Doctoral Degrees (Psychology)

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/10413/6475

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 124

The standardisation of a battery of intelligence tests suitable for Indian primary school children in Durban.
(1956) Logue, G. D.; Schmidt, Wilfred H. O.
No abstract available.
Information processing in high and low redundancy schizophrenics.
(1980) Strydom, Linda Marleine.; Sharratt, Pamela Arlette.; Fouché, Gustav Wilhelmus.
Cromwell's (1968, 1972, 1975) stimulus redundancy theory was tested on two levels: firstly, by examining the process-reactive and paranoid-nonparanoid dimensions which form the basis of identification of high and low redundancy schizophrenics; and secondly, by examining two predictions of the theory pertaining to the information processing characteristics of high and low redundancy schizophrenics. In the first part of the study, three schizophrenic groups (acute, chronic and remitted), nonschizophrenic psychiatric patients and normals were assessed on material relevant to ascertaining the basis of subdivisions such as the process-reactive dimension. It was concluded that process-reactive ratings were largely measures of extrinsic factors, such as social competence, and were of some practical use in assessments of prognosis. However, there was little basis upon which to conclude that such subdivisions of schizophrenic samples would result in the identification of groups of patients who would differ fundamentally in their cognitive functioning. In the second part of the study, two predictions of Cromwell's stimulus redundancy theory were examined: rate of processing and extensity of attention. The performance of high and low redundancy schizophrenics, nonschizophrenic psychiatric control patients and normal controls was assessed on three information processing tasks. The results offered no positive evidence for Cromwell's theory: low redundancy schizophrenics were not found to process information faster, or to have a broadened attentional field as compared to high redundancy schizophrenics. It was concluded that a more fruitful direction for future research may lie in investigations of the strategies of processing used by schizophrenic patients.
The effects of schistosomiasis on the behaviour of children.
(1981) Kvalsvig, Jane Dene.; Lucas, John.
An ethological study was undertaken in two primary schools in Natal to assess the effect of schistosome infections on the ordinary behaviour of schoolchildren in endemic areas. The following topics are discussed :- 1. The life cycle of the parasite, the possibility of an evolved tolerance of it, the likely limits of such tolerance, the possibility of selective exposure of certain kinds of children to the parasite, and the role of severity of infection in impairment. 2. Appropriate measures for investigating the impairment of the human host centring around the measurement of activity in the context of social interaction. 3. An ethological approach to evaluating human response to disease. Results indicate that there is selective exposure of more active, sociable children to the disease. In low-level infections of both Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni there is little evidence of a drop in energetic activity under normal conditions. In subjects with higher egg counts or simultaneous infections with both schistosomes, activity levels drop generally, and especially under hot, humid weather conditions where the drop in activity is greater than that for control subjects. This work throws doubt on earlier studies indicating that the parasite had no behavioural effect on humans: these studies did not control for selective exposure and may have used methods of low sensitivity and doubtful relevance to everyday life.
Some aspects of visual signalling and social organization in the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops pygerythrus).
(1982) Henzi, S. Peter.
This study uses data from three free-ranging and one caged troop to describe the visual signals identified in the South African subspecies of vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops pygerythrus) and to then compare them to those seen at other localities and in other species. It further assesses some signals used specifically by adult males - those involving secondary sexual characters - in terms of male social strategies. In the pursuance of this four aspects of the literature were reviewed in detail. It is concluded that: 1. Natal vervets use fewer visual signals that do other species living in more open habitat. These signals are, however, very similar to those recorded in East Africa, while differing more from those isolated in the West African representitive of the vervet group. 2. Vervet troops are not closed units and migration - both into and out of the troop - occurs frequently. The data suggest that it is a male phenomenon related to the availability of females. 3. The signalling function of the genitals does not accord with that ascribed to them by Wickler (1967). Penile extensions are closely associated with aggressive behaviour by the signaller, and scrotal retractions with submissive behaviour. Associated with these structures are displays that facilitate their presentation to the recipients. 4. While males yawn more than any other age-sex class, largely for social and not physiological reasons, there is no clear evidence that yawns serve specifically to display the canines. Nevertheless, by being strongly associated with certain interactions they are presumed to accrue signal value. 5. As males move into troops where they must compete with unrelated males for the same resources, it is concluded that the genital signalling system has evolved to mediate male relationships. This is of special significance as the "multimale" system of vervets is regarded as being less developed than those of Papio or Macaca monkeys.
A study of certain correlates of introversion-extraversion among Indian high school and university students.
(1982) Balkisson, Bernard Arnold.; Ramfol, C.
No abstract available.
An investigation of the relation between life experience, personality characteristics, and general susceptibility to illness.
(1984) Chohan, Ebrahim Ajee.; Behr, Dorothea.
No abstract available
Behaviour, biology and the social condition of Cercopithecus Aethiops, the Vervet Monkey.
(1984) Tollman, Shirley G.; Lucas, John.; Krige, Penelope Disa.; Murray, C. O.
Biotelemetry has been coupled with an ethological approach to investigate a postulate that the physiological, behavioural, and social functioning of individuals coact in order to maintain homeostasis in an everchanging environment. Attention was focussed upon body temperature, behaviour, and the social situation, as they occurred together in each of five 'undisturbed' adult vervet monkeys. One male and one female were housed alone in single cages, and the other three, all females, were part of a natural troop that live together in captivity in a 6.5 metre radius geodesic dome. Intensive studies, including in-depth and multiple repeated measures at each level of functioning permitted comparisons between and within subjects, so that the connections between body temperature, and individual and social behaviour, could be scrutinised. Techniques for observation, data processing, and factor analysis have been considered, and procedures to facilitate the organisation and interpretation of information are suggested. The results pointed to individual variations superimposed upon a rhythmic underpinning of all the functions monitored. A synthesis of the data of body temperature with individual and social behaviour supports the contention that the individual responds to the vagaries of the environment as an integrated system within which the different levels of functioning are linked. It was found that the oscillation in body temperature was greater in the vervets that lived alone than in the vervets that lived in a troop. These results were supported behaviourally since the isolated subjects could only complement autonomic thermoregulatory responses with individually based behavioural strategies, whereas their troop-living conspecifics could utilise both individual and socially directed behavioural mechanisms. Within the troop an inverse relationship between body temperature variation and social status was revealed that is, the lower the status of the subject, the more the body temperature fluctuated around the mean. Behaviourally, it was found that the lower the status of the subject, the more difficult it became to gain access to resources, and to manipulate interpersonal space. In addition, harassment by troop conspecifics increased and, consequently, the efficiency with which behavioural patterns could be executed, was decreased. An analysis of the data also led to the proposal that social grooming has evolved as a thermoregulatory mechanism; to the identification of three different facets of individual behaviour and of social behaviour; and to the idea that the rhythmic changes in the troop's spatial conformation reflected cyclical patterns in behavioural and social activity.
Mothers and children : an analysis of change.
(1985) Craig, A. P.; Miller, Ronald.
No abstract available.
Black managers and their work colleagues in selected industrial organizations in Natal : a study of perception, attitudes and experiences.
(1985) Watts, Jane Catherine.; Murray, C. O.
South African black Managers are experiencing numerous problems as pioneers in the white-dominated managerial world. Management and research studies have usually concentrated on the black managers' behaviour. The present investigation attempts to redress this by examining their work-related experiences. Phase I examined the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of 34 black managers, and of selected work colleagues (a boss, peer and subordinate,if available) in regard to the black manager and black job advancement issues. In-depth, focused interviews were conducted. Fundamental interpersonal perceptual discrepancies emerged between the black managers and their work associates. The black managers tended to attribute their work problems and behaviour to external, situational factors By contrast their work colleagues often ascribed them to personal dispositions of the black manager. Euclidean distance analyses revealed that the largest interpersonal perceptual differences were between the black manager-boss dyads. This was followed by the black manager-peer dyads, boss-peer dyads and black manager-subordinate dyads. The black managers' perceptions diverged significantly from those of their white bosses, whose perceptions were closer to those of the white peers. Finally, analyses of incomplete sentences filled in by the black managers identified two types of subjects. Type I informants possessed more positive self-concepts than Type II individuals. Phase II: Since the black managers appeared to be experiencing considerable work stress, this was followed up using focused interviews. The conceptual work of stress used involved models of personal environment fit, and role episode. The major work stressors the black managers reported were role-related, followed by interpersonal stressors. Role conflict, generated by their marginal, middleman position between white management and the black Workers, was particularly stress-provoking. Although several black managers coped with stressful work conditions by direct problem-solving action, many resort to emotional defensive mechanisms. Discriminant analyses revealed that: black managers with large boss-black manager interpersonal perceptual disparities, were under more stress than those with small disparities; more work stress was reported by Type II than Type I informants, by middle management than junior management blacks, and by black line managers than black staff managers. The thesis concludes with recommendations of an applied nature.
Type A behavior pattern and dependency in the adjustment of post-myocardial infarction patients.
(1986) Segev, Uri.; Strydom, J.; Schlebusch, Lourens.
The World Health Organization (1969) has declared that heart disease is the largest plague that ever faced humanity. Myocardial Infarction (MD, in addition to causing more deaths than all other diseases of the heart combined, is responsible for changes, and in many cases deterioration, in the quality of life of survivors. Intervention programs tend to focus on preventing re-occurrence of MI. At the same time there is an urgent need for sophisticated rehabilitation programs that aim to improve quality of life after MI. It is speculated here that identification of the personality factors that relate to the different adjustment patterms of different subgroups of post-MI patients will assist in the design of an efficient rehabilitation program. Accordingly, the present study focuses on the inquiry of the psychological mechanisms that mediate between the Type A behavior pattern (TABP) and adjustment style. An integrated crisis and developmental theory based on psychoanalytical, attachment and social learning theories is proposed. The Thesis put forward is that TABP is not a homogeneous pattern and that interpersonal dependency is an underlying personality factor that subdivides Type A patients to subgroups with different developmental and adjustment patterns. It is claimed here that dependent Type A patients have a dependent-independent developmental psychodynamic conflict, and that for them, TABP is an adopted defense mechanism. They are expected to have more adjustment difficulties to the specific characteristics of the post-MI crisis than inde pendent Type A patients for whom TABP is a socially learned developmental process in an urban Western environment. Type B patients, who also lack the psychodynamic conflict, are expected to adjust as a group better than dependent Type A patients. Seventy-nine white urban South African males aged 30-60 years, after clinical MI, were tested. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods of assessment was used in order to test the relationships between personality factors and adjustment, which was defined by multi-dimensional criteria (32 indices of adjustment) that related to various aspects of life in the post-MI period. The results confirmed the heterogeneity of TABP, dependent Type A patients adjusted less well than independent Type A patients to 16 out of 32 indices of adjustment. As expected for the same 16 indices, the behavior of Type B patients was better adjusted than dependent Type A patients. The outcomes of the adjustment of post-MI patients to all 32 indices is discussed. On the basis of the study's results and the crisis and developmental theory set out here, a differential rehabilitation program is proposed that relates to the different needs of the subgroups of post-MI patients.
Voluntary and involuntary migration in a selected South African Black settlement: adjustment problems and psychological correlates.
(1987) Magwaza, Adelaide Simangele.; Bhana, K.
No abstract available.
The modification of Luria's neuropschological investigation for use with white, English-speaking South African children aged eight to fourteen years.
(1989) Watts, Ann D.; Tollman, Shirley G.
Alexandria Luria's approach to neuropsychological assessment and his theory of brain functioning have been exploited in order to develop a neuropsychological evaluation procedure for children which incorporates a conceptualization of brain-behaviour development. Luria's Neuropsychological Investigation for adults was administered to intact children aged eight to 14 years in order to ascertain which tasks were beyond their capabilities. These were then adapted or deleted. The adapted version of the protocol was then administered to a second group of intact children to determine that the proposed adaptations were appropriate. This process was guided by the results of a statistical analysis which revealed significant findings with respect to age, socioeconomic status, and task performance. A model of brain-behaviour development and interpretive protocol were devised. Together these provide a conceptual and interpretive framework for the battery. Developmental trends which emerged whilst developing Luria's Neuropsychological Investigation for Children (LNI-C) were consistent with the progressive development of successively more complex forms of information processing as depicted in this model. They were also in keeping with prominent developmental theories such as those of Piaget and Vygotsky. These trends revealed that children made most mistakes on adult LNI tasks involving abstract reasoning, the simultaneous synthesis of data, and complex goal-directed behaviour - all of which apparently reflect tertiary cortical zone functioning. Fewer mistakes were related to a lack of training and inability to process the same quantity of information as adults - difficulties which seemed related to secondary zone functioning. None of the mistakes made appeared to reflect subcortical or primary zone functioning. The LNI-C was applied to brain-damaged children who had had a CT scan in order to demonstrate its application and the hypothetico-deductive process of interpreting findings using the concepts of syndrome analysis and double dissociation. The LNI-C findings were consistent with the general pattern of symptoms Luria described for different brain disorders and lesion localities in children, although additional insight into the nature of the sequelae present was gained in each case. In early brain damage, the most frequent disturbances were a disruption in the role played by executive functions and the ability to process data simultaneously - both of which are associated with the tertiary zones of the brain. Furthermore, these disturbances appeared to be important factors underlying disturbances to language and educationally acquired skills. The qualitative, process-orientated nature of the LNI-C proved effective for identifying the factors underlying disturbances described in paramedical reports. These seemed to be the linchpins on which retraining should focus. It was argued that the CT scan was limited in its ability to identify the type of diffuse and/or multifocal brain pathology frequently found in children. The usefulness of the model of brain-behaviour ontogeny and interpretive protocol for diagnosis, understanding and predicting the developmental consequences of childhood brain pathology was demonstrated on the basis of nine brain disorders. Finally, areas of future research were highlighted by the study.
Luria's neuropschological investigation for children : an adaptation from his work : manual.
(1989) Watts, Ann D.
No abstract available.
Implications of the multi-male troop structure in vervet monkeys (cercopithecus aethiops pygerythrus)
(1991) Baldellou, Maria Isabel.
The aim of this study is to assess the advantages and disadvantages to all the troop members, of vervet males remaining in heterosexual groups outside the mating season. Extensive data on time budgeting and social interactions have been obtained for both a caged and a free-ranging undisturbed troop. Some of the potential advantages males provide to other members of the troop are: improvement in predator detection, maintenance of the troop unity and interference in agonistic interactions involving females and immatures. Special emphasis is placed on the analysis of seasonal changes in agonistic, social, sexual and proximity relationships of male-male and male-female pairs. The influence of male and female dominance rank and the vervet male genital signalling system are discussed. Also a framework to achieve a better understanding of vervet monkey sexuality is provided. A detailed analysis of male inspection of female's genitalia (visual, tactile, olfactory and muzzling), female receptivity, attractivity and proceptive behaviour has been done in order to investigate male and female mate choice. These behaviours are expected to be related to time of conception, although it was found that male and female rank, mate choice and possibly the age of the mates influence their outcome. In addition, sexual consortships and other alternative male strategies (besides agonistic rank) to control access to receptive females are described for the first time in vervet monkeys. The multi-male structure of vervet societies has been questioned by other authors, mostly because of the absence of male-male agonistic coalition against other males, and the absence of sexual consortships and other special friendly bonds between males and females. However, the results of this study do show that all the above patterns may also occur among vervet monkeys, therefore the multi-male structure of vervet monkeys is similar to the one found in baboon and macaque societies.
The psychological effects of mass dismissal.
(1993) Radford, Eric John.; Faulds, Bruce.
Abstract available in pdf file.
The relationship between quality of work life and organisational commitment of supervisors in the Durban-Pietermaritzburg metropolitan areas.
(1993) Ramdial, Suresh.; Thomson, Elza.
A sample of 304 supervisors was randomly drawn from the Durban-Pietermaritzburg metropolitan areas to investigate the relationship between quality of work life and organisational commitment. Organisational commitment and quality of work life questionnaires were used to analyse the relevant constructs. The results indicate that there is a significant relationship between organisational commitment and some quality of work life factors (organisational climate, work group processes, supervisory leadership, task characteristics, general satisfaction output, role behaviour, utilisation and future orientation). There is, however, no significant difference in organisational commitment across the biographical variables of marital status, age, length of service and span of control. Overall, the research indicates that there is a significant relationship between organisational commitment and quality of work life.
Factors associated with the severity of long-term reactions to a childhood sexual experience.
(1994) Collings, Steven John.; Lachenicht, Lance Gary.
Abstract available in the pdf file.
The developmental behavioural ecology of infant baboons (Papio cynocephalus ursinus)
(1994) Lycett, John Edward.; Henzi, S. Peter.
Presented in this thesis are the results of a 23-month field study (April 1991 - February 1993) which focused on infant development in a free-ranging baboon troop (Papio cynocephalus ursinus) inhabiting the Cathedral Peak Reserve in the Drakensberg Mountains, Natal Province (South Africa). The troop selected for study was, in demographic composition, representative of the greater Drakensberg baboon population. During the course of the study, five infants were born into the troop. At the end of the data collection period, the infants ranged in age from II-months to 17 -months old. The data presented are extracted primarily from 2678 half-hourly scan samples, representing approximately 1340 hours of observation. Data presented in this study indicate that baboon births in the Drakensberg are seasonally timed such that mothers are afforded some measure of relief from the energetic costs associated with intense infant dependency, particularly during the first few months postpartum. However, the timing of births is not optimal in terms of the development of infant nutritional independence. This has implications for the interbirth interval (38.4 months) which, for the Drakensberg females, is substantially longer than that for comparative studies, while the rate of infant survivorship through to 12-months (95%) is considerably higher than for other baboon populations. The development of independent feeding for the Drakensberg infants is, when compared with infants from other studies, considerably slower. The delayed transition to independent feeding which was observed is explained with reference to seasonally variable ecological conditions in the Drakensberg which necessarily resulted in infants remaining nutritionally dependent on mothers for a longer time than would normally be expected. The relationship between dependent and independent feeding, as alternate infant strategies, is considered within the context of weaning and its role in the iv promotion of independence. A model which purports to delineate the weaning period with reference to the rate of decline in various measures of maternal investment is applied to the data for this study, as well as for comparative studies. No clear consistency is evident in the rate of decline across the various measures for the present study. The trajectories of infant behavioural development toward the adult model of independent activity are described and considered. With the exception of nutritional independence, all other trajectories of infant behaviour followed similar developmental patterns to infants in comparative studies. Thus the appearance of particular behaviours, and the age at which transitions to independence were made, confirmed a general baboon pattern. The implications and consequences of delayed feeding independence for changes in behavioural development are considered within the context of general activity budgets. Data are also presented which examine the contexts within which adult males interact with infants. These data are considered in relation to the possible functional purposes served by male interaction with infants, as well as in terms of the effect male interaction with infants has on inter-male interaction. The data indicate individual male variability in both the extent and contexts of interaction with infants.
Homosexuality among black South Africans : a psychosocial ontological perspective.
(1996) Bickrum, Sherin.; Balkisson, Bernard Arnold.
This study attempts to provide pertinent insights into the experiencing of black South Africans who are gay or lesbian. The aims of the investigation were to provide more holistic information on the gay and lesbian worldview in general; to provide a conceptualisation of the ontology of black gay and lesbian individuals in South Africa within a psychosocial context, and to explore the effects of a dual oppressive system related to race and sexual identity. Of 150 questionnaires distributed to black gays and lesbians, 23 were completed. Although frequency tables were utilised to organise the responses to the 73 items on the questionnaire, a phenomenological approach was adopted in interpreting responses. Within this paradigm, the initial focus was on the exposition of individual responses and thereafter, on the contextualisation of common themes in the perceptions of black gays and lesbians as a group. The study generated pertinent insights into the experiences and perceptions of black gays and lesbians, related to the lifespan development processes (early childhood to ageing) and relevant socio-political factors. In this regard the study highlighted issues that need to be addressed by black gays and lesbians in their acknowledgement of sexual identity; concerns the participants experienced as children; issues regarding relationships, parenting and old age, and the influence of religious, legal, social and political factors on their worldview. Among the most significant findings generated by this investigation, is that of the adoption of society's homonegative attitudes by gays and lesbians themselves at almost every level of their psychosocial development. Respondents also tended to emphasise oppression with regard to being gay or lesbian, than with being black. Recommendations for future research have been identified for the purposes of generating further insights into the experiencing of black gays and lesbians in South Africa.
Neuropsychological correlates of chronic fatigue syndrome.
(1997) Anderson, Stuart James.; Budek, Michael.; Lindegger, Graham Charles.
Neuropsychological deficits have been implicated in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and there is some indication that cerebral efficiency is compromised in these patients. To further investigate the nature of this impairment, 20 patients who had received a medical diagnosis of CFS were neuropsychologically assessed and compared with age-, sex-, and education-matched controls (20 depressed and 20 healthy subjects). The test battery consisted of the Grooved Pegboard Trail Making Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Auditory-Verbal Learning Test, Visual Design Learning Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task. Additional measures included a CFS symptom checklist, SCL-90-R and Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ). Univariate statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between CFS patients and healthy individuals on only one measure; the "S" trial of the COWAT (F[2,59]=3.30, p <.05). This finding suggests the existence of subtle but detectable neuropsychological difficulty in executive or attentional mechanisms in CFS patients. Further analysis revealed that the observed finding could not be attributed to depression or medication side-effects. Although a trend of declining neuropsychological test performance was evident in moving across the spectrum of healthy, depressed, and CFS samples, this reached significance only for the CFS/depressed versus healthy comparison X22 [1] = 9.40, p < .05). The overall similarity of the neuropsychological profiles of CFS and depressed patients was noted, while an additional finding was the discrepancy between reported levels of subjective cognitive failure (CFQ) and objective neuropsychological findings in the CFS patients. The SCL-90-R profiles of the CFS and depressed patients were also found to be similar in terms of reported levels of psychological distress; however group discrimination was evident on two subscales (Somatization and Obsessive-Compulsive). Although the CFS and depressed controls did not differ with respect to levels of depression, there were some indications of a differential impact of depressive symptomatology on neuropsychological functioning. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that while subtle deficits are detectable in the neuropsychological profiles of CPS patients, the magnitude of impairment appears insufficient to significantly interfere with everyday cognitive functioning.

Browse

Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Psychology) by Issue Date

Results Per Page

Sort Options