Understanding rape perpetration: social origins and enactment
- Authors: Malahle, Bongani
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Rape -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Sex crimes -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa Cognitive therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40834 , vital:36241
- Description: In South Africa rates of rape perpetration remain high despite efforts to prevent such violence. Globally, violence (including rape perpetration) has been declared a public health concern by governments and policy makers. This provided impetus for large epidemiological studies that has documented a number of risk factors for perpetration. However, despite these efforts, there are still large gaps in our understanding of rape perpetration, because studies often focus on risk factors rather than the dynamics of rape perpetration. Despite the significant quantitative descriptions of perpetration, there are still aspects which are not well understood, such as the interplay of social constructions and other factors during the actual act of perpetration. It has been suggested that rape can only be understood by engaging perpetrators and that such investigations can inform positive interventions in dealing with rape perpetration. The present study explored and described the origins of reasons for perpetration (subjective meanings and social constructs) and how these reasons interplay with other factors during the enactment of rape in South Africa. The data was purposively collected from seven incarcerated rape perpetrators from a correctional facility close to a major metropolitan area using semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Social Cognitive Learning Theory was used as the main theoretical framework to contextualise the results. Some of the findings in the present study include solipsism and sexual solipsism as reasons, patriarchy and hegemonic masculinity as influential in the social origins, and moral dysregulation as a one of the tools to effect enactment of rape perpetration. Some of the recommendations include employing more psychological workers in the primary health care sector. Furthermore, continued engagement of males by NGO’s, NPO’s, school-based programmes, and community activism to combat the narratives that lead to moral disengagement is recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Malahle, Bongani
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Rape -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Sex crimes -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa Women -- Crimes against -- South Africa Cognitive therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40834 , vital:36241
- Description: In South Africa rates of rape perpetration remain high despite efforts to prevent such violence. Globally, violence (including rape perpetration) has been declared a public health concern by governments and policy makers. This provided impetus for large epidemiological studies that has documented a number of risk factors for perpetration. However, despite these efforts, there are still large gaps in our understanding of rape perpetration, because studies often focus on risk factors rather than the dynamics of rape perpetration. Despite the significant quantitative descriptions of perpetration, there are still aspects which are not well understood, such as the interplay of social constructions and other factors during the actual act of perpetration. It has been suggested that rape can only be understood by engaging perpetrators and that such investigations can inform positive interventions in dealing with rape perpetration. The present study explored and described the origins of reasons for perpetration (subjective meanings and social constructs) and how these reasons interplay with other factors during the enactment of rape in South Africa. The data was purposively collected from seven incarcerated rape perpetrators from a correctional facility close to a major metropolitan area using semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Social Cognitive Learning Theory was used as the main theoretical framework to contextualise the results. Some of the findings in the present study include solipsism and sexual solipsism as reasons, patriarchy and hegemonic masculinity as influential in the social origins, and moral dysregulation as a one of the tools to effect enactment of rape perpetration. Some of the recommendations include employing more psychological workers in the primary health care sector. Furthermore, continued engagement of males by NGO’s, NPO’s, school-based programmes, and community activism to combat the narratives that lead to moral disengagement is recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The isolation of muscle activity and ground reaction force patterns associated with postural control in four load manipulation tasks
- Authors: Pettengell, Clare Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Physical fitness , Exercise , Materials handling , Manual work , Lifting and carrying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5125 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005203 , Physical fitness , Exercise , Materials handling , Manual work , Lifting and carrying
- Description: Although much effort has been placed into the reduction of risks associated with manual materials handling, risk of musculoskeletal disorder development remains high. This may be due to the additional muscle activity necessary for the maintenance of postural equilibrium during work tasks. This research proposes that postural control and subsequent additional muscle activity is influenced by the magnitude of the external load and the degree of body movement. The objective of this research was to identify whether performing tasks with increased external load and with a greater degree of trunk motion places additional strain on the musculoskeletal system in excess of that imposed by task demands. Twenty-four male and twenty-four female subjects performed four load manipulation tasks under three loading conditions (0.8kg, 1.6kg, and 4kg). Each task comprised of a static and dynamic condition. For the static condition, subjects maintained a stipulated posture for ten seconds. The dynamic condition required subjects to move and replace a box once every three seconds, such that a complete