An investigation into the facilitators of the trustworthiness of managers
- Authors: Bews, Neville Frederick
- Date: 2012-02-27
- Subjects: Industrial relations , Interpersonal relations , Personnel management , Industrial sociology , Trust
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2049 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4399
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , With the emergence of what has been referred to as the "post-industrial" society, the last decade has seen employer-employee work relationships undergoing a high level of change, as organisations restructure in an attempt to survive in the emerging global economy. Largely due to this, the nature of work has changed, placing tension on intra-organisational trust. As organisations readjust in an attempt to face the future they often find that intra-organisational trust is in a crisis, at a time when emphasis is being placed on the need for trust-based relationships. This renewed focus, and paradox that intra-organisational trust faces, has, on a multidisciplinary basis, caught the attentions of numerous academics, resulting in numerous attempts to understand aspects of interpersonal trust. In this study some of these attempts are considered in proposing a model for intra-organisational trust and certain aspects of this model are tested empirically. To achieve this, a multifaceted approach is employed, within a South African financial institution, whereby triangulation is used through gathering both quantitative and qualitative data. A research instrument is developed, by means of which the facilitators of trustworthiness, as proposed in terms of a model for trust and percieved by respondents, are measured. An analysis of the data gathered in respect of the various biographical categories at the company investigated, is undertaken. In terms of this analysis the relationship between interpersonal trust and the facilitators of trustworthiness is assessed, and the implications of this study for theory and policy are considered.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bews, Neville Frederick
- Date: 2012-02-27
- Subjects: Industrial relations , Interpersonal relations , Personnel management , Industrial sociology , Trust
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2049 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4399
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , With the emergence of what has been referred to as the "post-industrial" society, the last decade has seen employer-employee work relationships undergoing a high level of change, as organisations restructure in an attempt to survive in the emerging global economy. Largely due to this, the nature of work has changed, placing tension on intra-organisational trust. As organisations readjust in an attempt to face the future they often find that intra-organisational trust is in a crisis, at a time when emphasis is being placed on the need for trust-based relationships. This renewed focus, and paradox that intra-organisational trust faces, has, on a multidisciplinary basis, caught the attentions of numerous academics, resulting in numerous attempts to understand aspects of interpersonal trust. In this study some of these attempts are considered in proposing a model for intra-organisational trust and certain aspects of this model are tested empirically. To achieve this, a multifaceted approach is employed, within a South African financial institution, whereby triangulation is used through gathering both quantitative and qualitative data. A research instrument is developed, by means of which the facilitators of trustworthiness, as proposed in terms of a model for trust and percieved by respondents, are measured. An analysis of the data gathered in respect of the various biographical categories at the company investigated, is undertaken. In terms of this analysis the relationship between interpersonal trust and the facilitators of trustworthiness is assessed, and the implications of this study for theory and policy are considered.
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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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The courtship process as metaphor for work identification and engagement
- Authors: Gudmanz, Hylton
- Date: 2015-09-01
- Subjects: Employee retention - Psychological aspects , Interpersonal relations , Courtship
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14027 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14398
- Description: M.A. , Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gudmanz, Hylton
- Date: 2015-09-01
- Subjects: Employee retention - Psychological aspects , Interpersonal relations , Courtship
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14027 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14398
- Description: M.A. , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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The lived experience by psychiatric nurses of aggression amongst colleagues
- Authors: Delport, Marisa
- Date: 2014-04-03
- Subjects: Psychiatric nurses - Psychology , Aggressiveness , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:4640 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9981
- Description: M.Cur. (Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing) , Psychiatric nursing is seen as a high-stress profession. The demands of caring for others, especially those who suffer from acute and chronic mental health impairment, can be extremely stressful (Lin, Probst & Hsu, 2010:2343). Psychiatric nurses run a high risk for being exposed to aggression in the work environment. The aggression that they experience is not only from hostile and aggressive mental health care users, but also from fellow colleagues. Aggression in the work environment has an overt negative psychological effect on the nurse (Yildirim, 2009:509; Bimenyimana, Poggenpoel, Myburgh & Van Niekerk, 2009:5). The aim of the research study was to explore and describe the lived experience of psychiatric nurses of aggression amongst colleagues in the work environment. A second aim was to formulate guidelines on assisting psychiatric nurses and their colleagues in order to facilitate their own mental health. The research design of the study is qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature (Maphorisa, Poggenpoel & Myburgh, 2002:24). This qualitative approach created an opportunity to discover the phenomena of the lived experiences of psychiatric nurses of aggression amongst colleagues. The research study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, data was collected by means of conducting in-depth phenomenological interviews, naïve sketches, observations and field notes until data saturation was achieved. In the second phase, guidelines, recommendations, challenges and a summary were formulated to address the lived experience of the psychiatric nurses of aggression amongst colleagues in the work environment. During data collection, the following question was asked in the in-depth phenomenological interviews and naive sketches, “What is your experience of aggression amongst colleagues in the work environment?” Tesch’s (Creswell, 2004:256) open coding method and an independent coder were used during data analysis.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Delport, Marisa
- Date: 2014-04-03
- Subjects: Psychiatric nurses - Psychology , Aggressiveness , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:4640 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9981
- Description: M.Cur. (Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing) , Psychiatric nursing is seen as a high-stress profession. The demands of caring for others, especially those who suffer from acute and chronic mental health impairment, can be extremely stressful (Lin, Probst & Hsu, 2010:2343). Psychiatric nurses run a high risk for being exposed to aggression in the work environment. The aggression that they experience is not only from hostile and aggressive mental health care users, but also from fellow colleagues. Aggression in the work environment has an overt negative psychological effect on the nurse (Yildirim, 2009:509; Bimenyimana, Poggenpoel, Myburgh & Van Niekerk, 2009:5). The aim of the research study was to explore and describe the lived experience of psychiatric nurses of aggression amongst colleagues in the work environment. A second aim was to formulate guidelines on assisting psychiatric nurses and their colleagues in order to facilitate their own mental health. The research design of the study is qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature (Maphorisa, Poggenpoel & Myburgh, 2002:24). This qualitative approach created an opportunity to discover the phenomena of the lived experiences of psychiatric nurses of aggression amongst colleagues. The research study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, data was collected by means of conducting in-depth phenomenological interviews, naïve sketches, observations and field notes until data saturation was achieved. In the second phase, guidelines, recommendations, challenges and a summary were formulated to address the lived experience of the psychiatric nurses of aggression amongst colleagues in the work environment. During data collection, the following question was asked in the in-depth phenomenological interviews and naive sketches, “What is your experience of aggression amongst colleagues in the work environment?” Tesch’s (Creswell, 2004:256) open coding method and an independent coder were used during data analysis.
