Deconstructing a homunculus : a postmodern account of the self
- Authors: Devetzis, Catherine
- Date: 2012-09-05
- Subjects: Postmodernism - Psychological aspects. , Identity (Psychology) , Gay men - Psychology - Research - South Africa. , Self-esteem. , Self
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9603 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7024
- Description: M.A. , The present study explores the effect of social positioning, as manifested in relationship, in shaping personal narratives. Four homosexual men shared aspects of their personal narratives, particularly their experiences of self as a consequence of relationship. The narratives unfold in a setting of marginality, in that homosexuality is regarded as an illegitimate identity within the mainstream contexts of these men. One tape-recorded conversation of an hour and a half was held with each of the participants in the study. The conversation was guided by in-depth considerations of marginality, separation, belonging and the consequences of these. The narratives suggest that these men's sense of self is influenced by how they are addressed by others, demonstrating that relationship is the matrix from which people are socially positioned and from which their narratives of self emerge. Suggestions around alternative resources in accounting for the ontological within psychology include regarding relationship, language and social position as influencing what does manifest as a person's inner world. In order to counteract the tyranny of "normality" perpetuated within the social sciences, normality should be reformulated as a socially prescribed template of being. In terms of marginality, this study implies that marginality is a social process which emanates when a person interacts with people removed from his or her social context. It is a discourse which lacks expansion and focuses predominately on separation and belonging and nuances these. The discourse thereby suggests that marginality is not the function of an overtly disempowered identity vis-à-vis the mainstream, but a function of the discourses which emanate from interaction across dissimilar contexts.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Devetzis, Catherine
- Date: 2012-09-05
- Subjects: Postmodernism - Psychological aspects. , Identity (Psychology) , Gay men - Psychology - Research - South Africa. , Self-esteem. , Self
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9603 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7024
- Description: M.A. , The present study explores the effect of social positioning, as manifested in relationship, in shaping personal narratives. Four homosexual men shared aspects of their personal narratives, particularly their experiences of self as a consequence of relationship. The narratives unfold in a setting of marginality, in that homosexuality is regarded as an illegitimate identity within the mainstream contexts of these men. One tape-recorded conversation of an hour and a half was held with each of the participants in the study. The conversation was guided by in-depth considerations of marginality, separation, belonging and the consequences of these. The narratives suggest that these men's sense of self is influenced by how they are addressed by others, demonstrating that relationship is the matrix from which people are socially positioned and from which their narratives of self emerge. Suggestions around alternative resources in accounting for the ontological within psychology include regarding relationship, language and social position as influencing what does manifest as a person's inner world. In order to counteract the tyranny of "normality" perpetuated within the social sciences, normality should be reformulated as a socially prescribed template of being. In terms of marginality, this study implies that marginality is a social process which emanates when a person interacts with people removed from his or her social context. It is a discourse which lacks expansion and focuses predominately on separation and belonging and nuances these. The discourse thereby suggests that marginality is not the function of an overtly disempowered identity vis-à-vis the mainstream, but a function of the discourses which emanate from interaction across dissimilar contexts.