lift and lower cycle was performed in six seconds. Throughout task completion, muscle activity of six pairs of trunk muscles were analysed using surface electromyography. This was accompanied by data regarding ground reaction forces obtained through the use of a force platform. After the completion of each condition subjects were required to identify and rate body discomfort. Differential analysis was used to isolate the muscle activity and ground reaction forces attributed to increased external load and increased trunk movement. It was found that the heaviest loading conditions (4kg) resulted in significantly greater (p<0.05) muscle activation in the majority of muscles during all tasks investigated. The trend of muscle activity attributed to load was similar in all significantly altered muscles and activation was greatest in the heaviest loading condition. A degree of movement efficiency occurred in some muscles when manipulating loads of 0.8kg and 1.6kg. At greater loads, this did not occur suggesting that heavier loading conditions result in additional strain on the body in excess of that imposed by task demands. In manipulated data, trend of vertical ground reaction forces increased with increased load in all tasks. Sagittal movement of the centre of pressure attributed to load was significantly affected in manipulated data in the second movement phase of the “hip shoulder” task and the second movement phase of the “hip twist” task. The “hip reach” task was most affected by increased load magnitude as muscle activity attributed to load was significantly different (p<0.05) under increased loading conditions in both movement phases in all muscles. Further, a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between condition and data point was found in all muscles with the exception of the right and left lumbar erector spinae during the second movement phase of the “hip reach” task. Muscle activity associated with increased trunk motion resulted in additional strain on the trunk muscles in the “hip shoulder” and “hip reach” tasks as muscle activity associated with the static component of each of the above tasks was greater than that of the dynamic tasks. Trend of ground reaction forces attributed to increased trunk motion generally increased under increased loading conditions. Additionally, a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between load and muscle activity pattern was found in all muscles during all tasks, with the exception of the right rectus abdominis in the first movement phase of the “hip shoulder’ task, the left rectus abdominis in the second movement phase of the “hip knee” task and the right latissimus dorsi during the first movement phase of the “hip twist” task. This was accompanied by a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between load and sagittal centre of pressure movement attributed to load, in both movement phases of all tasks investigated. From this research it can be proposed that guidelines may underestimate risk and subsequently under predict the strain in tasks performed with greater external loads as well as tasks which require a greater degree of trunk motion. Therefore, this study illustrates the importance of the consideration of the muscle activity necessary to maintain postural equilibrium in overall load analyses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Pettengell, Clare Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Physical fitness , Exercise , Materials handling , Manual work , Lifting and carrying
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5125 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005203 , Physical fitness , Exercise , Materials handling , Manual work , Lifting and carrying
- Description: Although much effort has been placed into the reduction of risks associated with manual materials handling, risk of musculoskeletal disorder development remains high. This may be due to the additional muscle activity necessary for the maintenance of postural equilibrium during work tasks. This research proposes that postural control and subsequent additional muscle activity is influenced by the magnitude of the external load and the degree of body movement. The objective of this research was to identify whether performing tasks with increased external load and with a greater degree of trunk motion places additional strain on the musculoskeletal system in excess of that imposed by task demands. Twenty-four male and twenty-four female subjects performed four load manipulation tasks under three loading conditions (0.8kg, 1.6kg, and 4kg). Each task comprised of a static and dynamic condition. For the static condition, subjects maintained a stipulated posture for ten seconds. The dynamic condition required subjects to move and replace a box once every three seconds, such that a complete lift and lower cycle was performed in six seconds. Throughout task completion, muscle activity of six pairs of trunk muscles were analysed using surface electromyography. This was accompanied by data regarding ground reaction forces obtained through the use of a force platform. After the completion of each condition subjects were required to identify and rate body discomfort. Differential analysis was used to isolate the muscle activity and ground reaction forces attributed to increased external load and increased trunk movement. It was found that the heaviest loading conditions (4kg) resulted in significantly greater (p<0.05) muscle activation in the majority of muscles during all tasks investigated. The trend of muscle activity attributed to load was similar in all significantly altered muscles and activation was greatest in the heaviest loading condition. A degree of movement efficiency occurred in some muscles when manipulating loads of 0.8kg and 1.6kg. At greater loads, this did not occur suggesting that heavier loading conditions result in additional strain on the body in excess of that imposed by task demands. In manipulated data, trend of vertical ground reaction forces increased with increased load in all tasks. Sagittal movement of the centre of pressure attributed to load was significantly affected in manipulated data in the second movement phase of the “hip shoulder” task and the second movement phase of the “hip twist” task. The “hip reach” task was most affected by increased load magnitude as muscle activity attributed to load