The practical and theoretical implications of pretreatment and posttreatment anxiety levels in alcoholic in-patients
- Authors: Thomson, Peter R S
- Date: 1984
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:21129 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6494
- Description: Pretreatment and posttreatment anxiety scores on the IPAT Anxiety Inventory and the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale were obtained from 27 alcoholic in-patients who participated in an alcoholic treatment programme. The treatment programme focused on abstinence and not on anxiety reduction. The results showed that there was a significant decrease between the pre- and the posttreatment anxiety scores on both measures . The duration of hospitalization or the attendance of group psychotherapy did not affect the decrease in anxiety scores. The implications of these results for Pattison's (1979) Multivariate Multimodal model of alcoholism are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1984
- Authors: Thomson, Peter R S
- Date: 1984
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:21129 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6494
- Description: Pretreatment and posttreatment anxiety scores on the IPAT Anxiety Inventory and the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale were obtained from 27 alcoholic in-patients who participated in an alcoholic treatment programme. The treatment programme focused on abstinence and not on anxiety reduction. The results showed that there was a significant decrease between the pre- and the posttreatment anxiety scores on both measures . The duration of hospitalization or the attendance of group psychotherapy did not affect the decrease in anxiety scores. The implications of these results for Pattison's (1979) Multivariate Multimodal model of alcoholism are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1984
The recording, retrieval and analysis of some electrophysiological measures relevant to psychology
- Authors: Barnes, Robert M
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Psychology -- Computer programs Electroencephalography -- Research Electrophysiology -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:2914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002079
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
- Authors: Barnes, Robert M
- Date: 1981
- Subjects: Psychology -- Computer programs Electroencephalography -- Research Electrophysiology -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:2914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002079
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1981
A comprehensive guide to conducting compensation surveys to determine competitive adjustments to base salary ranges
- Authors: Snelgar, Robin John
- Date: 1979
- Subjects: Wage surveys , Wages
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2896 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002060
- Description: The compensation process is a complex network of sub-processes directed toward compensating people for services performed, and motivating them to obtain desired levels of performance. Among the intermediate components of this process are wage and salary payments, the awarding of other cost items such as insurance, vacations, sick leave, etc. (fringe benefits), and the provision of essentially non-cost rewards such as recognition, privileges and symbols of status. However, the broad subject of compensation in terms of cost to the organisation may be examined in two sections, namely, wage and salary administration, and fringe benefit administration. The compensation survey forms an integral part of both administration processes, and thus becomes a necessary and essential device in the determination of the final compensation package to the employee.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1979
- Authors: Snelgar, Robin John
- Date: 1979
- Subjects: Wage surveys , Wages
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2896 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002060
- Description: The compensation process is a complex network of sub-processes directed toward compensating people for services performed, and motivating them to obtain desired levels of performance. Among the intermediate components of this process are wage and salary payments, the awarding of other cost items such as insurance, vacations, sick leave, etc. (fringe benefits), and the provision of essentially non-cost rewards such as recognition, privileges and symbols of status. However, the broad subject of compensation in terms of cost to the organisation may be examined in two sections, namely, wage and salary administration, and fringe benefit administration. The compensation survey forms an integral part of both administration processes, and thus becomes a necessary and essential device in the determination of the final compensation package to the employee.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1979
Sensory dominance : an experiment across cultures
- Authors: Locke, Hester W
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Perception -- Testing , Senses and sensation -- Testing , Dominance (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3214 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012744
