Orientador: Carla Gandini Giani Martelli / Banca: Renata Medeiros Paoliello / Banca: Roberto Louzada / Resumo: O presente estudo apresenta como tema de pesquisa adolescentes infratores e como objeto as ações socioeducativas de ressocialização presentes em uma Unidade de Semiliberdade localizada no interior do estado de São Paulo. Os objetivos do estudo são identificar, compreender e analisar as ações socioeducativas empregadas com os menores infratores pelos funcionários desta Instituição; identificar, compreender e analisar a percepção dos funcionários da instituição socioeducativa acima referida sobre a efetividade destas ações; buscar, com ajuda dos profissionais, possíveis mudanças positivas para a ressocialização. Foi feita uma pesquisa descritiva, exploratória, de natureza qualitativa realizada por meio de entrevistas com os funcionários da instituição em análise. Também foram estudados os seguintes documentos: o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (1990); o Sistema Nacional de Atendimento Socioeducativo (2006); e as Diretrizes para a Implementação da Medida Socioeducativa de Semiliberdade (2012). O referencial teórico deste estudo é a Sociologia Compreensiva de Max Weber. A presente pesquisa quer trazer à luz as dificuldades enumeradas pelos funcionários e suas sugestões de superação para que a ressocialização de adolescentes infratores possa ter sucesso / Abstract: The current study presents as research theme juvenile deliquency and as its object the social and educative re-socialization measures present at a Semi-liberty Unit in the countryside of São Paulo. The objectives of such study are to identify, understand and analyze the social and educative actions used with juvenile transgressors by professionals of this Unit; to identify, understand and analyze their perception of the institute already mentioned in terms of effectiveness of such actions; seek together with these professionals, possible positive changes for re-socialization. It was a descriptive, exploratory qualitative research accomplished by means of interviews with professionals of the institution under analysis. The following documents were also examined: Statute of the Child and Adolescent (1990); National Social Educative Service System (2006); and the Guidelines to the implementation of the partner-educative measure for Semi-liberty (2012). The theoretical framework of this study is Max Weber's Comprehensive Sociology. This research intends to shed light on the difficulties numbered by the professionals and their suggestions for overcoming so that the re-socialization of juvenile transgressors can be successful / Mestre

Do adolescents of colour really engage in risk-taking behaviours as often generalised by the public? Are they in fact the alcohol, drugs, sex, and violence generation? This study attempts to investigate the conditions influencing the choices adolescents make prior to their engaging in risk-taking behaviours. In the social sciences, concerns over adolescents’ recklessly irresponsible behaviours have deep roots. In 1904 G. Stanley Hall depicted adolescence as misbehaving because of the storms and stresses of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Subsequently, social scientists produced substantial evidence that the storminess of adolescence is largely an over generalisation, which has not been empirically substantiated. In corroboration of this interpretation, this study also indicates that not all adolescents engage in risk-taking behaviour, and those risky individuals do not necessarily engage in all spheres of risk-taking. The majority of the target group only experimented with certain risk behaviours by engaging in them on one occasion only. The specific high school was selected because the researcher knew the learners, as she was an educator there at the time. She was thus reasonably aware of the frequency, the nature and the severity of the risk-taking behaviours of the target group. In general, the most important findings of the study signified a moderate level of participation in risk-taking activities. However, in certain spheres such as cigarette smoking, alcohol usage and sexual intercourse, an extreme participation level was reported. Certain factors such as gender, age, socio-economic conditions, parental (one or both) absence, and the respondents’ attitude towards the specific behaviour, were discovered to have played an influential role in the target group taking risks. Based on the reasons advanced for engaging in risk-taking behaviour, the researcher concluded that the following theories were applicable in explaining the behaviour of the respondents. These theories are the social learning theory, symbolic interactionist theory, social identity, the theory of reasoned action, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The researcher trusts that this study will assist the reader to understand the complex contributing circumstances that the target group has to contend with in making decisions.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship existed between olfactory preferences and sexual orientation in Heterosexual, Entire Life lesbian, and Adopted Lifestyle lesbian women. Research in the area of olfaction and sexual behavior was reviewed and, on the basis of the literature, it was hypothesized that Heterosexual women would prefer male odors, Entire Life lesbian women would prefer female odors, and Adopted Lifestyle lesbian women would prefer male odors more than Entire Life lesbians. The design involved having female subjects sniff male and female odors and indicate a preference for either the male or female odor. The odor samples were human apocrine gland secretions obtained by having odor donors wear gauze pads in their armpits. The odor collected on the pads was then stabilized through applications of alcohol and subsequent freezing.

