Trainee psychologists’ experiences of providing psychosocial support to educators during COVID-19 in South Africa
- Authors: Simonse, Allison
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Service learning , COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-2023 Influence , Teachers Mental health , Online therapy , Narrative interviewing , Community psychology , Counseling psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465831 , vital:76657
- Description: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the school going population in South Africa and Educators in the country were faced with several mental health challenges as a result. These mental health concerns coupled with the reality of living within the confines of a pandemic resulted in the need for psychosocial support. This resulted in formulation of workshops based on the needs of Educators, to be delivered via online means by Rhodes University postgraduate students in 2020 studying towards their Masters in Counselling Psychology. This study makes use of a case study approach to explore and examine the experiences of three of these students, so as to ascertain the implications of working online with groups amidst pandemic conditions. It explores how professional practice and the deployment of Community Psychologies have taken place during this period. Experiences encompassing the personal and professional development that occurred as part of engaging with Community-Based Service Learning during COVID–19 have been collected through the Single Question Inducing Narrative methodology, so as to enable the postgraduate student voice in the context of pandemic conditions to be added to the available literature, in an effort to position the application of Community Psychology critically within the South African context. It is hoped that the data generated from this study might assist in future programme planning and intervention, so as to encourage training standards to remain responsive to the times, whilst seeking insight into how value-laden praxis can be achieved through work at the intersections between theory and practice. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Simonse, Allison
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Service learning , COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-2023 Influence , Teachers Mental health , Online therapy , Narrative interviewing , Community psychology , Counseling psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465831 , vital:76657
- Description: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the school going population in South Africa and Educators in the country were faced with several mental health challenges as a result. These mental health concerns coupled with the reality of living within the confines of a pandemic resulted in the need for psychosocial support. This resulted in formulation of workshops based on the needs of Educators, to be delivered via online means by Rhodes University postgraduate students in 2020 studying towards their Masters in Counselling Psychology. This study makes use of a case study approach to explore and examine the experiences of three of these students, so as to ascertain the implications of working online with groups amidst pandemic conditions. It explores how professional practice and the deployment of Community Psychologies have taken place during this period. Experiences encompassing the personal and professional development that occurred as part of engaging with Community-Based Service Learning during COVID–19 have been collected through the Single Question Inducing Narrative methodology, so as to enable the postgraduate student voice in the context of pandemic conditions to be added to the available literature, in an effort to position the application of Community Psychology critically within the South African context. It is hoped that the data generated from this study might assist in future programme planning and intervention, so as to encourage training standards to remain responsive to the times, whilst seeking insight into how value-laden praxis can be achieved through work at the intersections between theory and practice. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2024
- Full Text:
Performance evaluation of baseline-dependent window functions with several weighing functions
- Authors: Vanqa, Kamvulethu
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Radio interferometers , Data compression (Computer science) , Window function , Gradient descent , Computer algorithms , Time smearing
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435850 , vital:73206
- Description: Radio interferometric data volume is exponentially increasing with the potential to cause slow processing and data storage issues for radio observations recorded at high time and frequency resolutions. This necessitates that a sort of data compression is imposed. The conventional method to compress the data is averaging across time and frequency. However, this results in amplitude loss and source distortion at the edges of the field of view. To reduce amplitude loss and source distortion, baseline-dependent window functions (BDWFs) are proposed in theliterature. BDWFs are visibility data compression methods using window functions to retainthe signals within a field of interest (FoI) and to suppress signals outside this FoI. However,BDWFs are used with window functions as discussed in the signal processing field without any optimisation. This thesis evaluates the performance of BDWFs and then proposes to use machine learning with gradient descent to optimize the window functions employed in BDWFs. Results show that the convergence of the objective function is limited due to the band-limited nature of the window functions in the Fourier space. BDWFs performance is also investigated and discussed using several weighting schemes. Results show that there exists an optimal parameter tuning (not necessarily unique) that suggests an optimal combination of BDWFs and density sampling. With this, ∼ 4 % smearing is observed within the FoI, and ∼ 80 % source suppression is achieved outside the FoI using the MeerKAT telescope at 1.4 GHz, sampled at 1 s and 184.3 kHz then averaged with BDWFs to achieve a compression factor of 4 in time and 3 in frequency. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, Mathematics, 2024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Vanqa, Kamvulethu
- Date: 2024-04-04
- Subjects: Radio interferometers , Data compression (Computer science) , Window function , Gradient descent , Computer algorithms , Time smearing
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/435850 , vital:73206
- Description: Radio interferometric data volume is exponentially increasing with the potential to cause slow processing and data storage issues for radio observations recorded at high time and frequency resolutions. This necessitates that a sort of data compression is imposed. The conventional method to compress the data is averaging across time and frequency. However, this results in amplitude loss and source distortion at the edges of the field of view. To reduce amplitude loss and source distortion, baseline-dependent window functions (BDWFs) are proposed in theliterature. BDWFs are visibility data compression methods using window functions to retainthe signals within a field of interest (FoI) and to suppress signals outside this FoI. However,BDWFs are used with window functions as discussed in the signal processing field without any optimisation. This thesis evaluates the performance of BDWFs and then proposes to use machine learning with gradient descent to optimize the window functions employed in BDWFs. Results show that the convergence of the objective function is limited due to the band-limited nature of the window functions in the Fourier space. BDWFs performance is also investigated and discussed using several weighting schemes. Results show that there exists an optimal parameter tuning (not necessarily unique) that suggests an optimal combination of BDWFs and density sampling. With this, ∼ 4 % smearing is observed within the FoI, and ∼ 80 % source suppression is achieved outside the FoI using the MeerKAT telescope at 1.4 GHz, sampled at 1 s and 184.3 kHz then averaged with BDWFs to achieve a compression factor of 4 in time and 3 in frequency. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, Mathematics, 2024
- Full Text:
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with maize in South Africa, under conventional and conservation agricultural cultivation
- Maússe Sitoe, Sílvia Natal David
- Authors: Maússe Sitoe, Sílvia Natal David
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431846 , vital:72808
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date in 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maússe Sitoe, Sílvia Natal David
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/431846 , vital:72808
- Description: Access restricted. Expected release date in 2025. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2023
- Full Text:
The challenges and opportunities in ESG integration in investment activities for private equity firms/funds in South Africa
- Authors: Dube, Cuma Velile
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business South Africa , Investments Moral and ethical aspects South Africa , Private equity South Africa , Investments Environmental aspects South Africa , Investments Social aspects South Africa , Investments Law and legislation South Africa , United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing (UNPRI)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/284493 , vital:56068
- Description: Responsible Investing (RI) is an investment strategy that considers not only the economic but also the environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in the investment analysis and post-investment activities. The consideration of ESG issues is aimed at generating long-term risk-adjusted financial returns and a positive social and environmental impact. This research seeks to contribute to the study of responsible investment (RI), as it relates to private equity investments, an area not well researched. This research also seeks to contribute to the academic literature on responsible institutional investment in South Africa; the opportunities it presents to optimise portfolios, as well as the means with which the challenges faced in integrating ESG factors in investment activities may be overcome. More specifically, the challenges and opportunities for the integration of ESG factors in the investment process were investigated through the experiences of a small sample of South African private equity firms. The sample of private equity firms that participated in this research are signatories of the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing (UNPRI). Representatives of the participating firms were interviewed in line with the qualitative research design and the post-positivist paradigm of this research. The research design and paradigm are chosen to explore the experiences of practitioners in their integration of ESG issues in the investment process. This research shows that the challenges to ESG integration for the private equity firms considered have remained largely consistent over the last ten years. The challenges include industry skills and knowledge gap and the lack of reliable and comparable ESG data at the portfolio company level. The Opportunities presented, by adopting responsible investing as an investment strategy, are rooted in protecting the downside (risk management) and in finding new value creation opportunities. In summary, it was found that the participating firms continue to face significant capacity challenges in overcoming the challenges to mainstreaming ESG in investment processes. Further research may explore whether the challenges and opportunities that persist from the findings of this research are pervasive throughout the entire sector and whether innovative ways have been found to overcome the challenges have been found by private equity firms that are not signatories of the UNPRI. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dube, Cuma Velile
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business South Africa , Investments Moral and ethical aspects South Africa , Private equity South Africa , Investments Environmental aspects South Africa , Investments Social aspects South Africa , Investments Law and legislation South Africa , United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing (UNPRI)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/284493 , vital:56068
- Description: Responsible Investing (RI) is an investment strategy that considers not only the economic but also the environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in the investment analysis and post-investment activities. The consideration of ESG issues is aimed at generating long-term risk-adjusted financial returns and a positive social and environmental impact. This research seeks to contribute to the study of responsible investment (RI), as it relates to private equity investments, an area not well researched. This research also seeks to contribute to the academic literature on responsible institutional investment in South Africa; the opportunities it presents to optimise portfolios, as well as the means with which the challenges faced in integrating ESG factors in investment activities may be overcome. More specifically, the challenges and opportunities for the integration of ESG factors in the investment process were investigated through the experiences of a small sample of South African private equity firms. The sample of private equity firms that participated in this research are signatories of the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing (UNPRI). Representatives of the participating firms were interviewed in line with the qualitative research design and the post-positivist paradigm of this research. The research design and paradigm are chosen to explore the experiences of practitioners in their integration of ESG issues in the investment process. This research shows that the challenges to ESG integration for the private equity firms considered have remained largely consistent over the last ten years. The challenges include industry skills and knowledge gap and the lack of reliable and comparable ESG data at the portfolio company level. The Opportunities presented, by adopting responsible investing as an investment strategy, are rooted in protecting the downside (risk management) and in finding new value creation opportunities. In summary, it was found that the participating firms continue to face significant capacity challenges in overcoming the challenges to mainstreaming ESG in investment processes. Further research may explore whether the challenges and opportunities that persist from the findings of this research are pervasive throughout the entire sector and whether innovative ways have been found to overcome the challenges have been found by private equity firms that are not signatories of the UNPRI. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
Who are you? Online practices of self-representation of black gay men at Rhodes University on the geosocial networking application Grindr
- Authors: Olivier, Jason Eben
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Grindr (Computer program) , Gay men, Black South Africa Makhanda , Gay men Identity , Internet and gay men South Africa Makhanda , Social media and college students South Africa Makhanda , Masculinity South Africa Makhanda , Racism in the sexual minority community South Africa Makhanda , Sexism South Africa Makhanda , Rhodes University
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294851 , vital:57262
- Description: The study investigates how young black gay men at Rhodes University use technology to explore their sexual identity and focuses specifically on their self-representation choices. Incorporating qualitative semi-structured interviews and a walkthrough of Grindr, the research asked participants to share their experiences of using Grindr, a geo-social networking application, and how their self-representation practices on the site contributed to their conception of what it means to be a young black gay man online. Using a thematic analysis of the data collected from five self-identified black gay Rhodes University students, findings indicate that self-representation choices of black gay men on Grindr become a complex experience influenced by overt sexist and racist micro-aggressions in an environment where masculinities operate in a hierarchy of desire, preference, and attractiveness with race operating as an important signifier of these even in a post-Apartheid South Africa that is celebrated for its world-class Constitution. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Journalism and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Olivier, Jason Eben
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Grindr (Computer program) , Gay men, Black South Africa Makhanda , Gay men Identity , Internet and gay men South Africa Makhanda , Social media and college students South Africa Makhanda , Masculinity South Africa Makhanda , Racism in the sexual minority community South Africa Makhanda , Sexism South Africa Makhanda , Rhodes University
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294851 , vital:57262
- Description: The study investigates how young black gay men at Rhodes University use technology to explore their sexual identity and focuses specifically on their self-representation choices. Incorporating qualitative semi-structured interviews and a walkthrough of Grindr, the research asked participants to share their experiences of using Grindr, a geo-social networking application, and how their self-representation practices on the site contributed to their conception of what it means to be a young black gay man online. Using a thematic analysis of the data collected from five self-identified black gay Rhodes University students, findings indicate that self-representation choices of black gay men on Grindr become a complex experience influenced by overt sexist and racist micro-aggressions in an environment where masculinities operate in a hierarchy of desire, preference, and attractiveness with race operating as an important signifier of these even in a post-Apartheid South Africa that is celebrated for its world-class Constitution. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Journalism and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
An investigation into the current state of web based cryptominers and cryptojacking
- Authors: Len, Robert
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Cryptocurrencies , Malware (Computer software) , Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer networks -- Monitoring , Cryptomining , Coinhive , Cryptojacking
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178248 , vital:42924
- Description: The aim of this research was to conduct a review of the current state and extent of surreptitious crypto mining software and its prevalence as a means for income generation. Income is generated through the use of a viewer's browser to execute custom JavaScript code to mine cryptocurrencies such as Monero and Bitcoin. The research aimed to measure the prevalence of illicit mining scripts being utilised for “in-browser" cryptojacking while further analysing the ecosystems that support the cryptomining environment. The extent of the research covers aspects such as the content (or type) of the sites hosting malicious “in-browser" cryptomining software as well as the occurrences of currencies utilised in the cryptographic mining and the analysis of cryptographic mining code samples. This research aims to compare the results of previous work with the current state of affairs since the closure of Coinhive in March 2018. Coinhive were at the time the market leader in such web based mining services. Beyond the analysis of the prevalence of cryptomining on the web today, research into the methodologies and techniques used to detect and counteract cryptomining are also conducted. This includes the most recent developments in malicious JavaScript de-obfuscation as well as cryptomining signature creation and detection. Methodologies for heuristic JavaScript behaviour identification and subsequent identification of potential malicious out-liars are also included within the research of the countermeasure analysis. The research revealed that although no longer functional, Coinhive remained as the most prevalent script being used for “in-browser" cryptomining services. While remaining the most prevalent, there was however a significant decline in overall occurrences compared to when coinhive.com was operational. Analysis of the ecosystem hosting \in-browser" mining websites was found to be distributed both geographically as well as in terms of domain categorisations. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Computer Science, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Len, Robert
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Cryptocurrencies , Malware (Computer software) , Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer networks -- Monitoring , Cryptomining , Coinhive , Cryptojacking
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178248 , vital:42924
- Description: The aim of this research was to conduct a review of the current state and extent of surreptitious crypto mining software and its prevalence as a means for income generation. Income is generated through the use of a viewer's browser to execute custom JavaScript code to mine cryptocurrencies such as Monero and Bitcoin. The research aimed to measure the prevalence of illicit mining scripts being utilised for “in-browser" cryptojacking while further analysing the ecosystems that support the cryptomining environment. The extent of the research covers aspects such as the content (or type) of the sites hosting malicious “in-browser" cryptomining software as well as the occurrences of currencies utilised in the cryptographic mining and the analysis of cryptographic mining code samples. This research aims to compare the results of previous work with the current state of affairs since the closure of Coinhive in March 2018. Coinhive were at the time the market leader in such web based mining services. Beyond the analysis of the prevalence of cryptomining on the web today, research into the methodologies and techniques used to detect and counteract cryptomining are also conducted. This includes the most recent developments in malicious JavaScript de-obfuscation as well as cryptomining signature creation and detection. Methodologies for heuristic JavaScript behaviour identification and subsequent identification of potential malicious out-liars are also included within the research of the countermeasure analysis. The research revealed that although no longer functional, Coinhive remained as the most prevalent script being used for “in-browser" cryptomining services. While remaining the most prevalent, there was however a significant decline in overall occurrences compared to when coinhive.com was operational. Analysis of the ecosystem hosting \in-browser" mining websites was found to be distributed both geographically as well as in terms of domain categorisations. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Computer Science, 2021
- Full Text:
Perceptions of the role of Lantana camara on human well-being and rural livelihoods in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa
- Authors: Mhlongo, Edward Swazi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Lantana camara -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality , Introduced organisms -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality , Biological invasions -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality , Plant invasions -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality , Lantana camara -- Control -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality , South Africa -- Rural conditions , Ethnoscience -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177952 , vital:42893
- Description: In the past, social aspects on biological invasions were less documented, this hindered the development of sound and effective management of Invasive Alien Species (IAS). However, there has been a shift in trends with more studies on biological invasions integrating local knowledge together with ecological studies to develop effective management interventions. Invasive Alien Species are widespread throughout Southern Africa and are usually prevalent in the rural areas. Limpopo province consists of large rural areas where people depend on natural resources, wild and exotic species for their livelihoods. Lantana camara is one of the major invaders that is problematic worldwide having detrimental impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and economies. This study assessed the perceptions of the role of L. camara on the well-being and rural livelihoods of local communities in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve using household surveys. A total of 300 surveys were administered in six villages. The study further used a two-pronged approach to examine invasion extent and management options. The two-pronged approach included (i) detailed vegetation surveys in 50 household yards within each village, and (ii) focus group to solicit local knowledge of invasion extent and managing L. camara by the rural communities. The results of the study showed that almost all the respondents knew L. camara and could describe it. Most of the respondents were of the view that L. camara had no negative impacts on their livelihoods. Other respondents stated costs associated with L. camara were more than benefits and wanted a reduction in L. camara densities in the area. Most respondents wanted more government intervention to help in managing L. camara, this is because of the perceived future impacts of L. camara. Vegetation survey results showed no significant difference in L. camara abundances and plant heights among the six study villages. The average number of L. camara counted per household yard in all villages was (2.41 ± 0.20) plants, with average plant basal diameter of (0.94 ± 0.02 cm). There were significant differences in canopy width of L. camara among the six study villages. Plant basal diameter was high in Tshakhuma (1.05 ± 0.04 m) and Duthuni (1.00 ± 0.04 m) villages, and low in Ha Mutsha village (0.82 ± 0.03 m). Lantana camara canopy width at household level across all villages averaged 1.34 ± 0.03 m. Canopy cover was high in Tshakhuma village (1.70 ± 0.09 m) and low at Ha Mutsha village (1.03 ± 0.03 m). In all six village focus group discussions, it was noted that mechanical clearing of L. camara was the most used method, but they reported minimum help from the government particularly Working for Water (WfW). The study concludes that L. camara has no substantial adverse impacts to most of the respondents. The study further noted that L. camara is dominant in most household yards ii and that management is taking place however current control options are not enough on their own. Suggestions for further research are to explore more alternative indigenous species present or easily accessible to the community members which may offer the same benefits as IAS. Furthermore, additional research at local level is required for implementing management techniques best suited for the area. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Environmental Science, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mhlongo, Edward Swazi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Lantana camara -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality , Introduced organisms -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality , Biological invasions -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality , Plant invasions -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality , Lantana camara -- Control -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality , South Africa -- Rural conditions , Ethnoscience -- South Africa -- Vhembe District Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177952 , vital:42893
- Description: In the past, social aspects on biological invasions were less documented, this hindered the development of sound and effective management of Invasive Alien Species (IAS). However, there has been a shift in trends with more studies on biological invasions integrating local knowledge together with ecological studies to develop effective management interventions. Invasive Alien Species are widespread throughout Southern Africa and are usually prevalent in the rural areas. Limpopo province consists of large rural areas where people depend on natural resources, wild and exotic species for their livelihoods. Lantana camara is one of the major invaders that is problematic worldwide having detrimental impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and economies. This study assessed the perceptions of the role of L. camara on the well-being and rural livelihoods of local communities in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve using household surveys. A total of 300 surveys were administered in six villages. The study further used a two-pronged approach to examine invasion extent and management options. The two-pronged approach included (i) detailed vegetation surveys in 50 household yards within each village, and (ii) focus group to solicit local knowledge of invasion extent and managing L. camara by the rural communities. The results of the study showed that almost all the respondents knew L. camara and could describe it. Most of the respondents were of the view that L. camara had no negative impacts on their livelihoods. Other respondents stated costs associated with L. camara were more than benefits and wanted a reduction in L. camara densities in the area. Most respondents wanted more government intervention to help in managing L. camara, this is because of the perceived future impacts of L. camara. Vegetation survey results showed no significant difference in L. camara abundances and plant heights among the six study villages. The average number of L. camara counted per household yard in all villages was (2.41 ± 0.20) plants, with average plant basal diameter of (0.94 ± 0.02 cm). There were significant differences in canopy width of L. camara among the six study villages. Plant basal diameter was high in Tshakhuma (1.05 ± 0.04 m) and Duthuni (1.00 ± 0.04 m) villages, and low in Ha Mutsha village (0.82 ± 0.03 m). Lantana camara canopy width at household level across all villages averaged 1.34 ± 0.03 m. Canopy cover was high in Tshakhuma village (1.70 ± 0.09 m) and low at Ha Mutsha village (1.03 ± 0.03 m). In all six village focus group discussions, it was noted that mechanical clearing of L. camara was the most used method, but they reported minimum help from the government particularly Working for Water (WfW). The study concludes that L. camara has no substantial adverse impacts to most of the respondents. The study further noted that L. camara is dominant in most household yards ii and that management is taking place however current control options are not enough on their own. Suggestions for further research are to explore more alternative indigenous species present or easily accessible to the community members which may offer the same benefits as IAS. Furthermore, additional research at local level is required for implementing management techniques best suited for the area. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Environmental Science, 2021