- Description: Physical and intellectual differences in the home environment of Xhosa and White children suggested that the interaction of touch and vision in situations of sensory conflict and the development of dominance may be different in children from these homes. Children aged 5-13 years were tested on apparatus which created a conflict of tactual and visual judgement about the perceived size of the stimulus. Xhosa and White subjects performed similarly except when only tactual judgement was allowed and the Xhosa group were less influenced by touch. The study concludes that for children touch and vision contribute equally to the resolution of sensory conflict when both senses are active in size-judgements and when only one mode is allowed for judging then the resolution is biased towards this mode. This outcome is different from that of experiments with adults and has implications for theories derived from them.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1977
- Authors: Locke, Hester W
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Perception -- Testing , Senses and sensation -- Testing , Dominance (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3214 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012744
- Description: Physical and intellectual differences in the home environment of Xhosa and White children suggested that the interaction of touch and vision in situations of sensory conflict and the development of dominance may be different in children from these homes. Children aged 5-13 years were tested on apparatus which created a conflict of tactual and visual judgement about the perceived size of the stimulus. Xhosa and White subjects performed similarly except when only tactual judgement was allowed and the Xhosa group were less influenced by touch. The study concludes that for children touch and vision contribute equally to the resolution of sensory conflict when both senses are active in size-judgements and when only one mode is allowed for judging then the resolution is biased towards this mode. This outcome is different from that of experiments with adults and has implications for theories derived from them.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1977
Self-esteem of coloured and white scholars and students in South Africa
- Authors: Momberg, Allan
- Date: 1976
- Subjects: Self-esteem in children , Self-esteem -- Cross-cultural studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012876
- Description: A measure of the self-esteem of 426 subjects was obtained by means of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. The sample comprised two Afrikaans, two Coloured and two English groups. Each of the above three groups was made up of pupils and students, (i. e. there were six separate sample groups). The major purpose of this study was to ascertain whether or not the Coloureds could be said to differ meaningfully from their White counterparts with regard to their general level of self-esteem. A secondary objective was to investigate the possibility of the Afrikaans and English groups differing in self-esteem. No significant differences were found to exist between any of the three student sample groups. The ranking of the mean self-esteem scores of these groups was: Afrikaans (highest), Coloured, English (lowest). The only groups that differed significantly from one another at the pupil level were the Afrikaans and the Coloureds. Their ranking was: Afrikaans (highest), English, Coloured (lowest). The prediction arising from the hypothesis of this study was that the Coloureds do not necessarily differ from Whites in their general level of self-esteem. This view is held because factors similar to those which are believed to have facilitated the rise in the self-esteem of the American Negroes are now operating in South Africa. It was concluded that this prediction was upheld.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1976
- Authors: Momberg, Allan
- Date: 1976
- Subjects: Self-esteem in children , Self-esteem -- Cross-cultural studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012876
- Description: A measure of the self-esteem of 426 subjects was obtained by means of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. The sample comprised two Afrikaans, two Coloured and two English groups. Each of the above three groups was made up of pupils and students, (i. e. there were six separate sample groups). The major purpose of this study was to ascertain whether or not the Coloureds could be said to differ meaningfully from their White counterparts with regard to their general level of self-esteem. A secondary objective was to investigate the possibility of the Afrikaans and English groups differing in self-esteem. No significant differences were found to exist between any of the three student sample groups. The ranking of the mean self-esteem scores of these groups was: Afrikaans (highest), Coloured, English (lowest). The only groups that differed significantly from one another at the pupil level were the Afrikaans and the Coloureds. Their ranking was: Afrikaans (highest), English, Coloured (lowest). The prediction arising from the hypothesis of this study was that the Coloureds do not necessarily differ from Whites in their general level of self-esteem. This view is held because factors similar to those which are believed to have facilitated the rise in the self-esteem of the American Negroes are now operating in South Africa. It was concluded that this prediction was upheld.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1976
Accident liability and primary process thinking : a study in ego psychology
