capacities, the absence of intersectoral cooperation, as well as security risks and lack of protection were identified. The results confirm the complexity and multidimensional nature of the problem and highlight the need for a systemic and intersectoral approach, strengthening institutional capacities, and developing integrated preventive strategies.
Between Normative Standards and the Institutional Practice of Foster Care in the City of East Sarajevo
Foster care represents one of the key forms of alternative care for children without parental care and is normatively grounded in both international and domestic regulations. Although formal standards emphasize the principle of the best interests of the child, placement stability, and systemic support to the family, their implementation at the local level is often confronted with institutional constraints. This paper analyses foster care practice in the City of East Sarajevo, with a focus on the relationship between normative standards and their application within the local institutional context. The analysis is based on a secondary processing of empirical material collected for the purposes of a master’s thesis, including administrative quantitative data and qualitative findings obtained through interviews with professionals and foster families. The findings indicate a limited scope of formal foster care, reliance on kinship-based care arrangements, uneven staffing capacities of social work centres, and the need to strengthen systemic support for foster families. The paper points to a gap between the normative framework and operational practice and raises the question of the institutional preconditions necessary for a more consistent implementation of family-based forms of alternative care for children.
Managing the Work Performance of Employees with ADHD: Barriers and Neuroinclusive Leadership Guidelines
Employees with ADHD frequently encounter a plethora of socio-perceptual, interpersonal, and organizational barriers that hinder their professional participation and development. This paper analytically and conceptually deconstructs these barriers, shedding light on the mechanisms of professional marginalization and the circumstances under which cognitive specificities of employees with ADHD may represent organizational value. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from organizational psychology, management, and neurodiversity studies, particular attention is devoted to the double empathy problem, the fundamental attribution error, effort-reward imbalance, and forms of structural inertia such as mimetic isomorphism. Based on descriptive and analytical insights, this paper offers guidelines for neuroinclusive leadership aligned with the principles of sustainable development, highlighting the necessity of workplace adjustments as a prerequisite for transforming interpersonal relations and organizational culture. Implementing these guidelines not only supports employees with ADHD, but contributes to the sustainable development of organizations and society, positioning inclusion as a strategic value rather than merely a moral obligation.
Appliance of Applications in Speech-Language Pathology
Applications, as specialized software programmes designed to perform specific tasks, are increasingly used in various professional contexts. In SLP domain, they serve as an additional tool in assessment and treatment, encompassing a wide range of content and target areas. Previous research on which applications speech therapists in Croatia use, in what way and to what extent is scarce.The aim of this research is to determine awareness of applications applicable in Speech-Language Pathology, the frequency and ways of their use, and attitudes toward the usefulness and role of applicationsin the therapeutic work of Speech-Language Pathologists in Croatia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 51 respondents in the Republic of Croatia who are employed as SLPs. An online Questionnaire for SLPs – appliance of applications in Speech-Language Pathology was created for the purposes of this research, which contained open and closed questions. Data analysis was conducted using appropriate statistical methods in the IBM SPSS Statistics programme. The results show that 86.3% of respondents use specialized applications in their work, among which ICT-AAC, ARASAAC, Cboard AAC and Boardmaker are the most commonly used. Only 2% of respondents stated that they did not know that there were applications applicable in Speech-Language Pathology. The majority of respondents have positive attitude and consider them useful in their work as a kind of support in combination with conventional speech-language therapy procedures. Technological support provided by specialized applications has the potential to increase the reach of speech-language therapy. In the future, more applications should be developed in the Croatian language with the possibility of personalized customization, while respecting the principles of personal data protection.
Characteristics and Dynamics of Hybrid Action in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing a complex spectrum of contemporary hybrid actions that undermine the stability, institutional integrity and social cohesion of the state. In the context of geopolitical competition, particularly expressed through the strategies of Russian hybrid actions, Bosnia and Herzegovina is becoming subject to multidimensional pressures that manifest themselves through information operations, political instrumentalization of ethnic divisions, energy and economic dependencies, and targeted undermining of trust in democratic institutions. These threats operate simultaneously in the information, political, economic and cognitive domains, creating a complex environment to which traditional security mechanisms cannot adequately respond. The aim of this paper is to offer a systemic analysis of the components of contemporary hybrid actions directed towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a special focus on Russian destabilization strategies. In addition to the analytical overview, the paper also identifies key points of resilience that the country must build in order to successfully respond to these challenges. Additionally, the paper aims to raise awareness of the need to strengthen resilience to hybrid warfare and proposes guidelines for improving state capacities, strengthening cognitive and institutional resilience, and creating a comprehensive counter-hybrid strategy tailored to the specific political and social context of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Perception of Violence and Peace among the Student Population of the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Sarajevo
Phenomena of violence and peace represent important theoretical and professional categories in contemporary social sciences, within which students at the Faculty of Political Science are educated, particularly at the Department of Security and Peace Studies and the Department of Social Work. Although both departments are grounded in contemporary theoretical approaches, there has been insufficient research into the extent to which students internalize these concepts, recognize different forms of violence, and perceive their own professional responsibility in peacebuilding. The results show that students from both departments clearly distinguish between positive and negative peace and recognize various forms of violence. However, certain differences have been observed depending on departmental affiliation: social work students primarily perceive their professional contribution to peace through working with individuals and communities, while students of security and peace studies place greater emphasis on institutional reforms, along with differences in highlighting specific forms of violence. These differences primarily relate to the ways in which peace and violence are professionally operationalized, while at the normative and value level there is a high degree of convergence, confirming the existence of a shared theoretical and value framework.
Perceptions of the Relationship Between Animal Abuse and Violence Against Humans
Although public awareness of animal abuse in society is significantly higher today than in the past, there is still considerable room for improvement in this area. Violence against animals and violence against humans are often viewed separately; however, numerous studies have identified a link between these two forms of violence. The pilot study aims is to gain insight into the perception of the relationship between animal abuse and violence against humans, in order to determine whether, and which, forms of animal abuse are perceived by respondents as predictors of violence against humans. This paper presents a study on the perceptions of students in Croatia regarding the relationship between animal abuse and violence against humans. The research sample consisted of 47 students, and the data were collected through an online survey using a questionnaire specifically designed for this purpose. Spearman’s rank-order correlation was used to examine the relationships between variables as a non-parametric method of bivariate analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to assess the predictive role of different forms of animal abuse. The results of the bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant positive association between respondents’ perceptions of specific forms of animal abuse and violence that could subsequently be directed toward humans. This statistically significant positive association was particularly evident for forms of violence such as animal abandonment, sexual abuse, killing, and physical abuse.The results of the regression analysis indicated that animal abandonment was the only statistically significant predictor of the perception of violence against humans. This finding suggests that the predictive value of specific forms of violence is not based solely on their level of severity, but also on their structural and contextual characteristics.
Prison Systems of the 19th Century and the Shaping of Prison Identity
The paper analyzes how prison systems of the 19th century influenced the breakdown of prisoners’ previous identity and the formation of prison identity. The focus is on the ways in which these systems organized the serving of imprisonment. It was carried out through isolation, work, supervision, silence, classification, and progressive stages. The interpretation uses the concepts of total institution, prisonization, and labeling. The paper focuses on the Pennsylvania, Auburn, and progressive systems, because each of them organized punishment and everyday prison life in a different way. The analysis shows that the previous identity of prisoners was broken down gradually. This process began already at prison admission, through the removal of personal belongings, supervision of the body, restriction of movement, and loss of privacy. It continued through deprivations and classifications, which deprived the prisoner of freedom and autonomy and at the same time determined his position within the institution. At the same time, prison identity was being formed. It was not a goal set in advance by penal policy, but an effect of prison rules, supervision, and the way the sentence was served. Its main elements were silence, caution, self-control, and acceptance of institutional rules. This shows that the breakdown of the previous identity and the formation of a new one did not take place separately, but at the same time, through the same forms of punishment.
BOSANSKA FRANJEVAČKA KNJIŽEVNOST KAO PROSTOR SUSRETA I NAPETOSTI (Ena Begović-Sokolija, Fratri o drugima, Dobra knjiga, Sarajevo, 2023)
PUTOPIS KAO FLEKSIBILAN I PRODUKTIVAN ŽANR PROPUSNIH STILSKIH GRANICA (Bernisa Puriš, Stilistika bosanskohercegovačkog putopisa XX vijeka, Bosansko filološko društvo, Sarajevo, 2024)
GLAGOLI I TVORBA RIJEČI U SLAVENSKIM JEZICIMA (Тенденции во зборообразувањето на глаголите во словенските јазици / Word-formation Tendencies of Verbs in Slavic Languages, uredila Лидија Аризанковска, Филолошки факултет “Блаже Конески”, Скопје, 2024)
STILISTIKA KROZ PRIZMU NOVIH PRISTUPA (Marina Katnić-Bakaršić, Stilistika na putu. Kritički diskursni pristup jeziku i stilu, University Press, Sarajevo, 2025)
PEDAGOŠKE DIMENZIJE RUKOVOĐENJA ODGOJNO-OBRAZOVNOM USTANOVOM (Mujo Slatina, Dina Sijamhodžić-Nadarević, Haris Cerić, Umijeća pedagoškog djelovanja: Od rukovođenja obrazovnom institucijom do vođenja ljudi, Ilum, Bužim, 2025)
VAŽAN IZVOR ZA KREIRANJE PREVENCIJSKIH STRATEGIJA U BORBI PROTIV DRUŠTVENO- -MORALNIH DEVIJACIJA (Zbornik radova VII naučno-stručne konferencije s međunarodnim učešćem „Uloga savremenog odgoja i obrazovanja u prevenciji društveno-moralnih devijacija“, uredio Nedim Čirić, Islamski pedagoški fakultet u Bihaću, Bihać, 2025)
„ŽIVI GLAS“ NAUKE [Halid Bulić (ur.), Traganje i trajanje u jeziku: Lingvazinovi intervjui, Institut za bosanski jezik i književnost u Tuzli, Tuzla, 2025]
UMJETNA INTELIGENCIJA U OBRAZOVANJU, ZA OBRAZOVANJE, ZA DRUŠTVO? [Kornelija Mrnjaus, Siniša Kušić, Sofija Vrcelj (ur.), Obrazovanje u doba umjetne inteligencije, Filozofski fakultet i Hrvatska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti, 2025]
HISTORIJSKI, ESTETSKI I INTEGRACIJSKI ISKORAK U KANONIZACIJI BOŠNJAČKE POEZIJE (Novi milenij – bošnjačka poezija 2000-2025, priredio Almir Zalihić, Bošnjaci zajedno! – Nacionalna koordinacija Bošnjaka u Hrvatskoj, Edicija Behar, Zagreb, 2025)
MULTIDISCIPLINARAN UVID U HISTORIJSKE PROCESE NA PODRUČJU FOČE I GORNJEG PODRINJA (Foča – identitet u historijskoj perspektivi: zbornik radova, uredio Mesud Šadinlija, Bošnjački institut – Fondacija Adila Zulfikarpašića, Sarajevo, 2025)
KOJI ISLAM I KOJA SAVREMENOST? (Samedin Kadić, Islam i savremenost: muslimansko moderno mišljenje, El-Kalem, Sarajevo, 2025)
ARHEOLOGIJA SVAKODNEVNICE KAO MOST IZMEĐU NEKADAŠNJEG I DANAŠNJEG SVIJETA (Adnan Busuladžić, Zaboravljena Narona: Arheološki nalazi iz Narone u antičkoj zbirci Zemaljskog muzeja Bosne i Hercegovine, Arheološki muzej Narona – Zemaljski muzej Bosne i Hercegovine, Vid/Sarajevo, 2025)
ISTRAŽIVAČKA STRAST I DISCIPLINARNI RACIO LITERARNE BOSNISTIKE* [Muhidin Džanko: Izvori, putevi i rukavci literarne bosnistike (Studije, ogledi, prikazi, recenzije), Centar za kulturu i obrazovanje, Tešanj, 2025]
NAUČNI OMAŽ ŽRTVAMA GENOCIDA U SREBRENICI – TRI DECENIJE POSLIJE (Enis Omerović, Genocid nad Bošnjacima: međunarodnopravna analiza, Bošnjaci zajedno – Nacionalna koordinacija Bošnjaka u Hrvatskoj, Zagreb, 2025)
APLIKATIVNI I PEDEUTOLOŠKI ASPEKTI SAVREMENOG KURIKULUMA (Lejla Muratović, Kurikulum: konceptualno-metodološka pitanja, Printas d.o.o, Srebrenik, 2026)
BRČANSKE KAZIVAČICE U FOLKLORISTIČKOM RADU ALIJE NAMETKA (Omer Merzić, Edin Jašarević, Tragom Nametkovih istraživanja u Brčkom, Bošnjačka zajednica kulture ̋Preporod ̋, Dobra knjiga, Brčko/Sarajevo, 2026)