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Natural scientific paradigms and the management of psychological differences : an exploratory study
- Bowery, Patricia Anke Margit
- Authors: Bowery, Patricia Anke Margit
- Date: 2012-09-05
- Subjects: Human beings - Psychology , Perception - Psychological aspects , Human behaviour - Psychological aspects , Interpersonal relations , Individual differences , Difference (Psychology) , Consciousness , Differentiation (Developmental psychology) , Paradigms (Social sciences) , Quantum theory
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3584 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6966
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The aim of this investigation is to provide support to the growing evidence that people's paradigms directly influence the way differences are managed. Adherence to the old or Newtonian model has seemingly led to a restricted ability to deal with differences. Adherence to the new or quantum model, on the other hand, appears to facilitate not only the understanding of why there are so many differences and why they should be "celebrated" (topic of the American Counselling Association's 1995 Conference, Denver), but also encourages people to freely and nonjudgementally acknowledge, explore and integrate these differences. As a first step toward achieving this aim, a review of the literature regarding the existence of differences, the perceived causes of differences, and the perceived ways of managing differences in interpersonal relationship up to the present time will be provided. Secondly, the importance of paradigms in general, and of the natural scientific paradigms in particular, will be illustrated. Concepts of Newtonian and quantum physics that are considered relevant to the investigation will be described under this heading. Thirdly, the rationale of the exploratory, or qualitative study will be outlined. Fourthly, a chapter linking the natural scientific paradigms . to the discipline of psychology will be presented. Psychological analogies of Newtonian and quantum concepts will be put forward as well as examples of Newtonian and quantum psychology. Finally, implications of the described and discussed findings of Newtonian and quantum physics on the management of psychological differences will be explored, so that the 'celebration' and integration of differences can, indeed, be promoted.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bowery, Patricia Anke Margit
- Date: 2012-09-05
- Subjects: Human beings - Psychology , Perception - Psychological aspects , Human behaviour - Psychological aspects , Interpersonal relations , Individual differences , Difference (Psychology) , Consciousness , Differentiation (Developmental psychology) , Paradigms (Social sciences) , Quantum theory
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3584 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6966
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The aim of this investigation is to provide support to the growing evidence that people's paradigms directly influence the way differences are managed. Adherence to the old or Newtonian model has seemingly led to a restricted ability to deal with differences. Adherence to the new or quantum model, on the other hand, appears to facilitate not only the understanding of why there are so many differences and why they should be "celebrated" (topic of the American Counselling Association's 1995 Conference, Denver), but also encourages people to freely and nonjudgementally acknowledge, explore and integrate these differences. As a first step toward achieving this aim, a review of the literature regarding the existence of differences, the perceived causes of differences, and the perceived ways of managing differences in interpersonal relationship up to the present time will be provided. Secondly, the importance of paradigms in general, and of the natural scientific paradigms in particular, will be illustrated. Concepts of Newtonian and quantum physics that are considered relevant to the investigation will be described under this heading. Thirdly, the rationale of the exploratory, or qualitative study will be outlined. Fourthly, a chapter linking the natural scientific paradigms . to the discipline of psychology will be presented. Psychological analogies of Newtonian and quantum concepts will be put forward as well as examples of Newtonian and quantum psychology. Finally, implications of the described and discussed findings of Newtonian and quantum physics on the management of psychological differences will be explored, so that the 'celebration' and integration of differences can, indeed, be promoted.
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Predictors of work-based identity
- Authors: De Braine, Roslyn Tania
- Date: 2012-10-25
- Subjects: Work-based identity , Diversity in the workplace , Corporate culture , Identity (Psychology) , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10436 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7902
- Description: D.Phil. , Orientation: The focus of this study is on the work-based identity construct. This study’s context is the South African multi-cultural and diverse work environment where different racial and cultural identities meet. South Africa’s transition into democracy requires a revised way of perceiving identity, particularly in the workplace. A revised way of viewing identity may be found in understanding work-based identity. Work-based identity is a multi-identity, multi-faceted, and multi-layered construction of the self. Its multi-faceted nature can be understood using three different dimensions, namely a structural, social, and individual-psychological, which influence the identity formation process. The structural dimension is the historical, legislative, national, and culturally embedded context in which individuals find themselves, and which influences identity formation. The social dimension refers to the social interaction that individuals engage in with other individuals. Career, occupational, and professional identity and organisational identification are the work-based identity facets that fall under this dimension. The individual-psychological dimension focuses on the individual’s personal identity orientation. Work centrality, job involvement, and person- organisation fit fall under this dimension. Work-based identity influences the way individuals behave in their work. It is developed as a result of the interplay between an individual’s personal resources and work processes. Work processes include work characteristics, which are job demands and job resources. Research purpose: As part of a larger work-based identity project, the primary objective of this study was to investigate whether job demands and job resources could serve as possible predictors of work-based identity. The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model was used as the predictive model to account for both job demands and job resources in the prediction of work-based identity. Job demands were comprised of overload, job insecurity, and work-family conflict. Growth opportunities, organisational support, advancement, task identity, perceived external prestige, and team climate constituted the job resources. The possibility of non-linear relationships between job demands and work-based identity, and between job resources and work-based identity was also investigated. The possible mediation effects of job demands on the relationship between job resources and work-based identity was also assessed. Furthermore, the moderating effects of the biographical variables race, age, and gender on the relationships of each job demand and job resource with work-based identity were assessed. Lastly, the moderating effects of the demographic variables academic qualification, marital status, job level, medical fund, and work region on the relationship of each job demand and job resource with work-based identity were also assessed. Research design: A cross-sectional field survey design was used for this study. In addition, a census-based approach was utilised, where everyone in the target population (employees of a large South African Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company) had an equal opportunity to participate in the study. The target population of 23 134 employees yielded a sample of 2 429 (a response rate of about 11%). The Job Demands-Resources Scale (JDRS) was used to measure the job demands and job resources, except work-family conflict, perceived external prestige, task identity, and team climate. A Work-Family Scale, Perceived External Prestige Scale, Task Identity Scale, and Team Climate Scale were sourced and adapted to measure these constructs. Furthermore, a Work-based Identity Scale was developed for this study,
- Full Text:
- Authors: De Braine, Roslyn Tania
- Date: 2012-10-25
- Subjects: Work-based identity , Diversity in the workplace , Corporate culture , Identity (Psychology) , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10436 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7902