- Authors: Nell, Oelrich
- Date: 1975
- Subjects: Automobile drivers -- Psychology , Ego (Psychology) , Traffic safety -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Liability for traffic accidents -- South Africa , Traffic accidents -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3220 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012950
- Description: Serious efforts must be made to combat the high accident rate on the roads in the Republic of South Africa. The same spirit which exists in the field of medicine when there are evidences that an epidemic is beginning to take its toll, must come into being amongst those who are concerned with traffic and its problems. The public itself needs to become more aware of road safety. Many associations and institutions have been created to assist with the inculcation of the road safety ideal. The National Road Safety Council, which creates opportunities for investigation into aspects of road safety must continue to expand its sphere of influence. The research project contained on the following pages represents an attempt to contribute to the human factor in traffic safety, particularly by making a closer study of the driver of the motor vehicle. The writer is concerned with the carnage that is caused by road accidents. His previous study of personality and particularly of the projective techniques of assessment has prompted a consideration of the problem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1975
- Authors: Nell, Oelrich
- Date: 1975
- Subjects: Automobile drivers -- Psychology , Ego (Psychology) , Traffic safety -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Liability for traffic accidents -- South Africa , Traffic accidents -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3220 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012950
- Description: Serious efforts must be made to combat the high accident rate on the roads in the Republic of South Africa. The same spirit which exists in the field of medicine when there are evidences that an epidemic is beginning to take its toll, must come into being amongst those who are concerned with traffic and its problems. The public itself needs to become more aware of road safety. Many associations and institutions have been created to assist with the inculcation of the road safety ideal. The National Road Safety Council, which creates opportunities for investigation into aspects of road safety must continue to expand its sphere of influence. The research project contained on the following pages represents an attempt to contribute to the human factor in traffic safety, particularly by making a closer study of the driver of the motor vehicle. The writer is concerned with the carnage that is caused by road accidents. His previous study of personality and particularly of the projective techniques of assessment has prompted a consideration of the problem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1975
A cross cultural study of eidetic imagery and short term memory
- Authors: Lewis, William Michael
- Date: 1974
- Subjects: Cross-cultural studies , Eidetic imagery , Short-term memory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007182 , Cross-cultural studies , Eidetic imagery , Short-term memory
- Description: The complexity of behaviour necessitates a clear and concise approach in order to comprehend its functioning. An example of such an approach is highlighted by the field of cybernetics. Cybernetic models have been used extensively throughout the various fields of Psychology but perhaps never more so as in the case of short term memory (STM). This particular field abounds with behavioural models and research workers are constantly developing new models or testing the universality of existing models. Universal validity is essential to the strength of the behavioural principles inherent in any model but unfortunately such validity tends to be neglected. The present study attempts to reconcile this position with reference to specific models of STM, with relation to the phenomena of eidetic imagery (EI). Certain studies concerning the incidence of EI in illiterate Africans have produced results which are contradictory to those obtained in the Western culture. Two of the most important contradictions concern the fact that the illiterate Africans experienced the absence of an age parameter on the occurrence of such imagery and the fact that the incidence of imagery was more extensive in the African culture. A reason for these contradictions was sought and it was reasoned that as eidetic images have been closely linked with memory images, it may, therefore, be assumed that these particular cultures may use EI as an aid to memory in the absence of written material. Further, it would not be unreasonable to assume that this visual imagery may tend to dominate the STM process and thereby challenge the universality of those memory models that proposed acoustic domination of this process. No work has been done in investigating the memory process of the Africans. Thus, a study which did so would not only test the universality of specific memory models but would also possibly throw more light on the memory process itself. In this particular study there were three specific aims; (a) to ascertain the relative incidence of EI on a cross-cultural level, (b) to assess the influence of EI on the memory process, and (c) to ascertain the extent to which principles of STM developed in the West