A comprehensive guide to conducting compensation surveys to determine competitive adjustments to base salary ranges
- Authors: Snelgar, Robin John
- Date: 1979
- Subjects: Wage surveys , Wages
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2896 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002060
- Description: The compensation process is a complex network of sub-processes directed toward compensating people for services performed, and motivating them to obtain desired levels of performance. Among the intermediate components of this process are wage and salary payments, the awarding of other cost items such as insurance, vacations, sick leave, etc. (fringe benefits), and the provision of essentially non-cost rewards such as recognition, privileges and symbols of status. However, the broad subject of compensation in terms of cost to the organisation may be examined in two sections, namely, wage and salary administration, and fringe benefit administration. The compensation survey forms an integral part of both administration processes, and thus becomes a necessary and essential device in the determination of the final compensation package to the employee.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1979
- Authors: Snelgar, Robin John
- Date: 1979
- Subjects: Wage surveys , Wages
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2896 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002060
- Description: The compensation process is a complex network of sub-processes directed toward compensating people for services performed, and motivating them to obtain desired levels of performance. Among the intermediate components of this process are wage and salary payments, the awarding of other cost items such as insurance, vacations, sick leave, etc. (fringe benefits), and the provision of essentially non-cost rewards such as recognition, privileges and symbols of status. However, the broad subject of compensation in terms of cost to the organisation may be examined in two sections, namely, wage and salary administration, and fringe benefit administration. The compensation survey forms an integral part of both administration processes, and thus becomes a necessary and essential device in the determination of the final compensation package to the employee.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1979
On becoming a psychotherapist
- Authors: Anema, Margaret Catherine
- Date: 1982
- Subjects: Psychotherapist and patient , Psychotherapy , Psychotherapists
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002078
- Description: From Introduction: To learn to focus on the other, I first have to learn my natural limits. Unless my natural limits are found, I cannot focus on myself or the other with freedom. I will either draw back or intrude. As I learn my natural limits, I free the energy I previously used in questioning limits. Having recognised that I am bounded, the effect of my released energy is to deepen my space. The infinity which used to lie beyond the horizon is brought into the realm of the human where it can be useful. As a psychotherapist the deepening (that is differentiation) of my own space is very important. It means that the space I share with the other is better explored and better known. The raw data for this thesis is a record of 2½ weeks of intensive psychotherapy and 3 weeks of intensive explication. During this time I explored the interrelated themes of my own limits and the particular shadowedness of the space I shared with Tony, the person in psychotherapy with me.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1982
- Authors: Anema, Margaret Catherine
- Date: 1982
- Subjects: Psychotherapist and patient , Psychotherapy , Psychotherapists
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002078
- Description: From Introduction: To learn to focus on the other, I first have to learn my natural limits. Unless my natural limits are found, I cannot focus on myself or the other with freedom. I will either draw back or intrude. As I learn my natural limits, I free the energy I previously used in questioning limits. Having recognised that I am bounded, the effect of my released energy is to deepen my space. The infinity which used to lie beyond the horizon is brought into the realm of the human where it can be useful. As a psychotherapist the deepening (that is differentiation) of my own space is very important. It means that the space I share with the other is better explored and better known. The raw data for this thesis is a record of 2½ weeks of intensive psychotherapy and 3 weeks of intensive explication. During this time I explored the interrelated themes of my own limits and the particular shadowedness of the space I shared with Tony, the person in psychotherapy with me.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1982
"Burnout" in children's home houseparents
- Authors: Bath, Peter John
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193118 , vital:45300
- Description: Aimed at replicating the results of an American study into "Burnout" in Group Home houseparents, this research had the following aims: 1) To ascertain the validity and reliability of the instrument used in the original study and presented as a "useful measure of burnout”. 2) To establish whether this line of research, within a highly problematic research field, can at present offer any guidelines in the resolution of the current staffing crisis faced by South African children's homes. 3} To describe more closely the burnout syndrome. 4) To study possible etiological factors within a local context. Sixty three houseparents completed questionaires and three independent measures of burnout were obtained. The results were regarded as having failed to replicate those of the original study. The reason for this was found to be the low validity of the original instrument. The main conclusion drawn was that the line of research adopted in the original study can offer only very tentative guidelines towards the resolution of the staffing crisis faced until such time as valid and reliable instruments to measure burnout have been developed. Many of the suggested relationships between situational variables and ones of personal characteristics were confirmed for the local population of houseparents. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1983
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
- Authors: Bath, Peter John
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193118 , vital:45300
- Description: Aimed at replicating the results of an American study into "Burnout" in Group Home houseparents, this research had the following aims: 1) To ascertain the validity and reliability of the instrument used in the original study and presented as a "useful measure of burnout”. 2) To establish whether this line of research, within a highly problematic research field, can at present offer any guidelines in the resolution of the current staffing crisis faced by South African children's homes. 3} To describe more closely the burnout syndrome. 4) To study possible etiological factors within a local context. Sixty three houseparents completed questionaires and three independent measures of burnout were obtained. The results were regarded as having failed to replicate those of the original study. The reason for this was found to be the low validity of the original instrument. The main conclusion drawn was that the line of research adopted in the original study can offer only very tentative guidelines towards the resolution of the staffing crisis faced until such time as valid and reliable instruments to measure burnout have been developed. Many of the suggested relationships between situational variables and ones of personal characteristics were confirmed for the local population of houseparents. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1983
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
Behavioural methods for the control of examination anxiety : an experimental investigation
- Authors: Norton, Gary Kenneth
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Anxiety , Test anxiety
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002081
- Description: In 1982, it was reported that one in every three students who fail at South African universities, do not pass because of experiences of excessive anxiety resulting from university examinations. A survey conducted amongst student counsellors and counselling services on all South African university campuses, revealed a deficiency of group and individual therapy for this phenomenon of examination anxiety. The cause of this deficiency, was found to be the already excessive demands made on the time of student counsellors. Noting a similar situation at Rhodes University, the present investigation was initiated, with the aim of developing an economical group counselling programme for test anxious students on Rhodes campus. Sixty-four Rhodes students (who identified themselves as test anxious) volunteered for this investigation. These Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four treatment programmes (each divided into two groups, where Group A, N=6 and Group B, N=7) and a wait-list control group (N=12). Three of the treatments featured multicomponent programmes, each offering a cluster of behavioural interventions centred around: Study Skills Training/Counselling; Systematic Desensitisation (Using individually-constructed anxiety hierarchies); Systematic Desensitisation (Using group-constructed anxiety hierarchies). Included in addition, was a single-component treatment, featuring cognitive modification: a component much favoured by local test anxiety counsellors. Given adverse reports concerning the efficacy of single component programmes, when contrasted with multi component treatments, the cognitive modification package was included as a placebo. A battery of measures was used to assess test anxiety and progress made by Subjects to assuage its debilitative effects . The measures included: (a) Six Self-report measures (including a treatment evaluation schedule and the maintenance of a diary of experience by each Subject); (b) Two measures of physiological reactivity, viz. pulse rate and finger sweat print; and (c) One 