A hermeneutic description of a therapeutic interview using reader response concepts from literary theory
- Authors: Odendaal, Dirk Hermanus, 1954-
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Psychotherapy , Hermeneutics , Narrative therapy , Reading, Psychology of , Reader-response criticism , Psychology and literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3168 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007749
- Description: Certain approaches in the discipline Psychology, use the term narrative to describe how they work. Upon investigation one finds that the term narrative is seldom informed from Literary Theory, the background from which it originated. Instead, other disciplines that were also influenced by Literary Theory are invariably used as a means of cross fertilisation, e.g. the work of Geertz from an anthropologist background. Therapists make use of techniques described in the theories in an attempt to come to an understanding of the interactions in the therapy session. Some of the later theories emanating from Literary Theory appear to very useful for opening new ways of research in psychology, especially because some of them already come from an interdisciplinary background. This research attempts to identify useful theories and then apply them within a hermeneutical background in a therapeutical session. Theoretical work on ambiguity, recent research on foregrounding and defamiliarization and also the research in psychonarratology appear to be eminently useful for coming to a deeper understanding of the processes that take place in a therapeutic environment. It is thought that these theories could be of use because they have been 'tested' against the experiences of real readers reading texts. As novels differ from reports and washing lists, therapeutic settings differ from discussions. A novel is a cultivated variant of a report, and a therapeutic conversation is a cultivated version of a chat. These theories then, were applied to a real therapeutic session. The therapists who participated were interviewed on the session and on their reactions to certain 'readings' made by them during the session. The purpose of the interview was to obtain an understanding of their interpretation of what had happened during that session. The questions, reactions, observations and reflections of the session constitute the text of this research. The generated text was then reread from the perspective of each of the theories. The data was collected and interpreted. The interpretation focusses on the therapists 'reading' or understanding of the session and in the process, leads the therapists and researcher to further levels of understanding. In conclusion, it was found that the theories were indeed useful as they were able to point out how certain stylistics of language and situation in the therapeutic session had led to hermeneutic or interpretive processes and also how these processes were perceived or experienced on reflection by the therapists.
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- Date Issued: 2005
A quantitative survey of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour, related to AIDS/HIV, among Zulu speaking standard eight high school students
- Authors: Harvey, Brian
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , AIDS (Disease) in adolescence -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2987 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002496 , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , AIDS (Disease) in adolescence -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Attitudes
- Description: AIDS is a serious South African health problem, with HIV infection in KwaZulu-Natal being at the local epidemic's forefront. Adolescents in this province are at additional risk because of their lifestyles. Information on existing risky behaviour and its psychosocial concomitants can provide an important base for educational interventions aimed at reducing further transmission. This study aims to provide baseline information on knowledge, attitudes and reported behaviour, relating to HIV/AIDS, among adolescents in KwaZulu-Natal. A survey, using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire with closed-ended questions to collect data, was conducted among standard eight Zulu-speaking students (N = 1511) in five parts of the province. The theoretical framework that informed data collection was drawn from the Health Belief Model and Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory. The data generated were first analysed descriptively, providing percentages for responses to individual items. Secondly, cross-tabulations were calculated for relevant items using three independent biographical variables, namely: Locality (rural/peri-urban), gender and students' reports of sexual activity. The results showed inadequate knowledge concerning HIV/AIDS to provide a foundation for developing healthier attitudes. Although most students acknowledged the disease's severity, few reported feeling personally susceptible, denying the immediacy of the threat. Additionally, cues to action and the perceived benefits of adopting preventive behaviours were not influential. Barriers preventing condom use were not primarily logistical, with personal concerns being the main barriers to change. Furthermore, perceived self-efficacy in preventive behaviours was low. Recommendations regarding areas for future research, as well as considerations which will enhance the effectiveness of risk reducing interventions among similar populations, are provided.
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- Date Issued: 1997
The meaning of work in a developing society a rural South African study
- Authors: Sully, Preis Max
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Work -- Psychological aspects Ciskei (South Africa) -- Rural conditions Keiskammahoek (South Africa) -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3066 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002575
- Description: The primary aim of this thesis is to explore, at a psychological level, the meaning of work in a rural developing society context. Additional aims comprise: the examination of distinctions in the meaning of work between different occupational niches; and the development of an appropriate conceptual and methodological approach for understanding meaning of work issues in developing society contexts. The research was conducted in the Keiskammahoek district situated in Ciskei, a South African homeland area. Demographically, the area comprises farms, small rural villages and one small town. It has traditionally fulfilled the role of a labour reserve, and the local economy largely depends on income generated through migrant labour. The population predominantly comprises indigenous Xhosa speakers, although a few whites, individuals of mixed racial origin and other ethnic groups are represented. In order to accommodate the diversity of work experience in rural society, an approach was adopted which relied on the participants' subjective definition of work. A conscious attempt was made to avoid defining work exclusively as remunerated employment. At a metatheoretical level, the meaning of work model used is grounded in Kelly's (1955) Personal Construct Theory. It comprises three facets, namely process, context and content. A multiple case study analysis was carried design was used, through to a in which nomothetic idiographic level of understanding. The primary' research instrument comprised an interview, in which data was derived from life-history material, a repertory grid, and focused interview questions. In the development of case studies, a process of triangulation was used to link the three sources of data. The thesis explores the relationship between participants and their work in several ways. First, it looks at how work and non-work are constituted and related to one another, and at how personally valuable work is contrasted to less valuable work. Second, it explores the relationship between the individual's orientation to work and their life and occupational context. Finally, it discusses the proposal that work meanings change and evolve with the development of the individual, and with shifts in social and historical circumstance.
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- Date Issued: 1994