applied to the African groups. The groups concerned in the study comprised two Xhosa groups and a European group. The European group (WS) was drawn from a White Student population at Rhodes University and was regarded as a control group. The equivalent literate Xhosa group (BS) was drawn from a Black Student population at the University of Fort Hare. The illiterate Xhosa group (RX) was drawn from a population of Red Xhosa people in the Transkei. Four tasks were administered to the groups with the cross-cultural variable carefully controlled as much as possible. The following comprised the four tasks; (a) eidetic imagery (b) auditory serial recall (c) visual serial recall and (d) an acoustic confusable task. Each subject commenced with the eidetic imagery task and was then confronted with a random presentation of the other three tasks. The EI task began with an after image task which was foIlowed by three selected pictures which comprised the EI task. After each picture presentation the subject was closely questioned as to the presence of imagery. Scoring was of a subjective nature. The visual and acoustic confusion tasks constituted serial presentation of ten items over six randomized trials. Each item was presented for 0,75 seconds with a negligible inter-item interval. The presentation order of the items was randomized throughout the trials. Presentation was by means of a preprogrammed 16mm colour film. Items were scored for correct serial position. The auditory task consisted of the serial presentation of ten items over six randomized trials. The items were once again randomized throughout the trials with regards to presentation order. The presentation speed was one word per second. The presentation was by means of a pre-programmed tape. Items were scored for correct serial position. The visual task was common to both language groups whilst the other two tasks correlated with the language group. Thus, the items in the auditory and acoustic confusion tasks were different for each language but an attempt was made to control this variable. The tasks were conducted in the subjects home language which was either Xhosa or English. It was assumed that the RX group would demonstrate a greater incidence of EI, irrespective of the age of the subject, and that imagery would be reflected in the recall performance of the memory tasks. It was suggested that imagery may determine or encourage the mode of storage that the subject employed, which, in this case, would be the visual modality. If so then it would be expected that visual storage would circumvent the detrimental influence of acoustic confusability. The Xhosa university group (BS ) was an unknown quantity but was included to ascertain whether there were any marked differences between the group and the other two. The results revealed that imagery was in fact more prevalent in the Xhosa groups whilst the WS group demonstrated a complete lack of EI but did report the presence of pictorial imagery (PI). However, imagery did not appear to function as an aid to memory. It seemed, however, that in certain instances it correlated with visual encoding. Generally the Xhosa subjects, especially with regards to the visual tasks, tended to encode visually whilst the WS group encoded auditorily. With reference to recall performance, it was found that in all instances the WS group demonstrated superior recall followed by the BS and RX groups in that order. There was a significant difference in the strength of recall between each of the groups. The results of the auditory and visual tasks were interpreted within the STM principles developed in the West. It was found that the WS group adhered to these principles thereby justifying its position as a central group. The BS group followed a similar pattern with exception to the recency effect which was much weaker in their case. The RX group reported the absence of any storage and rehearsal strategies and this was reflected in their poor recall performance. They too were characterized by a very weak recency effect. The interesting point arose, however, when the auditory and visual recency effects were compared. According to Crawder and Norton (1969) the influence or the precategorical acoustic store (PAS) on recall should be reflected by a comparatively stronger auditory recency effect. This trend was observed in relation to the WS group but not to the Xhosa groups who tended to demonstrate a stronger visual recency effect. It was therefore, suspected that PAS did not operate with the same effectiveness with the Xhosa subjects. In fact it was suggested that in the case of the Xhosa subjects the visual peripheral store may be stronger than PAS. Contrary to expectation all three groups exhibited acoustic confusion. This was expected of the WS group as the subjects preferred auditory storage , but not of the Xhosa subjects who preferred visual storage. It was suggested however, that in the case of the Xhosa subjects the visual storage technique would have to be abandoned immediately prior to or during recall as recall was necessarily in the auditory modality. The outcome of the experiment generally confirmed Doab's conclusions as to the incidence of imagery and its relation with memory. However, due to the Xhosa preference for visual storage and their stronger visual recency effect, Sperling's model was slightly modified. Conrad 's findings were, of course, substantiated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1974
- Authors: Lewis, William Michael
