The construct validity of the FIRO Business™ instrument in the South African context
- Authors: Aimer, Jennifer Lynn
- Date: 2012-06-05
- Subjects: Psychometrics , Human behavior , Behavioral assessment , Psychological tests , Interpersonal relations , Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation Business instrument
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2404 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4857
- Description: M. Phil. , The main objective of this research study was to determine whether the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation™1 (FIRO) Business instrument was valid for use in the South African business context. The FIRO Business instrument is a measure of interpersonal needs. In addition, the relationships between interpersonal needs and satisfaction indicators were also examined. The study was conducted using factor analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a sample of 405 participants. The results of the study showed that the FIRO Business instrument is reliable and valid for use within South African organisations. The overall results showed that the FIRO Business instrument does not contain bias towards either gender group. Relationships were also observed between interpersonal needs and Work Satisfaction, indicating that quality interpersonal relationships are important to individual well-being in the workplace. Influence and Connection needs were found to have a stronger influence than Involvement on overall levels of satisfaction.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Aimer, Jennifer Lynn
- Date: 2012-06-05
- Subjects: Psychometrics , Human behavior , Behavioral assessment , Psychological tests , Interpersonal relations , Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation Business instrument
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2404 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4857
- Description: M. Phil. , The main objective of this research study was to determine whether the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation™1 (FIRO) Business instrument was valid for use in the South African business context. The FIRO Business instrument is a measure of interpersonal needs. In addition, the relationships between interpersonal needs and satisfaction indicators were also examined. The study was conducted using factor analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a sample of 405 participants. The results of the study showed that the FIRO Business instrument is reliable and valid for use within South African organisations. The overall results showed that the FIRO Business instrument does not contain bias towards either gender group. Relationships were also observed between interpersonal needs and Work Satisfaction, indicating that quality interpersonal relationships are important to individual well-being in the workplace. Influence and Connection needs were found to have a stronger influence than Involvement on overall levels of satisfaction.
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Positive emotional traits as predictors of behavioural activation
- Authors: Myburgh, Janine
- Date: 2014-04-24
- Subjects: Emotions , Affect (Psychology) , Behavioral assessment , Neuropsychology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10876 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10383
- Description: M.A. (Counselling Psychology) , Gray proposed two psycho-neurobiological systems, namely the behavioural approach system (BAS) and the behavioural inhibition system (BIS) which are respectively related to positive affectivity and negative affectivity. The literature does not currently indicate any specific positive emotional traits related to the BAS scale with certainty, although happiness, elation and hope have been suggested as possibilities. Curiosity, empathy and hope were chosen as positive emotional traits to study in relation to the BAS, as these positive emotional traits can each be related to the three factors of the BAS, namely drive, fun seeking and reward responsiveness. Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory explains that each emotion evokes a thought-action tendency and when positive emotions are experienced, the types of possible behavioural responses are broadened. It is expected that this broadened response repertoire should be detected in the behavioural approach system, which is responsible for organising behaviour in response to stimuli that signal rewards or no punishment. Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory is thus a useful framework to utilise in the conceptualisation of the study. The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which curiosity, empathy and hope act as predictors for the variance in the BAS. The sample consisted of 130 first year mathematics students at the University of Johannesburg. Psychometric instruments utilised for the study included Carver and White’s BIS/BAS scales, the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI), the short form of the Empathy Quotient (EQ-short) and the Adult Dispositional Hope Scale. A standard multiple regression was conducted to investigate the nature of the relationships between the BAS and curiosity, empathy and hope. The results indicate the total variance in the BAS levels explained by curiosity, empathy and hope simultaneously was 16.8 percent. Hope made the largest unique contribution by accounting for 6.8 percent of the variance in the total BAS scores while curiosity also made a statistically significant contribution by accounting for 3.2 percent of the variance in the total BAS scores. Empathy did not make a statistically significant unique contribution to the variance in the total BAS scores. Future studies of this nature should consider a larger sample size. The prefrontal cortex was identified as a neural counterpart that might be related to Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, but future research could explore this further.