M.Phil. / The objective of this study was to explore a group of key employees’ experiences and perceptions at the Government Funded Organisation (GFO) of the service performance of the GFO they work for, as well as to develop a social tool –a model – that could be used to help both the public fulfil its role of developing workable strategies aimed at ensuring that they deliver services according to their mandate. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods (mixed method approach) was used in this study. The existing quantitative instrument was buttressed by the empirically derived qualitative insights to form an instrument that was later distributed to all GFO employees with a view to developing a “mixed method model” of leadership work ethic for improved organisational performance for the institution concerned. During the qualitative phase of this study interviews were conducted using an exploratory theory approach. Eight executive members at the level of a Director General (DG) and Deputy Directors General (DDG) were interviewed. The result of the interviews was a qualitatively derived prototype of interrelated concepts in the form of a work ethic model, consisting of rich descriptive data which was carefully analysed using an exploratory theory methodology (Glaser & Strauss, 2007 and Daniels, 2009). This means the development of theory that is derived from an analysis of qualitative data. The computer assisted data analysis tool, Atlas, ti was used to support the qualitative data. The second phase of the study was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to 549 employees of the GFO. From the 549 questionnaires emailed to all employees, 349 were completed and returned, thus constituting a response rate of 76.5%. The questionnaires returned were deemed adequate for conducting a factor analysis. A first level factor analysis v was accordingly conducted on intercorrelation matrix of the 10 theoretical dimensions. A second level factor analysis on a sub-score intercorrelation matrix followed and resulted in six (6) factors being extracted. Iterative item analysis then yielded acceptable metric properties for each dimension and a Cronbach alpha coefficient ranging between 0.611 and 0.697, which was deemed a reasonable acceptable scale reliability for the model. To get at the desired model, the findings of the phases of the mixed method approach were synthesised and interrelated where data from the quantitative phase played a significant role to data from the qualitative phase. The derived model consists of the inner core and the outer core. The elements of the outer core which were qualitatively derived by means of exploratory theory provided a description of the discussion and gave the research participants a say in the inquiry. The elements of the inner core, on the other hand, were elicited through deductive reasoning and gave the model a qualitative exploration through the use of factor analysis. These elements included amongst others, leadership, leadership work ethic, quality management, organisational strategy, strategic management, organisational learning, organisational structure and organisational performance. The elements of the outer core were identified as observing conventions, behavioral traits, reward and recognition, time at work, self-worth and responsibility and time management. The results of the two methods were thus integrated into a model called the New Work Ethic Model (NWEM).

M. Ed. / The development of behaviour, character and social skills of people stems from and is maintained by means of interaction with other people. Actually, the most crucial stage is during late adolescence, when proficiency in work ethics, relationships and especially assertiveness should be shaped, as it has direct bearing on the situation when someone does not act in an assertive manner in the work environment. People who are able to act in a truly assertive manner are able to express their feelings, thoughts and convictions without any aggression, in a non-destructive way, and to act in a neither extremely controlling, nor inappropriately reticent fashion. It has come to the notice of the researcher that the behaviour, social skills and especially the assertiveness of a considerable number of late adolescents at a specific technical training college, given their age, appear not be appropriate when among adults, as they communicate ineffectively and are not able to verbalise their expectations regarding their needs. It seems as if late adolescents do not want to make their voices heard. With “voice” an own opinion in relation to choices is meant. The researcher was left wondering whether they would be able to communicate in an adult manner with employees, and express their needs by means of “I messages”, as well as to what extent they would be able to take a stand solely on their own behalf, when having to contend with possible problems in the work environment. The emancipation process of late adolescents often gives rise to mixed emotions in themselves. They simultaneously look forward to and fear the process of becoming adults, which then results in them withdrawing themselves. Others then tend to view them as being incompetent. As a part of their need for independence, they criticise any boundaries, which in turn involves them in conflict. They display open hostility towards others and reveal low quality problem-solving skills, relating to superficial intra- and interpersonal skills in relationships with others.