- Date: 1974
- Subjects: Cross-cultural studies , Eidetic imagery , Short-term memory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3141 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007182 , Cross-cultural studies , Eidetic imagery , Short-term memory
- Description: The complexity of behaviour necessitates a clear and concise approach in order to comprehend its functioning. An example of such an approach is highlighted by the field of cybernetics. Cybernetic models have been used extensively throughout the various fields of Psychology but perhaps never more so as in the case of short term memory (STM). This particular field abounds with behavioural models and research workers are constantly developing new models or testing the universality of existing models. Universal validity is essential to the strength of the behavioural principles inherent in any model but unfortunately such validity tends to be neglected. The present study attempts to reconcile this position with reference to specific models of STM, with relation to the phenomena of eidetic imagery (EI). Certain studies concerning the incidence of EI in illiterate Africans have produced results which are contradictory to those obtained in the Western culture. Two of the most important contradictions concern the fact that the illiterate Africans experienced the absence of an age parameter on the occurrence of such imagery and the fact that the incidence of imagery was more extensive in the African culture. A reason for these contradictions was sought and it was reasoned that as eidetic images have been closely linked with memory images, it may, therefore, be assumed that these particular cultures may use EI as an aid to memory in the absence of written material. Further, it would not be unreasonable to assume that this visual imagery may tend to dominate the STM process and thereby challenge the universality of those memory models that proposed acoustic domination of this process. No work has been done in investigating the memory process of the Africans. Thus, a study which did so would not only test the universality of specific memory models but would also possibly throw more light on the memory process itself. In this particular study there were three specific aims; (a) to ascertain the relative incidence of EI on a cross-cultural level, (b) to assess the influence of EI on the memory process, and (c) to ascertain the extent to which principles of STM developed in the West applied to the African groups. The groups concerned in the study comprised two Xhosa groups and a European group. The European group (WS) was drawn from a White Student population at Rhodes University and was regarded as a control group. The equivalent literate Xhosa group (BS) was drawn from a Black Student population at the University of Fort Hare. The illiterate Xhosa group (RX) was drawn from a population of Red Xhosa people in the Transkei. Four tasks were administered to the groups with the cross-cultural variable carefully controlled as much as possible. The following comprised the four tasks; (a) eidetic imagery (b) auditory serial recall (c) visual serial recall and (d) an acoustic confusable task. Each subject commenced with the eidetic imagery task and was then confronted with a random presentation of the other three tasks. The EI task began with an after image task which was foIlowed by three selected pictures which comprised the EI task. After each picture presentation the subject was closely questioned as to the presence of imagery. Scoring was of a subjective nature. The visual and acoustic confusion tasks constituted serial presentation of ten items over six randomized trials. Each item was presented for 0,75 seconds with a negligible inter-item interval. The presentation order of the items was randomized throughout the trials. Presentation was by means of a preprogrammed 16mm colour film. Items were scored for correct serial position. The auditory task consisted of the serial presentation of ten items over six randomized trials. The items were once again randomized throughout the trials with regards to presentation order. The presentation speed was one word per second. The presentation was by means of a pre-programmed tape. Items were scored for correct serial position. The visual task was common to both language groups whilst the other two tasks correlated with the language group. Thus, the items in the auditory and acoustic confusion tasks were different for each language but an attempt was made to control this variable. The tasks were conducted in the subjects home language which was either Xhosa or English. It was assumed that the RX group would demonstrate a greater incidence of EI, irrespective of the age of the subject, and that imagery would be reflected in the recall performance of the memory tasks. It was suggested that imagery may determine or encourage the mode of storage that the subject employed, which, in this case, would be the visual modality. If so then it would be expected that visual storage would circumvent the detrimental influence of acoustic confusability. The Xhosa university group (BS ) was an unknown quantity but was included to ascertain whether there were any marked differences between the group and the other two. The results revealed that imagery was in fact more prevalent in the Xhosa groups whilst the WS group demonstrated a complete lack of EI but did report the presence of pictorial imagery (PI). However, imagery