The pursuit of paternal custody
- Authors: Pieterse, Johanna Tyziena
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Custody of children -- South Africa , Paternal custody -- South Africa , Divorced fathers -- South Africa , Father and child -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3398 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018266
- Description: Issues concerning children may be the most intense and emotive areas of divorce and can lead to spectacular legal battles. Social work practice revealed that it is often the father who leaves the court, stripped of his fatherhood by a court order that only grants him limited access to his own children. Some divorced fathers disengage from their children's lives but there is documented evidence of South African fathers who desire continuity in their relationships with their children after divorce. An interest in these fathers prompted this study. Fathers who challenged maternal custody were selected since it was assumed that their lived experiences would include non-custodial as well as custodial fatherhood. The study was approached from a constructivist position and was further informed by a family systems theory. South African and international literature was perused followed by an exploratory study on the relatively uncharted terrain of paternal custody. A qualitative method was used and one unstructured interview with a schedule was conducted with each of the five respondents who were selected according to non-probability purposive sampling methods. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed cross-sectionally around certain themes and categories that were extracted from the data. The most significant findings of the study which appear to resemble some earlier national and international findings, are summarised as follows: Some fathers appear to have sound motives for pursuing custody of their children. These fathers, if afforded the opportunity, find fulfilment in parenting their children whom they perceive to be happy and prosperous in their care. There are fathers in whom divorce causes clear and profound signs of distress which appear to be related to the loss of the pre-divorce father I child relationship. The feeling of powerlessness to effect the well-being of their children as they see it was emphasised. Recommendations generated from these findings relate to the elimination of gender bias from custody decisions, including fathers in therapeutic interventions with divorced families and the provision of family courts and mediation services as suggested in the White Paper for Social Welfare. Recommendations for future research are also presented.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pieterse, Johanna Tyziena
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Custody of children -- South Africa , Paternal custody -- South Africa , Divorced fathers -- South Africa , Father and child -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3398 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018266
- Description: Issues concerning children may be the most intense and emotive areas of divorce and can lead to spectacular legal battles. Social work practice revealed that it is often the father who leaves the court, stripped of his fatherhood by a court order that only grants him limited access to his own children. Some divorced fathers disengage from their children's lives but there is documented evidence of South African fathers who desire continuity in their relationships with their children after divorce. An interest in these fathers prompted this study. Fathers who challenged maternal custody were selected since it was assumed that their lived experiences would include non-custodial as well as custodial fatherhood. The study was approached from a constructivist position and was further informed by a family systems theory. South African and international literature was perused followed by an exploratory study on the relatively uncharted terrain of paternal custody. A qualitative method was used and one unstructured interview with a schedule was conducted with each of the five respondents who were selected according to non-probability purposive sampling methods. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed cross-sectionally around certain themes and categories that were extracted from the data. The most significant findings of the study which appear to resemble some earlier national and international findings, are summarised as follows: Some fathers appear to have sound motives for pursuing custody of their children. These fathers, if afforded the opportunity, find fulfilment in parenting their children whom they perceive to be happy and prosperous in their care. There are fathers in whom divorce causes clear and profound signs of distress which appear to be related to the loss of the pre-divorce father I child relationship. The feeling of powerlessness to effect the well-being of their children as they see it was emphasised. Recommendations generated from these findings relate to the elimination of gender bias from custody decisions, including fathers in therapeutic interventions with divorced families and the provision of family courts and mediation services as suggested in the White Paper for Social Welfare. Recommendations for future research are also presented.
- Full Text:
The selection paradox: selecting and evaluating trainee psychologists in the context of narrative theory
- Authors: Kaschula, Joanne
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Psychologists -- Selection and appointment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3001 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002510 , Psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Psychologists -- Selection and appointment -- South Africa
- Description: Psychology has become an increasingly popular discipline for study in the South African context, with the number of students enrolling for courses increasing rapidly. The selection and evaluation of trainee psychologists is a complex and contested issue. With so few students reaching Masters level and the changing needs of the South African context, it becomes imperative that only the most suitable candidates are selected for entry into the field of professional psychology. This study focuses on the selection process of trainee psychologists at an institution that incorporates the narrative philosophy in both the selection and training of candidates. The question is raised, whether it is possible to utilize narrative principles in a process that is intended to judge and evaluate candidates? This presents a paradox. The paradox is illuminated in both the intentions behind the narrative questions in the application form and in the candidates' experiences of responding to these. The conclusion reached is that the narrative philosophy makes for an enriching and creative experience of the selection process for candidates but this however, does not ameliorate the negative effects of evaluation and the 'gaze'.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kaschula, Joanne
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Psychologists -- Selection and appointment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3001 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002510 , Psychologists -- Training of -- South Africa , Psychology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Psychologists -- Selection and appointment -- South Africa
- Description: Psychology has become an increasingly popular discipline for study in the South African context, with the number of students enrolling for courses increasing rapidly. The selection and evaluation of trainee psychologists is a complex and contested issue. With so few students reaching Masters level and the changing needs of the South African context, it becomes imperative that only the most suitable candidates are selected for entry into the field of professional psychology. This study focuses on the selection process of trainee psychologists at an institution that incorporates the narrative philosophy in both the selection and training of candidates. The question is raised, whether it is possible to utilize narrative principles in a process that is intended to judge and evaluate candidates? This presents a paradox. The paradox is illuminated in both the intentions behind the narrative questions in the application form and in the candidates' experiences of responding to these. The conclusion reached is that the narrative philosophy makes for an enriching and creative experience of the selection process for candidates but this however, does not ameliorate the negative effects of evaluation and the 'gaze'.
- Full Text:
Ambivalence and paradox: the battered woman's interactions with the law and other helping resources
- Authors: Labe, Dana
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Family violence -- Law and legislation , Abused women , Family violence , Wife abuse , Women -- Crimes against , Women -- Counseling of , Family violence -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003127 , Family violence -- Law and legislation , Abused women , Family violence , Wife abuse , Women -- Crimes against , Women -- Counseling of , Family violence -- Prevention
- Description: This thesis explores how the battered woman attachment to her abusive partner impacts on her interactions with the legal system and non-legal resources. This qualitative research project is based on in-depth interviews conducted with seven abused women who procured interdicts in terms of the Prevention of Family Violence Act 133 of 1993 to restrain their husbands from assaulting them. The research reviews the nature of abuse suffered by the participants, their psychological attachments to their husbands, and their patterns of help-seeking in relation to the law and non-legal resources. Two main theoretical frameworks, psychoanalysis and feminism inform this study. The study found that the participants retained unrealistic hopes that their husbands would reform and become loving, caring partners, and that they treated their husbands with care and sympathy despite their husbands’ often brutal behaviour towards them. The findings suggest that the women’s behaviour towards their husbands was the product of two reality distorting psychological defences, splitting and the moral defence which they used to preserve their attachments to their abusive partners. These defences intersected with rigid patriarchal prescriptions of femininity which dictate that women should be stoically caring towards their husbands, and should hold relationships together no matter what the cost to themselves. The participants interactions with the legal system and with non-legal sources of help were structured by their reliance on splitting and the moral defence, and by the dictates of patriarchal ideology. Whilst it is undoubtedly true that at one level the participants sought help to get protection from abuse, the study shows that their help-seeking was motivated by their conflicting desires to punish and reform their husbands. The participants sought help in ways which enabled them to strike a compromise between expressing their anger at their husbands, whilst simultaneously preserving their psychological attachments to them. The study concludes that the women’s interactions with the law and with other helping resource reflect their attempts to preserve their paradoxical attachments to their husbands, and to stabilise their own fragile sense of self and gender identity.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Labe, Dana
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Family violence -- Law and legislation , Abused women , Family violence , Wife abuse , Women -- Crimes against , Women -- Counseling of , Family violence -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3333 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003127 , Family violence -- Law and legislation , Abused women , Family violence , Wife abuse , Women -- Crimes against , Women -- Counseling of , Family violence -- Prevention
- Description: This thesis explores how the battered woman attachment to her abusive partner impacts on her interactions with the legal system and non-legal resources. This qualitative research project is based on in-depth interviews conducted with seven abused women who procured interdicts in terms of the Prevention of Family Violence Act 133 of 1993 to restrain their husbands from assaulting them. The research reviews the nature of abuse suffered by the participants, their psychological attachments to their husbands, and their patterns of help-seeking in relation to the law and non-legal resources. Two main theoretical frameworks, psychoanalysis and feminism inform this study. The study found that the participants retained unrealistic hopes that their husbands would reform and become loving, caring partners, and that they treated their husbands with care and sympathy despite their husbands’ often brutal behaviour towards them. The findings suggest that the women’s behaviour towards their husbands was the product of two reality distorting psychological defences, splitting and the moral defence which they used to preserve their attachments to their abusive partners. These defences intersected with rigid patriarchal prescriptions of femininity which dictate that women should be stoically caring towards their husbands, and should hold relationships together no matter what the cost to themselves. The participants interactions with the legal system and with non-legal sources of help were structured by their reliance on splitting and the moral defence, and by the dictates of patriarchal ideology. Whilst it is undoubtedly true that at one level the participants sought help to get protection from abuse, the study shows that their help-seeking was motivated by their conflicting desires to punish and reform their husbands. The participants sought help in ways which enabled them to strike a compromise between expressing their anger at their husbands, whilst simultaneously preserving their psychological attachments to them. The study concludes that the women’s interactions with the law and with other helping resource reflect their attempts to preserve their paradoxical attachments to their husbands, and to stabilise their own fragile sense of self and gender identity.