- Description: D.Phil. , Orientation: The focus of this study is on the work-based identity construct. This study’s context is the South African multi-cultural and diverse work environment where different racial and cultural identities meet. South Africa’s transition into democracy requires a revised way of perceiving identity, particularly in the workplace. A revised way of viewing identity may be found in understanding work-based identity. Work-based identity is a multi-identity, multi-faceted, and multi-layered construction of the self. Its multi-faceted nature can be understood using three different dimensions, namely a structural, social, and individual-psychological, which influence the identity formation process. The structural dimension is the historical, legislative, national, and culturally embedded context in which individuals find themselves, and which influences identity formation. The social dimension refers to the social interaction that individuals engage in with other individuals. Career, occupational, and professional identity and organisational identification are the work-based identity facets that fall under this dimension. The individual-psychological dimension focuses on the individual’s personal identity orientation. Work centrality, job involvement, and person- organisation fit fall under this dimension. Work-based identity influences the way individuals behave in their work. It is developed as a result of the interplay between an individual’s personal resources and work processes. Work processes include work characteristics, which are job demands and job resources. Research purpose: As part of a larger work-based identity project, the primary objective of this study was to investigate whether job demands and job resources could serve as possible predictors of work-based identity. The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model was used as the predictive model to account for both job demands and job resources in the prediction of work-based identity. Job demands were comprised of overload, job insecurity, and work-family conflict. Growth opportunities, organisational support, advancement, task identity, perceived external prestige, and team climate constituted the job resources. The possibility of non-linear relationships between job demands and work-based identity, and between job resources and work-based identity was also investigated. The possible mediation effects of job demands on the relationship between job resources and work-based identity was also assessed. Furthermore, the moderating effects of the biographical variables race, age, and gender on the relationships of each job demand and job resource with work-based identity were assessed. Lastly, the moderating effects of the demographic variables academic qualification, marital status, job level, medical fund, and work region on the relationship of each job demand and job resource with work-based identity were also assessed. Research design: A cross-sectional field survey design was used for this study. In addition, a census-based approach was utilised, where everyone in the target population (employees of a large South African Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company) had an equal opportunity to participate in the study. The target population of 23 134 employees yielded a sample of 2 429 (a response rate of about 11%). The Job Demands-Resources Scale (JDRS) was used to measure the job demands and job resources, except work-family conflict, perceived external prestige, task identity, and team climate. A Work-Family Scale, Perceived External Prestige Scale, Task Identity Scale, and Team Climate Scale were sourced and adapted to measure these constructs. Furthermore, a Work-based Identity Scale was developed for this study,
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Gesonde interpersoonlike verhoudinge as essensie van skoolbestuur
- Authors: Kruger, Andries Josephus
- Date: 2014-05-26
- Subjects: School management and organization , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10776
- Description: M.Ed. (Educational Management) , As the leader of a group of teachers, the principal of a school has a managerial task to perform. This would include the creation of an educational environment wherein effective teaching and learning can take place. Many of the principal's managerial functions are described in the literature, but the ideal school climate is not the result of purely organizational, administrative and supervisory management. Harmonious interpersonal relations are just as important. Meaningful education in schools can only take place if a congenial relationship between principal and staff exists. Where the principal and staff of a school are interdependent upon each other, sound relationships are essential. The principal should thus practice his style of management and leadership so as not to offend his staff. This would include characteristics such as empathy, respect, warmth and to be explicit in his manner. Furthermore, the personal characteristics of the principal as well as effective communication and motivation can promote job satisfaction and influence the creation and maintenance of interpersonal relations. Practice shows indisputable evidence that the importance of good personal relationships is of great importance in a people-oriented enterprise such as a school. Principals should thus also be sure to maintain a healthy balance between their people- and task orientated styles of management. The handling of conflict should take place in a manner which is not detrimental to the processes of teaching and learning. Conflict should therefore not be seen as only having a negative influence.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kruger, Andries Josephus
- Date: 2014-05-26
- Subjects: School management and organization , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10776
- Description: M.Ed. (Educational Management) , As the leader of a group of teachers, the principal of a school has a managerial task to perform. This would include the creation of an educational environment wherein effective teaching and learning can take place. Many of the principal's managerial functions are described in the literature, but the ideal school climate is not the result of purely organizational, administrative and supervisory management. Harmonious interpersonal relations are just as important. Meaningful education in schools can only take place if a congenial relationship between principal and staff exists. Where the principal and staff of a school are interdependent upon each other, sound relationships are essential. The principal should thus practice his style of management and leadership so as not to offend his staff. This would include characteristics such as empathy, respect, warmth and to be explicit in his manner. Furthermore, the personal characteristics of the principal as well as effective communication and motivation can promote job satisfaction and influence the creation and maintenance of interpersonal relations. Practice shows indisputable evidence that the importance of good personal relationships is of great importance in a people-oriented enterprise such as a school. Principals should thus also be sure to maintain a healthy balance between their people- and task orientated styles of management. The handling of conflict should take place in a manner which is not detrimental to the processes of teaching and learning. Conflict should therefore not be seen as only having a negative influence.
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Die mens as faktor in suksesvolle organisasie : 'n persoonlike en professionele leierskapsperspektief
- Authors: Brewis, Frans Mattheus
- Date: 2012-03-26
- Subjects: Leadership , Human beings , Interpersonal relations , Industrial psychology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2178 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4558
- Description: M.Phil. , The success of organisations has traditionally been measured based on profits and contribution to shareholders funds. However, recent literature indicates that the human factor has become a key element in achieving success. Widely described as soft issues, these human factors potentially have a profound effect on the success of the organisation (Business Report, 7 November 1999:6). The aim of this study was to icentify which soft issues were prevalent within the organisation, and also to determine what influence these soft issues have on the success of the organisation. The focus was thus on the phenomenon of soft issues within the organisation. In order to realise this aim, it was required to do research to establish which human factors are described in recent literature in order to establish their VI influence on the success of an organisation. Chapter two dealt with this aim and the research revealed a whole spectrum of soft issues including values, emotional intelligence, ethics and many more (See Table 1, Page 28) The research indicated that emotional intelligence and values were regarded as having a profound effect on the success of the organisation. Chapter three analised these two concepts in more detail with specific focus on the origin and nature of emotional intelligence and values as well as their effect on the success of the organisation. The study was motivated by the quest to find the co-ordination between the soft issues found within the organisation and the influence it had on the success of the organisation. The study was done from the paradigm of personal and professional leadership which has as main trait, the believe that change should happen from within the individual, and not from the outside (Covey, 1992:42).