did not appear to function as an aid to memory. It seemed, however, that in certain instances it correlated with visual encoding. Generally the Xhosa subjects, especially with regards to the visual tasks, tended to encode visually whilst the WS group encoded auditorily. With reference to recall performance, it was found that in all instances the WS group demonstrated superior recall followed by the BS and RX groups in that order. There was a significant difference in the strength of recall between each of the groups. The results of the auditory and visual tasks were interpreted within the STM principles developed in the West. It was found that the WS group adhered to these principles thereby justifying its position as a central group. The BS group followed a similar pattern with exception to the recency effect which was much weaker in their case. The RX group reported the absence of any storage and rehearsal strategies and this was reflected in their poor recall performance. They too were characterized by a very weak recency effect. The interesting point arose, however, when the auditory and visual recency effects were compared. According to Crawder and Norton (1969) the influence or the precategorical acoustic store (PAS) on recall should be reflected by a comparatively stronger auditory recency effect. This trend was observed in relation to the WS group but not to the Xhosa groups who tended to demonstrate a stronger visual recency effect. It was therefore, suspected that PAS did not operate with the same effectiveness with the Xhosa subjects. In fact it was suggested that in the case of the Xhosa subjects the visual peripheral store may be stronger than PAS. Contrary to expectation all three groups exhibited acoustic confusion. This was expected of the WS group as the subjects preferred auditory storage , but not of the Xhosa subjects who preferred visual storage. It was suggested however, that in the case of the Xhosa subjects the visual storage technique would have to be abandoned immediately prior to or during recall as recall was necessarily in the auditory modality. The outcome of the experiment generally confirmed Doab's conclusions as to the incidence of imagery and its relation with memory. However, due to the Xhosa preference for visual storage and their stronger visual recency effect, Sperling's model was slightly modified. Conrad 's findings were, of course, substantiated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1974
A comparative developmental study of the fear of snakes
- Authors: Bartel, P R
- Date: 1972
- Subjects: Snakes , Fear
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3198 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009505 , Snakes , Fear
- Description: This study was conducted to determine the influence of age and culture on the fear of snakes. Five age groups, consisting of 20 White and 20 Xhosa subjects each, were tested. In addition to a behavioural and a GSR measure of fear, questionnaires were applied to determine the extent of the subjects' personal and vicarious aversive experiences of snakes and attitudes towards snakes. The behavioural measure showed a significant decrease in the fear of snakes between the 9 - 11 year and the 14 - 16 year White groups, while, for the Xhosa subjects, the fear of snakes increased significantly between the age groups 14 - 16 years and 18 - 20 years. The GSR measure showed a consistent level in the fear of snakes for White subjects. For the Xhosa subjects the mean GSR score for the 18 - 20 year .group was considerably higher than the means for the other age groups. The intensity of the fear of snakes for White and Xhosa subjects of the same age was remarkably similar. Xhosa subjects had significantly more negative attitudes towards snakes than white subjects. This finding was explained in terms of Whites having had greater opportunities to obtain factual information about snakes. No significant relationships were found between (a) the measures of the extent of the subjects' aversive experiences of snakes; (b) the degree of negative attitudes towards snakes; and the measures of the fear of snakes. On the basis of these measures, the etiology of the fear of snakes cannot be explained in terms of aversive experiences with snakes per se. The striking similarity of responses to a live snake by subjects from two widely different cultures suggests caution in an over-hasty dismissal of the theory of an innate fear of snakes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1972
- Authors: Bartel, P R
- Date: 1972
- Subjects: Snakes , Fear
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3198 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009505 , Snakes , Fear