- Full Text:
Attitudes and perceptions of marriage and divorce among Indian Muslim students
- Authors: Naidoo, Suraya
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Muslim families -- Social life and customs , Muslim students -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3289 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003077 , Muslim families -- Social life and customs , Muslim students -- Attitudes
- Description: This study explores the question of religion and ethnicity as a source of family diversity and ideology. An ideal-typical "traditional Muslim family ideology" was developed and tested. Eight Indian Muslim students at Rhodes University were asked about their attitudes and perceptions of marriage and family life, to determine the particular type of family ideology that these students embraced. Family-related issues such as marriage; the division of labour; gender roles; the extended family system; divorce; and polygamy were addressed. On the basis of the research results, it was found that these students largely adopted the "traditional Muslim family ideology". Religion and ethnicity were found to play an important role, in the make-up of these students' perception of marriage and family life, and a strong preference for the extended family was shown.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Naidoo, Suraya
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Muslim families -- Social life and customs , Muslim students -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3289 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003077 , Muslim families -- Social life and customs , Muslim students -- Attitudes
- Description: This study explores the question of religion and ethnicity as a source of family diversity and ideology. An ideal-typical "traditional Muslim family ideology" was developed and tested. Eight Indian Muslim students at Rhodes University were asked about their attitudes and perceptions of marriage and family life, to determine the particular type of family ideology that these students embraced. Family-related issues such as marriage; the division of labour; gender roles; the extended family system; divorce; and polygamy were addressed. On the basis of the research results, it was found that these students largely adopted the "traditional Muslim family ideology". Religion and ethnicity were found to play an important role, in the make-up of these students' perception of marriage and family life, and a strong preference for the extended family was shown.
- Full Text:
Credit accessibility and rural development in the former Ciskei: an overview of Keiskammahoek
- Authors: Kimemia, Peter Njau
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Credit -- Research -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Rural development -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Poor -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Poor -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3312 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003100 , Credit -- Research -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Rural development -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Poor -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Poor -- Developing countries
- Description: This study focuses on the issue of credit accessibility for the rural poor. Taking cognisance of the critical role played by innovative micro-lending mechanisms in the sphere of rural development, the study reaffirms the need to enhance access to financial services by rural communities. However, it also reveals the fact that there are numerous impediments to access to credit for the people living in parts of the Keiskammahoek District of the former Ciskei. Key among the impediments has been lack of awareness about the existence and the activities of micro-lending institutions. This has, in a large measure been blamed for many of the rural poor people's failure to approach such institutions for funding. As a result, the affected people's efforts to fully actualize themselves economically have to a certain extent been hampered. Consequently, as its core argument, this study views as crucial the need to tackle all the attendant impediments. It also suggests that as the first step, the government, NGOs as well as formal and informal lending institutions should endeavour to disseminate the requisite information on micro-financing and in enhancing the affected people's institutional capacity to effectively use credit obtained for commercially productive ventures. Without sorting out the basics first, credit extension even when easily availed may not have the desired impact. At worst, it may actually complicate the poverty situation as the people grapple with piling debts.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kimemia, Peter Njau
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Credit -- Research -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Rural development -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Poor -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Poor -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3312 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003100 , Credit -- Research -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Rural development -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Poor -- South Africa -- Ciskei , Poor -- Developing countries
- Description: This study focuses on the issue of credit accessibility for the rural poor. Taking cognisance of the critical role played by innovative micro-lending mechanisms in the sphere of rural development, the study reaffirms the need to enhance access to financial services by rural communities. However, it also reveals the fact that there are numerous impediments to access to credit for the people living in parts of the Keiskammahoek District of the former Ciskei. Key among the impediments has been lack of awareness about the existence and the activities of micro-lending institutions. This has, in a large measure been blamed for many of the rural poor people's failure to approach such institutions for funding. As a result, the affected people's efforts to fully actualize themselves economically have to a certain extent been hampered. Consequently, as its core argument, this study views as crucial the need to tackle all the attendant impediments. It also suggests that as the first step, the government, NGOs as well as formal and informal lending institutions should endeavour to disseminate the requisite information on micro-financing and in enhancing the affected people's institutional capacity to effectively use credit obtained for commercially productive ventures. Without sorting out the basics first, credit extension even when easily availed may not have the desired impact. At worst, it may actually complicate the poverty situation as the people grapple with piling debts.
- Full Text:
Heads and tales: the effect of mild head injuries of rugby players: cognitive deficit and postconcussive symptoms
- Authors: Border, Michael Anthony
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2937 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002446 , Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Description: This study investigated the cumulative effect of mild head injuries on rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered and subjects completed a self-report postconcussive symptom questionnaire. Data were collected for the two rugby groups, Springbok rugby players (n = 26) and Under 21 rugby players (n = 19), and for the control group, national hockey players (n = 21). Group comparisons of the percentage of individuals with deficit or self-reported symptomatology were made between: (i) the contact sport groups and the control group; (ii) the forwards and the backs within each rugby group and the rugby forwards and the control group; and (iii) the Springbok and Under 21 rugby players. Broadly speaking, comparative results on the neuropsychological tests and the self-reported postconcussive symptoms clearly distinguished between contact sport players and non-contact sport players and indicated the presence of diffuse brain damage in the contact sport players. There was also clear evidence of positional variation within the rugby groups, with the forwards (more full contact positions) most susceptible to impairment. Neuropsychological test results revealed deficit in information processing speed, attention and concentration, mental flexibility, visual memory and verbal new learning. The most significant neuropsychiatric complaints were reported in the areas of memory, social contact, sensitivity to noise, lowered frustration tolerance, anxiety and worry, and depression. The most sensitive neuropsychological test used in the present study was the Digit Symbol Substitution test. This test clearly distinguished contact sport players from non-contact sport players, and forwards from backs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Border, Michael Anthony
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2937 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002446 , Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Description: This study investigated the cumulative effect of mild head injuries on rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered and subjects completed a self-report postconcussive symptom questionnaire. Data were collected for the two rugby groups, Springbok rugby players (n = 26) and Under 21 rugby players (n = 19), and for the control group, national hockey players (n = 21). Group comparisons of the percentage of individuals with deficit or self-reported symptomatology were made between: (i) the contact sport groups and the control group; (ii) the forwards and the backs within each rugby group and the rugby forwards and the control group; and (iii) the Springbok and Under 21 rugby players. Broadly speaking, comparative results on the neuropsychological tests and the self-reported postconcussive symptoms clearly distinguished between contact sport players and non-contact sport players and indicated the presence of diffuse brain damage in the contact sport players. There was also clear evidence of positional variation within the rugby groups, with the forwards (more full contact positions) most susceptible to impairment. Neuropsychological test results revealed deficit in information processing speed, attention and concentration, mental flexibility, visual memory and verbal new learning. The most significant neuropsychiatric complaints were reported in the areas of memory, social contact, sensitivity to noise, lowered frustration tolerance, anxiety and worry, and depression. The most sensitive neuropsychological test used in the present study was the Digit Symbol Substitution test. This test clearly distinguished contact sport players from non-contact sport players, and forwards from backs.
- Full Text:
Trends in mobilisation and unionisation in South Africa and Germany: a comparative analysis
- Authors: Whiteley, Julianne Beverley
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Industrial mobilization -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa , Industrial mobilization -- Germany , Labor unions -- Germany , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Germany -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3332 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003125 , Industrial mobilization -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa , Industrial mobilization -- Germany , Labor unions -- Germany , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Germany -- Economic conditions
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate long-term trends in the union membership of South Africa and Germany, and to highlight trends in unionisation in both of these countries over a period of time. The long-term aspect of this study differentiates it from more detailed specific studies concerned with the individual fortunes of confederations or unions. The changing fortunes of trade unions have been associated with changes in work organisation, the influence of institutional pressures, or long term changes in the economic cycle. All these factors may, of course, shape and be shaped by each other. From a comparative perspective this dissertation determines whether the fortunes of unions are ultimately a product of the long waves of an economic cycle, or if other factors, such as variations in union/state relations, changes in the forms of work organisation and shifts in the employment market, impact upon union membership and mobilisation. It is hoped that the comparison of a transitional and an advanced economy may shed new light on the causes of union growth and decline, and the impact of specific social, legal and cultural variables thereon. The theoretical frame of reference for this study emerged from literature pertaining to union growth and decline. This literature discusses the historical, economic and sectoral challenges that confront the identity of unions and their ability to mobilise membership within contemporary labour markets. The entire study relies heavily on primary data collected from a wide range of sources in both countries. This method facilitates the comparison and cross-checking of information, which ensures a full and balanced study. A synthesis of the facts obtained led to certain suggestions relating to the areas in which both South African and German labour organisations could adapt their agenda and interests to the changing nature of the employment market in order to avert membership decline. The methodology of this research draws from Skopol’s work which argues that social studies ought to be grounded in historical experience in order to make sense out of specific social events that occur today. The research design utilises an initial comparative historical-political analysis of the emergence of unionism in South Africa and Germany, so as to establish those factors which have, in the past, affected union growth and decline in both countries. Thereafter, the impact of contemporary economic and sectoral trends that reoccur in the South African and German labour markets are examined and compared, in order to establish their influence on the growth or decline of union membership in both countries in the future. This study consists of four sections. The first section comprises a historical dimension that uses Valenzuela’s work relating to the political nature of labour movements to establish those factors which, in the past, have affected union growth and decline. This is done to determine whether the type of insertion of labour movements into historical national political processes, and the links formed between trade unions and political parties influences membership growth or decline. The following three sections deal with the present challenges that may affect the unions in the future. Section Two deals with factors of economic recession (namely, poverty and unemployment) which confront trade unions in the 1990s. Hyman’s Theory of Disaggregation is applied to determine if recessive socio-economic factors can account for the strength of decline of unions, as opposed to union mobilisation being purely linked to transitions between long waves of the economy as Kelly suggests. The relevance of these theories to the rise and decline of unionism in South Africa and Germany is compared and contrasted. The third section determines whether changes to more flexible forms of work organisation and shifts in the employment market can account for the contrasting strength of the South African labour movement and the decline of the German labour movement today. The way in which these issues impact negatively upon union strength in South Africa and Germany in the 1990s is compared and contrasted, again using Hyman’s Theory of Disaggregation. The final section establishes whether or not the roles adopted by the South African and German labour movements during their confrontation with labour repressive regimes impacts upon their ability to attract union membership today, despite the constraints imposed upon unions by prevailing economic and structural uncertainties. Therefore the historicity of the South African and German labour movements, (based upon the findings of the first part of this study), is referred back to. At the same time, the reactions of the South African and German labour movements to prevailing economic and structural realities, (as examined in the second part of this research) are re-examined. Three conclusions are reached. Firstly, regardless of their strengths or weaknesses, all labour organisations are capable of adjusting to the adverse changes taking place in contemporary employment markets if they prove willing to advance and defend the interests of all who work, including those in the informal sector. If unions continue to neglect the informal labour market, they run the risk of being transposed by social movements that are antagonistic to trade unions or new expressions of the workforce’s latent collectivism. Secondly, in successfully playing a social movement role that led to the downfall of Apartheid in 1994, the South African labour movement has evolved as an energetic body with a dimension of recumbent militancy that attempts to adapt its identity to the changing nature of the employment market. This enables the South African labour movement to continue to attract membership despite the prevailing economic uncertainties. In contrast, forced co-operation and consensus within the German industrial relations arena since World War Two has resulted in a less dynamic union movement that lacks initiative in adapting to the changing nature of the employment market. The result is a decline in unionism. Finally, the fortunes of unions are not, as Kelly suggests, purely a product of economic cycles. Political climates can also influence mobilisation, as has occurred in both South Africa and Germany. This implies that mobilisation is not only activated by the economic dissatisfaction of a union movement.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Whiteley, Julianne Beverley
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Industrial mobilization -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa , Industrial mobilization -- Germany , Labor unions -- Germany , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Germany -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3332 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003125 , Industrial mobilization -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa , Industrial mobilization -- Germany , Labor unions -- Germany , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Germany -- Economic conditions
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate long-term trends in the union membership of South Africa and Germany, and to highlight trends in unionisation in both of these countries over a period of time. The long-term aspect of this study differentiates it from more detailed specific studies concerned with the individual fortunes of confederations or unions. The changing fortunes of trade unions have been associated with changes in work organisation, the influence of institutional pressures, or long term changes in the economic cycle. All these factors may, of course, shape and be shaped by each other. From a comparative perspective this dissertation determines whether the fortunes of unions are ultimately a product of the long waves of an economic cycle, or if other factors, such as variations in union/state relations, changes in the forms of work organisation and shifts in the employment market, impact upon union membership and mobilisation. It is hoped that the comparison of a transitional and an advanced economy may shed new light on the causes of union growth and decline, and the impact of specific social, legal and cultural variables thereon. The theoretical frame of reference for this study emerged from literature pertaining to union growth and decline. This literature discusses the historical, economic and sectoral challenges that confront the identity of unions and their ability to mobilise membership within contemporary labour markets. The entire study relies heavily on primary data collected from a wide range of sources in both countries. This method facilitates the comparison and cross-checking of information, which ensures a full and balanced study. A synthesis of the facts obtained led to certain suggestions relating to the areas in which both South African and German labour organisations could adapt their agenda and interests to the changing nature of the employment market in order to avert membership decline. The methodology of this research draws from Skopol’s work which argues that social studies ought to be grounded in historical experience in order to make sense out of specific social events that occur today. The research design utilises an initial comparative historical-political analysis of the emergence of unionism in South Africa and Germany, so as to establish those factors which have, in the past, affected union growth and decline in both countries. Thereafter, the impact of contemporary economic and sectoral trends that reoccur in the South African and German labour markets are examined and compared, in order to establish their influence on the growth or decline of union membership in both countries in the future. This study consists of four sections. The first section comprises a historical dimension that uses Valenzuela’s work relating to the political nature of labour movements to establish those factors which, in the past, have affected union growth and decline. This is done to determine whether the type of insertion of labour movements into historical national political processes, and the links formed between trade unions and political parties influences membership growth or decline. The following three sections deal with the present challenges that may affect the unions in the future. Section Two deals with factors of economic recession (namely, poverty and unemployment) which confront trade unions in the 1990s. Hyman’s Theory of Disaggregation is applied to determine if recessive socio-economic factors can account for the strength of decline of unions, as opposed to union mobilisation being purely linked to transitions between long waves of the economy as Kelly suggests. The relevance of these theories to the rise and decline of unionism in South Africa and Germany is compared and contrasted. The third section determines whether changes to more flexible forms of work organisation and shifts in the employment market can account for the contrasting strength of the South African labour movement and the decline of the German labour movement today. The way in which these issues impact negatively upon union strength in South Africa and Germany in the 1990s is compared and contrasted, again using Hyman’s Theory of Disaggregation. The final section establishes whether or not the roles adopted by the South African and German labour movements during their confrontation with labour repressive regimes impacts upon their ability to attract union membership today, despite the constraints imposed upon unions by prevailing economic and structural uncertainties. Therefore the historicity of the South African and German labour movements, (based upon the findings of the first part of this study), is referred back to. At the same time, the reactions of the South African and German labour movements to prevailing economic and structural realities, (as examined in the second part of this research) are re-examined. Three conclusions are reached. Firstly, regardless of their strengths or weaknesses, all labour organisations are capable of adjusting to the adverse changes taking place in contemporary employment markets if they prove willing to advance and defend the interests of all who work, including those in the informal sector. If unions continue to neglect the informal labour market, they run the risk of being transposed by social movements that are antagonistic to trade unions or new expressions of the workforce’s latent collectivism. Secondly, in successfully playing a social movement role that led to the downfall of Apartheid in 1994, the South African labour movement has evolved as an energetic body with a dimension of recumbent militancy that attempts to adapt its identity to the changing nature of the employment market. This enables the South African labour movement to continue to attract membership despite the prevailing economic uncertainties. In contrast, forced co-operation and consensus within the German industrial relations arena since World War Two has resulted in a less dynamic union movement that lacks initiative in adapting to the changing nature of the employment market. The result is a decline in unionism. Finally, the fortunes of unions are not, as Kelly suggests, purely a product of economic cycles. Political climates can also influence mobilisation, as has occurred in both South Africa and Germany. This implies that mobilisation is not only activated by the economic dissatisfaction of a union movement.
- Full Text:
Young women's memories of their experiences in adolescent relationships : a qualitative study
- Authors: Breetzke, Andrea Welsh
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Teenage girls , Adolescent psychology , Teenagers , Parent and teenager , Teenage parents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006366 , Teenage girls , Adolescent psychology , Teenagers , Parent and teenager , Teenage parents
- Description: Democratic Government in South Africa has brought with it changes in ideology and policy as well as a focus on a new area of concern. It has recognised the importance of young people. In May 1995 the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Youth at Risk (IMC) was established to re-organise the Child and Youth Care system in order increase its effectivity in coping with vulnerable youths. The IMC proposed a new framework for understanding and working with youth based on the principle of the Sioux parenting practices, called the Circle of Courage. Traditionally, helping professionals such as social workers use western theories, such as Erikson's Psychosocial Stage theory, to understand adolescents. Both of these theories and philosophies were not developed in South Africa and there is, therefore, cause for concern as to their relevance to the diverse and unique circumstances of this country. In this qualitative study, five young South African women attending a tertiary institution were asked to tell the stories of their adolescence with specific reference to their boy/girl relationships and factors influencing these relationships. The data was gathered in one or two semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using Miles and Huberman's (1994) broad model using data reduction (through coding), data display (with the use of two context charts and a thematic conceptual matrix)and verification and conclusion drawing (through finding synergies and contrasts between the data and the two theories). This analysis was conducted with two specific aims. The first aim was to provide a thick description of one of the women's stories to show the complexity and diversity of her experience. Secondly, synergies and contrasts were sought between the women's stories and the two theories: Erikson's stage theory and the Circle of Courage. The analysis showed strong evidence that aspects from both these theories existed in the data and that to some degree both were relevant to the experiences of these five women.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Breetzke, Andrea Welsh
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Teenage girls , Adolescent psychology , Teenagers , Parent and teenager , Teenage parents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006366 , Teenage girls , Adolescent psychology , Teenagers , Parent and teenager , Teenage parents
- Description: Democratic Government in South Africa has brought with it changes in ideology and policy as well as a focus on a new area of concern. It has recognised the importance of young people. In May 1995 the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Youth at Risk (IMC) was established to re-organise the Child and Youth Care system in order increase its effectivity in coping with vulnerable youths. The IMC proposed a new framework for understanding and working with youth based on the principle of the Sioux parenting practices, called the Circle of Courage. Traditionally, helping professionals such as social workers use western theories, such as Erikson's Psychosocial Stage theory, to understand adolescents. Both of these theories and philosophies were not developed in South Africa and there is, therefore, cause for concern as to their relevance to the diverse and unique circumstances of this country. In this qualitative study, five young South African women attending a tertiary institution were asked to tell the stories of their adolescence with specific reference to their boy/girl relationships and factors influencing these relationships. The data was gathered in one or two semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using Miles and Huberman's (1994) broad model using data reduction (through coding), data display (with the use of two context charts and a thematic conceptual matrix)and verification and conclusion drawing (through finding synergies and contrasts between the data and the two theories). This analysis was conducted with two specific aims. The first aim was to provide a thick description of one of the women's stories to show the complexity and diversity of her experience. Secondly, synergies and contrasts were sought between the women's stories and the two theories: Erikson's stage theory and the Circle of Courage. The analysis showed strong evidence that aspects from both these theories existed in the data and that to some degree both were relevant to the experiences of these five women.
- Full Text:
An evaluation of IMF structural adjustment programmes : lessons for South Africa
- Authors: Berolsky, Nuno Goncalo
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: International Monetary Fund , International Monetary Fund -- Developing countries , Structural adjustment (Economic policy) -- Developing countries , South Africa -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002668 , International Monetary Fund , International Monetary Fund -- Developing countries , Structural adjustment (Economic policy) -- Developing countries , South Africa -- Economic policy
- Description: The mixed results of International Monetary Fund structural adjustment programmes in less developed countries are a major motivation for this research. Explanations must be advanced as to what may inhibit the success of such programmes. South Africa has often found itself in a precarious position- with a deteriorating balance of payments, a position similar to other countries that have accepted IMF loans. Furthermore, South Africa undertook an IMF loan in 1993. Financial support from the IMF incorporates structural adjustment programmes. These may include measures such as tighter monetary policy, reduction in the budget deficit, exchange rate devaluation and ceilings on domestic credit with increased interest rates (Ferguson, 1988). These policies illustrate the principle of ‘conditionality,’ whereby access to further loans is conditional on certain criteria being met, such as reduced budget deficits and inflation rates. The principle of conditionality has met with a great deal of criticism. Bacha (1987) and Dell (1982) argue that these aggregate demand-reducing conditions more often than not stagnate domestic economies, worsening the balance of payment and result in programme breakdowns. Essentially, they refer to the IMF conditions as ‘unrealistic.’ The IMF denies this, arguing that shortfalls are mainly due to a lack of political commitment to carry out its conditions (Winters, 1994). This issue of conditionality will be examined in detail, using three specific case studies. The aim of this study is to examine the characteristics of Brazil, Mexico and Zambia to see whether or not the IMF programmes were successful. Guidelines will be established for South African policy from these case studies. South Africa is trying to adjust to the competitiveness of the international economy. At the same time, the need for reconstruction and development exerts increasing pressures on the balance of payments. Guidelines are established for a successful economic adjustment for South Africa. The research concludes that South Africa is certainly in line for a successful transformation. The rigidities are not as extensive as has been the case in Brazil and Zambia. Institutionally, South Africa is sound. However there are still challenges in this area, such as export diversification and economic stability to attract foreign investment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Berolsky, Nuno Goncalo
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: International Monetary Fund , International Monetary Fund -- Developing countries , Structural adjustment (Economic policy) -- Developing countries , South Africa -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002668 , International Monetary Fund , International Monetary Fund -- Developing countries , Structural adjustment (Economic policy) -- Developing countries , South Africa -- Economic policy
- Description: The mixed results of International Monetary Fund structural adjustment programmes in less developed countries are a major motivation for this research. Explanations must be advanced as to what may inhibit the success of such programmes. South Africa has often found itself in a precarious position- with a deteriorating balance of payments, a position similar to other countries that have accepted IMF loans. Furthermore, South Africa undertook an IMF loan in 1993. Financial support from the IMF incorporates structural adjustment programmes. These may include measures such as tighter monetary policy, reduction in the budget deficit, exchange rate devaluation and ceilings on domestic credit with increased interest rates (Ferguson, 1988). These policies illustrate the principle of ‘conditionality,’ whereby access to further loans is conditional on certain criteria being met, such as reduced budget deficits and inflation rates. The principle of conditionality has met with a great deal of criticism. Bacha (1987) and Dell (1982) argue that these aggregate demand-reducing conditions more often than not stagnate domestic economies, worsening the balance of payment and result in programme breakdowns. Essentially, they refer to the IMF conditions as ‘unrealistic.’ The IMF denies this, arguing that shortfalls are mainly due to a lack of political commitment to carry out its conditions (Winters, 1994). This issue of conditionality will be examined in detail, using three specific case studies. The aim of this study is to examine the characteristics of Brazil, Mexico and Zambia to see whether or not the IMF programmes were successful. Guidelines will be established for South African policy from these case studies. South Africa is trying to adjust to the competitiveness of the international economy. At the same time, the need for reconstruction and development exerts increasing pressures on the balance of payments. Guidelines are established for a successful economic adjustment for South Africa. The research concludes that South Africa is certainly in line for a successful transformation. The rigidities are not as extensive as has been the case in Brazil and Zambia. Institutionally, South Africa is sound. However there are still challenges in this area, such as export diversification and economic stability to attract foreign investment.
