Malala's Diary: School Closure and Student Response

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Questions and Answers

Considering Malala's introspection and self-address in front of the mirror, which epistemological stance best characterizes her evolving sense of self in relation to her public persona?

An interplay between symbolic interactionism, where her self-concept is shaped by her imagined audience and social feedback, and existentialism, emphasizing her agency in defining her identity through her actions and speeches. (correct)
A deterministic perspective, where her self-perception is entirely predetermined by her genetic predisposition and environmental conditioning, leaving no room for introspection or personal agency.
A manifestation of naive realism, where she perceives her self-image as a direct and unfiltered reflection of her true essence, unaffected by external influences or societal expectations.
A form of radical constructivism where her identity is solely a product of her subjective interpretations of societal expectations, divorced from any inherent self.

Given the sociopolitical context of the Taliban's edict against female education, which theoretical framework most accurately explains the underlying power dynamics at play?

Pluralism, where diverse groups freely compete for influence, indicating that the ban on female education is simply a result of one group's temporary advantage in the marketplace of ideas.
Rational choice theory, wherein the Taliban's actions are a calculated strategy to maximize their utility by minimizing the perceived threats to their power posed by educated women.
Structural functionalism, suggesting that the ban serves a latent function by reinforcing traditional gender roles and social stability within the community.
Critical theory, particularly the concept of hegemony, where the Taliban's ideology, enforced through violence and fear, aims to legitimize and maintain their dominance by suppressing dissenting voices and perpetuating gender inequality. (correct)

Based on Malala's initial disbelief in the Taliban's edict, what cognitive bias is most likely influencing her perception of the situation?

Availability heuristic, causing her to overestimate the likelihood of resistance against the Taliban due to the vividness of past successful acts of defiance.
Confirmation bias, where she selectively attends to information that confirms her preexisting belief that the Taliban cannot possibly succeed in stopping female education.
Optimism bias, leading her to underestimate the probability of the edict being enforced and overemphasize her belief in the collective resolve to defy it. (correct)
Anchoring bias, where she relies too heavily on her initial impression of the edict as an unrealistic statement, preventing her from fully assessing the potential consequences.

Considering the girls' debate regarding the enforceability of the Taliban's edict and the lack of intervention after previous school bombings, which game-theoretic concept best describes the situation?

A prisoner's dilemma, in which each girl faces the individual incentive to comply with the edict to avoid personal harm, even though collective defiance would lead to a better outcome for all. (B) Signup and view all the answers

If Malala's speeches to local and national media are analyzed through the lens of rhetorical theory, which persuasive strategy is she primarily employing to garner support against the Taliban's actions?

A combination of kairos and telos, seizing the opportune moment (the edict) to advocate for a specific purpose (continued female education) by strategically adapting her message to resonate with her immediate audience. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Applying a post-structuralist critique to Radio Mullah's pronouncements, how does his rhetoric function to construct and reinforce binary oppositions that legitimize the Taliban's actions?

By establishing a clear dichotomy between modernity and tradition, associating female education with the former (seen as Western and corrupting) and obedience to religious authority with the latter (portrayed as authentic and virtuous). (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the narrative, if one were to employ a Foucauldian lens to analyze the power dynamics at play, how would the concept of governmentality elucidate the mechanisms through which the Taliban sought to control the female population?

By promoting the internalization of norms and values conducive to patriarchal domination, thereby shaping individual conduct and self-perception in accordance with Taliban ideology. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Considering the global implications of the Taliban's actions and Malala's advocacy, which tenet of cosmopolitanism is most directly challenged by the events described?

All of the above (E) Signup and view all the answers

Given the sociopolitical climate described in the text, to what extent can Habermas's concept of the 'public sphere' be considered compromised or distorted, and how does this affect the ability of marginalized voices to influence policy decisions?

The public sphere is severely constrained by the Taliban's control over information and suppression of dissent, effectively silencing marginalized voices and preventing meaningful dialogue about issues affecting the community. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Malala's Mirror Speech

Malala practices giving speeches to herself in the mirror.

Swat Valley Attacks

Swat Valley faced violence that affected girls' education.