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- Authors: Brewis, Frans Mattheus
- Date: 2012-03-26
- Subjects: Leadership , Human beings , Interpersonal relations , Industrial psychology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2178 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4558
- Description: M.Phil. , The success of organisations has traditionally been measured based on profits and contribution to shareholders funds. However, recent literature indicates that the human factor has become a key element in achieving success. Widely described as soft issues, these human factors potentially have a profound effect on the success of the organisation (Business Report, 7 November 1999:6). The aim of this study was to icentify which soft issues were prevalent within the organisation, and also to determine what influence these soft issues have on the success of the organisation. The focus was thus on the phenomenon of soft issues within the organisation. In order to realise this aim, it was required to do research to establish which human factors are described in recent literature in order to establish their VI influence on the success of an organisation. Chapter two dealt with this aim and the research revealed a whole spectrum of soft issues including values, emotional intelligence, ethics and many more (See Table 1, Page 28) The research indicated that emotional intelligence and values were regarded as having a profound effect on the success of the organisation. Chapter three analised these two concepts in more detail with specific focus on the origin and nature of emotional intelligence and values as well as their effect on the success of the organisation. The study was motivated by the quest to find the co-ordination between the soft issues found within the organisation and the influence it had on the success of the organisation. The study was done from the paradigm of personal and professional leadership which has as main trait, the believe that change should happen from within the individual, and not from the outside (Covey, 1992:42).
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Communication satisfaction within the lecturer and student relationship
- Authors: Raaff, Dayle
- Date: 2014-06-23
- Subjects: Interpersonal relations , Pattern perception - Study and teaching (Higher) - South Africa
- Identifier: uj:11582 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11293
- Description: M.A. (Strategic Communication) , In order to investigate the nature of the relationship between Communication Satisfaction and a student’s perception of their performance, a survey questionnaire was conducted at the University of Johannesburg. The measuring instrument used in this study is an adaption of the Downs and Hazen (1977) Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire. The research was conducted amongst first-year students to evaluate their communication experience of their relationship with their lecturers. This study focuses on the student’s perspective of their academic performance as well as their notions about their lecturer’s perceptions of their performance. Communication Satisfaction is defined by Redding (1978:429) as the degree of satisfaction derived by an individual from their total communication environment. The concept of Communication Satisfaction and four contributing dimensions - Quality of the Relationship; Communication Climate; Organisational Integration; and Personal Feedback - were identified to explore the lecturer-student relationship. Each of these interdependent dimensions influences the student in different ways and at different times. Cumulatively, these dimensions contribute towards the communication experience of the lecturer-student relationship and the outcomes and performance thereof (Downs & Adrian, 2004:3; Kirton & Greene, 2005:242). The results suggest that students who perceive they have a better relationship with their lecturers do, in fact, perceive their academic performance to be higher. From the perspective of the survey dimensions, the results indicate that low- and high- performing students displayed statistically significantly differences on Quality of Relationship; Communication Climate; Organisational integration and Communication Satisfaction. No significant difference was found with the dimension of Personal Feedback.
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- Authors: Raaff, Dayle
- Date: 2014-06-23
- Subjects: Interpersonal relations , Pattern perception - Study and teaching (Higher) - South Africa
- Identifier: uj:11582 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11293
- Description: M.A. (Strategic Communication) , In order to investigate the nature of the relationship between Communication Satisfaction and a student’s perception of their performance, a survey questionnaire was conducted at the University of Johannesburg. The measuring instrument used in this study is an adaption of the Downs and Hazen (1977) Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire. The research was conducted amongst first-year students to evaluate their communication experience of their relationship with their lecturers. This study focuses on the student’s perspective of their academic performance as well as their notions about their lecturer’s perceptions of their performance. Communication Satisfaction is defined by Redding (1978:429) as the degree of satisfaction derived by an individual from their total communication environment. The concept of Communication Satisfaction and four contributing dimensions - Quality of the Relationship; Communication Climate; Organisational Integration; and Personal Feedback - were identified to explore the lecturer-student relationship. Each of these interdependent dimensions influences the student in different ways and at different times. Cumulatively, these dimensions contribute towards the communication experience of the lecturer-student relationship and the outcomes and performance thereof (Downs & Adrian, 2004:3; Kirton & Greene, 2005:242). The results suggest that students who perceive they have a better relationship with their lecturers do, in fact, perceive their academic performance to be higher. From the perspective of the survey dimensions, the results indicate that low- and high- performing students displayed statistically significantly differences on Quality of Relationship; Communication Climate; Organisational integration and Communication Satisfaction. No significant difference was found with the dimension of Personal Feedback.
