The lived emotional experiences of female spouses of husbands with terminal brain tumours
- Authors: Healy, Nicole
- Date: 2012-06-04
- Subjects: Husband and wife - Psychological aspects , Brain tumour patients - Family relationships , Terminal care - Psychological aspects
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4773
- Description: M.A. , Primary malignant brain tumours (PMBTs) are devastating diagnoses that result in the swift deterioration of neurological functioning. The life expectancy of the patient from the time of diagnosis is between three and 12 months. This illness trajectory is characterised by loss of functional abilities such as walking, talking and writing; increasing cognitive impairments such as loss of executive functioning, speech difficulties and problems with comprehension; and the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, apathy and aggression. Since treatment is primarily palliative rather than curative, family members and specifically spouses are required to care for PMBT patients in the home setting. The daily challenges of caring for a spouse with a PMBT have a significant impact on the emotional functioning of the caregiver. Although other studies have examined the experiences of various family members of PMBT patients, this research is the first phenomenological study, which investigates the emotional experiences in particular, with a focus on female spouses of PMBT patients. Other studies have also failed to describe the experience of caregivers throughout the entire course of the illness trajectory, that is, from pre-diagnostic symptoms, until the time of death. Therefore, this study attempts to enter the life-world of female spouses of PMBT patients in order to describe their emotional experiences from the time that prediagnostic symptoms manifested, throughout the disease trajectory, and until the death of the patient. A descriptive phenomenological method of enquiry was chosen to achieve this end. Three female spouses of PMBT patients were sourced and interviewed for the purposes of this study. Their husbands had passed away from a PMBT approximately three years prior. Open-ended interviews were conducted in order to elicit their emotional experiences during their husbands’ illness trajectory. The interviews were transcribed verbatim with the inclusion of non-verbal cues where relevant. This data was then analysed using a sequential phenomenological approach. Common themes were integrated to form the essential structure of a female spouse’s emotional experience of her husband’s PMBT illness. These themes were also discussed in conjunction with the literature review to support their validity. The themes that emerged fell within four distinct time periods. The period before diagnosis, at diagnosis, during the course of the illness and at the time of death. Themes that emerged during the research interview were found to be pertinent and were also discussed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Healy, Nicole
- Date: 2012-06-04
- Subjects: Husband and wife - Psychological aspects , Brain tumour patients - Family relationships , Terminal care - Psychological aspects
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4773
- Description: M.A. , Primary malignant brain tumours (PMBTs) are devastating diagnoses that result in the swift deterioration of neurological functioning. The life expectancy of the patient from the time of diagnosis is between three and 12 months. This illness trajectory is characterised by loss of functional abilities such as walking, talking and writing; increasing cognitive impairments such as loss of executive functioning, speech difficulties and problems with comprehension; and the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, apathy and aggression. Since treatment is primarily palliative rather than curative, family members and specifically spouses are required to care for PMBT patients in the home setting. The daily challenges of caring for a spouse with a PMBT have a significant impact on the emotional functioning of the caregiver. Although other studies have examined the experiences of various family members of PMBT patients, this research is the first phenomenological study, which investigates the emotional experiences in particular, with a focus on female spouses of PMBT patients. Other studies have also failed to describe the experience of caregivers throughout the entire course of the illness trajectory, that is, from pre-diagnostic symptoms, until the time of death. Therefore, this study attempts to enter the life-world of female spouses of PMBT patients in order to describe their emotional experiences from the time that prediagnostic symptoms manifested, throughout the disease trajectory, and until the death of the patient. A descriptive phenomenological method of enquiry was chosen to achieve this end. Three female spouses of PMBT patients were sourced and interviewed for the purposes of this study. Their husbands had passed away from a PMBT approximately three years prior. Open-ended interviews were conducted in order to elicit their emotional experiences during their husbands’ illness trajectory. The interviews were transcribed verbatim with the inclusion of non-verbal cues where relevant. This data was then analysed using a sequential phenomenological approach. Common themes were integrated to form the essential structure of a female spouse’s emotional experience of her husband’s PMBT illness. These themes were also discussed in conjunction with the literature review to support their validity. The themes that emerged fell within four distinct time periods. The period before diagnosis, at diagnosis, during the course of the illness and at the time of death. Themes that emerged during the research interview were found to be pertinent and were also discussed.