- Full Text:
The story of the self: a grounded theory perspective
- Authors: Cameron-Smith, Celia
- Date: 2008-10-31T09:09:36Z
- Subjects: Identity (Philosophical concept) , Grounded theory , Self
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1425
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The aim of this research was to examine the nature of the western self, using a grounded theory approach. The life narratives of a group of mid-life women were analysed utilising the method outlined by Strauss and Corbin (1990) and the data provided fertile ground for the development of a substantive theory of the self. In the past, midlife was considered a part of old age. Changes in western society have meant that midlife has become a significant life period. An examination of the nature of selfhood in historical periods as well as in Prehistory constituted the literature review. Modern and Postmodern approaches to the self were also examined. For the participants, the self occupied the area between identity and soul. The participants considered the soul to be the core of the individual. Identity was described in terms of gender, physical appearance as well as date and place of birth. Closely allied to the soul is said to be the individual value system. The participants regarded the self as having certain features including cognitive, affective, spiritual and physical components as well as unconscious elements. Moreover, the self is dynamic and has an inherent directorial capacity based particularly on individual thinking and feeling components. The substantive theory of the self suggests that the self constitutes a sense of existence resulting from conscious awareness of inherent personal capacity and awareness of the immediate present, personal past and projected future. The purpose of the self is to promote the survival of the individual. The core of the self is represented by the need to survive and is experienced as a feeling of continuity contained within the personal narrative. Survival is furthered by purposeful activity and the creation and development of meaning structures. The self rests on inter-related physical, cognitive, emotional-affective pillars, and responds to environmental currents. Thus the self is essentially a process and is given the feeling of form through the narrative capacity inherent in the individual. The self is situated in a self-space created by the interrelationship of the physical, cognitive and affective components in relation to the environment. Today, mainly through technological developments, the self-space has increased in size, and greater demands are placed on the individual self.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cameron-Smith, Celia
- Date: 2008-10-31T09:09:36Z
- Subjects: Identity (Philosophical concept) , Grounded theory , Self
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13909 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1425
- Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The aim of this research was to examine the nature of the western self, using a grounded theory approach. The life narratives of a group of mid-life women were analysed utilising the method outlined by Strauss and Corbin (1990) and the data provided fertile ground for the development of a substantive theory of the self. In the past, midlife was considered a part of old age. Changes in western society have meant that midlife has become a significant life period. An examination of the nature of selfhood in historical periods as well as in Prehistory constituted the literature review. Modern and Postmodern approaches to the self were also examined. For the participants, the self occupied the area between identity and soul. The participants considered the soul to be the core of the individual. Identity was described in terms of gender, physical appearance as well as date and place of birth. Closely allied to the soul is said to be the individual value system. The participants regarded the self as having certain features including cognitive, affective, spiritual and physical components as well as unconscious elements. Moreover, the self is dynamic and has an inherent directorial capacity based particularly on individual thinking and feeling components. The substantive theory of the self suggests that the self constitutes a sense of existence resulting from conscious awareness of inherent personal capacity and awareness of the immediate present, personal past and projected future. The purpose of the self is to promote the survival of the individual. The core of the self is represented by the need to survive and is experienced as a feeling of continuity contained within the personal narrative. Survival is furthered by purposeful activity and the creation and development of meaning structures. The self rests on inter-related physical, cognitive, emotional-affective pillars, and responds to environmental currents. Thus the self is essentially a process and is given the feeling of form through the narrative capacity inherent in the individual. The self is situated in a self-space created by the interrelationship of the physical, cognitive and affective components in relation to the environment. Today, mainly through technological developments, the self-space has increased in size, and greater demands are placed on the individual self.
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Privileging corporeal identity : an embodied approach to artmaking practice
- Authors: Rennie, Christy
- Date: 2012-03-08
- Subjects: Abject art , Human figure in art , Self
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2149 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4515