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An exploration of black South African lovestyles
- Authors: Pavlou, Kety
- Date: 2008-11-12T07:03:00Z
- Subjects: Love , Intimacy (Psychology) , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14646 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1610
- Description: M.A. , The purpose of this study was to add, through the lens of social and crosscultural psychology, to the much needed body of knowledge of African intimate relationships. Western romantic relationships are generally characterised by intense attraction and emotional attachment, idealisation of the other, sexual attraction and the want for total acceptance by the other. African love is less well known but seemingly tied up in culture bound collectivism as well as other social phenomenon. The study set out to explore the applicability of the lovestyle model in a Black South African population. The study explored various theories of love which have been developed within the Western canon. These include 1) evolution and love, 2) social exchange theory, 3) attachment theory, 4) love stories and 5) Lee’s lovestyles. Special emphasis was given to Lee’s colours of love theory which consists of a typology of lovestyles namely eros (passionate love), ludus (game-playing love), storge (friendship love), mania (obsessive love), pragma (practical love) and agape (altruistic love). In addition African love was examined from various perspectives including 1) culture; 2) individualism and collectivism; 3) the African collectivistic society; 4) acculturation and; 5) African love. This study’s main focus was on 1) the validity and reliability of the LAS instrument when applied to an African population, 2) the lovestyles of this group as mediated by their Africanness and 3) the possible gender differences. The lovestyles typology was found to be factorially valid for a Black South African population. A key and surprising finding was that individuals high in Africanness were significantly more likely to endorse eros as their dominant lovestyle than individuals low in Africanness. The study found that African men were significantly more agapic than African women and that African women were significantly more erotic and manic than African men. Males who were high in Africanness showed a significant association with eros andpragma in that the more Africanness a male had, the higher the endorsement of eros or pragma was expected to be.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pavlou, Kety
- Date: 2008-11-12T07:03:00Z
- Subjects: Love , Intimacy (Psychology) , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14646 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1610
- Description: M.A. , The purpose of this study was to add, through the lens of social and crosscultural psychology, to the much needed body of knowledge of African intimate relationships. Western romantic relationships are generally characterised by intense attraction and emotional attachment, idealisation of the other, sexual attraction and the want for total acceptance by the other. African love is less well known but seemingly tied up in culture bound collectivism as well as other social phenomenon. The study set out to explore the applicability of the lovestyle model in a Black South African population. The study explored various theories of love which have been developed within the Western canon. These include 1) evolution and love, 2) social exchange theory, 3) attachment theory, 4) love stories and 5) Lee’s lovestyles. Special emphasis was given to Lee’s colours of love theory which consists of a typology of lovestyles namely eros (passionate love), ludus (game-playing love), storge (friendship love), mania (obsessive love), pragma (practical love) and agape (altruistic love). In addition African love was examined from various perspectives including 1) culture; 2) individualism and collectivism; 3) the African collectivistic society; 4) acculturation and; 5) African love. This study’s main focus was on 1) the validity and reliability of the LAS instrument when applied to an African population, 2) the lovestyles of this group as mediated by their Africanness and 3) the possible gender differences. The lovestyles typology was found to be factorially valid for a Black South African population. A key and surprising finding was that individuals high in Africanness were significantly more likely to endorse eros as their dominant lovestyle than individuals low in Africanness. The study found that African men were significantly more agapic than African women and that African women were significantly more erotic and manic than African men. Males who were high in Africanness showed a significant association with eros andpragma in that the more Africanness a male had, the higher the endorsement of eros or pragma was expected to be.
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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
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- 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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Indikatore vir huwelikstevredenheid met die oog op die bevordering van huweliksverhoudings
- Authors: Naude, Annemarie
- Date: 2015-03-02
- Subjects: Communication in marriage , Domestic relations , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13406 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13415
- Description: Francisco- La Grange, F.H., Prof. , Despite the high divorce rate in South Africa marriage is still a sought after social institution and many potential couples have high expectations upon entering marriage. The continuation of marriage rather than its breakdown awakes the special interest of the candidate. She reasons that marital satisfaction is a significant determinant in the continuation of a marriage and she is keen to identify some indicators of marital satisfaction. She furthermore envisages strategies in social work intervention by means of which the public could be sensitized to marital satisfaction. Methodology In this essay research is in essence explorative, particularly in the sense that it is an attempt to initiate a new conseptualization of a phenomenon. The following methodology was used: A literature study exploring the nature of the marriage relationship; characteristics which indicate marital satisfaction and the philosophy and methodology of research. Consultation with specialists in the field of marital relationships and marriage counselling. The research enabled the candidate to identify the following indicators: Constructive communication between the spouses. Skilled handling of conflict. Characteristics of the spouses. A relatively compatible value system. Sexual fulfilment. Socio-economic security. Premarital factors. The influence of children.
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- Authors: Naude, Annemarie
- Date: 2015-03-02
- Subjects: Communication in marriage , Domestic relations , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13406 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13415
- Description: Francisco- La Grange, F.H., Prof. , Despite the high divorce rate in South Africa marriage is still a sought after social institution and many potential couples have high expectations upon entering marriage. The continuation of marriage rather than its breakdown awakes the special interest of the candidate. She reasons that marital satisfaction is a significant determinant in the continuation of a marriage and she is keen to identify some indicators of marital satisfaction. She furthermore envisages strategies in social work intervention by means of which the public could be sensitized to marital satisfaction. Methodology In this essay research is in essence explorative, particularly in the sense that it is an attempt to initiate a new conseptualization of a phenomenon. The following methodology was used: A literature study exploring the nature of the marriage relationship; characteristics which indicate marital satisfaction and the philosophy and methodology of research. Consultation with specialists in the field of marital relationships and marriage counselling. The research enabled the candidate to identify the following indicators: Constructive communication between the spouses. Skilled handling of conflict. Characteristics of the spouses. A relatively compatible value system. Sexual fulfilment. Socio-economic security. Premarital factors. The influence of children.
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Strategies to promote cultural interactions among learners in a private nursing college
- Authors: Zibi, Portia Sylvia
- Date: 2008-11-14T14:19:45Z
- Subjects: Cross-cultural studies , Nursing study and teaching , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14694 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1687
- Description: M.Cur
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- Authors: Zibi, Portia Sylvia
- Date: 2008-11-14T14:19:45Z
- Subjects: Cross-cultural studies , Nursing study and teaching , Interpersonal relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14694 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1687
- Description: M.Cur
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Object relations theraphy and interpersonal therapy : a comparison
- Authors: Rabinowitz-Symon, Lynn Ruth
- Date: 2014-04-14
- Subjects: Object relations (Psychoanalysis) , Interpersonal relations , Psychoanalysis
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10653 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10171
- Description: M.A. (Clinical Psychology) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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- Authors: Rabinowitz-Symon, Lynn Ruth
- Date: 2014-04-14
- Subjects: Object relations (Psychoanalysis) , Interpersonal relations , Psychoanalysis
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10653 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10171
- Description: M.A. (Clinical Psychology) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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Relationships in the professional team on construction projects
- Authors: Van Heerden, Etienne
- Date: 2015-09-01
- Subjects: Construction industry - Employees - Psychology , Interpersonal relations , Industrial relations , Trust
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14392
- Description: M.Ing. , The engineering construction industry is one that is synonymous with high production, tight schedules, strict cost control and in general high working pressure. Construction is an industry that is generally occupied with technical personnel. It is also an industry where interaction and communication between people is important to improve the chances of success of the project...
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- Authors: Van Heerden, Etienne
- Date: 2015-09-01
- Subjects: Construction industry - Employees - Psychology , Interpersonal relations , Industrial relations , Trust
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14392
- Description: M.Ing. , The engineering construction industry is one that is synonymous with high production, tight schedules, strict cost control and in general high working pressure. Construction is an industry that is generally occupied with technical personnel. It is also an industry where interaction and communication between people is important to improve the chances of success of the project...