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- Authors: Myburgh, Janine
- Date: 2014-04-24
- Subjects: Emotions , Affect (Psychology) , Behavioral assessment , Neuropsychology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10876 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10383
- Description: M.A. (Counselling Psychology) , Gray proposed two psycho-neurobiological systems, namely the behavioural approach system (BAS) and the behavioural inhibition system (BIS) which are respectively related to positive affectivity and negative affectivity. The literature does not currently indicate any specific positive emotional traits related to the BAS scale with certainty, although happiness, elation and hope have been suggested as possibilities. Curiosity, empathy and hope were chosen as positive emotional traits to study in relation to the BAS, as these positive emotional traits can each be related to the three factors of the BAS, namely drive, fun seeking and reward responsiveness. Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory explains that each emotion evokes a thought-action tendency and when positive emotions are experienced, the types of possible behavioural responses are broadened. It is expected that this broadened response repertoire should be detected in the behavioural approach system, which is responsible for organising behaviour in response to stimuli that signal rewards or no punishment. Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory is thus a useful framework to utilise in the conceptualisation of the study. The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which curiosity, empathy and hope act as predictors for the variance in the BAS. The sample consisted of 130 first year mathematics students at the University of Johannesburg. Psychometric instruments utilised for the study included Carver and White’s BIS/BAS scales, the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI), the short form of the Empathy Quotient (EQ-short) and the Adult Dispositional Hope Scale. A standard multiple regression was conducted to investigate the nature of the relationships between the BAS and curiosity, empathy and hope. The results indicate the total variance in the BAS levels explained by curiosity, empathy and hope simultaneously was 16.8 percent. Hope made the largest unique contribution by accounting for 6.8 percent of the variance in the total BAS scores while curiosity also made a statistically significant contribution by accounting for 3.2 percent of the variance in the total BAS scores. Empathy did not make a statistically significant unique contribution to the variance in the total BAS scores. Future studies of this nature should consider a larger sample size. The prefrontal cortex was identified as a neural counterpart that might be related to Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, but future research could explore this further.
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Validation of a preliminary soft-heartedness scale within the South African personality inventory
- Authors: Morton, Nadia
- Date: 2012-10-29
- Subjects: South African Personality Inventory Project , Personality tests , Soft-heartedness scale , Behavioral assessment , Prosocialness Scale
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:10464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7929
- Description: M.Comm. (Industrial psychology) , The South African Personality Inventory (SAPI) project aims to develop a personality measurement instrument unique to South Africa, taking into account the diversity evident in the different cultures within South Africa. The objective of this study was to validate the Soft-heartedness scale of the SAPI and to determine whether Soft-heartedness is a unique personality construct distinct from the Big Five factors measured within the Basic Trait Inventory (BTI). In addition, the study aimed to determine whether Soft-heartedness can predict the external criterion, Prosocialness. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design with convenience sampling was used. Data was gathered from students (N=435) at two tertiary institutions in South Africa, using a preliminary Soft-heartedness Scale, the BTI-S (Short form: Research Version), and the Prosocialness Scale. The Soft-heartedness scale consists of 79 items that yielded a reliable six factor structure, namely Empathy, Antagonism, Egoism, Active Support, Compassionate, and Hostility. The results of this study suggest that the Soft-heartedness scale is valid and reliable since: (1) it consists of reliable measuring scales; (2) demonstrated divergent validity from those measures it was meant to differ from; (3) demonstrated convergent validity from those measures it was intended to be in agreement with; and (4) demonstrated predictive validity in terms of predicting an external criterion.
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- Authors: Morton, Nadia
- Date: 2012-10-29
- Subjects: South African Personality Inventory Project , Personality tests , Soft-heartedness scale , Behavioral assessment , Prosocialness Scale
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:10464 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7929
- Description: M.Comm. (Industrial psychology) , The South African Personality Inventory (SAPI) project aims to develop a personality measurement instrument unique to South Africa, taking into account the diversity evident in the different cultures within South Africa. The objective of this study was to validate the Soft-heartedness scale of the SAPI and to determine whether Soft-heartedness is a unique personality construct distinct from the Big Five factors measured within the Basic Trait Inventory (BTI). In addition, the study aimed to determine whether Soft-heartedness can predict the external criterion, Prosocialness. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design with convenience sampling was used. Data was gathered from students (N=435) at two tertiary institutions in South Africa, using a preliminary Soft-heartedness Scale, the BTI-S (Short form: Research Version), and the Prosocialness Scale. The Soft-heartedness scale consists of 79 items that yielded a reliable six factor structure, namely Empathy, Antagonism, Egoism, Active Support, Compassionate, and Hostility. The results of this study suggest that the Soft-heartedness scale is valid and reliable since: (1) it consists of reliable measuring scales; (2) demonstrated divergent validity from those measures it was meant to differ from; (3) demonstrated convergent validity from those measures it was intended to be in agreement with; and (4) demonstrated predictive validity in terms of predicting an external criterion.