- Full Text:
The search for daily meaning: A technique for career counselling
- Authors: Rainier, Markseller Garrett
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193003 , vital:45289
- Description: Because work is such a tremendous potential source of meaning in an individual’s life, techniques which turn career choice into technical talent matching are inadequate. The individual’s search for authentic meaning needs to be the focus of career counselling, but few approaches have been able to addressed this relationship between working and living. Major developments in career theory are reviewed to highlight the distinction between the more technical logical positivist and the phenomenological approaches. Super’s Career- Development Assessment and Counselling (C-DAC) model is described in detail as it is the first significant attempt to move beyond the technical approaches by incorporating developmental theory into career counselling and by stressing the role of counsellee readiness to use the information provided. However, especially in South Africa, any test-based approach to career counselling runs the risk of shifting the locus of control from the counsellee to the counsellor, so an autobiographical non-test approach, the life-line, is introduced to assist counsellees in their search for personal meaning without running the risks associated with test-based assessments. The life-line helps to contextualise the choice of work within the counsellee’s subjective life experience and turns career counselling into a shared search for a range of personal meanings rather than the provision, by the counsellor, of a limiting interpretation. Three case studies are presented to demonstrate the use of the life-line, and the conclusions arrived at are shown to be essentially1 similar to conclusions obtained from using the C-DAC battery. The advantages and limitations of the life-line are discussed and its ability to combat problems associated with school based career counselling is outlined as well as its usefulness with mid-life career changers, in cross-cultural contexts, and in group counselling. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1990
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rainier, Markseller Garrett
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193003 , vital:45289
- Description: Because work is such a tremendous potential source of meaning in an individual’s life, techniques which turn career choice into technical talent matching are inadequate. The individual’s search for authentic meaning needs to be the focus of career counselling, but few approaches have been able to addressed this relationship between working and living. Major developments in career theory are reviewed to highlight the distinction between the more technical logical positivist and the phenomenological approaches. Super’s Career- Development Assessment and Counselling (C-DAC) model is described in detail as it is the first significant attempt to move beyond the technical approaches by incorporating developmental theory into career counselling and by stressing the role of counsellee readiness to use the information provided. However, especially in South Africa, any test-based approach to career counselling runs the risk of shifting the locus of control from the counsellee to the counsellor, so an autobiographical non-test approach, the life-line, is introduced to assist counsellees in their search for personal meaning without running the risks associated with test-based assessments. The life-line helps to contextualise the choice of work within the counsellee’s subjective life experience and turns career counselling into a shared search for a range of personal meanings rather than the provision, by the counsellor, of a limiting interpretation. Three case studies are presented to demonstrate the use of the life-line, and the conclusions arrived at are shown to be essentially1 similar to conclusions obtained from using the C-DAC battery. The advantages and limitations of the life-line are discussed and its ability to combat problems associated with school based career counselling is outlined as well as its usefulness with mid-life career changers, in cross-cultural contexts, and in group counselling. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1990
- Full Text:
Bulimia Nervosa: a case study in cognitive psychotherapy
- Authors: Kanfer, Josephine
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192988 , vital:45287
- Description: This project uses the case-study method to illustrate the application of integrating varied accepted modes of psychotherapeutic interventions. It concentrates on the first 22 out-patient sessions of therapy with a diagnosed bulimic, spanning a 6 month period. A brief summary of the subsequent 10 follow-up sessions is also given. The case presented is of a 22 year old female student diagnosed as bulimic (of 7 year duration), dysthymic and with a dependent personality disorder. She has symptoms of anxiety. She has a history of anorexia nervosa. Fairburn's (1985) cognitive-behavioural programme for bulimia was used initially. Its structured framework with the emphasis on the eating behaviour was an essential aspect in contributing to the success of the initial phase of the therapy. This patient had had previously experienced 8 sessions of non-directive depth psychotherapy which had confused and compounded her problems. The structure had provided her with a sense of control. In implementing the second stage of Fairburn's programme, where the focus is cognitive, the patient could no longer work