Previous studies have examined how individuals who are diagnosed with mental (McManus, Stubbings, & Martin, 2006) or physical illness (Duggan, Medway & Bunke, 2004) are stigmatized but no study has directly compared how students perceive a person living with a mental versus a physical illness. The present study explored whether participants desired greater social distance from a student who 1) suffered from schizophrenia, 2) was in remission for cancer, relative to a 3) healthy student. The study also investigated whether participants could objectively evaluate the identical written work of these students differently when they are described according to their illnesses. It was hypothesized that college students would desire the greatest social distance from students with mental illness and the least amount of social distance from students described as healthy. In addition, it was hypothesized that college students would evaluate the work of a healthy student more positively than a student who has a chronic mental or physical illness. It was also hypothesized that college students would evaluate the work of a student described as suffering from chronic physical illness more positively than the work of the student described as having a chronic mental illness. For the procedure, participants were given a vignette about a fictional student and were randomly assigned to a vignette that described the student as 1) suffering from schizophrenia which was controlled by medication, 2) in remission for cancer, or 3) healthy. The participants were then asked to evaluate this student's essay using a grading rubric. Participants then completed the Social Distance Scale (Penn, Guynan, Daily, & Spalding, 1994). Finally, students reported demographic information about themselves. A one-way between subjects Multivariate ANOVA was performed on the data, and significant differences were found among conditions for the SDS but not for the scores on the student's essay. The results suggest that the students were able to remain objective while grading the student's assignment, but required greater social distance from a student with a mental or physical illness.

This research sought to gain a deeper understanding of innovation in the Western Australian State Public Sector. It achieves this by exploring the perceptions of Leaders, Experts and lnfluencers regarding innovation, enablers and barriers to innovation, and examples of innovation in the sector. In this study, 'Leaders' were employees in the State Public Sector selected from the top two tiers of the Senior Executive Service position. 'Experts and lnfluencers' were individuals who were recognised as having specialized knowledge, skills and / or success regarding innovation and / or recognised as having the power to affect or influence innovation in the Western Australian Public Sector. In addition, the research also aimed to determine ways in which innovation can be enhanced in the sector. The context of this study is the Western Australia State Public Sector (WASPS) which includes departments, trade concerns, instrumentalities, agencies and state bodies run by the WA State Government. This study is significant because there is little exploration and description of the perception of innovation in the Public Sector of Australia and a lack of common understanding of innovation in the WASPS. This study enables a much greater understanding of the depth, extent and success of innovation in this sector. Innovation is vital for a public sector needing to respond to Western Australia's growth and prosperity. The description of innovation and strategies for enhancing innovation will assist in the further development of a responsive sector. / This study adopts a qualitative methodology to explore the meaning given by Leaders, Experts and lnfluencers and their perceptions of innovation in the public sector. The qualitative paradigm provides rich meaning to the research questions for the study which are: I . What are the perceptions of innovation in the Western Australian State Public Sector amongst Leaders? 2. What are the perceptions of innovation in the Western Australian State Public Sector amongst Experts and lnfluencers? 3. What are the barriers and enablers to innovation in the Western Australian State Public Sector 4. How can innovation in the Western Australian State Public Sector be enhanced? A phenomenological approach is adopted for the study which allows the structure and essence of the phenomena of innovation within the public sector to be explored. Data was collected using semi structured, in-depth interviews and data analysis using a phenomenological approach was conducted. This ensured that the experience and meaning of the phenomena of innovation is described and explained as faithfully as possible. The key findings of the study indicate that while there are pockets of innovation within the WASPS there is an overall need to enhance the capacity for innovation. / An 'emergent model' is proposed as a framework that can provide an enhanced capacity for innovation in the WASPS. This is achieved by addressing the cultural, structural and human resource barriers that exist and by simultaneously enhancing the enablers that were identified in this study. The 'emergent model' takes a strategic view with special consideration for the context for innovation within the WASPS. Inherent in this model is the need for a clear and shared definition of innovation; the creation of ideal conditions for innovation; and the development of an innovation action plan. Superimposed on this model is the need for greater capacity for, and commitment to, meaningful public consultation. In addition the study highlighted a need for strong and effective leadership throughout the Western Australia State Public Sector to enhance innovation. In making these conclusions it is recognised that this study is specific to the state public sector of Western Australia. This study opens the possibility of more extensive research within the public sector, specific to innovation. In particular, there is significant scope to explore the relationship between political and public sector leadership and the effect of this relationship on innovation. In addition, further exploration of successful innovation in the sector could better inform the type of agency in which innovation is successful and an analysis of the leadership factors that influence successful innovation. Further research regarding the ability of leaders to create an environment to enhance innovation within the sector, recruitment practices of the WASPS, and of resource allocation and its effect on innovation capacity is advocated in this study.

Please read the abstract in the section 09summary of this document / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Historical and Heritage Studies / unrestricted

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Doctor of Education / Department of Educational Leadership / Sarah Jane Fishback / Diversity is recognized by acknowledging individual differences. The term diversity can refer to an array of descriptors such as, race, religion, color, gender, national origin, disabilities, sexual orientation, age, level of education, geographic origin, economic status, family status, appearance/physical size and skill characteristics. Although there are multiple definitions of diversity, many include at least one or all of the attributes listed above. This qualitative study examined perceptions of classified employees regarding the level of diversity awareness among their workforce at a large Midwestern land grant university. The sample was purposefully selected from the population of classified support staff using both scores from Dahm’s (2006) Organizational Diversity Needs Analysis (ODNA) and responses to demographic questions. This survey was designed to measure diversity awareness in the workplace using the dimensions; cultural inclusion or exclusion, organizational inclusion or exclusion, workload, trust, sensitivity and affirmative action. Demographic information used to select the sample for this study included; age (Generation Y, Generation X and Baby Boomers), gender (male and female), and race and ethnicity (White and all others, for example: African American, Asian American, Hispanic and Native American). Semi-formal, one-on-one interviews were conducted with the participants by the researcher in this study. Additionally a theme emerged that expressed the “good old boy” system as being “alive and well”; differential treatment among staff who did not have the same or similar levels of education; positional power and situational occurrences whereby individuals who appeared different were treated unfairly or without respect by other staff, faculty or students at the university. Findings included a difference in perceptions about diversity awareness between Whites and non Whites. Whites fell into the following categories; 1) Many employees felt the current status of diversity awareness was sufficient, 2) an equal number of others felt that their needed to be an increase in diversity awareness initiatives among employees, 3) others felt as though diversity awareness was problematic or 4) the need did not exist for diversity awareness initiatives. Non White participants disagreed, all claimed to have been the victim of discriminatory behavior.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Psychological Sciences / Donald A. Saucier / The current studies examine two types of rape humor to determine whether there are differences in individuals’ evaluations and understanding of each. Reinforcing rape humor is that which contributes to the normalization of rape, while subversive humor challenges it. Across two studies, I compared these types of humor to determine if individuals’ evaluations (i.e., as funny, offensive, etc.) and understanding differed between types (and compared to neutral humor), as well as how individual difference variables may moderate those effects. Results suggest that while there is variation in individuals’ understanding of subversive humor depending on the way in which they are asked to express their understanding, subversive humor evokes more positive evaluations than reinforcing rape humor, as expected. Additionally, reinforcing rape humor also evoked variation in understanding, which was related to participants’ evaluations of the humor, and selected individual differences. Examining these research questions provides insight into an issue that has become increasingly important in the United States, and may also inform us about the potential role of humor in contributing to the national discussion on this issue. Thus, although some have suggested that rape humor is never appropriate, these studies suggest that there is potential for humor to be an effective tool in working toward diminishing rape culture.

This thesis contributes to the public finance literature concerned with fiscal sustainability, and consists of an introduction and four stand-alone essays. The first three essays analyse the reasons why governments accumulate large levels of debt. In the first essay, I find that parties that implement fiscal consolidations are punished by the voters in the following election. However, there does not appear to be a rewarding effect for governments that implement fiscal expansions. The second essay, which is co-authored with Rafael Ahlskog, shows how voter opposition to fiscal consolidation is shaped by moral considerations and feelings of personal responsibility. More precisely, we argue that voters are more likely to refuse fiscal consolidation when they do not feel responsible for the public debt. The third essay argues that misperceptions about the business cycle would have caused fiscal problems even if policy-making was conducted by independent experts. According to my estimates, biased projections have weakened annual budget balances by approximately one per cent of GDP. In the fourth essay, I argue that budgetary mechanisms created to improve fiscal discipline have a bias toward a reduced public sector. Because discretionary decisions are usually required to adjust public expenditures to price and wage increases, periods of rapid growth have repeatedly caused the welfare state to shrink. I use the introduction to discuss the commonalities between the essays and to situate the field of public finance in a broader, historical context.

In South Africa, alternative care solutions such as foster homes, child-headed households, placements with relatives and Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs), are under pressure to provide for the large numbers of children who need care. Child and Youth Care Centres include facilities such as children’s homes, places of safety, secure care facilities and schools of industry or reform schools. South African legislation offers guidelines towards the fulfilment of children’s needs in CYCCs by providing them with Children’s rights. Unfortunately, not only is literature on children living in CYCCs limited both internationally and locally, existing literature regarding children’s care in CYCCs in South Africa points towards a gap between legislative guidelines and practice of care provision. For example, apparently, children in CYCCs are not afforded opportunities to voice their opinions, and many CYCCs in South Africa are not legally registered. As a result, an obvious indication of the care and interaction taking place between caregivers and children in CYCCs is not available. This inductive, qualitative study aimed to explore and describe the views of children living in Child and Youth Care Centres in the Vaal Triangle area, Gauteng, South Africa, in an effort to gain a better understanding of children’s perceptions of their interactions with their caregivers. One-on-one interviews with children from three CYCCs were conducted. Interviews were voice-recorded and later transcribed. While being interviewed, participants were asked to take part in a role-play exercise and to make a collage of their interaction and relationship with their caregivers. Data was analysed using Creswell’s spiral of analysis and Thematic Analysis by Braun and Clarke. The findings revealed four themes, which encompassed the perceptions of interactions with caregiver: 1. Daily activity with caregiver; 2. Special time with caregiver; 3. Behaviour management strategies; and, 4. Relationship with caregiver. The key findings indicate the valuable insight that was gained by affording children in CYCCs the opportunity to voice their perceptions on their interactions with their caregivers. This not only empowers children and fulfils their right to be heard, but also provides a better understanding of whether needs are being met or not. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between office politics and selected performance outcomes namely stress, turnaround intent and work engagement, as perceived by employees working in law firms. A literature study indicated the relationship between perceptions of office politics and these selected job outcomes. As an empirical analysis, a measuring instrument consisting of five structured questionnaires was distributed via a non-probability, convenience sampling technique. Spearman’s correlation coefficient indicated the relationships between the variables. The results indicated a positive relationship between perceptions of office politics, job stress, burnout and turnaround intent but a negative relationship between perceptions of office politics and work engagement as well as its antecedents. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Most children born with HIV are maturing into adolescence due to the accessibility of medical support, specifically the availability of antiretroviral drugs. During adolescence, children are faced with critical adolescent developmental tasks in that they develop physically, cognitively and psychosocially, including assuming independence. As the adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV mature, their care-givers start disclosing the adolescents’ HIV status to them. Attaining the knowledge of living with HIV is encompassed with worries of how to manage the illness as well as other social ills such as taking care of sick loved ones and dealing with losses of loved ones. It is also during this stage of development that adolescents living with HIV begin to form intimate relationships, thus issues of self-disclosing their status become a concern. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of adolescents perinatally infected with HIV regarding the self-disclosure of their status to others. Following this, it was hoped that the study would come to conclusions and make recommendations regarding the wellness of and support for adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV. A qualitative descriptive research approach with an interpretive paradigm was used to explore and describe the perceptions of the adolescents. A multiple case study design was suitable to explore and describe the perceptions of participants as they see it. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the relevant body. A sample of 10 adolescents perinatally infected with HIV, whose status had been disclosed to them and were receiving clinical care and psychosocial support at a local clinic in Port Elizabeth, were selected through purposive sampling. Consent to undertake the study was provided by the head of the clinic in Port Elizabeth as well as by the adolescents’ caregivers. Assent to partake in the study was also provided by the participants. A deeper understanding of participants perceptions was explored through utilising multiple sources of data collection methods which included reflective journals and semi-structured interviews. Multiple data collection methods were used in order to collect rich data and for crystallisation of the data to take place. After the data was analysed themes were identified and described leading to the findings of the study. The findings of the study confirmed the perceptions of adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV regarding the self-disclosure of their status. Adolescents perinatally infected with HIV perceive certain conditions as conducive to self-disclose their status against other conditions that were perceived to be unfavourable for the self-disclosure of their HIV status. Conditions permitting self-disclosure included the availability of trusting relationships with people who understand them as well as the need for support which subsequently highlights the benefits of self-disclosure. Benefits included and are not limited to clinical support from healthcare professionals and an understanding from teachers when they are absent from school during their monthly clinical visits. Although adolescents see the benefits of selfdisclosing their status they are however aware of the possible negative effects to self-disclose their status such as stigmatisation and discrimination manifested through isolation from peers and through moral judgement and rejection from the community. Peers living with HIV are perceived to be the closest people providing them with trusting and open relationships that foster self-disclosure. Adolescents also perceived adulthood as a phase were self-disclosing their HIV status could be possible with the belief that they would be more mature when they are adults. Recommendations are made for healthcare professionals and policy makers to formulate and implement guidelines on supporting adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV regarding the self-disclosure of their status. Providing measures of support for adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV in their different ecological systems could widen the choice of to whom and when to self-disclose their HIV status. / M (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015