'observable' measure, that of academic performance. Using these measures, an assessment of the performance gains or losses by each of the Subjects, was made on three occasions: at pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up. In support of the a priori hypotheses, the systematic desensitisation and study skills multicomponent programmes, realised significant gains on all measures over both the placebo and control groups (with exception of the higher score achieved by placebo subjects over that of the study skills group, on the treatment evaluation schedule) . This finding confirmed the superiority of multicomponent programmes over those with only a single component. The systematic desensitisation programmes proved to be the most effective, as measured on self-report and physiological measures. The superiority of group-constructed anxiety hierarchies over those individually-constructed was established. Study skills training helped Subjects to realise and maintain gains on the academic performance measure, although it took many of these subjects six months, before they had fully incorporated the study techniques taught, in with their own study habits. In discussion of the findings, the evident need to match test anxious students to programmes which "best suit" their characteristics, is presented, and solutions proposed. Weaknesses evident in the measuring instruments and research design, are also highlighted for discussion. As part of this experimental investigation, a discussion on the nature of test anxiety and its links with anxiety theory is introduced, together with a review of problems in measuring test anxiety; popular behavioural treatments used to relieve test anxiety; and a survey of test anxiety counselling on South African campuses. Advice for the therapist/counsellor, the academic, and the researcher, are posited in conclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
- Authors: Norton, Gary Kenneth
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Anxiety , Test anxiety
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002081
- Description: In 1982, it was reported that one in every three students who fail at South African universities, do not pass because of experiences of excessive anxiety resulting from university examinations. A survey conducted amongst student counsellors and counselling services on all South African university campuses, revealed a deficiency of group and individual therapy for this phenomenon of examination anxiety. The cause of this deficiency, was found to be the already excessive demands made on the time of student counsellors. Noting a similar situation at Rhodes University, the present investigation was initiated, with the aim of developing an economical group counselling programme for test anxious students on Rhodes campus. Sixty-four Rhodes students (who identified themselves as test anxious) volunteered for this investigation. These Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four treatment programmes (each divided into two groups, where Group A, N=6 and Group B, N=7) and a wait-list control group (N=12). Three of the treatments featured multicomponent programmes, each offering a cluster of behavioural interventions centred around: Study Skills Training/Counselling; Systematic Desensitisation (Using individually-constructed anxiety hierarchies); Systematic Desensitisation (Using group-constructed anxiety hierarchies). Included in addition, was a single-component treatment, featuring cognitive modification: a component much favoured by local test anxiety counsellors. Given adverse reports concerning the efficacy of single component programmes, when contrasted with multi component treatments, the cognitive modification package was included as a placebo. A battery of measures was used to assess test anxiety and progress made by Subjects to assuage its debilitative effects . The measures included: (a) Six Self-report measures (including a treatment evaluation schedule and the maintenance of a diary of experience by each Subject); (b) Two measures of physiological reactivity, viz. pulse rate and finger sweat print; and (c) One 'observable' measure, that of academic performance. Using these measures, an assessment of the performance gains or losses by each of the Subjects, was made on three occasions: at pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up. In support of the a priori hypotheses, the systematic desensitisation and study skills multicomponent programmes, realised significant gains on all measures over both the placebo and control groups (with exception of the higher score achieved by placebo subjects over that of the study skills group, on the treatment evaluation schedule) . This finding confirmed the superiority of multicomponent programmes over those with only a single component. The systematic desensitisation programmes proved to be the most effective, as measured on self-report and physiological measures. The superiority of group-constructed anxiety hierarchies over those individually-constructed was established. Study skills training helped Subjects to realise and maintain gains on the academic performance measure, although it took many of these subjects six months, before they had fully incorporated the study techniques taught, in with their own study habits. In discussion of the findings, the evident need to match test anxious students to programmes which "best suit" their characteristics, is presented, and solutions proposed. Weaknesses evident in the measuring instruments and research design, are also highlighted for discussion. As part of this experimental investigation, a discussion on the nature of test anxiety and its links with anxiety theory is introduced, together with a review of problems in measuring test anxiety; popular behavioural treatments used to relieve test anxiety; and a survey of test anxiety counselling on South African campuses. Advice for the therapist/counsellor, the academic, and the researcher, are posited in conclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1983
A phenomenological analysis of the psychological manifestations of ontic conscience as derived from Heidegger's ontological conception of that phenomenon
- Authors: Parker, Michael Alan
- Date: 1986
- Subjects: Conscience , Heidegger, Martin, 1889-1976
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002076
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate ontic conscience, as derived from Heidegger's ontological conception of conscience, as it is lived in concrete experience. Having established, through a close examination of Heidegger's writings on conscience, a question which would elicit actual experience of this phenomenon, the researcher collected sixty-four written accounts of these experiences. Of these he chose the four psychologically richest accounts and, having interviewed each of these four subjects on his situated experience, analysed in detail (using the phenomenological method) the resulting protocols comprising the written accounts and interviews. He then explicated the structure of conscience within its context of authenticity and inauthenticity. The context of conscience was discovered to be such that the person, having surrendered himself to others' experience and expectations of him, lives a pretence in the service of (inauthentically) being-for-others. He loses his sense of (bodily) self in the process, and it is at this point of his living at the extremes of inauthenticity, that he is forced to realise his own (authentic) reality which he has hitherto been concealing both from himself and from others. His primary attunement is reflected in feelings of betrayal, guilt, shame, dread and ambivalence. Through openly and resolutely living his authentic experience, he heals the rupture in his existence between what is revealed (his being-for-others) and what is concealed (his authentic experience), and feels liberated in so doing. This structure of conscience was dialogued with the writings of existential and psychoanalytic philosophers and psychologists in the context of discussing particular areas of psychological significance such as self, others, meaning, awareness and psychotherapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1986
- Authors: Parker, Michael Alan
- Date: 1986
- Subjects: Conscience , Heidegger, Martin, 1889-1976
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002076
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate ontic conscience, as derived from Heidegger's ontological conception of conscience, as it is lived in concrete experience. Having established, through a close examination of Heidegger's writings on conscience, a question which would elicit actual experience of this phenomenon, the researcher collected sixty-four written accounts of these experiences. Of these he chose the four psychologically richest accounts and, having interviewed each of these four subjects on his situated experience, analysed in detail (using the phenomenological method) the resulting protocols comprising the written accounts and interviews. He then explicated the structure of conscience within its context of authenticity and inauthenticity. The context of conscience was discovered to be such that the person, having surrendered himself to others' experience and expectations of him, lives a pretence in the service of (inauthentically) being-for-others. He loses his sense of (bodily) self in the process, and it is at this point of his living at the extremes of inauthenticity, that he is forced to realise his own (authentic) reality which he has hitherto been concealing both from himself and from others. His primary attunement is reflected in feelings of betrayal, guilt, shame, dread and ambivalence. Through openly and resolutely living his authentic experience, he heals the rupture in his existence between what is revealed (his being-for-others) and what is concealed (his authentic experience), and feels liberated in so doing. This structure of conscience was dialogued with the writings of existential and psychoanalytic philosophers and psychologists in the context of discussing particular areas of psychological significance such as self, others, meaning, awareness and psychotherapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1986