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Leerteoreties-gefundeerde assessering van alkoholverwante huwelike in 'n hulpverleningsprogram
- Authors: Joubert, Hercules Frederik
- Date: 2014-05-19
- Subjects: Alcoholics - Family relationships , Behavioral assessment , Alcoholism counseling
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11116 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10703
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
- Authors: Joubert, Hercules Frederik
- Date: 2014-05-19
- Subjects: Alcoholics - Family relationships , Behavioral assessment , Alcoholism counseling
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11116 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10703
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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'n Kritiese beskouing van die Keirsey model (vir karakter-en temperamentstipering) vanuit 'n ekometriese perspektief, in Suid-Afrika
- Authors: Struwig, Antoinette
- Date: 2008-06-23T10:56:07Z
- Subjects: Behavioral assessment , Interpersonal relations , Life skills , Self-esteem
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3412 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/680
- Description: Researcher was introduced to the Keirsey instrument during 1996 and has since done evaluation and training of numerous people. The Keirsey instrument is a well-known self-assessment tool in America to help people understand themselves and those around them better – hence the name of the books “Please Understand Me” and “Please Understand Me II” For many years, it was accepted that all psychometric measuring had to be done by psychometrists and that Social Workers were not qualified to do any testing. In 1995, “a new concept “ecometrics” was defined and contextualized ….. The concept is of particular value in social work theory and practice …….. Ecometrics should be developed as a sub-discipline in social work …….” (Van Zyl 1995:30) The Main goal of this study is to do a critical evaluation of the Keirsey instrument of assessment from an ecometric perspective for use in South Africa. The objectives of the study would then be • To evaluate the Keirsey instrument in terms of the social work literature. • To explore the user value of the Keirsey instrument by means of the inputs of other frequent users. • To evaluate the Keirsey instrument against the most important ecometric development methodology. It is proposed to evaluate not only the original English Questionnaire, but also researchers’ own Afrikaans translation of the questionnaire. “That people are highly formed at birth, with fundamentally different temperaments or predispositions to act in certain ways, is a very old idea. Hippocrates first proposed it in outline around 370B.C., and Plato was more interested in the individual’s contribution to the social order than in underlying temperaments. Sigmund Freud claimed that we are all driven from within by instinctual lust and was followed by many others……. Then, in 1920, a Swiss physician named Carl Jung disagreed………… He claimed that people have a multitude of instincts, what he called ‘archetypes’ ……. and presented what he termed the ‘functional types’ or ‘psychological types’” (Keirsey 1998:2-3) It is important to note that social workers are familiar with the concept of ‘social functioning’ and researcher would like to address this aspect as part of the problem formulation. “It is the social context that determines which kind of personality will be more effective,” says Keirsey. (Keirsey 1998:3). This is exactly what researcher will be trying to establish in this study – the social context that influences the way a person react to certain incidents or issues. According to Faul and Hudson, “social work is a unique profession that operates within a specific value base. It is also a profession that is mainly involved with the enhancement of social functioning and the importance of the adaptation of the individual in his environment. Because of this, scale development in social work form part of certain unique processes that must be followed to distinguish them from other professions. (Faul & Hudson 1999:8). It would thus be important to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Keirsey instrument (although the original developer is of the opinion that it is a nearly impossible task to validate any questionnaire) for use as an ecometric–scale by the social work-profession in South Africa. If ecometry is the methodology of measurement of all aspects of social work, and focuses on the manner in which people adapt in their environments as Van Zyl claims (Van Zyl 1995:30), then it seems appropriate to help all individuals to function as effective as possible – taking their character and temperament into consideration – within their own frame of reference. The client can be empowered to understand his- or herself better and thus taking responsibility for his or her own functioning by enhancing their self-esteem. Faul and Hudson state that “ecometrics does not seek to diagnose or classify, but to measure social functioning, with the emphasis on behavioural strengths and positive coping skills” (Faul & Hudson 1999:21). The objective of this research project would be to try to argument that by using the Keirsey instrument, clients can be helped to overcome their own feelings of helplessness and lack of self-confidence that often lie at the root of their dysfunctional behaviour within their social context. It is also important to note in this regard, that Fauls’ study has been established as an accepted methodology in the field of ecometrics – a methodology that would be used in this research project. The South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) also realised the need for social workers to be empowered to assess clients’ functioning in their ecological context, and started a process for the accreditation of social