- Description: M.Tech. , In this research I offer a reading of selected work by South African artists, Joni Brenner, Berni Searle and Minnette Vári in relation to Julia Kristeva‟s conception of the abject. In examining these artists‟ use of the formal elements of tactility in representation of their corporeality, I draw analogies between their work and two Kristevian theories of heterogeneity, namely the abject and the semiotic (see Pollock 1998: 9). The primary aim of this research is to examine how the use of tactility in visual art may disrupt notions of sameness with specific reference to the assertion of a non-gendered form of embodied representation. While I am indebted to feminist investigations of corporeality and identity, and use these as a theoretical framework, I attempt to reach beyond their politically gendered paradigm. In support of this, my research draws on certain arguments put forward by Kristeva as these are situated in, and advocate, a non-gendered form of embodiment. The element of homogeneity or pervasive naturalisation is aligned with the element of „sameness‟, characteristic of the symbolic element within signification (Lechte & Margaroni 2004: 108). Consequently, following Kristevian theory, I examine ways within visual art in which the semiotic element works in a constant, antagonistic dialectic with the symbolic element. Within this context, I argue these artists suggest the borders of selfhood to be fluid in nature. Within Kristeva‟s model of selfhood, the subject in process, the abject threat of dissolution of self may be contextualised. Therefore, the threat towards one‟s identity is not so much nullified, but is rather no longer separated from the understanding of self. Following Kristeva‟s (1991: 1) thought, one may argue that the foreign „other‟ and the self are intimately related. For the purposes of this research, the pertinent facet of the abject evident in these artists‟ work is an ambiguous, dynamic, open-endedness. I align the arguably consequential abject, partial dissolution of the binary logic of self and other suggested in these artists‟ work, through the use of the formal elements of tactility, with Kristeva‟s conceptualisation of intimate revolt. This intimate revolt advocates ii a continual, questioning revision which may lead to the renewal of the interlinked notions of language and identity. Using a Post-Structuralist approach to research I engaged in textual analysis in order to explore critical positions regarding embodiment, tactility and the abject in representation. In addition, in order to generate empirical research pertaining to her artmaking practice, primary research in the form of semi-structured interviews was conducted with Brenner. In this research, having drawn on Kristeva‟s heterogeneous tools of the semiotic-driven abject, the signifiance and poetic language of the speaking subject and practice of intimate revolt I offer a non-gendered reading of tactility as a transgressive means in the disruption of sameness. Through offering non-gendered readings of the chosen artists‟ work, I have attempted to emphasise the necessity of the abject within the continual formation and renewal of the non-gendered speaking subject within processes of signification and thus of identification.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rennie, Christy
- Date: 2012-03-08
- Subjects: Abject art , Human figure in art , Self
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2149 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4515
- Description: M.Tech. , In this research I offer a reading of selected work by South African artists, Joni Brenner, Berni Searle and Minnette Vári in relation to Julia Kristeva‟s conception of the abject. In examining these artists‟ use of the formal elements of tactility in representation of their corporeality, I draw analogies between their work and two Kristevian theories of heterogeneity, namely the abject and the semiotic (see Pollock 1998: 9). The primary aim of this research is to examine how the use of tactility in visual art may disrupt notions of sameness with specific reference to the assertion of a non-gendered form of embodied representation. While I am indebted to feminist investigations of corporeality and identity, and use these as a theoretical framework, I attempt to reach beyond their politically gendered paradigm. In support of this, my research draws on certain arguments put forward by Kristeva as these are situated in, and advocate, a non-gendered form of embodiment. The element of homogeneity or pervasive naturalisation is aligned with the element of „sameness‟, characteristic of the symbolic element within signification (Lechte & Margaroni 2004: 108). Consequently, following Kristevian theory, I examine ways within visual art in which the semiotic element works in a constant, antagonistic dialectic with the symbolic element. Within this context, I argue these artists suggest the borders of selfhood to be fluid in nature. Within Kristeva‟s model of selfhood, the subject in process, the abject threat of dissolution of self may be contextualised. Therefore, the threat towards one‟s identity is not so much nullified, but is rather no longer separated from the understanding of self. Following Kristeva‟s (1991: 1) thought, one may argue that the foreign „other‟ and the self are intimately related. For the purposes of this research, the pertinent facet of the abject evident in these artists‟ work is an ambiguous, dynamic, open-endedness. I align the arguably consequential abject, partial dissolution of the binary logic of self and other suggested in these artists‟ work, through the use of the formal elements of tactility, with Kristeva‟s conceptualisation of intimate revolt. This intimate revolt advocates ii a continual, questioning revision which may lead to the renewal of the interlinked notions of language and identity. Using a Post-Structuralist approach to research I engaged in textual analysis in order to explore critical positions regarding embodiment, tactility and the abject in representation. In addition, in order to generate empirical research pertaining to her artmaking practice, primary research in the form of semi-structured interviews was conducted with Brenner. In this research, having drawn on Kristeva‟s heterogeneous tools of the semiotic-driven abject, the signifiance and poetic language of the speaking subject and practice of intimate revolt I offer a non-gendered reading of tactility as a transgressive means in the disruption of sameness. Through offering non-gendered readings of the chosen artists‟ work, I have attempted to emphasise the necessity of the abject within the continual formation and renewal of the non-gendered speaking subject within processes of signification and thus of identification.
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Die selfkonsep van adolessente binne 'n multikulturele opvoedingskonteks
- Authors: Blignaut, Monique Carol
- Date: 2008-10-31T09:06:14Z
- Subjects: Self-perception in adolescence , Identity (Psychology) in adolescence , Self , Multicultural education , Multiculturalism
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/384585 , uj:13857 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1417
- Description: M.A. , The political situation in South Africa has changed over the past ten years to that of a democracy. A result of this dramatic change is the assemblage of various cultures within a given context, especially multicultural schools. From this the question arose whether adolescents of different cultures present with different levels of self-concept within multicultural schools. Furthermore, it was to be determined whether cultural identity correlates with self-concept. Literature regarding the self, culture and cultural identity was used to get a better understanding of the study at hand. The theoretical frameworks of Allport and Rogers were studied to determine underlining factors involved in the formation of the self-concept. The various dimensions of the self, including self-esteem and self-labelling, was investigated as well as recent research regarding the self-concept. Research has shown that the self-concept of Black people is directly connected to their cultural norms and reference group (Allen, 2000). Differences between individualistic and collectivist groups have been identified, as well as the effect it has on social roles and the definition of the self. Regarding the issue of self-esteem and cultural identity research has shown a strong positive correlation between the level of self-esteem and cultural identity. Research has also shown that pupils in multicultural schools have a better understanding of cultural diversity and tolerance. The effects of negative stereotyping and labelling on the self within a multicultural environment are however issues to be taken into consideration. Tajfel and Turner’s (1979) Social Identity Theory provided the focus on cultural identity. Research regarding cultural identity within South Africa, contributed to the understanding of in-group and out-group categorization and it has been found that association with a particular group determined definition of the self. From the literature used it thus became apparent that the self- concept and cultural identity is closely linked, although a multicultural environment could have an impact on the self. This formed the basis for conducting the research on the impact of a multicultural context on the self-concept. The instruments used comprised of a cultural identity questionnaire, as well as the Beck and SIP self-concept scales. Participants of three different cultural groups were used namely, Black, White and Coloured individuals. Participants, between the ages of 16-17 were given the questionnaires to complete on cultural identity as to determine their level of association with a particular group. The self-concept scales evaluated their self-concept as either positive or negative. Additionally, the participants’ cultural identity scores were statistically divided to create two groups, one which scored low and another which scored high on cultural identity and these groups were compared on self-concept. Thus, this study attempted to control for cultural identity in terms of its influence on self-concept within a multicultural context. Results have shown that there is a strong positive correlation between self-concept and a cultural identity. Both of the self-concept scales showed this correlation in regards to Cultural Identity. Furthermore, statistically significant difference between the self-concept scores of the different cultural groups namely Black, White and Coloured Participants was found. It can thus be stated that cultural identities have a role to play in the manner in which we perceive ourselves, and more research is needed in this area to fully understand the scope of it. Research in this matter may also have a positive effect on the understanding of integration of different cultures in South Africa, especially within the educational context.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Blignaut, Monique Carol
- Date: 2008-10-31T09:06:14Z
- Subjects: Self-perception in adolescence , Identity (Psychology) in adolescence , Self , Multicultural education , Multiculturalism
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/384585 , uj:13857 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1417
- Description: M.A. , The political situation in South Africa has changed over the past ten years to that of a democracy. A result of this dramatic change is the assemblage of various cultures within a given context, especially multicultural schools. From this the question arose whether adolescents of different cultures present with different levels of self-concept within multicultural schools. Furthermore, it was to be determined whether cultural identity correlates with self-concept. Literature regarding the self, culture and cultural identity was used to get a better understanding of the study at hand. The theoretical frameworks of Allport and Rogers were studied to determine underlining factors involved in the formation of the self-concept. The various dimensions of the self, including self-esteem and self-labelling, was investigated as well as recent research regarding the self-concept. Research has shown that the self-concept of Black people is directly connected to their cultural norms and reference group (Allen, 2000). Differences between individualistic and collectivist groups have been identified, as well as the effect it has on social roles and the definition of the self. Regarding the issue of self-esteem and cultural identity research has shown a strong positive correlation between the level of self-esteem and cultural identity. Research has also shown that pupils in multicultural schools have a better understanding of cultural diversity and tolerance. The effects of negative stereotyping and labelling on the self within a multicultural environment are however issues to be taken into consideration. Tajfel and Turner’s (1979) Social Identity Theory provided the focus on cultural identity. Research regarding cultural identity within South Africa, contributed to the understanding of in-group and out-group categorization and it has been found that association with a particular group determined definition of the self. From the literature used it thus became apparent that the self- concept and cultural identity is closely linked, although a multicultural environment could have an impact on the self. This formed the basis for conducting the research on the impact of a multicultural context on the self-concept. The instruments used comprised of a cultural identity questionnaire, as well as the Beck and SIP self-concept scales. Participants of three different cultural groups were used namely, Black, White and Coloured individuals. Participants, between the ages of 16-17 were given the questionnaires to complete on cultural identity as to determine their level of association with a particular group. The self-concept scales evaluated their self-concept as either positive or negative. Additionally, the participants’ cultural identity scores were statistically divided to create two groups, one which scored low and another which scored high on cultural identity and these groups were compared on self-concept. Thus, this study attempted to control for cultural identity in terms of its influence on self-concept within a multicultural context. Results have shown that there is a strong positive correlation between self-concept and a cultural identity. Both of the self-concept scales showed this correlation in regards to Cultural Identity. Furthermore, statistically significant difference between the self-concept scores of the different cultural groups namely Black, White and Coloured Participants was found. It can thus be stated that cultural identities have a role to play in the manner in which we perceive ourselves, and more research is needed in this area to fully understand the scope of it. Research in this matter may also have a positive effect on the understanding of integration of different cultures in South Africa, especially within the educational context.
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The relationship of investment in self to wellbeing
- Authors: Ebrahim, Sumayya
- Date: 2008-05-14T08:03:15Z
- Subjects: Self , Wellbeing
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/375
- Description: Wellbeing has been of paramount concern to scholars since antiquity, and the pursuit of wellbeing has become a central part of western life. This study was dedicated to wellbeing and optimal human functioning. The study aimed to establish the investment in self construct as a wellbeing construct. In the spirit of positive psychology, the focus of the present study was on the salutary constructs of wellbeing and optimal functioning. To this end, the relationships between investment in self, emotional intelligence and wellbeing and optimal functioning were investigated. Satisfaction with life, relationship satisfaction and job satisfaction were chosen to operationalise wellbeing and optimal functioning, as they were seen as the real-life outcomes of wellness. Measures targeting each of the variables were completed by 352 volunteers from the general population. The data was analysed using the Rash measurement model, correlations and structural equation modelling. The results indicated that investment in self has a positive relationship to emotional intelligence. Investment in self is also positively associated with wellbeing and optimal functioning, as it correlated positively with satisfaction with life and job satisfaction. Similarly, emotional intelligence was found to have a significant relationship to satisfaction with life, relationship satisfaction and job satisfaction. Collectively, this study has successfully shown that investment in self can positively improve people’s lives. Similarly, emotional intelligence seems to have positive benefits to everyday life , Prof. G.P. De Bruin
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ebrahim, Sumayya
- Date: 2008-05-14T08:03:15Z
- Subjects: Self , Wellbeing
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/375
- Description: Wellbeing has been of paramount concern to scholars since antiquity, and the pursuit of wellbeing has become a central part of western life. This study was dedicated to wellbeing and optimal human functioning. The study aimed to establish the investment in self construct as a wellbeing construct. In the spirit of positive psychology, the focus of the present study was on the salutary constructs of wellbeing and optimal functioning. To this end, the relationships between investment in self, emotional intelligence and wellbeing and optimal functioning were investigated. Satisfaction with life, relationship satisfaction and job satisfaction were chosen to operationalise wellbeing and optimal functioning, as they were seen as the real-life outcomes of wellness. Measures targeting each of the variables were completed by 352 volunteers from the general population. The data was analysed using the Rash measurement model, correlations and structural equation modelling. The results indicated that investment in self has a positive relationship to emotional intelligence. Investment in self is also positively associated with wellbeing and optimal functioning, as it correlated positively with satisfaction with life and job satisfaction. Similarly, emotional intelligence was found to have a significant relationship to satisfaction with life, relationship satisfaction and job satisfaction. Collectively, this study has successfully shown that investment in self can positively improve people’s lives. Similarly, emotional intelligence seems to have positive benefits to everyday life , Prof. G.P. De Bruin
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The personal and professional selves of intern psychologists : an experiential journey
- Authors: Costa, Justine Dianne
- Date: 2011-11-24
- Subjects: Psychology study and teaching (Internship) , Self-actualization (Psychology) , Self
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1728 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4078
- Description: M.Ed. , Entering the profession of psychology entails participating in professional roles and tasks that deal directly with human contact and development. Therefore, practicing psychology comprises a highly personalised nature, hence the personal self of the psychologist also comes into play. The development of the professional and personal nature of the psychologist occurs during different stages of becoming a psychologist. One such stage is that of being an intern. An intern has completed the theoretical aspect of a masters in psychology course and is involved in the practical aspect of the degree. This study explores the stage of being a psychology intern. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the experiences of a particular group of psychology interns in relation to their personal self and professional self. As a result a greater understanding surrounding a particular internship experience is hoped to be achieved. The design of the study was qualitative and involved formulating a literature review. This literature review discusses the stages of professional development, tasks and roles and internship experiences. This provides the theoretical framework for this study and should enhance the understanding of the phenomenological experience of interns. Hence, the research approach and theoretical framework adopted was based on existential, phenomenological, ecosystemic and constructivistic principles. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with three psychology interns. All participants completed their internships at the same institute in South Africa. When this study began, I, the researcher was also an intern, thus I am one of the participants. Data was also gained from my own personal reflective and research journal. The literature review, together with the results of this study assist in developing an understanding around the personal self and the professional self of the intern. It is hoped that the information gained from this study will assist future interns in creating meaning for their internship experiences.
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- Authors: Costa, Justine Dianne
- Date: 2011-11-24
- Subjects: Psychology study and teaching (Internship) , Self-actualization (Psychology) , Self
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1728 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4078
- Description: M.Ed. , Entering the profession of psychology entails participating in professional roles and tasks that deal directly with human contact and development. Therefore, practicing psychology comprises a highly personalised nature, hence the personal self of the psychologist also comes into play. The development of the professional and personal nature of the psychologist occurs during different stages of becoming a psychologist. One such stage is that of being an intern. An intern has completed the theoretical aspect of a masters in psychology course and is involved in the practical aspect of the degree. This study explores the stage of being a psychology intern. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the experiences of a particular group of psychology interns in relation to their personal self and professional self. As a result a greater understanding surrounding a particular internship experience is hoped to be achieved. The design of the study was qualitative and involved formulating a literature review. This literature review discusses the stages of professional development, tasks and roles and internship experiences. This provides the theoretical framework for this study and should enhance the understanding of the phenomenological experience of interns. Hence, the research approach and theoretical framework adopted was based on existential, phenomenological, ecosystemic and constructivistic principles. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with three psychology interns. All participants completed their internships at the same institute in South Africa. When this study began, I, the researcher was also an intern, thus I am one of the participants. Data was also gained from my own personal reflective and research journal. The literature review, together with the results of this study assist in developing an understanding around the personal self and the professional self of the intern. It is hoped that the information gained from this study will assist future interns in creating meaning for their internship experiences.
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The self in prejudice
- Authors: Knight, Zelda G.
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Prejudice , Self , Identity , Self psychology , Social identity theory , Attachment theory
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/18052 , uj:15954 , Citation: Knight, Z.G. 2015. The self in prejudice. Journal of Psychology in Africa 25(3):461–469. DOI:10.1080/14330237.2015.1101277
- Description: Abstract: The self as a psychological construct, and the self in relation to the other has been discussed in psychological and sociological literature for decades, but not much attention has been given to the psychological development of the self in relation to the social construction of prejudice. The primary aim of this article is to explore the self in prejudice and thus the psychological processes involved in the development of self within the social context. Consequently, the aim is to explore the self in the construction and expression of prejudice from both a social and psychological approach, and to explain selfhood influences at the individual, group and community levels. I use the conceptual framework of Kohut’s self psychology as a lens to present the development of the self and thus the idea of the development of the self in relation to the other. In such exploration of self in prejudice, I present some of my ideas which include prejudice as an outcome of self-definition in the context of the other, as well as linking self in prejudice and group dynamics to attachment theory and the notion of “selfgroup’ in terms of overidentification with the in-group. While the social and the psychological in terms of the development of the self cannot be separated, I have therefore attempted to merge at some point the two bodies of thought in relation to the self in prejudice.
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- Authors: Knight, Zelda G.
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Prejudice , Self , Identity , Self psychology , Social identity theory , Attachment theory
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/18052 , uj:15954 , Citation: Knight, Z.G. 2015. The self in prejudice. Journal of Psychology in Africa 25(3):461–469. DOI:10.1080/14330237.2015.1101277
- Description: Abstract: The self as a psychological construct, and the self in relation to the other has been discussed in psychological and sociological literature for decades, but not much attention has been given to the psychological development of the self in relation to the social construction of prejudice. The primary aim of this article is to explore the self in prejudice and thus the psychological processes involved in the development of self within the social context. Consequently, the aim is to explore the self in the construction and expression of prejudice from both a social and psychological approach, and to explain selfhood influences at the individual, group and community levels. I use the conceptual framework of Kohut’s self psychology as a lens to present the development of the self and thus the idea of the development of the self in relation to the other. In such exploration of self in prejudice, I present some of my ideas which include prejudice as an outcome of self-definition in the context of the other, as well as linking self in prejudice and group dynamics to attachment theory and the notion of “selfgroup’ in terms of overidentification with the in-group. While the social and the psychological in terms of the development of the self cannot be separated, I have therefore attempted to merge at some point the two bodies of thought in relation to the self in prejudice.
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Investment in self: development of the construct
- Authors: Ebrahim, Sumayya
- Date: 2008-11-03T06:47:03Z
- Subjects: Self , Self-actualization (Psychology) , Health , Mental health
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1435
- Description: M.A. , The quest for a healthy mind and body has received increasing attention in recent years and the focus it seems, is not only on attaining optimal physical and psychological health, but also the maintenance and enhancement thereof. In light of this, the aim of this study was to understand the contributing factors in reaching optimal physical and psychological health or what is referred to in this study as an Optimal State of Being. To this end, the Investment in Self construct was developed to explain the aspirations towards optimal physical and psychological health. In view of this, the criteria thought to be a part of an Optimal State of Being are outlined in this study and one of the main tenants of this study is that Investment in Self will play a role in reaching an Optimal State of Being. Since there is no comprehensive construct that conceptualises the essence of Investment in Self, there is consequently no objective method of measuring it. This study, in addition to developing the Investment in Self construct, developed an instrument to measure Investment in Self called the Investment in Self Questionnaire. The Investment in Self construct was correlated with Sense of Coherence, Satisfaction with Life and Optimism using the self-constructed Investment in Self Questionnaire, Sense of Coherence – Short Form, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Life Orientation Test respectively, in order to establish its relationship to optimal well-being. The questionnaires were administered to 256 volunteer participants from the general population and the results of the study showed that Investment in Self is significantly related to psychological well-being.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ebrahim, Sumayya
- Date: 2008-11-03T06:47:03Z
- Subjects: Self , Self-actualization (Psychology) , Health , Mental health
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1435
- Description: M.A. , The quest for a healthy mind and body has received increasing attention in recent years and the focus it seems, is not only on attaining optimal physical and psychological health, but also the maintenance and enhancement thereof. In light of this, the aim of this study was to understand the contributing factors in reaching optimal physical and psychological health or what is referred to in this study as an Optimal State of Being. To this end, the Investment in Self construct was developed to explain the aspirations towards optimal physical and psychological health. In view of this, the criteria thought to be a part of an Optimal State of Being are outlined in this study and one of the main tenants of this study is that Investment in Self will play a role in reaching an Optimal State of Being. Since there is no comprehensive construct that conceptualises the essence of Investment in Self, there is consequently no objective method of measuring it. This study, in addition to developing the Investment in Self construct, developed an instrument to measure Investment in Self called the Investment in Self Questionnaire. The Investment in Self construct was correlated with Sense of Coherence, Satisfaction with Life and Optimism using the self-constructed Investment in Self Questionnaire, Sense of Coherence – Short Form, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Life Orientation Test respectively, in order to establish its relationship to optimal well-being. The questionnaires were administered to 256 volunteer participants from the general population and the results of the study showed that Investment in Self is significantly related to psychological well-being.
- Full Text:
'n Post-modernistiese benadering tot loopbaansielkunde
- Authors: Geldenhuis, Pauli
- Date: 2012-09-07
- Subjects: Postmodernism -- Psychological aspects , Career development -- Psychological aspects , Grounded theory , Self , Lifestyles , Values
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9777 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7183
- Description: M.A. , South Africa finds itself in the socio-historical transition from the modern to the post-modern era, which influences every South African in all their life roles. One of the most prominent life roles is that of a career, which is also within a post-industrial transition state. It is imperative to develop a post-modern approach to career psychology to provide in the career needs of every individual within the given context of post-industrialisation and multiversalism. The objective of this study is therefore to define the position of career psychology in the post-modern paradigm, and to apply the Grounded Theory in developing an approach to establish career psychology in the post-industrial world of work. The research strategy consists of the Grounded Theory and more specifically the paradigm model. The post-modern approach to career psychology can be summarised as the narration of a life story, with the purpose to achieve a realistic and pro-active career choice within the context of st-industrialisation and multiversalism. The self takes a central position in the subjective and objective career contexts, and is influenced by the self s interpretation of its current and anticipated values, roles and life style. This pro-active process is future orientated, occurs in the present, and has its roots in the past. The post-modern approach to career psychology is flexible enough to integrate new or existing theories or approaches in career psychology or related disciplines.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Geldenhuis, Pauli
- Date: 2012-09-07
- Subjects: Postmodernism -- Psychological aspects , Career development -- Psychological aspects , Grounded theory , Self , Lifestyles , Values
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9777 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7183
- Description: M.A. , South Africa finds itself in the socio-historical transition from the modern to the post-modern era, which influences every South African in all their life roles. One of the most prominent life roles is that of a career, which is also within a post-industrial transition state. It is imperative to develop a post-modern approach to career psychology to provide in the career needs of every individual within the given context of post-industrialisation and multiversalism. The objective of this study is therefore to define the position of career psychology in the post-modern paradigm, and to apply the Grounded Theory in developing an approach to establish career psychology in the post-industrial world of work. The research strategy consists of the Grounded Theory and more specifically the paradigm model. The post-modern approach to career psychology can be summarised as the narration of a life story, with the purpose to achieve a realistic and pro-active career choice within the context of st-industrialisation and multiversalism. The self takes a central position in the subjective and objective career contexts, and is influenced by the self s interpretation of its current and anticipated values, roles and life style. This pro-active process is future orientated, occurs in the present, and has its roots in the past. The post-modern approach to career psychology is flexible enough to integrate new or existing theories or approaches in career psychology or related disciplines.
- Full Text:
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