- Description: This study was conducted to determine the influence of age and culture on the fear of snakes. Five age groups, consisting of 20 White and 20 Xhosa subjects each, were tested. In addition to a behavioural and a GSR measure of fear, questionnaires were applied to determine the extent of the subjects' personal and vicarious aversive experiences of snakes and attitudes towards snakes. The behavioural measure showed a significant decrease in the fear of snakes between the 9 - 11 year and the 14 - 16 year White groups, while, for the Xhosa subjects, the fear of snakes increased significantly between the age groups 14 - 16 years and 18 - 20 years. The GSR measure showed a consistent level in the fear of snakes for White subjects. For the Xhosa subjects the mean GSR score for the 18 - 20 year .group was considerably higher than the means for the other age groups. The intensity of the fear of snakes for White and Xhosa subjects of the same age was remarkably similar. Xhosa subjects had significantly more negative attitudes towards snakes than white subjects. This finding was explained in terms of Whites having had greater opportunities to obtain factual information about snakes. No significant relationships were found between (a) the measures of the extent of the subjects' aversive experiences of snakes; (b) the degree of negative attitudes towards snakes; and the measures of the fear of snakes. On the basis of these measures, the etiology of the fear of snakes cannot be explained in terms of aversive experiences with snakes per se. The striking similarity of responses to a live snake by subjects from two widely different cultures suggests caution in an over-hasty dismissal of the theory of an innate fear of snakes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1972
Effects of vigilance decrement on the recognition of embedded figures
- Authors: Daniel, Robert David
- Date: 1971
- Subjects: Perception -- Testing , Cognitive psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3202 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010961
- Description: Field independence was described by Witkin et al (1962) as the ability to separate an item perceived from its context. Here most experiments have used visually presented material where the subject was shown a simple geometrical figure and then a complex one containing the simple figure as part of it: the subject's task was to find and point out where the simple figure was hidden. Recent work has suggested that the skills involved in Witkin's tests might be associated with particular cultural backgrounds. This extension of Witkin's theory of field independence by Wober linked visual phenomena with those of a social and maturational nature: the ability to separate visual items from their context was shown to be aligned with the development of a sense of personal identity ; the person was considered to be an item set in a context or social field, be it family or society around him: an individual, depending on the way he was socialized as a child, may perceive the world analytically, if he did he was labelled field independent, if not he was field dependent. Intro. p.1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1971
- Authors: Daniel, Robert David
- Date: 1971
- Subjects: Perception -- Testing , Cognitive psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3202 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010961
- Description: Field independence was described by Witkin et al (1962) as the ability to separate an item perceived from its context. Here most experiments have used visually presented material where the subject was shown a simple geometrical figure and then a complex one containing the simple figure as part of it: the subject's task was to find and point out where the simple figure was hidden. Recent work has suggested that the skills involved in Witkin's tests might be associated with particular cultural backgrounds. This extension of Witkin's theory of field independence by Wober linked visual phenomena with those of a social and maturational nature: the ability to separate visual items from their context was shown to be aligned with the development of a sense of personal identity ; the person was considered to be an item set in a context or social field, be it family or society around him: an individual, depending on the way he was socialized as a child, may perceive the world analytically, if he did he was labelled field independent, if not he was field dependent. Intro. p.1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1971
A cross-cultural study of susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer and Ponzo illusions
- Authors: Smith, T V G
- Date: 1970
- Subjects: Personality and culture , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Visual perception , Optical illusions , Cross-cultural studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3239 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013235
- Description: In order to investigate certain anomalies evident in the literature, the performances of three Xhosa groups (rural dwellers, urban dwellers, and undergraduates) of varying degrees of acculturation and a White undergraduate group, each group consisting of 30 subjects, were measured on tests of mode of field approach and susceptibility to the Müller- Lyer and Ponzo illusions. In addition, the effect of the introduction of a mental set, which facilitated the perception of perspective in the Ponzo figure, on susceptibility to the illusion was ascertained. Mode of field approach was measured by a portable version of the Rod-and-Frame Test. Susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion was measured by a conventional movable- slide, subject-adjustable device, while a piece of apparatus which also worked on the movable slide principle and was subject-adjustable was developed to measure susceptibility to the Ponzo illusion. The set to facilitate the perception of perspective in the Ponzo figure was introduced by having subjects match the length of Ponzo contrast lines embodied in a photograph and a line-drawing of a bridge, both of these pictures having strong perspective cues. The subjects were required to perform the tasks in prescribed