work assessment instruments early in 2001. The SACSSP currently have a subcommittee to evaluate and accredit ecometric scales for use by social workers. Mouton and Marais defines a research design as “an exposition or plan of how the researcher decided to execute the formulated research problem. The objective of the research design is to plan, structure and execute the project concerned in such a way that the validity of the findings are maximized.” (Mouton & Marais 1996:193) According to De Vos et al, the developmental research and utilization model (also described as intervention research) can be used very effectively in the South African context. (De Vos et al 1998:384). This study will utilise the developmental research design as an existing tool will be evaluated for use in an ecometric context by social workers. Instead of “re-inventing the wheel”, knowledge acquired by Jung, Myers, Briggs, Keirsey and Bates amongst others, can be utilized to empower qualified social workers, in an ecometric context. , Dr. Wim Roestenburg
- Full Text:
- Authors: Struwig, Antoinette
- Date: 2008-06-23T10:56:07Z
- Subjects: Behavioral assessment , Interpersonal relations , Life skills , Self-esteem
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3412 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/680
- Description: Researcher was introduced to the Keirsey instrument during 1996 and has since done evaluation and training of numerous people. The Keirsey instrument is a well-known self-assessment tool in America to help people understand themselves and those around them better – hence the name of the books “Please Understand Me” and “Please Understand Me II” For many years, it was accepted that all psychometric measuring had to be done by psychometrists and that Social Workers were not qualified to do any testing. In 1995, “a new concept “ecometrics” was defined and contextualized ….. The concept is of particular value in social work theory and practice …….. Ecometrics should be developed as a sub-discipline in social work …….” (Van Zyl 1995:30) The Main goal of this study is to do a critical evaluation of the Keirsey instrument of assessment from an ecometric perspective for use in South Africa. The objectives of the study would then be • To evaluate the Keirsey instrument in terms of the social work literature. • To explore the user value of the Keirsey instrument by means of the inputs of other frequent users. • To evaluate the Keirsey instrument against the most important ecometric development methodology. It is proposed to evaluate not only the original English Questionnaire, but also researchers’ own Afrikaans translation of the questionnaire. “That people are highly formed at birth, with fundamentally different temperaments or predispositions to act in certain ways, is a very old idea. Hippocrates first proposed it in outline around 370B.C., and Plato was more interested in the individual’s contribution to the social order than in underlying temperaments. Sigmund Freud claimed that we are all driven from within by instinctual lust and was followed by many others……. Then, in 1920, a Swiss physician named Carl Jung disagreed………… He claimed that people have a multitude of instincts, what he called ‘archetypes’ ……. and presented what he termed the ‘functional types’ or ‘psychological types’” (Keirsey 1998:2-3) It is important to note that social workers are familiar with the concept of ‘social functioning’ and researcher would like to address this aspect as part of the problem formulation. “It is the social context that determines which kind of personality will be more effective,” says Keirsey. (Keirsey 1998:3). This is exactly what researcher will be trying to establish in this study – the social context that influences the way a person react to certain incidents or issues. According to Faul and Hudson, “social work is a unique profession that operates within a specific value base. It is also a profession that is mainly involved with the enhancement of social functioning and the importance of the adaptation of the individual in his environment. Because of this, scale development in social work form part of certain unique processes that must be followed to distinguish them from other professions. (Faul & Hudson 1999:8). It would thus be important to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Keirsey instrument (although the original developer is of the opinion that it is a nearly impossible task to validate any questionnaire) for use as an ecometric–scale by the social work-profession in South Africa. If ecometry is the methodology of measurement of all aspects of social work, and focuses on the manner in which people adapt in their environments as Van Zyl claims (Van Zyl 1995:30), then it seems appropriate to help all individuals to function as effective as possible – taking their character and temperament into consideration – within their own frame of reference. The client can be empowered to understand his- or herself better and thus taking responsibility for his or her own functioning by enhancing their self-esteem. Faul and Hudson state that “ecometrics does not seek to diagnose or classify, but to measure social functioning, with the emphasis on behavioural strengths and positive coping skills” (Faul & Hudson 1999:21). The objective of this research project would be to try to argument that by using the Keirsey instrument, clients can be helped to overcome their own feelings of helplessness and lack of self-confidence that often lie at the root of their dysfunctional behaviour within their social context. It is also important to note in this regard, that Fauls’ study has been established as an accepted methodology in the field of ecometrics – a methodology that would be used in this research project. The South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) also realised the need for social workers to be empowered to assess clients’ functioning in