in this this structured manner. The attempts to implement the standard cognitive techniques provided the catalyst for activating deeper underlying emotions and cognitions. Furthermore, this gave impetus to work actively with the interpersonal aspect of the therapeutic relationship. Young's (1989) model for identifying Early Maladaptive Schemas could be applied. The focus then moved from the behaviours and dealt with these schemas as activated in the therapeutic relationship. The patient was able to make links to her family and her past. The therapy proved successful, as not only were the behavioural symptoms alleviated, but also the patient's interpersonal problems which underlay her personality disorder were accessed. The patient had become more self-assertive, her mood had improved considerably, she was less concerned with body image and more accepting of herself. She had become more reality based and her interpersonal relational abi1ity had improved. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1990
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- Authors: Kanfer, Josephine
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192988 , vital:45287
- Description: This project uses the case-study method to illustrate the application of integrating varied accepted modes of psychotherapeutic interventions. It concentrates on the first 22 out-patient sessions of therapy with a diagnosed bulimic, spanning a 6 month period. A brief summary of the subsequent 10 follow-up sessions is also given. The case presented is of a 22 year old female student diagnosed as bulimic (of 7 year duration), dysthymic and with a dependent personality disorder. She has symptoms of anxiety. She has a history of anorexia nervosa. Fairburn's (1985) cognitive-behavioural programme for bulimia was used initially. Its structured framework with the emphasis on the eating behaviour was an essential aspect in contributing to the success of the initial phase of the therapy. This patient had had previously experienced 8 sessions of non-directive depth psychotherapy which had confused and compounded her problems. The structure had provided her with a sense of control. In implementing the second stage of Fairburn's programme, where the focus is cognitive, the patient could no longer work in this this structured manner. The attempts to implement the standard cognitive techniques provided the catalyst for activating deeper underlying emotions and cognitions. Furthermore, this gave impetus to work actively with the interpersonal aspect of the therapeutic relationship. Young's (1989) model for identifying Early Maladaptive Schemas could be applied. The focus then moved from the behaviours and dealt with these schemas as activated in the therapeutic relationship. The patient was able to make links to her family and her past. The therapy proved successful, as not only were the behavioural symptoms alleviated, but also the patient's interpersonal problems which underlay her personality disorder were accessed. The patient had become more self-assertive, her mood had improved considerably, she was less concerned with body image and more accepting of herself. She had become more reality based and her interpersonal relational abi1ity had improved. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1990
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A comparison of the self-esteem of black and white high school pupils
- Authors: Morrow, Brian Robert
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193033 , vital:45292
- Description: This study investigated the level of self-esteem of black and white high-school students using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. One hundred and eighty six subjects were used, 63 of them being white while 118 were black. A validation of the Rosenberg scale for the black sample was attempted using a correlation between the scale score and a rating of the subjects by teachers. The results of the study showed no significant difference between the self-esteem levels, while the validation study failed to confirm the validity of the test for black subjects in South Africa. However, the validation study v/as rejected as inconclusive and the results of the comparison accepted as confirmatory of previous research. An incidental positive finding revealed that white males have higher self-esteem than white females,. The theory and past research of self-esteem comparisons between racial groups is reviewed. The conclusion is reached in this study that the concept of self-esteem has outlasted its usefulness in the field of comparisons between racial groups and research of a qualitative nature .can provide further data for the understanding of differences between racial groups. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1988
- Full Text:
- Authors: Morrow, Brian Robert
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193033 , vital:45292
- Description: This study investigated the level of self-esteem of black and white high-school students using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. One hundred and eighty six subjects were used, 63 of them being white while 118 were black. A validation of the Rosenberg scale for the black sample was attempted using a correlation between the scale score and a rating of the subjects by teachers. The results of the study showed no significant difference between the self-esteem levels, while the validation study failed to confirm the validity of the test for black subjects in South Africa. However, the validation study v/as rejected as inconclusive and the results of the comparison accepted as confirmatory of previous research. An incidental positive finding revealed that white males have higher self-esteem than white females,. The theory and past research of self-esteem comparisons between racial groups is reviewed. The conclusion is reached in this study that the concept of self-esteem has outlasted its usefulness in the field of comparisons between racial groups and research of a qualitative nature .can provide further data for the understanding of differences between racial groups. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1988
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