was significantly different (p<0.05) under increased loading conditions in both movement phases in all muscles. Further, a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between condition and data point was found in all muscles with the exception of the right and left lumbar erector spinae during the second movement phase of the “hip reach” task. Muscle activity associated with increased trunk motion resulted in additional strain on the trunk muscles in the “hip shoulder” and “hip reach” tasks as muscle activity associated with the static component of each of the above tasks was greater than that of the dynamic tasks. Trend of ground reaction forces attributed to increased trunk motion generally increased under increased loading conditions. Additionally, a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between load and muscle activity pattern was found in all muscles during all tasks, with the exception of the right rectus abdominis in the first movement phase of the “hip shoulder’ task, the left rectus abdominis in the second movement phase of the “hip knee” task and the right latissimus dorsi during the first movement phase of the “hip twist” task. This was accompanied by a significant interactional effect (p<0.05) between load and sagittal centre of pressure movement attributed to load, in both movement phases of all tasks investigated. From this research it can be proposed that guidelines may underestimate risk and subsequently under predict the strain in tasks performed with greater external loads as well as tasks which require a greater degree of trunk motion. Therefore, this study illustrates the importance of the consideration of the muscle activity necessary to maintain postural equilibrium in overall load analyses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Learners' perceptions of creating a collaborative hypermedia product: an exploratory case study at Mount Pleasant Primary School
- Authors: du Plessis, André
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa Computers -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Education, Elementary -- Activity programs Competency-based education -- South Africa Educational technology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1663 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003546
- Description: The Ministry of Education (SICTE, 2002) states that the widespread introduction of computers in schools should support Curriculum 2005 and that computer technology is part and parcel of making schools the center of community life. The vision is to establish Smart Schools: schools that are reinvented in terms of teaching-learning practices to prepare learners for the information era (SICTE, 2002). Kafai (1996:71) has found that conventional school assignments rarely give learners the opportunity to spend a great deal of time on complex projects. As a result, many learners have little experience in design: planning, problem solving, researching, dealing with time constraints, modifying expectations and synthesizing everything in a project. Research by Carver, Lehrer, Connell and Erickson (1992); Lehrer, (1993); Lehrer, Erickson and Connell (1994); Kafai (1996); Liu and Hsiao (2002) and Liu (2002) indicates that the design of hypermedia artefacts can assist in providing experience in design. To date, no equivalent research has been conducted in South Africa to ascertain the perceptions of learners regarding the creation of a hypermedia artefact over an extended period of time and whether some of the critical outcomes specified in Curriculum 2005 can be addressed in such a learning-by-design hypermedia project. This study shows that design skills and aspects related to the critical outcomes of Curriculum 2005 can be achieved. Furthermore, it indicates that this kind of project encourages interest, motivation and collaboration. In addition, it suggests that learners experience the role of the teacher as different and prefer such a learning environment. In spite of the positive results, some aspects that need attention for future implementation are suggested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: du Plessis, André
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa Computers -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Education, Elementary -- Activity programs Competency-based education -- South Africa Educational technology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1663 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003546
- Description: The Ministry of Education (SICTE, 2002) states that the widespread introduction of computers in schools should support Curriculum 2005 and that computer technology is part and parcel of making schools the center of community life. The vision is to establish Smart Schools: schools that are reinvented in terms of teaching-learning practices to prepare learners for the information era (SICTE, 2002). Kafai (1996:71) has found that conventional school assignments rarely give learners the opportunity to spend a great deal of time on complex projects. As a result, many learners have little experience in design: planning, problem solving, researching, dealing with time constraints, modifying expectations and synthesizing everything in a project. Research by Carver, Lehrer, Connell and Erickson (1992); Lehrer, (1993); Lehrer, Erickson and Connell (1994); Kafai (1996); Liu and Hsiao (2002) and Liu (2002) indicates that the design of hypermedia artefacts can assist in providing experience in design. To date, no equivalent research has been conducted in South Africa to ascertain the perceptions of learners regarding the creation of a hypermedia artefact over an extended period of time and whether some of the critical outcomes specified in Curriculum 2005 can be addressed in such a learning-by-design hypermedia project. This study shows that design skills and aspects related to the critical outcomes of Curriculum 2005 can be achieved. Furthermore, it indicates that this kind of project encourages interest, motivation and collaboration. In addition, it suggests that learners experience the role of the teacher as different and prefer such a learning environment. In spite of the positive results, some aspects that need attention for future implementation are suggested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
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