A phenomenological investigation of the beginning therapist's experience of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient
- Authors: Allen, Jennifer Ann
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193129 , vital:45301
- Description: The aim of this project is to come to an understanding of how the situation of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient is lived by the beginning therapist and what meaning this situation holds for him. The writer's interest in this phenomenon grew out of her own experience of this situation as a clinical Masters coursework student, an experience which was of important to the writer and meaningful still as a therapist in training. In dialogue with experienced therapists the importance of this situation was again made apparant. It was the opinion of these therapists that although for some the details of this experience had become dulled by time, what remained meaningful to them was that this experience was seen as the beginning of a project which remains important to them - they identified this situation as an important moment in the history of their development as psychotherapists. In the hope that the literature pertaining to psychotherapy would throw some light on this situation, the writer turned to a number of sources in this area to discover that no literature available to her elucidated this situation in a holistic manner. This led the writer to go back to the beginning therapists themselves so that they may speak for themselves of their experience of this situation. A phenomenological method of enquiry is implemented in this study as it renders the subject matter accessible to investigation, and allows it to reveal itself as it essentially is. This project is then an attempt to come to a general description of the beginning therapist's experience of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient and thus to articulate the structure of the beginning therapist's lived situation (world) in this context. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1987
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
- Authors: Allen, Jennifer Ann
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193129 , vital:45301
- Description: The aim of this project is to come to an understanding of how the situation of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient is lived by the beginning therapist and what meaning this situation holds for him. The writer's interest in this phenomenon grew out of her own experience of this situation as a clinical Masters coursework student, an experience which was of important to the writer and meaningful still as a therapist in training. In dialogue with experienced therapists the importance of this situation was again made apparant. It was the opinion of these therapists that although for some the details of this experience had become dulled by time, what remained meaningful to them was that this experience was seen as the beginning of a project which remains important to them - they identified this situation as an important moment in the history of their development as psychotherapists. In the hope that the literature pertaining to psychotherapy would throw some light on this situation, the writer turned to a number of sources in this area to discover that no literature available to her elucidated this situation in a holistic manner. This led the writer to go back to the beginning therapists themselves so that they may speak for themselves of their experience of this situation. A phenomenological method of enquiry is implemented in this study as it renders the subject matter accessible to investigation, and allows it to reveal itself as it essentially is. This project is then an attempt to come to a general description of the beginning therapist's experience of the first session of psychotherapy with the first patient and thus to articulate the structure of the beginning therapist's lived situation (world) in this context. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1987
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
A comparison of the self-esteem of black and white high school pupils
- Authors: Morrow, Brian Robert
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193033 , vital:45292
- Description: This study investigated the level of self-esteem of black and white high-school students using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. One hundred and eighty six subjects were used, 63 of them being white while 118 were black. A validation of the Rosenberg scale for the black sample was attempted using a correlation between the scale score and a rating of the subjects by teachers. The results of the study showed no significant difference between the self-esteem levels, while the validation study failed to confirm the validity of the test for black subjects in South Africa. However, the validation study v/as rejected as inconclusive and the results of the comparison accepted as confirmatory of previous research. An incidental positive finding revealed that white males have higher self-esteem than white females,. The theory and past research of self-esteem comparisons between racial groups is reviewed. The conclusion is reached in this study that the concept of self-esteem has outlasted its usefulness in the field of comparisons between racial groups and research of a qualitative nature .can provide further data for the understanding of differences between racial groups. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1988
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
- Authors: Morrow, Brian Robert
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193033 , vital:45292
- Description: This study investigated the level of self-esteem of black and white high-school students using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. One hundred and eighty six subjects were used, 63 of them being white while 118 were black. A validation of the Rosenberg scale for the black sample was attempted using a correlation between the scale score and a rating of the subjects by teachers. The results of the study showed no significant difference between the self-esteem levels, while the validation study failed to confirm the validity of the test for black subjects in South Africa. However, the validation study v/as rejected as inconclusive and the results of the comparison accepted as confirmatory of previous research. An incidental positive finding revealed that white males have higher self-esteem than white females,. The theory and past research of self-esteem comparisons between racial groups is reviewed. The conclusion is reached in this study that the concept of self-esteem has outlasted its usefulness in the field of comparisons between racial groups and research of a qualitative nature .can provide further data for the understanding of differences between racial groups. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1988
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
An existential-phenomenological exploration of interracial love relationships in South Africa
- Authors: Ross, Christopher James
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Interpersonal relations -- South Africa , South Africa -- Race relations
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2900 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002064
- Description: The aim of the study was to explicate the experience of interracial love relationships between Blacks and Whites in South Africa. As a point of departure, a basic question was established which would elicit the actual experience of this phenomenon. The researcher conducted twelve interviews and chose the six psychologically richest accounts. The researcher then analysed in detail (using the phenomenological method) the resulting protocols comprising the interviews. The researcher then explicated the experience and discovered that interracial love was a historical process of going through a relationship over time. The subjects experienced a particular historical background in the face of which they felt unfulfilled which brought about the potential to search for authenticity in a particular way. The subjects were placed in a situation where interracial love became a possibility. The subjects saw the other as human and fell in love. A new horizon emerged and a learning experience, about themselves and the world, occurred. The element of conflict was always present which was exacerbated by the South African Apartheid system. Subjects experienced fulfillment and disappointment depending on whether or not their historical demand was met. This structure of the experience was dialogued with the writings of existential-phenomenological philosophers and psychologists and also with that of previous research in the context of discussing particular areas of psychological significance such as historical background and Apartheid, racism, alienation, motives for interracial love, love and the universality of human nature and interracial love as a learning experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
- Authors: Ross, Christopher James
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Interpersonal relations -- South Africa , South Africa -- Race relations
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2900 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002064
