Benjamin Kelly

Stockholm syndrome as vernacular resource

First coined in 1973 to describe a pathological response on the part of individuals involved in kidnapping or hostage-taking situations, the label “Stockholm syndrome” has since been used in a much broader range of contexts including reference to wife battering and human trafficking, and in debates about gender and race politics as well as international relations. Tracing the domain expansion of Stockholm syndrome since the 1970s, we examine how the label offers claims-makers a device for neutralizing the arguments of those with opposing points of view, and, in so doing, reinforces collective narratives and “formula stories” of victimization.

The Managed Heart Revisited Exploring the Effect of Institutional Norms on the Emotional Labor of Flight Attendants Post 9/11

This article examines the emotional culture of flight attendants thirty-two years after Hochschild’s (1983) study, The Managed Heart. Using data collected by participant observation and informal interviews, we argue that flight attendants are empowered by post-9/11 institutional changes in security policies and as a result are using more discretion in how they perform courteous emotional labor. We put forward two interrelated concepts—the “9/11 effect” and “role shields”—to explain how a new emphasis on safety over courtesy in institutional policies provides cabin crew with a normative resource to achieve greater autonomy. We establish that flight attendants are now more assertive when they interact with passengers. By acknowledging the flight attendant’s post-9/11 experience and their increase in what we label emotional agency, this study offers a historical-comparative complement to Hochschild’s emphasis on emotive constraints.

Democratizing the Science of Risk Management — An End-User-Driven Approach to Managing Risks to Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities

First Nations communities across Canada have historically faced numerous challenges. Over the past several years, the issue of reliable and safe drinking water has been particularly stressful for a growing number of aboriginal populations. According to a report from Health Canada (2009), the frequency of drinking water advisories in First Nations communities has risen from approximately 130 in 2003 to over 250 in 2007.