Few would disagree that the media landscape has undergone significant changes the last decade. From bulky computers and plain mobile phones to portable High-Definition computers and multi-functional smartphones. Other media, such as newspapers and music, have evolved and prospered in a digitalized environment. The constant urge to digitalize aspects and functions of our daily lives seems almost instinctive. Television has taken further steps into this environment as it is now accepted and featured via the Internet. This essay investigates in the ways the new platforms of television will affect the traditional one. More specifically, whether the Internet Streaming Media functions as an extension or as a replacement to the current form of television.  Furthermore, this essay explores age- and gender-related content-preferences in Streaming, as well as speculating on the subject of the consequences of Streaming consumption.  The method in acquiring the empirical data is through a quantitative one, in a survey.  The conclusions made are that the survey respondents, at this current time, are using Streaming as an extension to traditional TV, that there are, in some genres, significant gender-related content preferences when watching TV over the Internet (these include: Drama, reality and sports) and that there are age-related content preference when using Streaming; as the younger age-groups watch “entertainment-shows” more than the older age-groups but neither of the groups do so exclusively. When it then comes to the discussion concerning increased individualization it is, at this point in time, too early to speculate since the respondents mostly use Streaming as an extension to the traditional television.

Master of Science / Food Science Institute / Delores Chambers / Psychographic Questionnaires: A Comparative Review of Structures and Scales In recent years there has been a growing trend toward integrating psychographic profiles into sensory studies with the aim of more holistically explaining consumer segmentation and preferences. With this shift in approach have come questions on the nature of psychographic scales and the theoretical implications of their structure. Given the plethora of existing psychographic scales in common practice, the purpose of this review is to give a concise overview in the breadth of structures, with the aim of helping sensory researchers identify the most appropriate scale for their needs. The review begins with a critical comparison of the three most common scale classes: Likert, Semantic Differential, and Behavioral Frequency, and their relative advantages and disadvantages. Following that, a review of psychographic questionnaire design highlights differences from sensory practices, drawing attention to sources of response bias in specific design typologies which may reduce data quality in a product design.

This study promotes the notion that it is important for the family to be treated as a unit. It highlights the importance of parents understanding and respecting their children as unique human beings instead of regarding them as „carbon copies‟ of themselves. The study further stresses the importance of parents being included as important variables within the therapeutic process with a child. For parents to understand and recognise their child‟s needs, knowledge of the child‟s temperament is required. Knowledge of the nature of temperament leads to parents having a better understanding of their children‟s behaviour and consequently fewer frustrations within the parent-child interaction arise. The study aimed to utilise a practice-based ecometric model to assess temperament and preference functions that assist in enhancing the parent-child interaction. In order to address the aim of study, the practice-based ecometric model needed to include a temperament sorter as a tool to obtain information regarding temperament and preference functions. However, in practice there is no instrument/tool or temperament sorter to determine temperament and preference functions in children that may be used by professionals, such as social workers, who are not trained as psychologists. The design and development (D&D) model was considered an appropriate design for this study because it lends itself to the use of a multi-phase research approach. During Phase 1 the research problem was analysed and the project was planned accordingly. A literature study was undertaken during Phase 2 to explore and describe the different components required within a practice-based ecometric model that assesses temperament and preference functions, as well as the different dimensions required within the temperament sorter. Phase 2 was concluded after the researcher explored how the ecometric perspective could contribute to the development of an ecometric temperament sorter. Phase 3, Step 1 and Phase 4, Steps 1-3 involved a quantitative process where item analysis of the prototype was explored with the assistance of a panel of experts and designed using the Delphi method. The prototype temperament sorter was pilot tested for reliability using equivalent or parallel form reliability. To assess if the designed temperament sorter, when used within the practice-based ecometric model, assisted in enhancing the parent-child interaction, the one-group pre-test post-test design was followed during Phase 5, Steps 1-2. Qualitative data were obtained from parents through pre-test semi-structured interviews. Through the completion of the designed temperament sorter, quantitative data were obtained regarding the temperament and preference functions of participating children. During a feedback session, each child‟s temperament and preference functions were qualitatively explained to parents. In order to give the parents ample time to rethink and familiarise themselves practically with the given information, post-test semi-structured interviews with the parents were held four weeks later. The aim was to assess the extent to which the designed temperament sorter contributed to strengthen the parent-child interaction. The designed product successfully assisted in addressing the aim of the study. All the research questions were successfully answered. Dissemination and marketing of a practice-based ecometric model and designed temperament sorter will take place after completion of the research project. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This study promotes the notion that it is important for the family to be treated as a unit. It highlights the importance of parents understanding and respecting their children as unique human beings instead of regarding them as „carbon copies‟ of themselves. The study further stresses the importance of parents being included as important variables within the therapeutic process with a child. For parents to understand and recognise their child‟s needs, knowledge of the child‟s temperament is required. Knowledge of the nature of temperament leads to parents having a better understanding of their children‟s behaviour and consequently fewer frustrations within the parent-child interaction arise. The study aimed to utilise a practice-based ecometric model to assess temperament and preference functions that assist in enhancing the parent-child interaction. In order to address the aim of study, the practice-based ecometric model needed to include a temperament sorter as a tool to obtain information regarding temperament and preference functions. However, in practice there is no instrument/tool or temperament sorter to determine temperament and preference functions in children that may be used by professionals, such as social workers, who are not trained as psychologists. The design and development (D&D) model was considered an appropriate design for this study because it lends itself to the use of a multi-phase research approach. During Phase 1 the research problem was analysed and the project was planned accordingly. A literature study was undertaken during Phase 2 to explore and describe the different components required within a practice-based ecometric model that assesses temperament and preference functions, as well as the different dimensions required within the temperament sorter. Phase 2 was concluded after the researcher explored how the ecometric perspective could contribute to the development of an ecometric temperament sorter. Phase 3, Step 1 and Phase 4, Steps 1-3 involved a quantitative process where item analysis of the prototype was explored with the assistance of a panel of experts and designed using the Delphi method. The prototype temperament sorter was pilot tested for reliability using equivalent or parallel form reliability. To assess if the designed temperament sorter, when used within the practice-based ecometric model, assisted in enhancing the parent-child interaction, the one-group pre-test post-test design was followed during Phase 5, Steps 1-2. Qualitative data were obtained from parents through pre-test semi-structured interviews. Through the completion of the designed temperament sorter, quantitative data were obtained regarding the temperament and preference functions of participating children. During a feedback session, each child‟s temperament and preference functions were qualitatively explained to parents. In order to give the parents ample time to rethink and familiarise themselves practically with the given information, post-test semi-structured interviews with the parents were held four weeks later. The aim was to assess the extent to which the designed temperament sorter contributed to strengthen the parent-child interaction. The designed product successfully assisted in addressing the aim of the study. All the research questions were successfully answered. Dissemination and marketing of a practice-based ecometric model and designed temperament sorter will take place after completion of the research project. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Handedness is the most obvious expression of lateralized behaviour in humans. However, there is only limited knowledge about other forms of lateralized behaviour, e.g. preferential use of an eye and whether these may correlate with handedness. Thus to investigate this, 100 subjects (50 males and 50 females) between 11 and 80 years of age were assessed for their eye preference, eye dominance, visual acuity, and handedness. Eye preference was assessed by performing four different monocular tasks, eye dominance by performing the binocular Dolman test, visual acuity was assessed with a Snellen chart and handedness was surveyed using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Regarding eye preference, the right eye was preferred by 69% of the subjects. 90 % of the subjects were consistent for their preferred eye across all four tasks. 66% of the subjects had a dominant right eye, 33% had left eye dominance and 1% could not be assessed using the Dolman test. 56% of the subjects differed in their visual acuity between both eyes, while 43% had the same visual acuity in both of their eyes. 86% of the subjects were right-handed while 4% were left handed and 10% were ambidextrous. Significant correlations were found between visual acuity and eye preference and between visual acuity and eye dominance. The study also found a positive correlation between handedness and eye preference. These results support the notion that there is a weak correlation between the different aspects of lateralized behaviour in humans.

This research explores the differences between how game engine cameras and the human visual system (HVS) render colour. The study is motivated by a two part research question: will HVS colours or game camera colours be preferred when experiencing a virtual environment from a 1st-person perspective and how does light intensity relate to preference? While previous research defines perceptual processes which influence the interpretation of colour information this study advances the understanding of how these theories may be applied to 3D colour grading.When evaluating the two colour modes with a combination of quantitative data and qualitative reflections it was possible to establish a correlation between preference and light intensity, in the sense that HVS colours were preferred in high illumination and camera colours in low. The findings implicate that in order to be well received the colours of a virtual environment need to be adjusted according to illumination.

This exploratory study initially attempts to generate basic understanding regarding how do Chinese tourists evaluate the importance of Scandinavian gastronomies when holidaying the countries. And it further judge the states could whether implement gastronomical development strategy. Additionally, the study generally explores Chinese tourists’ food behavior, motivation and preference in a culturally different environment when holidaying in Scandinavian countries. The study also provides a detailed investigation regarding Chinese tourists’ food preference, behavior and motivation based upon the general food habits. The study proposes the in-depth research that describes the disparities of Chinese tourists’ dining attitude on Scandinavian gastronomies from varying social groups, such as age and gender. A structured questionnaire adopted in the study as the research tool to collect quantitative data from sampled respondents. This study addressed a number of gaps in current knowledge. Academically, it filled the gap about the relationship between the gastronomy and the destination in Scandinavian states. And this study gains a better understanding about Chinese tourists food attitude towards exotic gastronomies in particular Scandinavian’s. The difference of Chinese tourists’ gastronomies, food preference, motivations and tourists’ food behavior on food while having a trip in Scandinavian countries is specifically indicated in the study. Regarding the business, a key contribution of this study is that it also provides the understanding about Chinese tourists in culinary aspect which can help with making a feasible tourism development plan.

Brands are an important part of consumers’ lives, and cultural aspects affect how consumers view brands. Though a great depth of research exists on branding and consumer culture, there is a lack of knowledge about Generation Y’s perceptions of clothing in Sweden, and specifically for men, across many countries. Different people purchase branded clothing for varied reasons and possess diverse needs that branded clothing may meet. Therefore, this study focuses on determining the perception of clothing and brands that Swedish men of Generation Y hold and examines the role branded clothing plays in their lives, in hopes of creating new knowledge within the chosen topic area.

Recent medical studies have led cardiologists to revise theories regarding the cause of heart attacks. Rather than a gradual clogging of the arteries, eruption of a vulnerable plaque is thought to be the cause of approximately 75% of all heart attacks. As a result, traditional risk factors are no longer sufficient indicators of who is at risk for a heart attack. Therefore, this research investigates the willingness to pay (WTP) for a new, hypothetical detection (screening) and treatment method for vulnerable plaque. For this study, two survey instruments were developed that take advantage of the visual and interactive aspects of the Internet. Individuals report their perception of heart attack risk both prior to and after receiving new information on who cardiologists currently believe to be at risk for a heart attack. In addition, respondents are provided with information about the effectiveness and risks associated with screening and treatment. Using webbased surveys, which follow a contingent valuation format, an iterative bidding process is used to elicit the respondents WTP for either the screening or treatment method. Internet, on-line surveys are often prone to coverage bias; however, the survey valuing screening (a simple blood test) used a Knowledge Networks panel and resulted in a sample of 268 adults that is essentially representative of the general population. The survey valuing treatment (a more invasive heart catheterization procedure) was administered only to individuals with doctor-diagnosed heart problems, who are presumably more familiar with these types of medical decisions, and resulted in a sample of 295 adults. The mean for screening is $69 and the mean WTP for treatment that is 85% effective is $5,816. A two-part model is used to identify the factors that influence WTP, as well as the decision to receive the screening/treatment. The data suggests that these factors vary across genders. The data obtained for this study demonstrate construct validity; therefore, the results may provide useful information for policy analysis regarding the screening and treatment of heart attack.

Previous research has suggested that lobeline, a plant alkaloid derived from Lobelia inflate, has potential to be an efficacious pharmacotherapy for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence. In addition to attenuating methamphetamineinduced dopaminergic alterations in vitro, lobeline has been shown to decrease the primary rewarding effects and discriminative stimulus properties of methamphetamine in rats. It is of clinical interest to assess the utility of lobeline to decrease methamphetamine conditioned cues as these cues have been shown to significantly contribute to relapse. The current studies assessed the ability of lobeline to block the acquisition and expression of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference in rats. Lobeline blocked the acquisition of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference when a low dose of methamphetamine was used during conditioning. However, this blockade was surmounted with higher doses of methamphetamine. Furthermore, the expression of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference is attenuated following repeated administration, indicating that lobeline not only blocks the primary reinforcing effects of methamphetamine, but it also blocks the environmental cues that become associated with drug administration. These results provide further evidence that lobeline may be an efficacious treatment for methamphetamine dependence. The rewarding properties of psychostimulants are thought to be mediated, at least in part, by the nucleus accumbens shell. The effects of lobeline on methamphetamine-induced alterations in this dopaminergic region were assessed using microdialysis in rats. Acute lobeline did not have an effect on the methamphetamine-induced increases in dopamine, indicating that repeated lobeline administration may be more efficacious. Interestingly, lobeline potentiated the methamphetamine-induced decrease of the dopamine metabolite, DOPAC. These results suggest that acute lobeline may function to redistribute vesicular dopamine pools within the terminal bouton.