- Full Text:
Minor "dings" - major effects? a study into the cognitive effects of mild head injuries in high school rugby
- Authors: Ackermann, Tessa Ruth
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2920 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002429 , Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation
- Description: The present study is part of a larger and ongoing research initiative investigating the cumulative cognitive effects of mild head injury in rugby union and focused specifically on high school rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to top team high school rugby players (n = 47), and a non-contact sport control group of top team high school hockey players (n = 34). Direct comparisons of group mean scores and standard deviations across each neuropsychological test were carried out for the Total Rugby group versus the Total Hockey group as well as for the subgroups Rugby Forwards versus Rugby Backs. A correlational analysis was conducted to ascertain whether a relationship exists between the number of mild head injuries reported by the players and their cognitive test performance. Results of the group comparisons of means and variability on WMS Paired Associate Learning Hard Pairs - Delayed Recall provides tentative indications of the initial stages of diffuse damage associated with mild head injury in the rugby group and provides some evidence for impairment of verbal learning and memory in the Rugby Forwards group. The correlational analysis revealed no significant relationship between number of reported mild head injuries and cognitive performance. The findings and possible latent effects of the multiple mild head injuries reported by the rugby players are discussed in terms of brain reserve capacity theory and suggestions for future research are provided.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ackermann, Tessa Ruth
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2920 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002429 , Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation
- Description: The present study is part of a larger and ongoing research initiative investigating the cumulative cognitive effects of mild head injury in rugby union and focused specifically on high school rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to top team high school rugby players (n = 47), and a non-contact sport control group of top team high school hockey players (n = 34). Direct comparisons of group mean scores and standard deviations across each neuropsychological test were carried out for the Total Rugby group versus the Total Hockey group as well as for the subgroups Rugby Forwards versus Rugby Backs. A correlational analysis was conducted to ascertain whether a relationship exists between the number of mild head injuries reported by the players and their cognitive test performance. Results of the group comparisons of means and variability on WMS Paired Associate Learning Hard Pairs - Delayed Recall provides tentative indications of the initial stages of diffuse damage associated with mild head injury in the rugby group and provides some evidence for impairment of verbal learning and memory in the Rugby Forwards group. The correlational analysis revealed no significant relationship between number of reported mild head injuries and cognitive performance. The findings and possible latent effects of the multiple mild head injuries reported by the rugby players are discussed in terms of brain reserve capacity theory and suggestions for future research are provided.
- Full Text:
The development of a WAIS-III short form for use in South Africa
- Authors: Rust, Annegret L
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3047 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002556 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa
- Description: The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - 3rd Edition (WAIS-III) is the newest of the internationally recognised Wechsler family of intelligence tests. It has been improved in terms of its psychometric properties, neuropsychological assessment abilities and its content. This test is in the process of being standardised by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in South Africa. As the adapted South African version will be available shortly for use in the multicultural circumstances of South Africa, the application of the various aspects of this test needs to be investigated. This test is very comprehensive and thorough, however its one disadvantage is that it takes on average three hours to administer in its entirety. Thus there is a need to find ways in which to abbreviate the test for particular purposes when time is limited, for example in research, brief clinical assessments or neuropsychological screenings. The concept of abbreviating tests, including the earlier Wechsler intelligence test can be traced back to 1917, when it was asked if all the items on the Binet-Simon scale were required to give an accurate assessment of IQ (Levy, 1968). Since then there have been many short form suggestions made, with many different considerations in mind. These can be divided into two main approaches or methods. Firstly, the number of subtests of the scale can be reduced. Thus with the WAIS-III which consists of 14 subtests in total, an option is to use, for example only four of the subtests to get an estimate of a person's IQ. Secondly, the number of items in each subtest can be reduced. Thus only half the items or even only a third of the items on a subtest can be administered to get an estimate of the persons' performance on each subtest and in this way estimate their overall IQ. Both methods have been used on the WAIS and WAIS-R, although the reduction of the subtests is favoured. Both should now be validated and considered for use with the WATS-III in South Africa. Wechsler tests and their constituent subtests have been found to be differentially effected by race, education, language and socio-economic status (Kaufman, McLean & Reynolds, 1988; Nell 1999). These differences have also been found to impact on the short forms which are suggested, as certain subtests are considered to be more biased towards particular groups than others. Vocabulary and Block Design in particular bias testees who are not as westernised or acculturated towards a largely American and European culture (Kaufman, McLean & Reynolds, 1988). These differences, although often ascribed to race, language or socio-economic status can best be understood more broadly in terms of degree of acculturation (i.e. westernisation) (Shuttleworth-Jordan, 1996) and test-wiseness (Nell, 1999). In South Africa in particular, with its extreme cultural diversity these factors need to be carefully considered when developing short forms. In the present study the development of a short form appropriate to South Africa's diverse cultural circumstances will be approached, through a sample which has been stratified according to gender, first language (English vs. African), quality of schooling received (Private/Model C vs. DET) and level of education achieved (Matric vs. Graduate). Both a subtest reduction method and an item reduction method will be considered to arrive at a short form. The subtest reduction method will be considered further in an attempt to clarify which subtests would be more or less appropriate to include in a short form considering group differences. Finally the thesis will develop suggestions as to which short forms would be best for use in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rust, Annegret L
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3047 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002556 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa
- Description: The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - 3rd Edition (WAIS-III) is the newest of the internationally recognised Wechsler family of intelligence tests. It has been improved in terms of its psychometric properties, neuropsychological assessment abilities and its content. This test is in the process of being standardised by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in South Africa. As the adapted South African version will be available shortly for use in the multicultural circumstances of South Africa, the application of the various aspects of this test needs to be investigated. This test is very comprehensive and thorough, however its one disadvantage is that it takes on average three hours to administer in its entirety. Thus there is a need to find ways in which to abbreviate the test for particular purposes when time is limited, for example in research, brief clinical assessments or neuropsychological screenings. The concept of abbreviating tests, including the earlier Wechsler intelligence test can be traced back to 1917, when it was asked if all the items on the Binet-Simon scale were required to give an accurate assessment of IQ (Levy, 1968). Since then there have been many short form suggestions made, with many different considerations in mind. These can be divided into two main approaches or methods. Firstly, the number of subtests of the scale can be reduced. Thus with the WAIS-III which consists of 14 subtests in total, an option is to use, for example only four of the subtests to get an estimate of a person's IQ. Secondly, the number of items in each subtest can be reduced. Thus only half the items or even only a third of the items on a subtest can be administered to get an estimate of the persons' performance on each subtest and in this way estimate their overall IQ. Both methods have been used on the WAIS and WAIS-R, although the reduction of the subtests is favoured. Both should now be validated and considered for use with the WATS-III in South Africa. Wechsler tests and their constituent subtests have been found to be differentially effected by race, education, language and socio-economic status (Kaufman, McLean & Reynolds, 1988; Nell 1999). These differences have also been found to impact on the short forms which are suggested, as certain subtests are considered to be more biased towards particular groups than others. Vocabulary and Block Design in particular bias testees who are not as westernised or acculturated towards a largely American and European culture (Kaufman, McLean & Reynolds, 1988). These differences, although often ascribed to race, language or socio-economic status can best be understood more broadly in terms of degree of acculturation (i.e. westernisation) (Shuttleworth-Jordan, 1996) and test-wiseness (Nell, 1999). In South Africa in particular, with its extreme cultural diversity these factors need to be carefully considered when developing short forms. In the present study the development of a short form appropriate to South Africa's diverse cultural circumstances will be approached, through a sample which has been stratified according to gender, first language (English vs. African), quality of schooling received (Private/Model C vs. DET) and level of education achieved (Matric vs. Graduate). Both a subtest reduction method and an item reduction method will be considered to arrive at a short form. The subtest reduction method will be considered further in an attempt to clarify which subtests would be more or less appropriate to include in a short form considering group differences. Finally the thesis will develop suggestions as to which short forms would be best for use in South Africa.
- Full Text:
The Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices Test: a pilot study for the establishment of normative data for Xhosa-speaking primary school pupils in the Grahamstown region
- Authors: Bass, Natalie Tanyia
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Raven's Progressive Matrices , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Intelligence levels -- South Africa , Students -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002439 , Raven's Progressive Matrices , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Intelligence levels -- South Africa , Students -- Psychology
- Description: The Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) test is used extensively across a wide variety of settings in South Africa, however more appropriate local normative data has yet to be established. The CPM is internationally recognised as a culture-fair test of nonverbal intelligence, designed for use with children between the ages of 5½ and 11½. This pilot study thus sought to establish normative data for this instrument for a population of Xhosa-speaking Primary School children in the peri-urban township area in the Grahamstown region. The booklet version of the test was used and it was administered in group format and according to an alternate method of test administration (using Xhosa instructions) developed by Vass in 1992. The final normative sample consisted of 197 male and 182 female Xhosa-speaking children in Grades Two to Seven (N=379). The results showed (1) a significant effect of age on test scores, where scores increased with age as expected; (2) a consistent tendency for males to outperform females was also noted, however small sample sizes precluded any categorical claims to this effect; (3) no significant effect of education on test scores was observed and finally; (4) and finally, it appeared that the norms generated for this study revealed a tendency to be lower than those obtained by Raven, Court and Raven (1990) during the standardisation of this instrument in the United Kingdom and America. The study concluded that (1) there is an urgent need for more appropriate South African normative data for this test; and (2) that when assessing African children from disadvantaged backgrounds, further research into the effects of cultural and socio-economic factors and gender on non-verbal intelligence (and on performance on this test in particular) is required.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bass, Natalie Tanyia
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Raven's Progressive Matrices , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Intelligence levels -- South Africa , Students -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002439 , Raven's Progressive Matrices , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Intelligence levels -- South Africa , Students -- Psychology
- Description: The Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) test is used extensively across a wide variety of settings in South Africa, however more appropriate local normative data has yet to be established. The CPM is internationally recognised as a culture-fair test of nonverbal intelligence, designed for use with children between the ages of 5½ and 11½. This pilot study thus sought to establish normative data for this instrument for a population of Xhosa-speaking Primary School children in the peri-urban township area in the Grahamstown region. The booklet version of the test was used and it was administered in group format and according to an alternate method of test administration (using Xhosa instructions) developed by Vass in 1992. The final normative sample consisted of 197 male and 182 female Xhosa-speaking children in Grades Two to Seven (N=379). The results showed (1) a significant effect of age on test scores, where scores increased with age as expected; (2) a consistent tendency for males to outperform females was also noted, however small sample sizes precluded any categorical claims to this effect; (3) no significant effect of education on test scores was observed and finally; (4) and finally, it appeared that the norms generated for this study revealed a tendency to be lower than those obtained by Raven, Court and Raven (1990) during the standardisation of this instrument in the United Kingdom and America. The study concluded that (1) there is an urgent need for more appropriate South African normative data for this test; and (2) that when assessing African children from disadvantaged backgrounds, further research into the effects of cultural and socio-economic factors and gender on non-verbal intelligence (and on performance on this test in particular) is required.
- Full Text:
SAPS members' experience of diversity and diversity training within the SAPS
- Authors: Everton, Wilma
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Cross-cultural orientation , Sex discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa , Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2973 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002482 , Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Cross-cultural orientation , Sex discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa , Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa
- Description: During this study, an attempt was made to explore the opinions and attitudes of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) towards issues of diversity before, immediately after and three months after participating in diversity training workshops presented by the SAPS Training Division during 1997 in Port Elizabeth. The aim of this thesis was not to assess the diversity training itself, but to discover if the training, as currently presented, in any way influenced the attitudes of participants. In order to meet this goal, literature and empirical studies were conducted. The literature study sets the theoretical foundation pertaining to the history of the SAPS and the attitudes and prejudices of and diversity among SAPS members. During the empirical research phase, a non-probability purposive sampling procedure was adopted. Four of a range of diversity workshops presented by the Training Division of the SAPS during 1997 were selected for the purpose of this study. An internal SAPS process was used to nominate members to attend the workshops. The researcher requested the participants in each of the four workshops to complete a self-administered questionnaire before as well as after the workshop concerned. Immediately after each of the four workshops, a short interview was held with each attendee. To explore the stability of any change evident from responses on the questionnaires completed after the workshops, the attendees were again requested to complete the same questionnaire three months later. To increase the validity of any conclusion that attitudinal change was related to the workshop, a control group was used. This study has revealed that a cross-spectrum of SAPS members of both sexes and diverse racial backgrounds believe that various forms of discrimination exist within the SAPS. It confirmed that the diversity training presented by the SAPS Training Division is a useful instrument to heighten members' awareness of the different norms and customs of other cultural/ethnic groups and of the necessity that the SAPS should be constituted of a cross-spectrum of racial groups reflecting the South African society. Finally, based on the research findings, recommendations were made involving management and its supportive services and diversity training.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Everton, Wilma
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Cross-cultural orientation , Sex discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa , Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2973 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002482 , Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Cross-cultural orientation , Sex discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa , Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa
- Description: During this study, an attempt was made to explore the opinions and attitudes of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) towards issues of diversity before, immediately after and three months after participating in diversity training workshops presented by the SAPS Training Division during 1997 in Port Elizabeth. The aim of this thesis was not to assess the diversity training itself, but to discover if the training, as currently presented, in any way influenced the attitudes of participants. In order to meet this goal, literature and empirical studies were conducted. The literature study sets the theoretical foundation pertaining to the history of the SAPS and the attitudes and prejudices of and diversity among SAPS members. During the empirical research phase, a non-probability purposive sampling procedure was adopted. Four of a range of diversity workshops presented by the Training Division of the SAPS during 1997 were selected for the purpose of this study. An internal SAPS process was used to nominate members to attend the workshops. The researcher requested the participants in each of the four workshops to complete a self-administered questionnaire before as well as after the workshop concerned. Immediately after each of the four workshops, a short interview was held with each attendee. To explore the stability of any change evident from responses on the questionnaires completed after the workshops, the attendees were again requested to complete the same questionnaire three months later. To increase the validity of any conclusion that attitudinal change was related to the workshop, a control group was used. This study has revealed that a cross-spectrum of SAPS members of both sexes and diverse racial backgrounds believe that various forms of discrimination exist within the SAPS. It confirmed that the diversity training presented by the SAPS Training Division is a useful instrument to heighten members' awareness of the different norms and customs of other cultural/ethnic groups and of the necessity that the SAPS should be constituted of a cross-spectrum of racial groups reflecting the South African society. Finally, based on the research findings, recommendations were made involving management and its supportive services and diversity training.
- Full Text:
The psychological adjustment of middle managers after revolutionary organisational change
- Authors: Coates, Nicholas Robert
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial -- South Africa Organizational change -- South Africa Organizational change -- Psychological aspects Management -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008554
- Description:
With the accelerated process of political and socio-economic transformation in South Africa, revolutionary organisational change has become a given in contemporary South African business life (Human & Horwitz, 1992). For revolutionary organisational change to succeed in South Africa, middle managers who represent the 'cement' of the organisation, need to adjust at the individual level. However, the literature on organisational change remains curiously silent about individual adjustment (Ashford, 1988). The goals of the research were firstly, to recount the middle manager's perceptions and experiences of revolutionary organisational change. Secondly, to detail the psychological re-
- Full Text:
- Authors: Coates, Nicholas Robert
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial -- South Africa Organizational change -- South Africa Organizational change -- Psychological aspects Management -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008554
- Description:
With the accelerated process of political and socio-economic transformation in South Africa, revolutionary organisational change has become a given in contemporary South African business life (Human & Horwitz, 1992). For revolutionary organisational change to succeed in South Africa, middle managers who represent the 'cement' of the organisation, need to adjust at the individual level. However, the literature on organisational change remains curiously silent about individual adjustment (Ashford, 1988). The goals of the research were firstly, to recount the middle manager's perceptions and experiences of revolutionary organisational change. Secondly, to detail the psychological re-
- Full Text:
English communication in the hospitality industry: the employees' perspective
- Authors: Hobson, Josephine Mary
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- Employees -- Training of -- South Africa , English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2992 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002501 , Hospitality industry -- Employees -- Training of -- South Africa , English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Foreign speakers
- Description: The purpose of this research project was to explore the English communicative competency of management and supervisory level employees within the South Mrican hospitality industry. The Pro lit English Written Assessment, a competency-based assessment tool, was used to establish a relatively objective measure of the English communicative competency of nineteen managers and supervisors. Thereafter thirteen of these respondents were interviewed to determine their perceptions of their English communicative competency and the impact thereof on their work situation, as well as their perceptions of their learning needs and recommendations for intervention. The researcher selected a multi-method approach to the investigation and sought both quantitative and qualitative data. The assessment revealed that the English reading and writing ability of the respondents is distinctly lower than their recorded education level and inadequate in relation to the tasks they are expected to perform at work. The interviews indicated that the respondents are not aware of their lack of English communicative competency or the implications thereof. However, the respondents expressed important insights into the factors that should be taken into account when planning an educational intervention III an organization. These included the need to incorporate English second language learning principles, to treat the learner as an individual, to involve the learner in the decision-making process, to consider the practical concerns of the learner and to ensure that the programme content is appropriate. Recommendations for human resource practices and research in the hospitality industry are presented.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hobson, Josephine Mary
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- Employees -- Training of -- South Africa , English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2992 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002501 , Hospitality industry -- Employees -- Training of -- South Africa , English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Foreign speakers
- Description: The purpose of this research project was to explore the English communicative competency of management and supervisory level employees within the South Mrican hospitality industry. The Pro lit English Written Assessment, a competency-based assessment tool, was used to establish a relatively objective measure of the English communicative competency of nineteen managers and supervisors. Thereafter thirteen of these respondents were interviewed to determine their perceptions of their English communicative competency and the impact thereof on their work situation, as well as their perceptions of their learning needs and recommendations for intervention. The researcher selected a multi-method approach to the investigation and sought both quantitative and qualitative data. The assessment revealed that the English reading and writing ability of the respondents is distinctly lower than their recorded education level and inadequate in relation to the tasks they are expected to perform at work. The interviews indicated that the respondents are not aware of their lack of English communicative competency or the implications thereof. However, the respondents expressed important insights into the factors that should be taken into account when planning an educational intervention III an organization. These included the need to incorporate English second language learning principles, to treat the learner as an individual, to involve the learner in the decision-making process, to consider the practical concerns of the learner and to ensure that the programme content is appropriate. Recommendations for human resource practices and research in the hospitality industry are presented.
- Full Text:
Testing Guidano's model of psychopathology in eating-disordered individuals : a multiple case study
- Authors: Hajayiannis, Helen
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Psychology, Pathological Eating disorders -- Case studies Guidano, V F Eating disorders -- Etiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3192 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008557
- Description: This thesis sets out to critically examine Guidano's model of psychopathology in eating-disordered individuals . The literature review highlights the diverse etiological approaches that have been taken in understanding eating disorders. Guidano's model is presented as an alternative to traditional approaches . It is a developmental, unitary model of psychopathology, conceptualised within a systems/process-oriented approach to organised complexity. Within a qualitative framework, case study methodology is utilised to test the viability and limitations of Guidano's model. Four in-depth case histories are presented which offer appropriate material for the testing of the model. The data is analysed using the reading guide method and presented in terms of the four features of Guidano's model: (1) dysfunctional patterns of attachment; (2) sense of self; (3) major themes on systemic coherence; (4) common coping strategies. The findings of the research support Guidano's model of psychopathology in eating-disordered individuals. The findings are: (1) attachment styles are ambiguous, "intrusive, and enmeshed; participants experience a disappointment in the preferential attachment relationship; (2) that participants' sense of self is blurred and wavering; (3) the major theme on systemic coherence is the oscillation between seeking and avoiding intimacy; (4) common coping strategies are: the seeking of supportive intimacy with minimal self-exposure; withdrawal into the self; perfectionism; the development of an eating disorder; continuous thoughts about food, eating, and weight which prevents participants from becoming aware of the real issues confronting them. An evaluation of Guidano's model in terms of its specific contribution to knowledge and research on the role of father in child and adolescent psychopathology, as well as how father effects evidence in eating disorders, demonstrates the model's value as an explanatory tool and raises implications for future treatment, theory, and research practices of eating-disordered individuals.
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- Authors: Hajayiannis, Helen
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Psychology, Pathological Eating disorders -- Case studies Guidano, V F Eating disorders -- Etiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3192 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008557
- Description: This thesis sets out to critically examine Guidano's model of psychopathology in eating-disordered individuals . The literature review highlights the diverse etiological approaches that have been taken in understanding eating disorders. Guidano's model is presented as an alternative to traditional approaches . It is a developmental, unitary model of psychopathology, conceptualised within a systems/process-oriented approach to organised complexity. Within a qualitative framework, case study methodology is utilised to test the viability and limitations of Guidano's model. Four in-depth case histories are presented which offer appropriate material for the testing of the model. The data is analysed using the reading guide method and presented in terms of the four features of Guidano's model: (1) dysfunctional patterns of attachment; (2) sense of self; (3) major themes on systemic coherence; (4) common coping strategies. The findings of the research support Guidano's model of psychopathology in eating-disordered individuals. The findings are: (1) attachment styles are ambiguous, "intrusive, and enmeshed; participants experience a disappointment in the preferential attachment relationship; (2) that participants' sense of self is blurred and wavering; (3) the major theme on systemic coherence is the oscillation between seeking and avoiding intimacy; (4) common coping strategies are: the seeking of supportive intimacy with minimal self-exposure; withdrawal into the self; perfectionism; the development of an eating disorder; continuous thoughts about food, eating, and weight which prevents participants from becoming aware of the real issues confronting them. An evaluation of Guidano's model in terms of its specific contribution to knowledge and research on the role of father in child and adolescent psychopathology, as well as how father effects evidence in eating disorders, demonstrates the model's value as an explanatory tool and raises implications for future treatment, theory, and research practices of eating-disordered individuals.
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The development of academic literacy in the first-year psychology course at Rhodes University: an assessment of the tutorial programme
- Authors: Amos, Trevor Lawrence
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) , Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Academic achievement -- South Africa , College student development programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2923 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002432 , Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) , Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Academic achievement -- South Africa , College student development programs -- South Africa
- Description: This research is concerned with the cognitive development of students in higher education. Specifically, it is recognised that the demands facing students are different to those previously encountered in secondary education. These demands include being able to master what Strohm Kitchener (1983) calls ill-structured problems and learning the groundrules of their academic disciplines. This is termed academic literacy. Current thought in academic development proposes that students need to be shown how to mobilise their cognitive processes to meet these demands. It is argued that this is best accomplished when such activities are integrated into the discipline itself as opposed to being an add-on process. Taking into account the social and dialectical nature of learning (Vygotsky, 1978), academic development and academic literacy are seen to best occur within the tutorial system. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the 1997 first-year Psychology tutorial programme at Rhodes University, Grahamstown to assess how academic literacy was being developed. A qualitative research approach was followed, guided by the ten stage evaluation model of education programmes (Jacobs, 1996) and an adapted version of the Context, Input, Process and Product approach to evaluation (Parlett and Hamilton cited in Calder, 1995, p.25). Using indepth interviews, data was gathered from eight first year students, seven staff members and one programme co-ordinator. Focus groups were used to gather data from nine tutors. Further data collection techniques included observation of tutor briefing sessions and tutorials as well as documentary research. Data was analysed using qualitative data analysis techniques (Coffey & Atkinson, 1996). The Psychology Department at Rhodes University aims to integrate the development of academic literacy into mainstream teaching at the first year level through its tutorial programme. The Department has conceptualised its understanding of academic development as the development of academic, vocational and professional literacy which is rather unique. Academic literacy is defined and conceptualised further in a list of pre-determined skills (reading, writing and general skills) to be developed incrementally. This conceptualisation of academic literacy tends to neglect to include the mobilisation of relevant cognitive processes explicitly and the implementation tends to remain implicit. A lack of tactical strategies to implement academic development is evidence of the difficulty in moving from the philosophical level of academic development to the practical level. The programme is perceived as disorganised and lacking in a co-ordinated or incremental development of the predetermined skills.
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- Authors: Amos, Trevor Lawrence
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) , Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Academic achievement -- South Africa , College student development programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2923 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002432 , Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) , Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Academic achievement -- South Africa , College student development programs -- South Africa
- Description: This research is concerned with the cognitive development of students in higher education. Specifically, it is recognised that the demands facing students are different to those previously encountered in secondary education. These demands include being able to master what Strohm Kitchener (1983) calls ill-structured problems and learning the groundrules of their academic disciplines. This is termed academic literacy. Current thought in academic development proposes that students need to be shown how to mobilise their cognitive processes to meet these demands. It is argued that this is best accomplished when such activities are integrated into the discipline itself as opposed to being an add-on process. Taking into account the social and dialectical nature of learning (Vygotsky, 1978), academic development and academic literacy are seen to best occur within the tutorial system. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the 1997 first-year Psychology tutorial programme at Rhodes University, Grahamstown to assess how academic literacy was being developed. A qualitative research approach was followed, guided by the ten stage evaluation model of education programmes (Jacobs, 1996) and an adapted version of the Context, Input, Process and Product approach to evaluation (Parlett and Hamilton cited in Calder, 1995, p.25). Using indepth interviews, data was gathered from eight first year students, seven staff members and one programme co-ordinator. Focus groups were used to gather data from nine tutors. Further data collection techniques included observation of tutor briefing sessions and tutorials as well as documentary research. Data was analysed using qualitative data analysis techniques (Coffey & Atkinson, 1996). The Psychology Department at Rhodes University aims to integrate the development of academic literacy into mainstream teaching at the first year level through its tutorial programme. The Department has conceptualised its understanding of academic development as the development of academic, vocational and professional literacy which is rather unique. Academic literacy is defined and conceptualised further in a list of pre-determined skills (reading, writing and general skills) to be developed incrementally. This conceptualisation of academic literacy tends to neglect to include the mobilisation of relevant cognitive processes explicitly and the implementation tends to remain implicit. A lack of tactical strategies to implement academic development is evidence of the difficulty in moving from the philosophical level of academic development to the practical level. The programme is perceived as disorganised and lacking in a co-ordinated or incremental development of the predetermined skills.
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The role of drinking fathers in later contradictions and choices in the lives of married women
- Authors: Meyer, Jennifer Anne
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Adult children of alcoholics -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3018 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002527 , Adult children of alcoholics -- Psychology
- Description: This qualitative, interpretive research sought to elicit explanations for certain contradictions and choices in the lives of four married women who were autonomous and assertive in their careers, yet non-assertive and compliant in their married lives. Such contradictions appeared both in their projected stories and semi-structured interviews. It had been expected that these projected stories would reveal autonomy and assertiveness, in line with the white, middle-class, feminist values of the subjects, but they had not. Explanations for these apparent contradictions were attributed to the effects of being children of alcoholic fathers. While the subjects' socialisation and vulnerability to family ideology provided certain explanations for the presence of such contradictions, an object relations account of the unconscious need to resurrect an ideal father and repair the generic family provided a more probable explanation,and accounted for their traditional gender role behaviour as ideal wives in spite of their non-traditional, feminist behaviour outside of marriage.
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- Authors: Meyer, Jennifer Anne
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Adult children of alcoholics -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3018 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002527 , Adult children of alcoholics -- Psychology
- Description: This qualitative, interpretive research sought to elicit explanations for certain contradictions and choices in the lives of four married women who were autonomous and assertive in their careers, yet non-assertive and compliant in their married lives. Such contradictions appeared both in their projected stories and semi-structured interviews. It had been expected that these projected stories would reveal autonomy and assertiveness, in line with the white, middle-class, feminist values of the subjects, but they had not. Explanations for these apparent contradictions were attributed to the effects of being children of alcoholic fathers. While the subjects' socialisation and vulnerability to family ideology provided certain explanations for the presence of such contradictions, an object relations account of the unconscious need to resurrect an ideal father and repair the generic family provided a more probable explanation,and accounted for their traditional gender role behaviour as ideal wives in spite of their non-traditional, feminist behaviour outside of marriage.
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Towards an understanding of Amayeza esiXhosa stores (African chemists): how they operate, and the services they offer in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Cocks, Michelle L
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Medical anthropology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2096 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002659 , Medical anthropology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In medical anthropology there has been a tendency to dichotomize western biomedical . healtb services, on the one hand, and traditional health care practices on the other. Much attention has been focused on the comparison between these two approaches in the hope that they might be reconciled. The problem with this approach is twofold. In the first place, it has not always acknowledged the local, historic~1, political and economic contexts in which different approaches to health care have evolved and in the second place, health care services which belong to neither the western nor traditional healing spheres and which are driven by commercial interests have been almost completely neglected because they fall outside of the basic dichotomy. Amayeza stores have been a feature of South African towns and cities for many years. They mayor may not be run by Africans, but their clientele is almost exclusively African in this region. They deal in a bewildering variety of products and remedies, from untreated herbal and animal products to pharmaceuticals specially prepared for the African market, to Dutch and Indian Remedies. These stores both reflect transfonnations in indigenous perceptions of health care and, by virtue of the choices they offer, generate change. In this empirical study three stores in the Eastern Cape are selected for detailed study - two in King William's Town, the regional capital, and one in the small town of Peddie. The approach is holistic, emphasizing the social, political and economic context, the business histories and running of each shop, and, in particular, the perceptions and choices of a sample of the customers in each case. The success of the amayeza phenomenon derives from its eclecticism and syncretism. These stores impose neither a western nor a traditional model of health care on their clients, but offer them a range of choices that reflects the complex multicultural history of their own South African society.
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- Authors: Cocks, Michelle L
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Medical anthropology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2096 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002659 , Medical anthropology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In medical anthropology there has been a tendency to dichotomize western biomedical . healtb services, on the one hand, and traditional health care practices on the other. Much attention has been focused on the comparison between these two approaches in the hope that they might be reconciled. The problem with this approach is twofold. In the first place, it has not always acknowledged the local, historic~1, political and economic contexts in which different approaches to health care have evolved and in the second place, health care services which belong to neither the western nor traditional healing spheres and which are driven by commercial interests have been almost completely neglected because they fall outside of the basic dichotomy. Amayeza stores have been a feature of South African towns and cities for many years. They mayor may not be run by Africans, but their clientele is almost exclusively African in this region. They deal in a bewildering variety of products and remedies, from untreated herbal and animal products to pharmaceuticals specially prepared for the African market, to Dutch and Indian Remedies. These stores both reflect transfonnations in indigenous perceptions of health care and, by virtue of the choices they offer, generate change. In this empirical study three stores in the Eastern Cape are selected for detailed study - two in King William's Town, the regional capital, and one in the small town of Peddie. The approach is holistic, emphasizing the social, political and economic context, the business histories and running of each shop, and, in particular, the perceptions and choices of a sample of the customers in each case. The success of the amayeza phenomenon derives from its eclecticism and syncretism. These stores impose neither a western nor a traditional model of health care on their clients, but offer them a range of choices that reflects the complex multicultural history of their own South African society.
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A comparative study of the performance of English and Xhosa speaking children on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R)
- Authors: Runciman, Carey Lynn
- Date: 1996 , 2013-10-03
- Subjects: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children -- Cross-cultural studies , Children -- Intelligence testing , Psychological tests -- Cross-cultural studies , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3150 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007467 , Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children -- Cross-cultural studies , Children -- Intelligence testing , Psychological tests -- Cross-cultural studies , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this study was to compare the WISC-R subtest score scatter patterns and obtain preliminary normative data on the WISC-R Adjunctive tests (Digit Span Forward; Digit Span Backward; Digit Supraspan; Coding Immediate Recall and Coding Delayed Recall) on a non-clinical population of South African English (n= 15) and Xhosa (n= 12) speaking, standard six children, studying in English medium schools. Tests were administered to 27 subjects, both male (n=19) and female (n=8), with a mean age of 14.1 years (range = 13.3-15.3). The results show that White English speaking children outperform Black Xhosa speaking children on Verbal, Performance and Full Scale IQs and all subtests, but that these differences tended to disappear when Full Scale IQ and school grade average were controlled for. No subtest score scatter was present for either group although more specific test items appeared to be more difficult for Xhosa speaking subjects and may have contributed to generally lowered scores. Results suggest that caution must be employed in assigning Xhosa speaking South African children to absolute IQ categories. However, the WISC-R has validity for diagnostic use on both White English speaking and Black Xhosa speaking South African children as there was no evidence of a significant Verbal IQ/Performance IQ discrepancy, or significant low subtest scatter for either group. Normative tables are presented for the use of WISC-R Adjunctive tests. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Authors: Runciman, Carey Lynn
- Date: 1996 , 2013-10-03
- Subjects: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children -- Cross-cultural studies , Children -- Intelligence testing , Psychological tests -- Cross-cultural studies , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3150 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007467 , Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children -- Cross-cultural studies , Children -- Intelligence testing , Psychological tests -- Cross-cultural studies , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this study was to compare the WISC-R subtest score scatter patterns and obtain preliminary normative data on the WISC-R Adjunctive tests (Digit Span Forward; Digit Span Backward; Digit Supraspan; Coding Immediate Recall and Coding Delayed Recall) on a non-clinical population of South African English (n= 15) and Xhosa (n= 12) speaking, standard six children, studying in English medium schools. Tests were administered to 27 subjects, both male (n=19) and female (n=8), with a mean age of 14.1 years (range = 13.3-15.3). The results show that White English speaking children outperform Black Xhosa speaking children on Verbal, Performance and Full Scale IQs and all subtests, but that these differences tended to disappear when Full Scale IQ and school grade average were controlled for. No subtest score scatter was present for either group although more specific test items appeared to be more difficult for Xhosa speaking subjects and may have contributed to generally lowered scores. Results suggest that caution must be employed in assigning Xhosa speaking South African children to absolute IQ categories. However, the WISC-R has validity for diagnostic use on both White English speaking and Black Xhosa speaking South African children as there was no evidence of a significant Verbal IQ/Performance IQ discrepancy, or significant low subtest scatter for either group. Normative tables are presented for the use of WISC-R Adjunctive tests. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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