M.A. (Psychology) / The improvement of the attitudes of members of all race groups towards other groups appears to be an essential precondition for the promotion of constructive intergroup relations in South Africa. At present, whites play a dominant role in South African politics. Relevant research has shown that Afrikaans-speaking whites have more negative attitudes towards other race groups than English-speaking whites. Afrikaans-speaking white students are identified as an important target group for attitude-modification programmes: it is likely that this group contains a number of future leaders and opinion- formers with regard to attitudes towards other race groups. This group is also accessible for research. As an attitude object, "other race groups" is very diffuse and difficult to define. A more specific attitude object is used in this dissertation, namely "black participation in democratic political institutions in South Africa". This attitude object can be clearly defined, and probably has a central position· in the race attitudes of Afrikaans-speaking whites in South Africa. An appropriate measuring instrument with adequate psychometric properties is an essential requirement for research which relates to the improvement of the attitudes of a target group towards an attitude object. A literature survey of research which involves the psychometric assessment of race attitudes in South Africa indicates that an appropriate measuring instrument which offers an adequate psychometric assessment of the attitudes of Afrikaans-speaking, white students towards black participation in democratic political institutions in South Africa has not yet been developed.

This study aimed at determining whether participating in an environmental education programme (GLOBE) was positively reflected in participants' environmental perceptions, attitudes and level of environmentally responsible behaviour. An ecologically homogeneous sample consisting of 40 Grade 8 GLOBE participants and 40 non-GLOBE participants was selected. Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression analyses and t-tests were employed to compare the research groups. Results showed that GLOBE participants were more positive in their attitudes and actions toward the environment than non-GLOBE participants. GLOBE participants were however not environmentally more perceptive than non-GLOBE participants. Analysing responses of the GLOBE participants in terms of gender and place of residency was fruitless as the sample was too small to yield meaningful results. It was recommended that a more controlled and extended replication of this study, paying specific attention to initial motivations for participation/non-participation in the GLOBE programme, be considered. / Psychology / M.A.

This dissertation focuses on investigating the relationship between organisational culture and employee engagement in a Public Service department. In this quantitative study, undertaken in a South African Public Service department (North West province), dimensions of organisational culture (measured by the South African Culture Instrument) were correlated with the dimensions of employee engagement (measured by the South African Engagement Measurement). Correlational analyses revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between each of the dimensions of organisational culture and employee engagement, respectively. ANOVA statistical technique was used to determine whether significant differences exist between groups. Regression analyses revealed that leadership, employee needs and objectives, vision and mission, management processes and internal relationships would predict employee engagement. Leadership made the most significant predictor of employee engagement. The means to achieve objectives dimension showed no effect in predicting employee engagement. This indicates that positive perceptions of organisational culture are likely to be related to higher levels of employee engagement. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

This study aimed at determining whether participating in an environmental education programme (GLOBE) was positively reflected in participants' environmental perceptions, attitudes and level of environmentally responsible behaviour. An ecologically homogeneous sample consisting of 40 Grade 8 GLOBE participants and 40 non-GLOBE participants was selected. Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression analyses and t-tests were employed to compare the research groups. Results showed that GLOBE participants were more positive in their attitudes and actions toward the environment than non-GLOBE participants. GLOBE participants were however not environmentally more perceptive than non-GLOBE participants. Analysing responses of the GLOBE participants in terms of gender and place of residency was fruitless as the sample was too small to yield meaningful results. It was recommended that a more controlled and extended replication of this study, paying specific attention to initial motivations for participation/non-participation in the GLOBE programme, be considered. / Psychology / M.A.