Magister Artium - MA / Social networking sites are used on a daily basis, to communicate with friends we have known for quite some time as well as make new friends from all over the globe - a global phenomenon. According to Aparicio (2011) the use of social networking sites have given way to a new “social dynamic” where friendships are formed with individuals from diverse backgrounds and geographical locations. Larsen (2007) continues to state that social network sites make for the creation of new friendships and the maintenance of new relationships. Using social networking sites to develop relationships provides us with new social skills, but through constant use of these sites we lose valuable interpersonal skills learnt through the use of face to face interaction (Aparicio, 2011). This thesis investigated the notion of social networking sites, specifically focusing on interpersonal relationships and language use within the networking context. The social networking site in question is that of Twitter, as majority of existing studies in this area focuses on the more popular Facebook. The main objective was to determine whether social networking sites, specifically Twitter, influence the development and maintenance of interpersonal relationships and language use. Participants included a group of 11 males and 11 females (22 in total), ranging from the ages of 17 to 33 and from different geographical locations (e.g. United Kingdom, South Africa, Tokyo, and so on). These participants frequently keep in contact with each other. Four ways in which Twitter has been adapted to emulate face to face communication have been found, namely: (1) the use of Paralinguistic and Prosodic Features to imitate speech, (2) Ustream, although not prominent within the data collected, is used to make up for the lack of face to face communication.This, however, is one-way; only one user provides a video link while those communicating with him or her (as there can be more than one) would type messages, (3) as expected a variety of shortenings can be found within the data collected. Shortenings imitate speech among the younger generation, and (4) participants make use of an informal register, as the most common type of relationship found on Twitter is that of friendships. Both strong and weak ties exist in the collected data; with weak ties being the majority. It is possible for weak ties to become strong ties. All online relationships start off as weak and gradually, over time, become strong ties. This is done through establishing trust between participants and communicating on a regular basis. Paolillo (1999) found that online relationships manifests as both weak and strong. However, “online ties are not ‘branded’ as weak ties” and these ties differ in quality; “those who have regular contact have strong ties and those with less frequent contact have weaker ties weak”. Social support is evident in the collected data and possible in online, textbased communication. In is manifested in four types of support, namely: instrumental, emotional, informational, and appraisal. The most common type of support found in the collected data is that of informational support. With regards to support activation strategies, most tweet fall under the ‘ask’ and ‘cry’ types of strategies. Also, considering the amount of emoticons found in the data, little or no emoticons were found in the activation strategies. There are also more indirect support activation strategies as opposed to direct. This could possibly be due to the fact that majority of the ties are ‘in the weak stage’. Textese has not been adapted in anyway; the same elements used by texters and IMers are used by tweeters, such as initialisms, phonetic spellings and contractions. Although present in the Twitter data, elements of textese did not occur as frequently as that found in e.g. Bieswanger’s (2007) and Thurlow’s (2003) studies; however more elements of Twitter language was found. If anything, the characteristics of textese are well-suited for Twitter; as shortened forms of words would make it easier for users to maintain a character count below the imposed limitation and it promotes the idea of writing quick and concise messages instead of filling message space with irrelevant content. With regards to the difference in the way male and female participants use language in terms of the linguistic characteristics of textese and the language unique to Twitter and the use of paralinguistic and prosodic features, it can be said that females tend to use these characteristics more than males do.

The aim of the thesis is to evaluate personnel activities in the selected company and to suggest changes to improve them. This thesis consists of theoretical and practical parts. The theoretical part explains the basic personnel activities. It explains the following activities: job analysis, personnel planning, recruitment, selection and adaptation of employees, performance management and appraisal, placement and termination of employment, remuneration of employees, motivation and employee benefits, education and development, interpersonal relationships, employee care and personnel information system. The practical part describes the personnel activities in the limited liability company GEFOS Inženýring, based on an interview with directress of the company. She allowed me to look into company´s documents. The next chapter analyzes the results of the questionnaire inquiry. These results are supplemented by information from my direct observation. The final part of this thesis evaluates the personnel activities of the company and suggests changes to improve the current situation.

The quality of employees is the most important criterion for the success of any company. However, to allow people to exploit their potential, it is necessary to motivate them. Motivation in the workplace essentially determines the quality of work. Globally successful companies devote more resources and efforts to improving their motivational system. Therefore the objective of this diploma thesis is the analysis of the performance of employees in connection with their motivation. The objective is also the research of the motivational system and the different forms of stimulation in the chosen company including the analysis of corporate culture. This research survey required a study of basic theoretical concepts related with working performance, motivating employees to better perform at the workplace, using appropriate stimulus means, interpersonal relations in the workplace and corporate culture. The performance of employees in connection with their motivation was analysed by using statistical methods (Pearson's correlation coefficient and Student's paired t-test) and by using labor productivity in comparison with the average wage. Motivation at the workplace was examined through a observation, interviews and a structured questionnaire with taking into account motivational profiles of employees. Corporate culture was analyzed through a system of symbols and test VSM and TBSD. Based on the data and its analysis, problem areas were defined and appropriate recommendations were made. These recommendations should contribute to the improvement of motivation, followed by greater work efficiency in the company.

The aim of the research was to establish how accurate an Objective Thematic Apperception Test can measure typical behavioral constructs of adolescents such as anxiety, stress, aggression, interpersonal relations and self-concept. An empirical investigation was carried out using a newly developed questionnaire, the Structured Objective TAT (SOTAT) as well as a control questionnaire (CQ). The items of the SOTAT were based on a selection of TAT cards and the CQ measured certain affective variables in the traditional way. Both questionnaires were completed by 378 adolescents. The SOTAT was found to be reliable but not construct valid since low correlation coefficients between the SOTAT and CQ were obtained. There is the possibility that projection did not occur during completion of the SOTAT. / Psychology / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Much research has been done on the job satisfaction of secondary school teachers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The aim of this research was to investigate factors that influence the job satisfaction of these teachers. A literature review of theories on job satisfaction was undertaken. In the empirical investigation, a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was used. In the quantitative phase, the data collection was done by means of a self-constructed structured questionnaire that focused on four work factors that were identified during the literature review, namely salary and benefits, management, work characteristics, and interpersonal relationships. The stratified, random sample consisted of 300 secondary school teachers in Addis Ababa. The data were statistically analysed using the Statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software programme, and the results were appropriately interpreted. In the second, namely the qualitative phase, interviews were conducted with a sample of 10 teachers who were purposefully selected from a larger sample. The data were analysed by using the constant comparative method. The results make a significant contribution to new knowledge and understanding of current issues relating to the job satisfaction of teachers in selected secondary schools in Addis Ababa. The results indicated that the teachers were significantly dissatisfied with most aspects of their work. Salary and benefits emerged as the primary dissatisfying aspect of all the work factors. Other areas of dissatisfaction related to poor fringe benefits and opportunities for promotion, the management style of the principals, the lack of decision-making opportunities for the teachers, as well as the opportunity to develop personally, and the poor relationships teachers have with the principals and the parents. The data also indicated that teachers who were 50 years and older, were significantly more satisfied with their work than the younger teachers. Accordingly, teachers with 21 years and more experience were also significantly more satisfied with their work than the less experienced teachers. In addition, all four of the identified factors were found to have statistically significant correlations with job satisfaction. Qualitative data confirmed the quantitative results. Finally, recommendations were made in order to enhance the job satisfaction of secondary school teachers in Addis Ababa, and for further research. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van die ondersoek was om insig in die leefwereld van die leergestremde adolessent te bekom, ten einde probleemareas wat doeltreffende aanpassing in die leefwereld verhinder, bloot te le. In die probleemontleding het die volgende aspekte na vore getree: Daar is 'n groeiende bewuswording onder navorsers dat die sosiaalemosionele probleme wat die leergestremde adolessent ervaar, duideliker aangespreek moet word. Die noodsaaklikheid om die leergestremde adolessent vir volwassenheid voor te berei, word toenemend besef. In die literatuurstudie is die tydperk van adolessensie, leergestremdheid as fenomeen, en die leefwereld van die leergestremde adolessent onderskeidelik bespreek. Enkele gevolgtrekkinge word aangestip: Adolessensie word gekenmerk deur fisiese, kognitiewe, affektiewe, sosiale en morele ontwikkeling. Hierdie veranderinge hou implikasies in vir die adolessent se uitvoer van ontwikkelingstake, die ontplooiing van die selfkonsep en die groei na onafhanklikheid. Die fenomeen leergestremdheid openbaar 'n komplekse aard wat 'n persoon in sy totaliteit raak. Die manifestasies van leergestremdheid betrek die akademiese vordering sowel as die sosiaal-emosionele ontwikkeling van die individu. Die leergestremde adolessent se aanpassing in sy leefwereld word nadelig beinvloed deur sosiale vaardigheidstekorte, interpersoonlike verhoudingsprobleme, 'n gebrekkige selfkonsep, emosionele probleme, die gebruik van verdedigingsmeganismes en 'n verminderde strewe na onafhanklikheid. In die empiriese ondersoek is inligting oor die leergestremde adolessent se interpersoonlike verhoudinge, selfkonsep en emosionaliteit bekom. In die interpretasie van die data is veranderlikes waar die leergestremde ado l essente swakker aanpassing as die normal e populasie getoon het, eerstens geidentifiseer. Verskille wat by die leergestremde adolessente ten opsigte van geslag en ouderdomsgroep voorgekom het, is vervolgens uitgelig. Ten slotte is 'n faktorontleding uitgevoer ten einde 'n gemeenskaplikheid tussen die onderskeie veranderlikes te bepaal. Op grond van die bevindinge uit die literatuur en die empiriese studie, is riglyne vir hulpverlening geformuleer. Die navorsingsbevindinge is veral van belang vir onderwysers, ouers en ander opvoeders wat met die leergestremde adolessent gemoeid is. / The purpose of the study was to gain insight into the life-world of the learning disabled adolescent in order to reveal problems which prevent effective adjustment in the life-world. In the analysis of the problem the following aspects were prominent: It is recognised that the social-emotional problems experienced by the learning disabled adolescent should be addressed in greater depth. The need to prepare the learning disabled adolescent for adulthood is realised. In the literature study the period of adolescence, learning disabilities as a phenomenon, and the life-world of the learning disabled adolescent were discussed. The following conclusions can be mentioned: Adolescence is characterised by physical, cognitive, emotional, social and moral development. These changes have implications for the adolescent's accomplishment of developmental tasks, the development of the self-concept and the grow towards independence. Learning disabilities as a phenomenon reveals a complex nature that affects the total person. The manifestations of learning disabilities involve the academic progress and the social-emotional development of the individual. The adjustment of the learning disabled adolescent in his lifeworld is adversely affected by deficits in social skills, problematic interpersonal relationships, an inadequate self-concept, emotional problems, the use of defence mechanisms and an insufficient strive towards independence. In the empirical investigation information was obtained about the learning disabled adolescent's interpersonal relationships, self-concept and emotionality. In the interpretation of the data variables were identified where the learning disabled adolescents showed poorer adjustment than the normal population. Differences between learning disabled adolescents with regard to age and sex were highlighted next. Finally, a factor analysis was carried out to determine whether a communality exists among the respective variables. On the basis of the findings of the literature and the empirical study, guidelines for the rendering of aid were formulated. The research findings are especially important to teachers, parents and other educators involved with the learning disabled adolescent. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between the self-concept of student teachers and their interpersonal relationships. A literature survey focused on these two variables. This was followed by an empirical investigation involving 300 students. Findings include: A significant, positive correlation was found between selfconcept and interpersonal relationships for males and females and for all three year groups involved. Significant, positive correlations were also found between: cognitive self-concept and relationships with lecturers; self-concepts of male students and relationships with parents; self-concepts of female students and relationships with lecturers. For all three year groups the relationships with lecturers contributed most to their self-concepts. For males, the emotional self-concept; and for females, the cognitive self-concept contributed significantly towards their interpersonal relationships. For first and second-year students, the social self-concept contributed most towards their interpersonal relationships; while for third-year students, the cognitive self-concept contributed significantly towards interpersonal relationships. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T16:16:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Monica Ferreira Nunes.pdf: 1360676 bytes, checksum: 4367ee7932ba22f4e8c80808aa03ac46 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09-14 / The present study proposes an understanding of the interpersonal relationships between subjects involved in the construction and execution of the pedagogic Project of Distance Learning under an ethno methodological and multi-referential perspective of education.We propose identifying how relationships are established in Distance Learning, which its organizational agents are and how they interact in the organization of the work, since Distance Learning requires an array of professionals with different kinds of knowledge so as to achieve its goals. We used as reference Distance Learning Courses at UNESP and through the use of observation, reports, questionnaires and interviews, we intend to identify how subjects see and understand themselves in the process and how they understand and recognize other subjects in the development of activities of such course. Using as reference the steps taken in the elaboration and realization of a video-conference, we aim at recognizing the communication process within the group of technicians, managers, professors and learners in the organization, as well as analyzing connections and ruptures, the wide-range actions and the importance of its functions on a daily basis.(AU) / O presente trabalho propõe um entendimento sobre as relações interpessoais entre os sujeitos envolvidos na construção e execução do projeto pedagógico de Educação na modalidade a distância sob uma perspectiva etnometodológica e multirreferencial de educação. Propomos identificar como as relações se estabelecem no cotidiano da EAD, quais são seus agentes organizacionais e como estes se interagem na estruturação do trabalho, uma vez que a EAD exige uma complexidade de profissionais de diferentes saberes para a concretização de seus objetivos. Tomando como referência os cursos de educação a distância da UMESP, pretendemos, por meio de observação, relatórios, aplicação de questionários e entrevistas, identificar como cada agente se vê e se percebe no processo, e de que forma entende e reconhece o outro no desenvolvimento das atividades do referido curso. Utilizando como referência o percurso realizado na elaboração e operacionalização de uma teleaula desejamos reconhecer os processos comunicacionais entre o grupo de profissionais técnicos, dos gestores, dos docentes e discentes dentro da organização acadêmica, analisando suas conexões e rupturas, assim como a abrangência e importância de suas funções na prática diária.(AU)

The aim of Diploma Thesis was to focus to one of key topics of the management psychology {--} to interpersonal relationships in teams at working place of the National Enterprise Budějovický Budvar: To obtain particular data it was necessary to perform qualitatively-quantitative research based on a questionnaire survey, interviews and observations. An output of the thesis is to help selected companies in a practical solution of revealed problems.

[pt] O contexto empresarial atual, composto por mudanças e desafios cada vez mais velozes, leva as empresas a adaptar suas atividades às exigências impostas pelo mercado. O mais difícil, e ao mesmo tempo, a questão central da aprendizagem, é não limitar a mudança organizacional a uma visão estritamente instrumental das pessoas no trabalho. A aprendizagem, além de propiciar as adaptações necessárias no cotidiano, propicia também a mudança transformadora nas organizações, ampliando sua capacidade criativa e inovadora. A pedagogia, a psicologia e a biologia do conhecimento consideram os relacionamentos interpessoais como importantes partícipes do processo de aprendizagem. Os estudos sobre empresas do projeto de Economia de Comunhão, apontam que as formas como são conduzidos os relacionamentos interpessoais e interorganizacionais constituem um de seus diferenciais competitivos. Esta pesquisa estuda a qualidade dos relacionamentos interpessoais envolvidos em uma organização empresarial de Economia de Comunhão, buscando compreender de que forma eles facilitam ou dificultam os processos de aprendizagem organizacional. Sua conclusão confirma que a qualidade dos relacionamentos interpessoais favorece a aprendizagem de tarefas e comportamentos na empresa estudada. / [en] The current entrepreneurial context, made up of ever quicker changes and challenges, leads companies to adapt their activities to the requirements imposed by the market. The most difficult, and at the same time the main point of learning, is not to limit the organizational changes to a strictly instrumental view of people at work. Learning, besides propitiating the necessary adaptations to the daily life, also propitiates a transforming change in the organizations, extending their creativity and innovative capacity. In the areas of Pedagogy, Psychology and Cognitive Biology, the interpersonal relationships are considered important participants in the learning process. The studies on companies from the Communion Economy project show that the way the interpersonal and interorganizational relationships are led make up one of their distinctive competitive features. In this research, the quality of the interpersonal relationships in an Communion Economy enterprise organization are studied, attempting to understand how they might ease or hamper the processes of organizational learning. Its conclusion confirms that the quality of the interpersonal relationships favors the learning of tasks and behaviors in the company which was the subject of the study.