- Description: The aim of the study was to explicate the experience of interracial love relationships between Blacks and Whites in South Africa. As a point of departure, a basic question was established which would elicit the actual experience of this phenomenon. The researcher conducted twelve interviews and chose the six psychologically richest accounts. The researcher then analysed in detail (using the phenomenological method) the resulting protocols comprising the interviews. The researcher then explicated the experience and discovered that interracial love was a historical process of going through a relationship over time. The subjects experienced a particular historical background in the face of which they felt unfulfilled which brought about the potential to search for authenticity in a particular way. The subjects were placed in a situation where interracial love became a possibility. The subjects saw the other as human and fell in love. A new horizon emerged and a learning experience, about themselves and the world, occurred. The element of conflict was always present which was exacerbated by the South African Apartheid system. Subjects experienced fulfillment and disappointment depending on whether or not their historical demand was met. This structure of the experience was dialogued with the writings of existential-phenomenological philosophers and psychologists and also with that of previous research in the context of discussing particular areas of psychological significance such as historical background and Apartheid, racism, alienation, motives for interracial love, love and the universality of human nature and interracial love as a learning experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
Theory in interpretive psychology - with special reference to Paul Ricoeur's interpretation of Freud
- Authors: Du Toit, Barry
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Freud, Sigmund, 1856-1939 , Ricœur, Paul , Psychoanalysis
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2906 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002071
- Description: The thesis aims to show that, while an interpretive psychology is not compatible with theory as it occurs in the predictive- causal explanation of the natural sciences, it is both possible and necessary to develop a concept of theory valid within an interpretive methodology. These claims are advanced in the course of an examination of Ricoeur 's interpretation of Freudian psychoanalysis. After examining some traditional ways in which phenomenological psychology has responded to the psychoanalytic challenge, the thesis presents an interpretation of Freudian psychoanalysis as a hermeneutic approach which utilized theoretical constructions in a productive way, although distorted by Freud's natural-scientific self- understanding. Freud's causal-explanatory language and natural- scientific meta theory are shown to be significant inasmuch as they provide a vehicle for theory construction in psychoanalysis. However, since the theory is modeled on that of the natural sciences, it proves incompatible with the interpretive aspects of Freud's approach. We then establish a concept of theory and of causal analysis which is different to that of the natural sciences, and is compatible with, and indeed founded in, an interpretive approach to psychology. These concepts are then illustrated in the context of psychoanalysis. In the final chapter the advantages of the use of theory in interpretive psychology are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
Theory in interpretive psychology - with special reference to Paul Ricoeur's interpretation of Freud
- Authors: Du Toit, Barry
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Freud, Sigmund, 1856-1939 , Ricœur, Paul , Psychoanalysis
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2906 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002071
- Description: The thesis aims to show that, while an interpretive psychology is not compatible with theory as it occurs in the predictive- causal explanation of the natural sciences, it is both possible and necessary to develop a concept of theory valid within an interpretive methodology. These claims are advanced in the course of an examination of Ricoeur 's interpretation of Freudian psychoanalysis. After examining some traditional ways in which phenomenological psychology has responded to the psychoanalytic challenge, the thesis presents an interpretation of Freudian psychoanalysis as a hermeneutic approach which utilized theoretical constructions in a productive way, although distorted by Freud's natural-scientific self- understanding. Freud's causal-explanatory language and natural- scientific meta theory are shown to be significant inasmuch as they provide a vehicle for theory construction in psychoanalysis. However, since the theory is modeled on that of the natural sciences, it proves incompatible with the interpretive aspects of Freud's approach. We then establish a concept of theory and of causal analysis which is different to that of the natural sciences, and is compatible with, and indeed founded in, an interpretive approach to psychology. These concepts are then illustrated in the context of psychoanalysis. In the final chapter the advantages of the use of theory in interpretive psychology are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
Towards an essential description of the experience of psychotherapy
- Authors: Letlaka, Kedibone Tembisa
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193183 , vital:45307
- Description: The aim of this thesis is to explore and clarify what the experience of psychotherapy with ex-detainees entails. This investigation and analysis is conducted within the framework of a phenomenological method. The researcher elicits both the ex-detainees' and the therapist's experiences of psychotherapy. Initially the problematic nature of research in psychotherapy is layed out. This is followed by an overview of literature and theory on trauma and its conceptualizations from various psychotherapeutic perspectives. The treatment implications in each case are mentioned. Trauma occurs in the detention experience so detention is then briefly looked at in terms of torture basically and the detention syndrome, post traumatic stress disorder. Core personality processes in relation to this diagnosis are given and the stress recovery process is summarized. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1988
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
- Authors: Letlaka, Kedibone Tembisa
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193183 , vital:45307
- Description: The aim of this thesis is to explore and clarify what the experience of psychotherapy with ex-detainees entails. This investigation and analysis is conducted within the framework of a phenomenological method. The researcher elicits both the ex-detainees' and the therapist's experiences of psychotherapy. Initially the problematic nature of research in psychotherapy is layed out. This is followed by an overview of literature and theory on trauma and its conceptualizations from various psychotherapeutic perspectives. The treatment implications in each case are mentioned. Trauma occurs in the detention experience so detention is then briefly looked at in terms of torture basically and the detention syndrome, post traumatic stress disorder. Core personality processes in relation to this diagnosis are given and the stress recovery process is summarized. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1988
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
A metabletic study of the male/female process in psychology
- O'Brien, Keith Stanley Edward Michael
- Authors: O'Brien, Keith Stanley Edward Michael
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Psychology -- Philosophy , Sex difference (Psychology) , Psychotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002073
- Description: The motivation to explore the subject matter of this thesis arises from two interlinked processes: (1) the experience of the power and pervasiveness of a "basic split" experienced in therapy in the unity of the individual, (2) the tendency in the unitary discipline psychology for theorists to adopt views which are polar opposites. In trying to understand these phenomena one has to explore the basic paradox of being which has fascinated thinkers and mystics down through the ages, the paradox of the One and the many, and thus the phenomenon of change. This paradox is explored in mythology, in the "philosophia perennis" and as encountered in high-energy sub-atomic physics. Out of this emerges the awareness of Being as One but as embodying a dynamic polar process, the first of whose manifestations is the male and the female process (or Yin/Yang in Chinese). The male/female process is defined and explored and it is shown that the female process has been progressively ignored and largely repressed in the West. I demonstrate this process in a metabletic (hermeneutical phenomenological) study of Greek sacred architecture. Metabletics as defined by its originator, J.H. van den Berg, is "the theory of change" or a psychology of history. It is thus a particularly suitable method of analysing the cultural-historical process of the repression of the female process in Western society. The emergence of the male process as predominant in the West is explored hermeneutically through the emergence of the individual and the suppression of the old unity centred in the Mother Goddess, and the receding of the Father God to the heavens. The choice by the great Greek philosophers of the male process is particularly important because of their emphasis on the Logico-Mathematical Sequential (L.M.S.) mode of knowing and perception at the expense of the female process, Intuitive-Creative Holistic (I.C.H.) mode.The dominance of the male process in the West is traced from the aboriginal female-process state through neolithic village culture to the rise of the first cities. Processes studied are the rise of kingship, war, private property and the splitting of labour. The roots of anomie and alienation are described. The emergence of god as powerful ruler and lawgiver is shown. The splitting of the male/female process leads to the splitting of the individual from him/herself, from others, from the world and from the divine. This is traced in the mystery religions, in religious dualism, in the rise of the Judaeo-Christian tradition and Gnosticism. The split and its effects are demonstrated in Western science and psychology. The necessity and possibility of integration in science and in psychology is demonstrated through the integration of our process of knowing and perceiving which is used as a model for the integration of psychology. The effects of the male/female split on the individual in Western society are shown. The split in our society leads to anomie and alienation, which produce "socioses". These affect the child born into the society and lead to a "Parent/Child" split. The possibility of healing the split in the individual, between people, between humankind and the world and in re-establishing our unity in the One is illustrated. The unity of the One is experienced through the dynamic polar interaction of the male/female process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
- Authors: O'Brien, Keith Stanley Edward Michael
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Psychology -- Philosophy , Sex difference (Psychology) , Psychotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002073
- Description: The motivation to explore the subject matter of this thesis arises from two interlinked processes: (1) the experience of the power and pervasiveness of a "basic split" experienced in therapy in the unity of the individual, (2) the tendency in the unitary discipline psychology for theorists to adopt views which are polar opposites. In trying to understand these phenomena one has to explore the basic paradox of being which has fascinated thinkers and mystics down through the ages, the paradox of the One and the many, and thus the phenomenon of change. This paradox is explored in mythology, in the "philosophia perennis" and as encountered in high-energy sub-atomic physics. Out of this emerges the awareness of Being as One but as embodying a dynamic polar process, the first of whose manifestations is the male and the female process (or Yin/Yang in Chinese). The male/female process is defined and explored and it is shown that the female process has been progressively ignored and largely repressed in the West. I demonstrate this process in a metabletic (hermeneutical phenomenological) study of Greek sacred architecture. Metabletics as defined by its originator, J.H. van den Berg, is "the theory of change" or a psychology of history. It is thus a particularly suitable method of analysing the cultural-historical process of the repression of the female process in Western society. The emergence of the male process as predominant in the West is explored hermeneutically through the emergence of the individual and the suppression of the old unity centred in the Mother Goddess, and the receding of the Father God to the heavens. The choice by the great Greek philosophers of the male process is particularly important because of their emphasis on the Logico-Mathematical Sequential (L.M.S.) mode of knowing and perception at the expense of the female process, Intuitive-Creative Holistic (I.C.H.) mode.The dominance of the male process in the West is traced from the aboriginal female-process state through neolithic village culture to the rise of the first cities. Processes studied are the rise of kingship, war, private property and the splitting of labour. The roots of anomie and alienation are described. The emergence of god as powerful ruler and lawgiver is shown. The splitting of the male/female process leads to the splitting of the individual from him/herself, from others, from the world and from the divine. This is traced in the mystery religions, in religious dualism, in the rise of the Judaeo-Christian tradition and Gnosticism. The split and its effects are demonstrated in Western science and psychology. The necessity and possibility of integration in science and in psychology is demonstrated through the integration of our process of knowing and perceiving which is used as a model for the integration of psychology. The effects of the male/female split on the individual in Western society are shown. The split in our society leads to anomie and alienation, which produce "socioses". These affect the child born into the society and lead to a "Parent/Child" split. The possibility of healing the split in the individual, between people, between humankind and the world and in re-establishing our unity in the One is illustrated. The unity of the One is experienced through the dynamic polar interaction of the male/female process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
An existential-phenomenological explication of being-a-black student at a predominantly white university, with special reference to Rhodes University
- Authors: Harilall, Rehena Ranir
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Racism , South Africa , Black university students , College , Racism -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , College students, Black , College students, Black -- South Africa -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002067
- Description: This study attempts to explore, theoretically and empirically, the experience of being black in a predominantly white university. It is more specifically concerned with perceived interaction between members of different cultural and ethnic groups, namely, between black and white. Using the existential-phenomenological method the experience of seven subjects, both male and female, were explicated. This explication revealed that black students become aware of their "difference" during interaction with members of the dominant white group. The black students perceive the behaviour of the white-dominant group to be racist and this creates a great deal of latent hostility, anger, and resentment. It is suggested that a programme be developed to diffuse the conflict situation during intergroup interaction at university.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
- Authors: Harilall, Rehena Ranir
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Racism , South Africa , Black university students , College , Racism -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , College students, Black , College students, Black -- South Africa -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002067
- Description: This study attempts to explore, theoretically and empirically, the experience of being black in a predominantly white university. It is more specifically concerned with perceived interaction between members of different cultural and ethnic groups, namely, between black and white. Using the existential-phenomenological method the experience of seven subjects, both male and female, were explicated. This explication revealed that black students become aware of their "difference" during interaction with members of the dominant white group. The black students perceive the behaviour of the white-dominant group to be racist and this creates a great deal of latent hostility, anger, and resentment. It is suggested that a programme be developed to diffuse the conflict situation during intergroup interaction at university.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
Health and politics : appraisal and evaluation of the provision of health and mental health services for Blacks in South Africa
- Authors: O'Donoghue, Sean B
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Black people -- Mental health -- South Africa , Mental health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002074
- Description: The aim of this study has been to examine, in the light of recent events in the field of Health Care in South Africa, the remarks and claims made by the World Health Organization, and the American Psychiatric Association between 1976 and 1978 on Health Care services, as provided for Blacks, by the South African government. In two reports, these organizations instituted the earliest, and arguably most significant claims against South Africa's system of Health Care. This study sketches firstly the political genesis and social context of the WHO, and APA examinations. Secondly, this study evaluates responses made by the South African State to the critical climate inspired by the above mentioned reports, through a close analysis of recent events associated with the politics, and provision of Health Care Facilities - particularly with regard to Black South Africans. This analysis suggests that the governments' earlier tentative policy of privatisation (which was soundly condemned by WHO and the APA) has been even more enthusiastically pursued - in contradiction to it's avowed policies of Commu ity Health Care, and to the continuing detriment of those South African communities who are in most need of adequate Health Care services. The study concludes that the criticisms raised by the WHO and APA had the effect of inspiring positive reforms in South Africa's health services, but in no way thwarted the governments', at first only tentative plans, to increasingly privatise it's psychiatric and other medical institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
- Authors: O'Donoghue, Sean B
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Black people -- Mental health -- South Africa , Mental health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002074
- Description: The aim of this study has been to examine, in the light of recent events in the field of Health Care in South Africa, the remarks and claims made by the World Health Organization, and the American Psychiatric Association between 1976 and 1978 on Health Care services, as provided for Blacks, by the South African government. In two reports, these organizations instituted the earliest, and arguably most significant claims against South Africa's system of Health Care. This study sketches firstly the political genesis and social context of the WHO, and APA examinations. Secondly, this study evaluates responses made by the South African State to the critical climate inspired by the above mentioned reports, through a close analysis of recent events associated with the politics, and provision of Health Care Facilities - particularly with regard to Black South Africans. This analysis suggests that the governments' earlier tentative policy of privatisation (which was soundly condemned by WHO and the APA) has been even more enthusiastically pursued - in contradiction to it's avowed policies of Commu ity Health Care, and to the continuing detriment of those South African communities who are in most need of adequate Health Care services. The study concludes that the criticisms raised by the WHO and APA had the effect of inspiring positive reforms in South Africa's health services, but in no way thwarted the governments', at first only tentative plans, to increasingly privatise it's psychiatric and other medical institutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