Magister Artium - MA / Young people have high rates of risk-taking, including alcohol use/abuse and high risk sex. The main purpose of this study was to gain insight into the drinking patterns and sexual behaviour of young UWC students. The aim was to investigate the relationship between alcohol use and unsafe sex practices (such as unplanned sex, multiple partners, and non/inconsistent condom use) and to identify any shifts in sexual practices in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis. / South Africa

We all want to live good lives, but due to the difficulty involved, few of us ever succeed. We usually either fail in our attempts to live well or remain with our safer, and less worthwhile, options. In spite of this, there has been little, if any, investigation of the role that difficulty plays in our attempts to live well, and thus in our conceptions of the good life. Within the field of the good life, philosophers tend to acknowledge the fact that good lives are difficult to live, and leave it at that. Since we must all face the difficulty of living well, the lack of analysis of the implications of difficulty seems a glaring oversight. In order to redress this, I explore the role that difficulty plays in two requirements for living well, namely achievement and reflection. Firstly, I examine the relationship between effort and achievement. I argue that difficulty just is the requirement of effort, and that it is required in order for our achievements to be meaningful and for us to value them. Secondly, I look at the relationship between failure and reflection. I argue that reflection on our failures can lead us to knowledge that helps us to live well and that we would not usually come to if we did not fail. Finally, I look at the roles of effort and failure in some accounts of the good life and I draw on psychological research and theory to provide support for my conclusions about the positive effects of effort. I conclude by examining the implications of reducing difficulty for the future of humankind.

The professional turn in sports has prompted the search for explanations beyond the physical when discussing quality of performance. Mental Toughness has been recognised as one of the most important psychological attributes in achieving performance excellence across multiple sport settings. Yet, despite this, little research has been conducted into mental toughness development. This research seeks to answer the question: What insights can the development and implementation of a mental toughness programme for a semi-professional South African cricket team provide regarding Mental Toughness development? Based on a theoretical framework of mental toughness in cricket, a programme was developed in collaboration with the Border Cricket Team and Coaches. Incorporating elements that focussed on education, environment, awareness and mental skills, the programme was implemented in both individual and group settings during the off- and pre-seasons. An analysis of the participants’ experiences identified the need for a theoretical understanding of mental toughness within teams, facilitating the design of interventions that integrate the team and the individual. Future programmes should include measures of mastery, and individually customised approaches to mental toughness enhancement that acknowledge the potential contextual and individual variation in mental toughness.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MEd (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

This study focuses on exploring the reasons behind dating choices concerning religion and race. Studies report that race is more important than religion in choosing dating partners. Understanding religious and racial dating preferences and choices can help uncover group relations in the larger society. The present study examines the reasons why someone may be willing to date a group outside their religion but not a group outside their race. A pre-interview survey questionnaire was used to locate interview participants. The first 20 respondents who met the specific criteria of being White, single, and a conservative Christian were selected for a qualitative phone interview. To qualify, the respondents needed to be willing to date at least one group that was not Christian, but unwilling to date certain groups outside their race. The interviews were transcribed and the content was analyzed for patterns and themes using the Grounded theory. The results revealed that all the respondents except one were unwilling to date a Black individual and five were unwilling to date any race but White. The least likely to be considered as dating partners for religious groups were the Muslims and atheists. For race, many of the participants viewed Hispanics and Asians as more culturally or physically similar to them than Blacks. The main reasons why the respondents indicated they were willing to date Jewish and agnostic individuals were that they perceived them as similar to themselves in their belief systems. For both religion and race, the respondents were more willing to consider dating groups that were considered to have less stigma in society. The concept of stigma provides a framework for examining the respondents dating choices.