their ecological context, and started a process for the accreditation of social work assessment instruments early in 2001. The SACSSP currently have a subcommittee to evaluate and accredit ecometric scales for use by social workers. Mouton and Marais defines a research design as “an exposition or plan of how the researcher decided to execute the formulated research problem. The objective of the research design is to plan, structure and execute the project concerned in such a way that the validity of the findings are maximized.” (Mouton & Marais 1996:193) According to De Vos et al, the developmental research and utilization model (also described as intervention research) can be used very effectively in the South African context. (De Vos et al 1998:384). This study will utilise the developmental research design as an existing tool will be evaluated for use in an ecometric context by social workers. Instead of “re-inventing the wheel”, knowledge acquired by Jung, Myers, Briggs, Keirsey and Bates amongst others, can be utilized to empower qualified social workers, in an ecometric context. , Dr. Wim Roestenburg
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Ontwikkeling en evaluering van 'n gedragsgeankerde prestasiebeoordelingskaal vir ambagsmanne
- Authors: Saayman, Johann
- Date: 2014-09-30
- Subjects: Employees - Rating of , Artisans - Rating of , Behavioral assessment
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12435 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12222
- Description: M.Com. (Industrial Psychology) , Behaviorally anchored performance appraisal research concentrates mainly on the development of a scientifically verifiable instrument. The recommendations made in these studies to enhance the effective and practical use of the systems are, however, normally neglected in further studies. Performance appraisal entails more than just the development of a superior psychometric system. Therefore more attention should be paid to the success of the total performance appraisal approach rather than the individual instrument.
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- Authors: Saayman, Johann
- Date: 2014-09-30
- Subjects: Employees - Rating of , Artisans - Rating of , Behavioral assessment
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12435 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12222
- Description: M.Com. (Industrial Psychology) , Behaviorally anchored performance appraisal research concentrates mainly on the development of a scientifically verifiable instrument. The recommendations made in these studies to enhance the effective and practical use of the systems are, however, normally neglected in further studies. Performance appraisal entails more than just the development of a superior psychometric system. Therefore more attention should be paid to the success of the total performance appraisal approach rather than the individual instrument.
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Exploring how newly qualified teachers accommodate learners with neurodevelopmental disorders in mainstream classrooms
- Authors: Opara, Amarachi Jane
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Neurobehavioral disorders - Education , Children with mental disabilities - Education , Learning disabled children - Education , Behavioral assessment
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/402219 , uj:33650
- Description: Abstract : Inclusive education calls for high levels of learning and equal participation of learners’ diverse classrooms. Learners with neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, communication disorder, intellectual disorder, motor disorder and specific learning disorders present teachers with numerous challenges in the mainstream. These teaching difficulties could be challenging for newly qualified teacher who is still struggling to cope with their first year in the profession and then are required to support these learning deficits applying the knowledge derived from their teacher training programmes. This study explored how newly qualified teachers accommodate learners with neuro-developmental disorders in mainstream classrooms. In this generic qualitative study, ten newly qualified teachers were interviewed from different mainstream high schools. Critical incident reports were used to note support strategies used for major incidents of learners with NDD in the absence of the researcher... , M.Ed. (Inclusive Education)
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- Authors: Opara, Amarachi Jane
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Neurobehavioral disorders - Education , Children with mental disabilities - Education , Learning disabled children - Education , Behavioral assessment
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/402219 , uj:33650
- Description: Abstract : Inclusive education calls for high levels of learning and equal participation of learners’ diverse classrooms. Learners with neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, communication disorder, intellectual disorder, motor disorder and specific learning disorders present teachers with numerous challenges in the mainstream. These teaching difficulties could be challenging for newly qualified teacher who is still struggling to cope with their first year in the profession and then are required to support these learning deficits applying the knowledge derived from their teacher training programmes. This study explored how newly qualified teachers accommodate learners with neuro-developmental disorders in mainstream classrooms. In this generic qualitative study, ten newly qualified teachers were interviewed from different mainstream high schools. Critical incident reports were used to note support strategies used for major incidents of learners with NDD in the absence of the researcher... , M.Ed. (Inclusive Education)
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