The empty-nest stage of life : a comparative study of women and men facing transition
- Authors: Kaplan, Ernest
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Empty nesters , Parent and child , Sex role -- Psychological aspect , Men -- Sexual behavior , Women -- Sexual behavior
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2899 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002063
- Description: This thesis encompasses a study of the empty-nest stage of life. For the purposes of this study, the above-mentioned stage was defined as that period in the family when the youngest child matriculates. Thirty-five empty-nest couples were interviewed during 1984, in the city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The mean age of the subjects was 49.5, and the standard deviation was 4.9. The couples were asked about their attitudes towards the empty-nest, using a structured questionnaire, the Family Attitude Survey (FAS). This survey consisted of nine-point attitude statements, which focused on theoretical issues pertinent to this stage, viz. children are on-time or off-time with regard to major life events, impact of children leaving home on the parents, degree of parental involvement with children, parent-child relationships, ageing, sexuality, menopause, work-career, and attitudes towards the past, future and death. The general purpose of the present study was to determine the extent to which the empty-nest stage of life constitutes a negative crisis period, or a positive period of stability and growth for the empty-nest parents. Overall, it was concluded that the empirical evidence depicting the empty- nest stage of life as a positive period of stability and growth rather than a negative crisis period, is persuasive for some of the empty-nest parents in the present study, in view of the empirical findings regarding certain of the above-mentioned theoretical issues examined in the present thesis. Notwithstanding this, it was deemed essential to qualify the above conclusion, given the fact that the same and other respondents experienced difficulty with the following issues, viz. children being off-time with regard to major life events, the departure of children from the home, overinvolvement with children, problematic relationships with them, perceptions of themselves as failures as parents, inability to accept their own ageing, problems with changing sexuality, diminishing enjoyment in their occupations, and lack of prospects for future career advancement, negative preoccupation with the past and future, anxiety about death, and an impoverished marital relationship. It was also demonstrated empirically that wives experience particular psychological problems at this time, viz., firstly, they are more adversely affected by their children's departure from the home than their husbands, secondly, they undergo a rehearsal for widowhood more frequently than them, and thirdly, a minority of them are unable to come to terms with the menopause. Finally, the finding that the majority of wives experienced relief with the onset of the menopause when viewed from the perspectives of general emotional impact, children, and the spousal relationship, conflicts with existing theories in this area. However, it is supported by and large by the majority of empirical studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
- Authors: Kaplan, Ernest
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Empty nesters , Parent and child , Sex role -- Psychological aspect , Men -- Sexual behavior , Women -- Sexual behavior
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2899 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002063
- Description: This thesis encompasses a study of the empty-nest stage of life. For the purposes of this study, the above-mentioned stage was defined as that period in the family when the youngest child matriculates. Thirty-five empty-nest couples were interviewed during 1984, in the city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The mean age of the subjects was 49.5, and the standard deviation was 4.9. The couples were asked about their attitudes towards the empty-nest, using a structured questionnaire, the Family Attitude Survey (FAS). This survey consisted of nine-point attitude statements, which focused on theoretical issues pertinent to this stage, viz. children are on-time or off-time with regard to major life events, impact of children leaving home on the parents, degree of parental involvement with children, parent-child relationships, ageing, sexuality, menopause, work-career, and attitudes towards the past, future and death. The general purpose of the present study was to determine the extent to which the empty-nest stage of life constitutes a negative crisis period, or a positive period of stability and growth for the empty-nest parents. Overall, it was concluded that the empirical evidence depicting the empty- nest stage of life as a positive period of stability and growth rather than a negative crisis period, is persuasive for some of the empty-nest parents in the present study, in view of the empirical findings regarding certain of the above-mentioned theoretical issues examined in the present thesis. Notwithstanding this, it was deemed essential to qualify the above conclusion, given the fact that the same and other respondents experienced difficulty with the following issues, viz. children being off-time with regard to major life events, the departure of children from the home, overinvolvement with children, problematic relationships with them, perceptions of themselves as failures as parents, inability to accept their own ageing, problems with changing sexuality, diminishing enjoyment in their occupations, and lack of prospects for future career advancement, negative preoccupation with the past and future, anxiety about death, and an impoverished marital relationship. It was also demonstrated empirically that wives experience particular psychological problems at this time, viz., firstly, they are more adversely affected by their children's departure from the home than their husbands, secondly, they undergo a rehearsal for widowhood more frequently than them, and thirdly, a minority of them are unable to come to terms with the menopause. Finally, the finding that the majority of wives experienced relief with the onset of the menopause when viewed from the perspectives of general emotional impact, children, and the spousal relationship, conflicts with existing theories in this area. However, it is supported by and large by the majority of empirical studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
A cross cultural investigation of gender: gender stereotypes of English and Xhosa undergraduate students
- Authors: Robinson, Kathryn Ann
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Sex role -- South Africa -- Cross-cultural studies , Stereotypes (Social psychology) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2901 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002065
- Description: This study begins with the assertion that gender-role stereotypes exist in society, and that these influence the way the members of society perceive themselves and others. These stereotypes consist of sex-typed personality traits, attitudes, interests and behaviours, and they vary to a greater or lesser extent according to the culture that they originate in. Just as ordinary members of society are influenced by these stereotypes, so too are researchers, although this is not something that is often readily admitted. A great deal of research has been undertaken on gender-roles in past years, but researchers have tended to re-use existing conceptualisations of gender without examining whether they are in fact salient for the culture or generation under study. This study begins with the premise that (in South Africa as much as anywhere) before truly accurate assessment of the distributions of gender roles in a culture can be initiated, the culturally specific content of its gender-roles must be discovered. This firstly involves the description of the culture's gender-role stereotypes. Such explication would hopefully also help researchers to avoid making biased interpretations as a result of the stereotypes. Secondly, the relationship between stereotypes and self-perceptions must be established to see if scales based on the former are valid for use on the latter. This study's aim was to begin to investigate these two areas in English and Xhosa students. 94 white English speaking, and 48 black Xhosa speaking undergraduate students responded to an open ended, and a Likert-type questionnaire on various traits, attitudes and behaviours, by rating each for the "typical" male and female as well as themselves. Descriptions of stereotypes and self-ratings were obtained from performing within culture t-tests, comparing ratings of typical males and females, and male and female self ratings. Data from the open ended questionnaires was used to fill out these descriptions, which were then compared across sexes and across cultures. Gender stereotyping proved to be salient in both cultures, and gender stereotypes of the two cultures shared some similarities but also had menaingful differences. In both cultures, stereotypes and self-descriptions paralleled one another in some areas, but also differed significantly. It was concluded that the same gender-role scale would not be equally valid for use in the two cuItures, and that scales based on stereotypes would not be altogether valid for assessing self-perceptions. Various issues and implications arising from the results are discussed critically, including the proposal for a redefinition of the terms "stereotype" and "culture" to suit South African society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
- Authors: Robinson, Kathryn Ann
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Sex role -- South Africa -- Cross-cultural studies , Stereotypes (Social psychology) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2901 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002065
- Description: This study begins with the assertion that gender-role stereotypes exist in society, and that these influence the way the members of society perceive themselves and others. These stereotypes consist of sex-typed personality traits, attitudes, interests and behaviours, and they vary to a greater or lesser extent according to the culture that they originate in. Just as ordinary members of society are influenced by these stereotypes, so too are researchers, although this is not something that is often readily admitted. A great deal of research has been undertaken on gender-roles in past years, but researchers have tended to re-use existing conceptualisations of gender without examining whether they are in fact salient for the culture or generation under study. This study begins with the premise that (in South Africa as much as anywhere) before truly accurate assessment of the distributions of gender roles in a culture can be initiated, the culturally specific content of its gender-roles must be discovered. This firstly involves the description of the culture's gender-role stereotypes. Such explication would hopefully also help researchers to avoid making biased interpretations as a result of the stereotypes. Secondly, the relationship between stereotypes and self-perceptions must be established to see if scales based on the former are valid for use on the latter. This study's aim was to begin to investigate these two areas in English and Xhosa students. 94 white English speaking, and 48 black Xhosa speaking undergraduate students responded to an open ended, and a Likert-type questionnaire on various traits, attitudes and behaviours, by rating each for the "typical" male and female as well as themselves. Descriptions of stereotypes and self-ratings were obtained from performing within culture t-tests, comparing ratings of typical males and females, and male and female self ratings. Data from the open ended questionnaires was used to fill out these descriptions, which were then compared across sexes and across cultures. Gender stereotyping proved to be salient in both cultures, and gender stereotypes of the two cultures shared some similarities but also had menaingful differences. In both cultures, stereotypes and self-descriptions paralleled one another in some areas, but also differed significantly. It was concluded that the same gender-role scale would not be equally valid for use in the two cuItures, and that scales based on stereotypes would not be altogether valid for assessing self-perceptions. Various issues and implications arising from the results are discussed critically, including the proposal for a redefinition of the terms "stereotype" and "culture" to suit South African society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
An empirical phenomenological investigations of the experience of being unemployed : a critical study in the South African context
- Authors: Jaffray, Timothy William
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Unemployment -- Psychological aspects , Unemployment -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002068
- Description: Unemploynent is a problem that confronts many western countries. The aim of this dissertation is to understand, on the basis of a phenomenological investigation, what it means to be an unemployed, white, South African citizen. These meanings are then seen and discussed against the background of the problems associated with the ideological structure within the country. How the latter relates to white employment and psychological life is also explored. The results demonstrate the negative impact unemploynent has upon the psychological functioning of the individual. The results further show the despair such individuals face, having been 'denied' an accepted role within society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
- Authors: Jaffray, Timothy William
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Unemployment -- Psychological aspects , Unemployment -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002068
- Description: Unemploynent is a problem that confronts many western countries. The aim of this dissertation is to understand, on the basis of a phenomenological investigation, what it means to be an unemployed, white, South African citizen. These meanings are then seen and discussed against the background of the problems associated with the ideological structure within the country. How the latter relates to white employment and psychological life is also explored. The results demonstrate the negative impact unemploynent has upon the psychological functioning of the individual. The results further show the despair such individuals face, having been 'denied' an accepted role within society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
Bulimia Nervosa: a case study in cognitive psychotherapy
- Authors: Kanfer, Josephine
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192988 , vital:45287
- Description: This project uses the case-study method to illustrate the application of integrating varied accepted modes of psychotherapeutic interventions. It concentrates on the first 22 out-patient sessions of therapy with a diagnosed bulimic, spanning a 6 month period. A brief summary of the subsequent 10 follow-up sessions is also given. The case presented is of a 22 year old female student diagnosed as bulimic (of 7 year duration), dysthymic and with a dependent personality disorder. She has symptoms of anxiety. She has a history of anorexia nervosa. Fairburn's (1985) cognitive-behavioural programme for bulimia was used initially. Its structured framework with the emphasis on the eating behaviour was an essential aspect in contributing to the success of the initial phase of the therapy. This patient had had previously experienced 8 sessions of non-directive depth psychotherapy which had confused and compounded her problems. The structure had provided her with a sense of control. In implementing the second stage of Fairburn's programme, where the focus is cognitive, the patient could no longer work in this this structured manner. The attempts to implement the standard cognitive techniques provided the catalyst for activating deeper underlying emotions and cognitions. Furthermore, this gave impetus to work actively with the interpersonal aspect of the therapeutic relationship. Young's (1989) model for identifying Early Maladaptive Schemas could be applied. The focus then moved from the behaviours and dealt with these schemas as activated in the therapeutic relationship. The patient was able to make links to her family and her past. The therapy proved successful, as not only were the behavioural symptoms alleviated, but also the patient's interpersonal problems which underlay her personality disorder were accessed. The patient had become more self-assertive, her mood had improved considerably, she was less concerned with body image and more accepting of herself. She had become more reality based and her interpersonal relational abi1ity had improved. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1990
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
- Authors: Kanfer, Josephine
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192988 , vital:45287
- Description: This project uses the case-study method to illustrate the application of integrating varied accepted modes of psychotherapeutic interventions. It concentrates on the first 22 out-patient sessions of therapy with a diagnosed bulimic, spanning a 6 month period. A brief summary of the subsequent 10 follow-up sessions is also given. The case presented is of a 22 year old female student diagnosed as bulimic (of 7 year duration), dysthymic and with a dependent personality disorder. She has symptoms of anxiety. She has a history of anorexia nervosa. Fairburn's (1985) cognitive-behavioural programme for bulimia was used initially. Its structured framework with the emphasis on the eating behaviour was an essential aspect in contributing to the success of the initial phase of the therapy. This patient had had previously experienced 8 sessions of non-directive depth psychotherapy which had confused and compounded her problems. The structure had provided her with a sense of control. In implementing the second stage of Fairburn's programme, where the focus is cognitive, the patient could no longer work in this this structured manner. The attempts to implement the standard cognitive techniques provided the catalyst for activating deeper underlying emotions and cognitions. Furthermore, this gave impetus to work actively with the interpersonal aspect of the therapeutic relationship. Young's (1989) model for identifying Early Maladaptive Schemas could be applied. The focus then moved from the behaviours and dealt with these schemas as activated in the therapeutic relationship. The patient was able to make links to her family and her past. The therapy proved successful, as not only were the behavioural symptoms alleviated, but also the patient's interpersonal problems which underlay her personality disorder were accessed. The patient had become more self-assertive, her mood had improved considerably, she was less concerned with body image and more accepting of herself. She had become more reality based and her interpersonal relational abi1ity had improved. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1990
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
Religious experience and schizophrenia in modern man : an experiential theoretical study
- Borchardt, Frederick Francois
- Authors: Borchardt, Frederick Francois
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Schizophrenia -- Religious aspects , Experience (Religion) -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002061
- Description: In this study the psychological structures of two categories of religious and schizophrenic experience were examined from a phenomenological- existential perspective. Existing theories describe schizophrenia as an unfree, rigid experience with limited possibilities for selfhood. Some theorists believe, however, that some forms of schizophrenia can be seen as potential growth experiences which could facilitate existential renewal. These forms of schizophrenia are mystical, mythical or spiritual in nature. Religious experiences are, according to the literature, essentially renewal experiences facilitating existential growth and transformation through a particular system of thought and devotional relationship shared by a group of people. The Duquesne phenomenological- psychological method was used to analyse seven case studies, four of which involved schizophrenic experiences and three which involved religious conversion experiences. The general psychological structure which emerged through this analysis showed both schizophrenia and religious experience to have specific implications for the personal, social, material and mystical dimensions of being. The description of a specific psychological structure of experience which could optimally facilitate existential growth and transformation was attained by examining psychological structures where the subject's experience culminated in existential growth and transformation (such as religious experience and certain schizophrenIc experiences). As both these categories of experience displayed a strong mystical component, a psychological structure of experience which facilitates a transformative mystical experience was described. It can be concluded that an experience involving a mystical dimension could be transformative if the general psychological structure of the person displays (a) an openness towards reality as it presents itself (b) an experience of oneself as having a measure of existential freedom (c) a certain sense of security in one's own selfhood and (d) a social world which could understand, support and reflect inner experiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
- Authors: Borchardt, Frederick Francois
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Schizophrenia -- Religious aspects , Experience (Religion) -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002061
- Description: In this study the psychological structures of two categories of religious and schizophrenic experience were examined from a phenomenological- existential perspective. Existing theories describe schizophrenia as an unfree, rigid experience with limited possibilities for selfhood. Some theorists believe, however, that some forms of schizophrenia can be seen as potential growth experiences which could facilitate existential renewal. These forms of schizophrenia are mystical, mythical or spiritual in nature. Religious experiences are, according to the literature, essentially renewal experiences facilitating existential growth and transformation through a particular system of thought and devotional relationship shared by a group of people. The Duquesne phenomenological- psychological method was used to analyse seven case studies, four of which involved schizophrenic experiences and three which involved religious conversion experiences. The general psychological structure which emerged through this analysis showed both schizophrenia and religious experience to have specific implications for the personal, social, material and mystical dimensions of being. The description of a specific psychological structure of experience which could optimally facilitate existential growth and transformation was attained by examining psychological structures where the subject's experience culminated in existential growth and transformation (such as religious experience and certain schizophrenIc experiences). As both these categories of experience displayed a strong mystical component, a psychological structure of experience which facilitates a transformative mystical experience was described. It can be concluded that an experience involving a mystical dimension could be transformative if the general psychological structure of the person displays (a) an openness towards reality as it presents itself (b) an experience of oneself as having a measure of existential freedom (c) a certain sense of security in one's own selfhood and (d) a social world which could understand, support and reflect inner experiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
The silent patient: a consideration of Gendlin's recommendations in the treatment of a silent adolescent
- Authors: Le Roux, J D
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193054 , vital:45294
- Description: This study comprises a dialogue between Gendlin's recommendations on the treatment of the silent patient and case-material taken from 39 sessions of psychodynamic psychotherapy with a 16 year old adolescent. The most characteristic feature of the therapy with this young person, was her pattern of silence and unresponsiveness. The aim of this study is to ascertain the usefulness of Gendlin's recommendations in the therapy of this category of patient. The dialogue between the suggested recommendations and the case- material served to illustrate the point that Gendlin's recommendations are of great value in the treatment of the silent adolescent. The value of these recommendations lie in their ability to comment meaningfully on the process of therapy with the silent patient by providing not only skills and techniques, but also a conceptual framework within which to contextualize the therapy. The recommendations were also found to be sensitive to some of the key issues of relevance to adolescence as a developmental phase. The case-study method was deemed an appropriate structure within which to conduct this examination. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1990
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
- Authors: Le Roux, J D
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193054 , vital:45294
- Description: This study comprises a dialogue between Gendlin's recommendations on the treatment of the silent patient and case-material taken from 39 sessions of psychodynamic psychotherapy with a 16 year old adolescent. The most characteristic feature of the therapy with this young person, was her pattern of silence and unresponsiveness. The aim of this study is to ascertain the usefulness of Gendlin's recommendations in the therapy of this category of patient. The dialogue between the suggested recommendations and the case- material served to illustrate the point that Gendlin's recommendations are of great value in the treatment of the silent adolescent. The value of these recommendations lie in their ability to comment meaningfully on the process of therapy with the silent patient by providing not only skills and techniques, but also a conceptual framework within which to contextualize the therapy. The recommendations were also found to be sensitive to some of the key issues of relevance to adolescence as a developmental phase. The case-study method was deemed an appropriate structure within which to conduct this examination. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 1990
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1990
An examination of psychological issues in the pregnancy and birth process with reference to personal responsibility and control
- Authors: Selwyn-Cross, Halina
- Date: 1991
- Subjects: Childbirth -- Psychological aspects Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2898 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002062
- Description: This study examines the psychological issues of personal responsibility and control in the childbirth process. It examines the implications of the woman's preparation process and the choices she makes during pregnancy and childbirth. It also explores the way in which the birthing environment and the woman's interpersonal relationships affect her experience of personal control within the context of the childbirth period. Use was made of the case study research design. This qualitative design involved indepth exploration, of cases in which the women had recently given birth to their first child in the local hospital of a small town. The data analysis involved the use of a "reading guide", established by the researcher to allow for the examination of the data specifically in terms of the themes in question. Within the study the importance and value of the woman's accurate and sufficient preparation for the birth was seen to facilitate a realistic sense of predictability, which led to an increased awareness and ability of the woman to remain in control. This, along with the active participation of the husband and supportive network in the hospital, allowed for a sharing of the responsibility within the labour situation. This taking and appropriately yielding of control and responsibility had positive effects on the woman's experience of the event and for initial mother-infant bonding
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991
- Authors: Selwyn-Cross, Halina
- Date: 1991
- Subjects: Childbirth -- Psychological aspects Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2898 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002062
- Description: This study examines the psychological issues of personal responsibility and control in the childbirth process. It examines the implications of the woman's preparation process and the choices she makes during pregnancy and childbirth. It also explores the way in which the birthing environment and the woman's interpersonal relationships affect her experience of personal control within the context of the childbirth period. Use was made of the case study research design. This qualitative design involved indepth exploration, of cases in which the women had recently given birth to their first child in the local hospital of a small town. The data analysis involved the use of a "reading guide", established by the researcher to allow for the examination of the data specifically in terms of the themes in question. Within the study the importance and value of the woman's accurate and sufficient preparation for the birth was seen to facilitate a realistic sense of predictability, which led to an increased awareness and ability of the woman to remain in control. This, along with the active participation of the husband and supportive network in the hospital, allowed for a sharing of the responsibility within the labour situation. This taking and appropriately yielding of control and responsibility had positive effects on the woman's experience of the event and for initial mother-infant bonding
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991