- Full Text:
The lived experience of discrimination by white women in committed interracial relationships with black men
- Authors: Van der Walt, Anina
- Date: 2012-07-31
- Subjects: Discrimination , Interracial relationships , Race discrimination
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5328
- Description: M.A. , Committed interracial relationships within the South African context have been associated with controversy as these relationships were once considered immoral and illegal. Since the abolishment of the anti-miscegenation and racial segregation laws, committed interracial relationships have slowly increased but are still fraught with difficulties. The experience of discrimination remains a prominent concern for individuals in committed interracial relationships. Black male-white female interracial relationships are considered the most stigmatised form of relationship, and these relationships are at risk of experiencing the severest forms of discrimination. Various studies have examined the phenomenon of interracial relationships, considering these relationships from theoretical perspectives that sought to explain the union between individuals of different races. In addition to seeking causal explanations for the manifestation of committed interracial relationships, perspectives from family members and society as a whole have been investigated. Studies that explore the subjective experiences of individuals in committed interracial relationships are scarce, and research of such a nature is especially limited within the South African context. South African research that seeks to give a voice to white women in committed interracial relationships with black men, and in particular their experience of discrimination, is currently unavailable. Therefore, this study aimed to elicit untainted first-person descriptions of the lived experience and the associated meaning of discrimination experienced by white women in interracial relationships with black men within the South African context. A descriptive phenomenological research paradigm and method were deemed appropriate for the exploration and depiction of the phenomenon. Three white females in committed interracial relationships with black males were sourced and interviewed for the purpose of this study. These women have been in committed relationships with their partners for more than two years, and disclosed the actual experience of discrimination as a result of their relationship. Open-ended interviews were conducted in order to elicit rich and in-depth descriptions of the participants’ lived experiences of discrimination as a result of being in committed interracial relationships. The interviews were transcribed verbatim with the inclusion of non-verbal cues where relevant. The data analysis was conducted using a phenomenological approach, which involved various steps that were followed sequentially. Salient themes that emerged from the individual participant’s interview were integrated to form a structure that communicated the essence of discrimination as experienced by the particular participant. Consequently, the common themes that surfaced transversely from all three participants’ interviews were synthesised and discussed in light of the current literature. The integration and discussion of the salient themes and related literature had the purpose to identify similarities and idiosyncrasies of the lived experience of discrimination by white women in committed interracial relationships with black men within the South African context. The results of this study suggest that the experience of discrimination by white women in committed interracial relationships with black men includes several core aspects. The themes describing the phenomenon may be understood within the following broad terms: discrimination is experienced in various contexts and from various people; discrimination is experienced either directly or indirectly by an individual in an interracial relationship; discrimination manifests in either negative or positive encounters; discrimination evokes various emotional responses and is dealt with in various ways; discrimination, although a personal experience, impacts on the interracial relationship in either a negative or positive manner. Discrimination is thus both an intrapersonal and an interpersonal phenomenon. The research findings are valuable in that existing literature is verified and new insights, with regards to the experience of discrimination by women in committed interracial relationships within the South African context, are provided. Based on the conclusions of this study, several suggestions have been made to encourage further research relating to this area of study.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van der Walt, Anina
- Date: 2012-07-31
- Subjects: Discrimination , Interracial relationships , Race discrimination
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5328
- Description: M.A. , Committed interracial relationships within the South African context have been associated with controversy as these relationships were once considered immoral and illegal. Since the abolishment of the anti-miscegenation and racial segregation laws, committed interracial relationships have slowly increased but are still fraught with difficulties. The experience of discrimination remains a prominent concern for individuals in committed interracial relationships. Black male-white female interracial relationships are considered the most stigmatised form of relationship, and these relationships are at risk of experiencing the severest forms of discrimination. Various studies have examined the phenomenon of interracial relationships, considering these relationships from theoretical perspectives that sought to explain the union between individuals of different races. In addition to seeking causal explanations for the manifestation of committed interracial relationships, perspectives from family members and society as a whole have been investigated. Studies that explore the subjective experiences of individuals in committed interracial relationships are scarce, and research of such a nature is especially limited within the South African context. South African research that seeks to give a voice to white women in committed interracial relationships with black men, and in particular their experience of discrimination, is currently unavailable. Therefore, this study aimed to elicit untainted first-person descriptions of the lived experience and the associated meaning of discrimination experienced by white women in interracial relationships with black men within the South African context. A descriptive phenomenological research paradigm and method were deemed appropriate for the exploration and depiction of the phenomenon. Three white females in committed interracial relationships with black males were sourced and interviewed for the purpose of this study. These women have been in committed relationships with their partners for more than two years, and disclosed the actual experience of discrimination as a result of their relationship. Open-ended interviews were conducted in order to elicit rich and in-depth descriptions of the participants’ lived experiences of discrimination as a result of being in committed interracial relationships. The interviews were transcribed verbatim with the inclusion of non-verbal cues where relevant. The data analysis was conducted using a phenomenological approach, which involved various steps that were followed sequentially. Salient themes that emerged from the individual participant’s interview were integrated to form a structure that communicated the essence of discrimination as experienced by the particular participant. Consequently, the common themes that surfaced transversely from all three participants’ interviews were synthesised and discussed in light of the current literature. The integration and discussion of the salient themes and related literature had the purpose to identify similarities and idiosyncrasies of the lived experience of discrimination by white women in committed interracial relationships with black men within the South African context. The results of this study suggest that the experience of discrimination by white women in committed interracial relationships with black men includes several core aspects. The themes describing the phenomenon may be understood within the following broad terms: discrimination is experienced in various contexts and from various people; discrimination is experienced either directly or indirectly by an individual in an interracial relationship; discrimination manifests in either negative or positive encounters; discrimination evokes various emotional responses and is dealt with in various ways; discrimination, although a personal experience, impacts on the interracial relationship in either a negative or positive manner. Discrimination is thus both an intrapersonal and an interpersonal phenomenon. The research findings are valuable in that existing literature is verified and new insights, with regards to the experience of discrimination by women in committed interracial relationships within the South African context, are provided. Based on the conclusions of this study, several suggestions have been made to encourage further research relating to this area of study.
- Full Text:
Women's understanding of the "Nice guy paradox": a phenomenological study
- Authors: Macfarlane, Robert
- Date: 2010-04-19T07:43:19Z
- Subjects: Young men , Men's studies , Man-women relationships , Sex role , Masculinity , Submissiveness , Phenomenological psychology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3214
- Description: M.A. , The Nice Guy Paradox is a provocative perception that is commonly expressed within society and the mass media. According to this perception, nice guys are less successful in their relationships with women than other men. The Nice Guy Paradox causes much frustration and confusion for self-proclaimed nice guys. In addition, the implications of this perception may negatively influence the way in which men relate to women. For instance, the Nice Guy Paradox implies that if men want to be successful with women, they should not be nice guys. In the last 15 years, a few psychological studies have opted to focus on the Nice Guy Paradox. These studies are almost all quantitative in nature. In fact, a literature search only found one small qualitative study devoted to this topic. Most of the existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox attempts to answer the question “Do nice guys really finish last?” in the absence of exploratory research aimed at better understanding this perception. For this reason, most existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox can be argued to be somewhat presumptuous and its usefulness in trying to understand this phenomenon is questionable. In an attempt to compensate for the shortcomings of existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox, this study endeavors to capture the unique experience of this social phenomenon through the utilization of a phenomenological method of inquiry. In this way, this research attempts to yield a fresh and foundational understanding of the Nice Guy Paradox. Three female university students were sourced and interviewed for the purposes of this study. These participants had all had relationship experience, as well as experience of the Nice Guy Paradox at the time of the interviews. In order to obtain optimally rudimentary experiences of the Nice Guy Paradox, open-ended interviews were conducted. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and non-verbal cues were indicated where necessary. These transcriptions constitute the raw data of the study. They were analyzed using a specific phenomenological, stepwise method. The data analysis produced central themes that were discussed in relation to literature findings in order to consolidate their validity and to position the findings of this study in relation to existing theory and research. On the basis of these central themes, an essential structure of the participants’ experiences of the Nice Guy Paradox was synthesized. According to this structure, the nice guys referred to by the Nice Guy Paradox characteristically lack confidence, try too hard to please women and are submissive in relationships. These men are mistreated and rejected by women for the following reasons. Firstly, nice guys allow themselves to be mistreated because of their submissive tendencies. Secondly, relationships with these men are not challenging and exciting. Thirdly, women find nice guy characteristics irritating and frustrating. Fourthly, nice guys lack certain characteristics including dominance, strength, physical attractiveness, confidence, leadership and social status, which women find attractive. Also according to this structure, the Nice Guy Paradox applies more strongly to younger people than older people. In addition, niceness in isolation is a desirable trait in a man. However, the other nice guy characteristics are unattractive to women. This research holds value since it constitutes the first comprehensive phenomenological, insight-orientated study on the Nice Guy Paradox. On the basis of the new understanding that this study yields, recommendations with regard to practical application have been put forward. In addition, suggestions for future research have been provided.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Macfarlane, Robert
- Date: 2010-04-19T07:43:19Z
- Subjects: Young men , Men's studies , Man-women relationships , Sex role , Masculinity , Submissiveness , Phenomenological psychology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3214
- Description: M.A. , The Nice Guy Paradox is a provocative perception that is commonly expressed within society and the mass media. According to this perception, nice guys are less successful in their relationships with women than other men. The Nice Guy Paradox causes much frustration and confusion for self-proclaimed nice guys. In addition, the implications of this perception may negatively influence the way in which men relate to women. For instance, the Nice Guy Paradox implies that if men want to be successful with women, they should not be nice guys. In the last 15 years, a few psychological studies have opted to focus on the Nice Guy Paradox. These studies are almost all quantitative in nature. In fact, a literature search only found one small qualitative study devoted to this topic. Most of the existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox attempts to answer the question “Do nice guys really finish last?” in the absence of exploratory research aimed at better understanding this perception. For this reason, most existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox can be argued to be somewhat presumptuous and its usefulness in trying to understand this phenomenon is questionable. In an attempt to compensate for the shortcomings of existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox, this study endeavors to capture the unique experience of this social phenomenon through the utilization of a phenomenological method of inquiry. In this way, this research attempts to yield a fresh and foundational understanding of the Nice Guy Paradox. Three female university students were sourced and interviewed for the purposes of this study. These participants had all had relationship experience, as well as experience of the Nice Guy Paradox at the time of the interviews. In order to obtain optimally rudimentary experiences of the Nice Guy Paradox, open-ended interviews were conducted. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and non-verbal cues were indicated where necessary. These transcriptions constitute the raw data of the study. They were analyzed using a specific phenomenological, stepwise method. The data analysis produced central themes that were discussed in relation to literature findings in order to consolidate their validity and to position the findings of this study in relation to existing theory and research. On the basis of these central themes, an essential structure of the participants’ experiences of the Nice Guy Paradox was synthesized. According to this structure, the nice guys referred to by the Nice Guy Paradox characteristically lack confidence, try too hard to please women and are submissive in relationships. These men are mistreated and rejected by women for the following reasons. Firstly, nice guys allow themselves to be mistreated because of their submissive tendencies. Secondly, relationships with these men are not challenging and exciting. Thirdly, women find nice guy characteristics irritating and frustrating. Fourthly, nice guys lack certain characteristics including dominance, strength, physical attractiveness, confidence, leadership and social status, which women find attractive. Also according to this structure, the Nice Guy Paradox applies more strongly to younger people than older people. In addition, niceness in isolation is a desirable trait in a man. However, the other nice guy characteristics are unattractive to women. This research holds value since it constitutes the first comprehensive phenomenological, insight-orientated study on the Nice Guy Paradox. On the basis of the new understanding that this study yields, recommendations with regard to practical application have been put forward. In addition, suggestions for future research have been provided.
- Full Text:
The lived experience of violence by male juvenile offenders convicted of assault
- Authors: Mawson, Pauline Teresa
- Date: 2012-02-28
- Subjects: Juvenile delinquents , Effect of assault and battery on teenagers
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2107 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4451
- Description: M.A. , Statistics obtained from both South Africa and the United States of America indicate that the phenomenon of violence amongst youths is increasing. Similarly, the number of adolescents being convicted of and detained for violent crimes such as assault is also on the increase. This implies that a larger number of youths are being exposed to the experience of violence and present with the complex and multi-dimensional effects of such an experience. Past research has centered mostly on the causative factors that can be statistically represented, with little focus being paid to the juveniles’ in-depth, subjective experience of the phenomenon. For the male adolescent, the experience of the phenomenon of violence is complex, diverse and may span across many aspects of his life, namely the physical, psychological, personal and social dimensions. In an attempt to address the shortcomings of past research, this study attempts to capture the unique experience of violence as it is experienced by the male juvenile who has been convicted of a violent crime, namely assault. The phenomenological approach to research has been specifically selected to enable the researcher to achieve this. Three participants were sourced from the Leeuwkop Juvenile Correctional Facility in Johannesburg and interviewed for the purpose of this study. The participants were selected according to their age (between 13 and 19 years of age) and type of crime that they had committed (either assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, common assault or indecent assault). A biographical interview was first completed with each participant in order to obtain necessary background information. In staying with the phenomenological approach, openended interviews were used with the participants in order to allow for the participants’ unique and subjective experience of the phenomenon to emerge. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and non-verbal behaviour was included where appropriate. The transcripts comprise the raw data of this study and they were analysed within a phenomenological framework, which allowed for the natural themes of the phenomenon to emerge. Furthermore, the findings of the research were integrated and commonalities in themes were sought that would provide the essence of the phenomenon. In order to validate the findings of this research the themes were compared with the relevant literature. The phenomenon of violence would appear to be characterised by the juveniles’ experience of external events that would appear to provoke a certain response manifesting itself in violent behaviour. These responses were mostly emotional in nature and included emotions such as anger and rage and fury. Emotions were also elicited after the violent act had taken place and these were characterised by uncertainty, anger directed towards the self as well as fear. The use and misuse of substances such as alcohol and drugs would also appear to have been part of the experience of violence for the male offender. Furthermore, the experience of violence holds certain consequences for the male juvenile offender. The most common consequence experienced by all three participants was their subsequent arrest and incarceration in a Correctional Facility. A positive consequence of incarceration was that the offenders were exposed to social workers and psychologists that enabled them to learn coping mechanisms to contain any future violent thoughts, feelings and behaviours. The value of this research can be found in the above-mentioned motivation for such a study to be conducted. Very little literature exists on the subjective experience of violence for the male juvenile offender, as most of the literature available is quantitative in nature. Additionally, this study will add value to the limited amount of research available in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mawson, Pauline Teresa
- Date: 2012-02-28
- Subjects: Juvenile delinquents , Effect of assault and battery on teenagers
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2107 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4451
- Description: M.A. , Statistics obtained from both South Africa and the United States of America indicate that the phenomenon of violence amongst youths is increasing. Similarly, the number of adolescents being convicted of and detained for violent crimes such as assault is also on the increase. This implies that a larger number of youths are being exposed to the experience of violence and present with the complex and multi-dimensional effects of such an experience. Past research has centered mostly on the causative factors that can be statistically represented, with little focus being paid to the juveniles’ in-depth, subjective experience of the phenomenon. For the male adolescent, the experience of the phenomenon of violence is complex, diverse and may span across many aspects of his life, namely the physical, psychological, personal and social dimensions. In an attempt to address the shortcomings of past research, this study attempts to capture the unique experience of violence as it is experienced by the male juvenile who has been convicted of a violent crime, namely assault. The phenomenological approach to research has been specifically selected to enable the researcher to achieve this. Three participants were sourced from the Leeuwkop Juvenile Correctional Facility in Johannesburg and interviewed for the purpose of this study. The participants were selected according to their age (between 13 and 19 years of age) and type of crime that they had committed (either assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, common assault or indecent assault). A biographical interview was first completed with each participant in order to obtain necessary background information. In staying with the phenomenological approach, openended interviews were used with the participants in order to allow for the participants’ unique and subjective experience of the phenomenon to emerge. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and non-verbal behaviour was included where appropriate. The transcripts comprise the raw data of this study and they were analysed within a phenomenological framework, which allowed for the natural themes of the phenomenon to emerge. Furthermore, the findings of the research were integrated and commonalities in themes were sought that would provide the essence of the phenomenon. In order to validate the findings of this research the themes were compared with the relevant literature. The phenomenon of violence would appear to be characterised by the juveniles’ experience of external events that would appear to provoke a certain response manifesting itself in violent behaviour. These responses were mostly emotional in nature and included emotions such as anger and rage and fury. Emotions were also elicited after the violent act had taken place and these were characterised by uncertainty, anger directed towards the self as well as fear. The use and misuse of substances such as alcohol and drugs would also appear to have been part of the experience of violence for the male offender. Furthermore, the experience of violence holds certain consequences for the male juvenile offender. The most common consequence experienced by all three participants was their subsequent arrest and incarceration in a Correctional Facility. A positive consequence of incarceration was that the offenders were exposed to social workers and psychologists that enabled them to learn coping mechanisms to contain any future violent thoughts, feelings and behaviours. The value of this research can be found in the above-mentioned motivation for such a study to be conducted. Very little literature exists on the subjective experience of violence for the male juvenile offender, as most of the literature available is quantitative in nature. Additionally, this study will add value to the limited amount of research available in South Africa.