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Interpersonal forgiveness: a psychological literature exploration
- Authors: Maboea, Dimakatso
- Date: 2008-11-06T07:25:16Z
- Subjects: Forgiveness , Interpersonal relations , Mental health
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14597 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1518
- Description: M.A. , Interpersonal forgiveness has been a topic of philosophical and theological inquiry for millennia (Enright, Gassin & Wu, 1992; McCullough, Sandage & Worthington, 1997). Despite the centrality of interpersonal forgiveness to the theology and piety of the great Western monotheistic traditions, it has failed to attract the attention of scientific inquiry within the field of psychology. The study of constructs associated with morality or concepts associated with deep religious roots like forgiveness, was not a domain considered significant by neutrally oriented modernistic researchers. It was not until the last decade that psychologists began to give serious conceptual and empirical attention to the concept of forgiving and seeking forgiveness (Enright & Coyle, 1997; Sandage & Worthington, 1997). Psychological scholarship on interpersonal forgiveness has increased during the last ten years and it is beginning to be recognized as a social psychological phenomenon (McCullough & Worthington, 1999). Psychological well-being is another concept that has recently started to flourish because pathogenesis rather than salutogenesis has been the main focus of many modernist practitioners. Unlike forgiveness, psychological well-being was introduced by modernist practitioners in the clinical literature. While many practices within modernistic psychology focused on pathology, proponents of humanistic psychology such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers have encouraged and supported a paradigm shift from pathology to well-being and healthy functioning. Recent literature has linked the two dimensions of interpersonal forgiveness, namely expressing forgiveness and seeking forgiveness, with enhanced psychological well-being. Some of the studies investigated have associated willingness to forgive with a reduction in anxiety, depression, anger, bitterness and resentment as well as enhanced self-esteem and optimism for the future. Some scholars have (Worthington Jr, Kurusu, Collins, Jack, Ripley, & Baler. 2000; Freeedman & Enright, 1996) demonstrated a positive correlation between willingness to forgive and enhanced psychological well-being. Some studies (Kaminer, Stein, Mbanga & Zungu-Dirwayi, 2001; Maltby, Macaskill & Day, 2001; Mauger, Perry, Freeman, Grove, McBride & McKinney, 1992) have shown that failure to forgive others shared significant positive relationships with increased depression, post traumatic stress disorder, psychotic symptoms and social Imagining oneself seeking forgiveness also carries a range of positive emotional benefits. Although interpersonal forgiveness literature has gained momentum overseas, very little empirical attention has been given to this concept in South Africa. The aim of this exploratory study is to examine the existing literature in order to investigate how past scholars established the positive relationship between the two dimensions of interpersonal forgiveness and improvement in psychological well-being. It is hoped that this type of exploration, i.e. the literature review search, would also generate hypotheses that could direct future research in South Africa. Some of the findings of this literature review study are: • Scholars who established the relationship between forgiving and improved psychological well-being and those who showed the link between seeking forgiveness and enhanced psychological well-being used different approaches to arrive at their findings. • Quantitative methodologies were employed by researchers who established the link between forgiving and psychological well-being and seeking forgiveness and psychological well-being. • Psychometric tests (forgiveness scales and other scales used to measure psychological well-being) were the main instruments used for purposes of collecting data by researchers who established the link between forgiving and psychological well-being and seeking forgiveness and psychological well-being. • Although all the studies articulated the link between interpersonal forgiveness and psychological well-being, none of them defined psychological well-being. Psychometric instruments used to measure psychological well-being were different to psychological well-being instruments used by the fourth psychology (Positive Psychology) researchers. In the studies gathered for analysis by this literature review study, symptomatology scales were used to assess the level of psychological well-being. This exploratory literature review study concluded that interpersonal forgiveness is a relevant and worthwhile research area for pursuit in South Africa.
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- Authors: Maboea, Dimakatso
- Date: 2008-11-06T07:25:16Z
- Subjects: Forgiveness , Interpersonal relations , Mental health
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14597 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1518
- Description: M.A. , Interpersonal forgiveness has been a topic of philosophical and theological inquiry for millennia (Enright, Gassin & Wu, 1992; McCullough, Sandage & Worthington, 1997). Despite the centrality of interpersonal forgiveness to the theology and piety of the great Western monotheistic traditions, it has failed to attract the attention of scientific inquiry within the field of psychology. The study of constructs associated with morality or concepts associated with deep religious roots like forgiveness, was not a domain considered significant by neutrally oriented modernistic researchers. It was not until the last decade that psychologists began to give serious conceptual and empirical attention to the concept of forgiving and seeking forgiveness (Enright & Coyle, 1997; Sandage & Worthington, 1997). Psychological scholarship on interpersonal forgiveness has increased during the last ten years and it is beginning to be recognized as a social psychological phenomenon (McCullough & Worthington, 1999). Psychological well-being is another concept that has recently started to flourish because pathogenesis rather than salutogenesis has been the main focus of many modernist practitioners. Unlike forgiveness, psychological well-being was introduced by modernist practitioners in the clinical literature. While many practices within modernistic psychology focused on pathology, proponents of humanistic psychology such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers have encouraged and supported a paradigm shift from pathology to well-being and healthy functioning. Recent literature has linked the two dimensions of interpersonal forgiveness, namely expressing forgiveness and seeking forgiveness, with enhanced psychological well-being. Some of the studies investigated have associated willingness to forgive with a reduction in anxiety, depression, anger, bitterness and resentment as well as enhanced self-esteem and optimism for the future. Some scholars have (Worthington Jr, Kurusu, Collins, Jack, Ripley, & Baler. 2000; Freeedman & Enright, 1996) demonstrated a positive correlation between willingness to forgive and enhanced psychological well-being. Some studies (Kaminer, Stein, Mbanga & Zungu-Dirwayi, 2001; Maltby, Macaskill & Day, 2001; Mauger, Perry, Freeman, Grove, McBride & McKinney, 1992) have shown that failure to forgive others shared significant positive relationships with increased depression, post traumatic stress disorder, psychotic symptoms and social Imagining oneself seeking forgiveness also carries a range of positive emotional benefits. Although interpersonal forgiveness literature has gained momentum overseas, very little empirical attention has been given to this concept in South Africa. The aim of this exploratory study is to examine the existing literature in order to investigate how past scholars established the positive relationship between the two dimensions of interpersonal forgiveness and improvement in psychological well-being. It is hoped that this type of exploration, i.e. the literature review search, would also generate hypotheses that could direct future research in South Africa. Some of the findings of this literature review study are: • Scholars who established the relationship between forgiving and improved psychological well-being and those who showed the link between seeking forgiveness and enhanced psychological well-being used different approaches to arrive at their findings. • Quantitative methodologies were employed by researchers who established the link between forgiving and psychological well-being and seeking forgiveness and psychological well-being. • Psychometric tests (forgiveness scales and other scales used to measure psychological well-being) were the main instruments used for purposes of collecting data by researchers who established the link between forgiving and psychological well-being and seeking forgiveness and psychological well-being. • Although all the studies articulated the link between interpersonal forgiveness and psychological well-being, none of them defined psychological well-being. Psychometric instruments used to measure psychological well-being were different to psychological well-being instruments used by the fourth psychology (Positive Psychology) researchers. In the studies gathered for analysis by this literature review study, symptomatology scales were used to assess the level of psychological well-being. This exploratory literature review study concluded that interpersonal forgiveness is a relevant and worthwhile research area for pursuit in South Africa.