order. Standardised English or Xhosa instructions were ensured by the use of "programmed" worksheets for each task. Prior to each experimental task, the more unacculturated subjects performed comprehension checks to ensure that they understood the concepts of equal length and verticality. The results of the study suggested that: (i) When groups of differing acculturation levels are tested, there may be a pronounced negative association of field dependence with susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer and Ponzo illusions. In general, the more unacculturated the subject, the more field dependent and the less susceptible to illusions he was. However, there was no evidence which either strongly supported or refuted the relationship between these attributes at the intra-group level. (ii) There is no intra- group association between susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer and to the Ponzo illusions. This would indicate that they are not necessarily generated by similar inference habits or by similar contour properties. (iii) The introduction of a "perspective set" increases susceptibility to the Ponzo illusion only among acculturated subjects, who have well-developed pictorial depth perception skills and who habitually infer depth in inverted - V configurations. (iv) There is a significant association between acculturation and field independence. The unacculturated subjects, presumably because they lack the skills of visual analysis which are engendered by Western culture, were more field dependent than the acculturated subjects. (v) Provided that their degrees of acculturation are more-or-less equivalent, as were those of the two undergraduate groups, there are no differences in mode of field approach or susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer and Ponzo illusion among Xhosa and White subjects. Summary, p. 112.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1970
- Authors: Smith, T V G
- Date: 1970
- Subjects: Personality and culture , Xhosa (African people) -- Psychology , Visual perception , Optical illusions , Cross-cultural studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3239 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013235
- Description: In order to investigate certain anomalies evident in the literature, the performances of three Xhosa groups (rural dwellers, urban dwellers, and undergraduates) of varying degrees of acculturation and a White undergraduate group, each group consisting of 30 subjects, were measured on tests of mode of field approach and susceptibility to the Müller- Lyer and Ponzo illusions. In addition, the effect of the introduction of a mental set, which facilitated the perception of perspective in the Ponzo figure, on susceptibility to the illusion was ascertained. Mode of field approach was measured by a portable version of the Rod-and-Frame Test. Susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion was measured by a conventional movable- slide, subject-adjustable device, while a piece of apparatus which also worked on the movable slide principle and was subject-adjustable was developed to measure susceptibility to the Ponzo illusion. The set to facilitate the perception of perspective in the Ponzo figure was introduced by having subjects match the length of Ponzo contrast lines embodied in a photograph and a line-drawing of a bridge, both of these pictures having strong perspective cues. The subjects were required to perform the tasks in prescribed order. Standardised English or Xhosa instructions were ensured by the use of "programmed" worksheets for each task. Prior to each experimental task, the more unacculturated subjects performed comprehension checks to ensure that they understood the concepts of equal length and verticality. The results of the study suggested that: (i) When groups of differing acculturation levels are tested, there may be a pronounced negative association of field dependence with susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer and Ponzo illusions. In general, the more unacculturated the subject, the more field dependent and the less susceptible to illusions he was. However, there was no evidence which either strongly supported or refuted the relationship between these attributes at the intra-group level. (ii) There is no intra- group association between susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer and to the Ponzo illusions. This would indicate that they are not necessarily generated by similar inference habits or by similar contour properties. (iii) The introduction of a "perspective set" increases susceptibility to the Ponzo illusion only among acculturated subjects, who have well-developed pictorial depth perception skills and who habitually infer depth in inverted - V configurations. (iv) There is a significant association between acculturation and field independence. The unacculturated subjects, presumably because they lack the skills of visual analysis which are engendered by Western culture, were more field dependent than the acculturated subjects. (v) Provided that their degrees of acculturation are more-or-less equivalent, as were those of the two undergraduate groups, there are no differences in mode of field approach or susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer and Ponzo illusion among Xhosa and White subjects. Summary, p. 112.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1970
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »