UON Psychology Welcomes Academics from the University of Sofia visiting through the ERASMUS Exchange Program

WHAT: research presentations by Prof Sonya Karabeliova and Dr Milen Milanov, University of Sofia, Bulgaria.

WHEN: Tuesday 11th June, 2019, 12-1pm

WHERE: Keats Reading Room AVLG17, Aviation Building, Callaghan (Video link to Ourimbah Meeting room, Science Offices; zoom link::https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/s/979950681 ZoomID: 979950681

TALK BY PROF KARABELIOVA:
Value Orientations and Cultural Practices - Similarities and Differences between Bulgaria and Australia (based on the Hofstede’s model)

PROF KARABELIOVA’S ABSTRACT: The lecture will present a short introduction to the theoretical model of Geert Hofstede on the topic of value measurement. This has served as a forming factor of culture on an individual and national level. The model is based on a large-scale empirical survey conducted in more than 80 countries around the world. The dominant value orientations reflect cultural practices which characterise people’s everyday behaviour. The lecture will present data from two national large-scale surveys conducted in Bulgaria according to Hofstede’s model. The results will be compared with findings about Australia taken from published research by Geert Hofstede. Finally, we will discuss similarities and differences between Bulgaria and Australia.

PROF KARABELIOVA’S BIO: Sonya Karabeliova is a Professor in Psychology at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria. She graduated with a Master’s degree from the same university where she also successfully defended her PhD and earned a subsequent DSc. She is currently one of the Vice-Deans of the Faculty of Philosophy which includes the Department of Psychology. She is the leader of a Master’s and a PhD degree in Health Psychology. Her other research interests are within the field of Cross-Cultural Psychology. She has led and been a part of numerous national and international research projects. She has written three books: Career Choice; Values and Cultural Practices in Bulgaria; Human Potential Management and Development and is a co-author of three additional books and a number of research papers. Prof. Sonya Karabeliova also has a vast experience as a consultant for private organisations.

TALK BY DR MILANOV: When patriotism and sexism correlate: Some common socio-demographic determinants.

DR MILANOV’S: In this research we identify a number of socio-demographic factors that determine the levels of patriotism and sexism in two separate data sets with a total of 958 participants. The results of  independent samples t-tests and ANOVAs show that age, education level, marital status, and to some extend gender, all account for significant differences in the attitudes towards the common stereotypes of male and female roles in society. The same factors appear to predict different levels of patriotism as well. We discuss the relatively stable patterns of interactions between demographics and both patriotism and sexism in our samples and elaborate on the positive correlation between these phenomena.

DR MILANOV’S BIO: I completed my Master’s degree in Psychology at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in Bulgaria and worked in the private sector for several years. In 2006 I relocated to Australia and completed my PhD in social psychology at the University of Newcastle in 2010.  Shortly after, I accepted a tenured track assistant professor position at my home university back in Bulgaria and I have been there ever since. My research is in the areas of group identity, prejudice and discrimination. I am also interested in research methodology and teach various statistical courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.