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Guidelines for maintaining friendships as an integral part of facilitating mental health in the community
- Authors: Grobbelaar, Laetitia
- Date: 2010-03-17T06:08:56Z
- Subjects: Friendship , Interpersonal relations , Psychiatric nurses
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:6688 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3091
- Description: M.Cur. , People are created for relationships. To be alive is to reach out to others. Initiating, developing and maintaining committed relationships are the most important and often the most underestimated activities in people’s lives (Johnson, 2006:2). Throughout a person’s whole life, relationships are the core of his or her existence. People are conceived within relationships, are born into relationships and live their lives within relationships. People are dependent on other people for the realisation of life itself, for survival, for aid and comfort, for love and education necessary for healthy development, for fun, excitement and fulfilment. People’s relationships with others form the context for all other aspects of their lives (Johnson, 2006:3). Relationships play a significant role in a person’s mental health. They also help to form a person’s support system that helps a person deal with life’s difficulties and trauma (Duck, 1999:1). During interaction with clients admitted at a private Psychiatric clinic where the researcher worked as a Psychiatric Nurse, the following were observed: the clients’ responses concerning their support system would be non-existing, or a spouse or a relative, such as a sister and in rare occasions a friend. Some of the clients would also be working through the loss of a friendship or some would complain that they did not have friendship relationships anymore. Bearing in mind the significance of friendship relationships in relation to mental health and the observations made in practice, the researcher identified that the loss or absence of a friendship can lead to poor mental health. The research questions asked were: How can friendships be maintained and what guidelines can be described to assist individuals to maintain friendships? The purpose of this study is to explore and describe what people with existing friendships do to maintain their friendships, and as a result of the findings, describe guidelines for the Psychiatric Nurse to assist individuals to maintain friendships. A qualitative research design, which is explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature, was followed (Brink, 1999:125). The research took place in two phases. In phase one the researcher explored and described what people with existing friendships do to maintain their friendships. In phase two the results of phase one were utilised to describe guidelines for the Psychiatric Nurse to assist individuals to maintain friendships in order to facilitate their mental health. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews using the Appreciative Inquiry approach (Watkins & Mohr, 2001:4). Interviews were conducted with eight participants who met the inclusive sampling criteria and who were purposively selected. Consent was obtained from the participants. Firstly, a pilot study was done with one of the participants in order to assess the strong and weak points of the research, and to make changes where necessary; thereafter the rest of the participants were interviewed. The researcher and an independent coder analysed the data using the descriptive analysis technique by Tesch (Creswell, 1994:155 – 156). A consensus discussion on the research findings was held between the researcher and the independent coder. Trustworthiness was insured by using strategies of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability (Guba & Lincoln, 1985:289). The results showed what people with existing friendships do to maintain these friendships. Significant features were identified in these friendships that are being maintained and these features are as follows. The friendship provides support. The friendship provides relaxation. The friendship portrays effective communication. The friendship portrays effective time investment. The friendship portrays commitment. The friendship is ongoing and if it has not yet reached maturity, it provides an opportunity for growth and development. From these results guidelines were described for the Psychiatric Nurse to assist individuals to maintain friendships in order to facilitate their mental health. Recommendations were made regarding the application of the results of the study in nursing research and Psychiatric Nursing practice. It was concluded that the research questions were answered, the research objectives were reached and the problem statement was supported.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Grobbelaar, Laetitia
- Date: 2010-03-17T06:08:56Z
- Subjects: Friendship , Interpersonal relations , Psychiatric nurses
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:6688 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3091
- Description: M.Cur. , People are created for relationships. To be alive is to reach out to others. Initiating, developing and maintaining committed relationships are the most important and often the most underestimated activities in people’s lives (Johnson, 2006:2). Throughout a person’s whole life, relationships are the core of his or her existence. People are conceived within relationships, are born into relationships and live their lives within relationships. People are dependent on other people for the realisation of life itself, for survival, for aid and comfort, for love and education necessary for healthy development, for fun, excitement and fulfilment. People’s relationships with others form the context for all other aspects of their lives (Johnson, 2006:3). Relationships play a significant role in a person’s mental health. They also help to form a person’s support system that helps a person deal with life’s difficulties and trauma (Duck, 1999:1). During interaction with clients admitted at a private Psychiatric clinic where the researcher worked as a Psychiatric Nurse, the following were observed: the clients’ responses concerning their support system would be non-existing, or a spouse or a relative, such as a sister and in rare occasions a friend. Some of the clients would also be working through the loss of a friendship or some would complain that they did not have friendship relationships anymore. Bearing in mind the significance of friendship relationships in relation to mental health and the observations made in practice, the researcher identified that the loss or absence of a friendship can lead to poor mental health. The research questions asked were: How can friendships be maintained and what guidelines can be described to assist individuals to maintain friendships? The purpose of this study is to explore and describe what people with existing friendships do to maintain their friendships, and as a result of the findings, describe guidelines for the Psychiatric Nurse to assist individuals to maintain friendships. A qualitative research design, which is explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature, was followed (Brink, 1999:125). The research took place in two phases. In phase one the researcher explored and described what people with existing friendships do to maintain their friendships. In phase two the results of phase one were utilised to describe guidelines for the Psychiatric Nurse to assist individuals to maintain friendships in order to facilitate their mental health. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews using the Appreciative Inquiry approach (Watkins & Mohr, 2001:4). Interviews were conducted with eight participants who met the inclusive sampling criteria and who were purposively selected. Consent was obtained from the participants. Firstly, a pilot study was done with one of the participants in order to assess the strong and weak points of the research, and to make changes where necessary; thereafter the rest of the participants were interviewed. The researcher and an independent coder analysed the data using the descriptive analysis technique by Tesch (Creswell, 1994:155 – 156). A consensus discussion on the research findings was held between the researcher and the independent coder. Trustworthiness was insured by using strategies of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability (Guba & Lincoln, 1985:289). The results showed what people with existing friendships do to maintain these friendships. Significant features were identified in these friendships that are being maintained and these features are as follows. The friendship provides support. The friendship provides relaxation. The friendship portrays effective communication. The friendship portrays effective time investment. The friendship portrays commitment. The friendship is ongoing and if it has not yet reached maturity, it provides an opportunity for growth and development. From these results guidelines were described for the Psychiatric Nurse to assist individuals to maintain friendships in order to facilitate their mental health. Recommendations were made regarding the application of the results of the study in nursing research and Psychiatric Nursing practice. It was concluded that the research questions were answered, the research objectives were reached and the problem statement was supported.
- Full Text:
Educators' experience in teaching guidance in life orientation in primary schools in an informal settlement
- Authors: Filland, Lesiah Duduzile
- Date: 2010-05-13T09:28:11Z
- Subjects: Life skills study and teaching , Interpersonal relations , Primary school teachers
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6803 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3238
- Description: M.Ed. , The importance of teaching guidance in the life orientation learning area, particularly in four primary schools in an informal settlement of Daveyton in the Ekurhuleni District cannot be over-emphasised. The researcher believes that learner achievements and success depend on the balance between educator’s experience, knowledge and consistent training, including the use of appropriate and relevant skills to impart knowledge to the learners. In order to achieve the intended objectives, schools require well-trained and qualified life orientation educators to execute this monumental task with great insight, skill and passion. This study focuses on the lived experiences of educators who are teaching guidance in life orientation in Grade Eight in four primary and informal settlement schools in Daveyton, in schools with predominantly black African learners. Different situations and problems are encountered by learners in Grade Eight in primary and informal settlement schools. Learners are quite often unable to manage these issues in their day-to-day living. Under such circumstances the principal, the school management team and class educators are often obliged to intervene almost on a daily basis. As a consequence the smooth delivery of the entire curriculum is often disrupted. Research has shown that the high rate of school leavers in South Africa nationally, from Grade Eight to Grade Twelve reveals that learners are not taught enough knowledge and skills in teaching guidance life orientation learning area. As a result they do not complete senior primary and secondary school, and they drop out of school with life skills which are inadequate to face the demands of life. This qualitative study was conducted in an attempt to answer the research question: What are the lived experiences of educators who teach guidance in life orientation in four primary schools in informal settlements schools in Daveyton at the Ekurhuleni District Schools? The data was collected through in-depth interviews. They were audiotaped and transcribed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Filland, Lesiah Duduzile
- Date: 2010-05-13T09:28:11Z
- Subjects: Life skills study and teaching , Interpersonal relations , Primary school teachers
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6803 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3238
- Description: M.Ed. , The importance of teaching guidance in the life orientation learning area, particularly in four primary schools in an informal settlement of Daveyton in the Ekurhuleni District cannot be over-emphasised. The researcher believes that learner achievements and success depend on the balance between educator’s experience, knowledge and consistent training, including the use of appropriate and relevant skills to impart knowledge to the learners. In order to achieve the intended objectives, schools require well-trained and qualified life orientation educators to execute this monumental task with great insight, skill and passion. This study focuses on the lived experiences of educators who are teaching guidance in life orientation in Grade Eight in four primary and informal settlement schools in Daveyton, in schools with predominantly black African learners. Different situations and problems are encountered by learners in Grade Eight in primary and informal settlement schools. Learners are quite often unable to manage these issues in their day-to-day living. Under such circumstances the principal, the school management team and class educators are often obliged to intervene almost on a daily basis. As a consequence the smooth delivery of the entire curriculum is often disrupted. Research has shown that the high rate of school leavers in South Africa nationally, from Grade Eight to Grade Twelve reveals that learners are not taught enough knowledge and skills in teaching guidance life orientation learning area. As a result they do not complete senior primary and secondary school, and they drop out of school with life skills which are inadequate to face the demands of life. This qualitative study was conducted in an attempt to answer the research question: What are the lived experiences of educators who teach guidance in life orientation in four primary schools in informal settlements schools in Daveyton at the Ekurhuleni District Schools? The data was collected through in-depth interviews. They were audiotaped and transcribed.
- Full Text:
Ontwikkelingstendense in die opvoedingsverhouding
- Du Plessis, Jan Abraham Grobler
- Authors: Du Plessis, Jan Abraham Grobler
- Date: 2015-09-15
- Subjects: Parent and child , Adolescence , Authority , Interpersonal relations , Expectation (Psychology)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14098 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14531
- Description: D.Ed. , Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
- Authors: Du Plessis, Jan Abraham Grobler
- Date: 2015-09-15
- Subjects: Parent and child , Adolescence , Authority , Interpersonal relations , Expectation (Psychology)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14098 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14531
- Description: D.Ed. , Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
Evaluation of a programme aimed at promoting constructive relationship between learners and educators in a school
- Authors: Raphuti, Makwana Johannes
- Date: 2012-09-10
- Subjects: Teacher-student relationships , Interpersonal relations , Communication in education
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:9850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7252
- Description: M.Phil. , The emergence of the democratic Republic of South Africa in April 1994, brought about many changes in the education system. Learners became partners in school management. Their elected representatives became part of the decision-making of the school. The aim of this research is to describe the development, implementation and evaluation of a programme aimed at promoting constructive relationship between learners and educators in the school.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Raphuti, Makwana Johannes
- Date: 2012-09-10
- Subjects: Teacher-student relationships , Interpersonal relations , Communication in education
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:9850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7252
- Description: M.Phil. , The emergence of the democratic Republic of South Africa in April 1994, brought about many changes in the education system. Learners became partners in school management. Their elected representatives became part of the decision-making of the school. The aim of this research is to describe the development, implementation and evaluation of a programme aimed at promoting constructive relationship between learners and educators in the school.
- Full Text: