The dark side of emotional labour of South African Police Service officers, working in KwaZulu-Natal
- Authors: Thwala, Fezeka Asande
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Police South Africa , Police Attitudes , Police Job stress South Africa KwaZulu-Natal , Police psychology South Africa KwaZulu-Natal , Police Social conditions , Anger , Aggressiveness , Intimidation , Employee morale South Africa KwaZulu-Natal , Work environment South Africa KwaZulu-Natal , Corporate culture South Africa KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190950 , vital:45044
- Description: This research paper explores the concept of emotional labour through the lens of the dark side of emotional labour, which includes emotions such as anger, aggression, intimidation, and neutrality. The concept of the dark side of emotional labour seeks to investigate the experiences and effects the performance of these emotions has on police officers as required by the SAPS organisation. These experiences are explored using three central themes: emotional neutrality, emotional toxicity, and emotionally dirty work. This paper places emphasis on emotional labour not only restricted to the performance of positive emotions such as smiling and presentable appearance such as Arlie Hochschild (1983) account of air hostesses but also extending to the expectation or requirement for the performance of dark emotions, which is quite evident in the case of police officers. This study was conducted in KwaZulu Natal, with Police Officers that have acquired the necessary training to be police officers and have worked a minimum of 2 years. The research methodology used was qualitative, and data were obtained from semi-structured interviews. These were then analysed and presented in line with the research objectives. The research found evidence of how individuals' different positions influence how frequently they perform and express negative emotions. It found that the gender difference also contributes to the diverse experiences of dark emotions. Furthermore, it found that the continuous experience of negative emotions has, to an extent, affected the police officers in their lives outside of the organisation. This study concluded by discussing the implications and recommendations for further research. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Self-esteem and aggressive behaviour: a pilot study
- Authors: Rossouw, Gabriel Johannes
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Aggressiveness , Self-esteem
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3151 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007471 , Aggressiveness , Self-esteem
- Description: From Introduction: "That man is an aggressive creature will hardly be disputed. With the exception of certain rodents, no other vertebrate habitually destroys members of his own species. No other animal takes positive pleasure in the excercise of cruelty upon another of his kind" (A. Storr, 1968 p. ix). It is a sombre fact that man is the cruellest and most ruthless specie that has ever walked on earth. We recoil in horror when we read the daily newspaper or in a history book of the atrocities committed by man, but as A. Storr puts it: "....., we know in our hearts that each one of us harbours within himself those savage impulses which lead to murder, to torture and to war." (p. ix). Our warranted concern with this phenomenon is portrayed by the tremendous amount of research in this field which can be sub-divided into two distinct categories. The first category consist of those that emphasize nurture in their attempt to gain a deeper understanding of human aggression, of which the behaviourists and social learning theorists are staunch supporters. Underlying their concern and endeavour is the personal belief that aggression is attributable to environmental factors. In short, they maintain that humans are not aggressive by nature and if one follows their argument to its logical conclusion it would allow for a sigh of relief and inspiration. Their research results indicate that well deliberated methods of control would most certainly result in the extinction or near extinction of aggression. The second category consist of those, notably the psycho-analytic school of thought, who emphasize nature in their understanding of human aggression and do not allow themselves the naivety of projecting aggression into environmental conditions and situations. In short, they argue that aggression is innate and serves a particular function in the psychological development of the human being. It is their contention that aggressiveness supports the individual in his drive towards independence. The aim of this paper is to present both stances and to broaden the perspective by introducing a view that straddles both nature and nurture. Following this view, of whom Rollo May (1972) is a strong supporter, to its logical conclusion would indicate that aggression is the result of nature as well as nurture and that it serves the function of re-establishing a sense of worth and significance that has otherwise been thwarted. Finally, this paper sets out to prove that aggression and violence "feeds on a low self- esteem and self-doubt" (Toch. 69, p. 212).
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- Date Issued: 1987