- Full Text:
Holland's SDS classification system and temperament: a comparative study with estate agents
- Authors: Graf, Nicolette
- Date: 2008-11-06T07:23:33Z
- Subjects: Personality , Temperament , Real estate agents , Vocational guidance
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14588 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1511
- Description: M.A. , Since personality plays a very important role in the choice of career, it was decided to undertake a study whereby the personality traits of individuals of a particular career, namely that of estate agent was explored. The purpose of the study therefore, is to determine whether there are statistically significant differences in certain personality dimensions between estate agents who according to Holland (1997) fit the estate agents category and estate agents who according to Holland (1997) do not fit the estate agents category. Career counselling is discussed on the basis of the current literature on the topic. Career counselling entails matching an individual’s interests and abilities to a suitable career. The viewpoints regarding career counselling that are discussed in this study are the Trait and Factor theory, the career developmental approach of Super (1953) and Holland’s (1997) occupational interest theory. Holland’s (1997) theory is conceptualised in depth as his theory plays a large role in the current study. Furthermore, because personality plays a large role in an individual’s decision of career, various temperament and personality theories are discussed. The factors differentiating temperament from personality have also been included. Finally the relationship between personality and work is explained. The sample group consisted of 44 estate agents who work at one of three branches of the same real estate agency in Johannesburg. Holland’s (1994b) Self Directed Search (SDS) was used to establish the specific occupational three letter code of each of the participating estate agents. This code was compared to the code found in the Occupations Finder (1994a) which specifies the code established by Holland (1994a) as the suitable code for estate agents, (namely ESI). Based on their SDS codes, the participants were divided into two groups. Group one consisted of estate agents who have either ‘ES’ or ‘SE’ as the first two letters of their occupational code, in other words the estate agents closely resembling Holland’s (1994a) code and therefore those that fit the estate agents category according to Holland (1994a). Group two consisted of estate agents whose first two letters of their occupational code were neither ‘ES’ or ‘SE’, in other words the estate agents who do not closely resemble Holland’s (1994a) code and therefore those who do not fit the estate agents category according to Holland (1994a).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Graf, Nicolette
- Date: 2008-11-06T07:23:33Z
- Subjects: Personality , Temperament , Real estate agents , Vocational guidance
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14588 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1511
- Description: M.A. , Since personality plays a very important role in the choice of career, it was decided to undertake a study whereby the personality traits of individuals of a particular career, namely that of estate agent was explored. The purpose of the study therefore, is to determine whether there are statistically significant differences in certain personality dimensions between estate agents who according to Holland (1997) fit the estate agents category and estate agents who according to Holland (1997) do not fit the estate agents category. Career counselling is discussed on the basis of the current literature on the topic. Career counselling entails matching an individual’s interests and abilities to a suitable career. The viewpoints regarding career counselling that are discussed in this study are the Trait and Factor theory, the career developmental approach of Super (1953) and Holland’s (1997) occupational interest theory. Holland’s (1997) theory is conceptualised in depth as his theory plays a large role in the current study. Furthermore, because personality plays a large role in an individual’s decision of career, various temperament and personality theories are discussed. The factors differentiating temperament from personality have also been included. Finally the relationship between personality and work is explained. The sample group consisted of 44 estate agents who work at one of three branches of the same real estate agency in Johannesburg. Holland’s (1994b) Self Directed Search (SDS) was used to establish the specific occupational three letter code of each of the participating estate agents. This code was compared to the code found in the Occupations Finder (1994a) which specifies the code established by Holland (1994a) as the suitable code for estate agents, (namely ESI). Based on their SDS codes, the participants were divided into two groups. Group one consisted of estate agents who have either ‘ES’ or ‘SE’ as the first two letters of their occupational code, in other words the estate agents closely resembling Holland’s (1994a) code and therefore those that fit the estate agents category according to Holland (1994a). Group two consisted of estate agents whose first two letters of their occupational code were neither ‘ES’ or ‘SE’, in other words the estate agents who do not closely resemble Holland’s (1994a) code and therefore those who do not fit the estate agents category according to Holland (1994a).
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