Individuals evidencing psychopathic personality traits have been shown to have problematic attachment to others. Moreover, research suggests that culture affects attachment style as well as the expression of various psychopathic traits using the four-factor model of psychopathy. However, the majority of this research has included only white college students, which is a limiting factor. The current study assessed the relations among attachment representations and psychopathic features across two independent samples (one adult & one adolescent) from different world regions (adults only), ethnicity (adolescents only), and gender. Using similar assessments of attachment and psychopathic traits for both samples, dismissing attachment was related to aspects of psychopathic traits in nearly all cultures and ethnicities sampled. In the world sample, secure attachment was found to positively relate to impulsive and parasitic lifestyle traits in all regions. Culture and gender were found to moderate several relations between specific attachment styles and psychopathic features. Overall, the patterns of data indicated that many of the differences found between groups may be rooted in individualistic versus collectivistic values, and were consistent with previous research assessing these constructs across diverse samples.

Review of previous research on cultural differences in pain experience and/or pain behavior revealed that cultural affiliation affects pain perception and response. Unfortunately, the many inconsistent findings in the literature on cultural differences in pain experience and behavior have made interpretations and comparisons of results problematic. These inconsistent findings could be attributed to variations in acculturation level among cultural groups. The purpose of this study was to investigate cultural differences in pain experience (assessed by McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Box Scale, the Headache Pain Drawing, and the Headache Questionnaire) and pain behavior (measured by determining medication use and interference of daily functioning due to headaches) among Mexican (n = 43), Mexican American (n = 36), and Anglo American (n = 50) female chronic headache pain sufferers. The contribution of acculturation to differences in pain experience and behavior among cultural groups was measured by the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans. The three cultural groups of women significantly differed on pain experience and pain behavior. Specifically, Mexican women experienced their headache pain more intensely, severely, and emotionally than Mexican American and Anglo American women. Furthermore, Mexican women were more willing to verbally express their pain than the other two groups. As for pain behavior, Mexican women took more medication and reported more severe inhibition of daily activities due to headaches than Mexican American and Anglo American women. Ethnic identity, ethnic pride, and language preference were factors in the acculturation process which contributed the most to women's chronic pain experience and behavior. The greatest variability occurred within the Mexican American group of women who perceived themselves as being more Mexican in attitudes and/or behaviors, but more similar to Anglo American in their pain experience and pain behavior. Results are explained using biocultural multidimensional pain theory, social learning theory, and acculturation theory.

An alternative model of well-being and development using an emic and post-hoc approach is presented. This method was applied to a non-educated corridor sample which includes rural and urban shantytowns (n = 550). A psychometric wellbeing battery was developed for this study. Analytical technique includes a modified version of Confirmatory Factor Analysis in order to meet the demands of the post-hoc theorisation rationale. Alternative models of universal needs, subjective life satisfaction, resources, and values are presented. A three factor personality solution is described. Discussion emphasises the advantages of these results compared to theories and approaches from Europe and United States in theoretical and empirical terms. Implications for development are also discussed. / Se presenta una propuesta alternativa a los modelos establecidos de bienestar y desarrollo a través de una metodología émica y post hoc. Esta se aplica a un corredor migratorio desde comunidades rurales hasta urbano marginales. Se aplicó una batería psicométrica desarrollada para este estudio a 550 participantes y una versión modificada del análisis factorial confirmatorio para satisfacer las demandas de teorización post-hoc del estudio. Se proponen modelos alternativos de necesidades universales, satisfacción subjetiva de vida, recursos y valores. Se encuentra una estructura de tres factores de personalidad. Los resultados son discutidos en relación con las teorías establecidas desde el referente europeo y estadounidense y se reflexiona sobre sus perspectivas para el desarrollo.

Text in Afrikaans / Euro-centric (Western) therapeutic approaches in psychotherapy are criticized by several authors as being unsuitable in an African context. The reconciliation of the contrasting approach of world- and human views regarding individualism (Western) and collectivism (Africa) is being questioned. In this research a qualitative approach was used. The objectives were to explore, describe and to explain the use of gestalt play therapy with the adolescent who suffered trauma due to the loss of one or both parents, in a multicultural context. Case studies were done on three adolescents in eight therapeutic sessions of Gestalt play therapy. The finding and conclusion of this research showed that Gestalt play therapy could be used with the traumatised adolescent in a multicultural context. The child could be understood from a holistic point of view as the individual as well as a member of a cultural group. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

Text in Afrikaans / Euro-centric (Western) therapeutic approaches in psychotherapy are criticized by several authors as being unsuitable in an African context. The reconciliation of the contrasting approach of world- and human views regarding individualism (Western) and collectivism (Africa) is being questioned. In this research a qualitative approach was used. The objectives were to explore, describe and to explain the use of gestalt play therapy with the adolescent who suffered trauma due to the loss of one or both parents, in a multicultural context. Case studies were done on three adolescents in eight therapeutic sessions of Gestalt play therapy. The finding and conclusion of this research showed that Gestalt play therapy could be used with the traumatised adolescent in a multicultural context. The child could be understood from a holistic point of view as the individual as well as a member of a cultural group. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

Dans l’histoire des femmes de l’occident, les corps féminins, régis et interpelés par des règles qui régulaient, surtout, leur sexualité, ont été pensés en couples antinomiques : les mères et les prostituées, les saintes et les « diaboliques ». L’umbanda, religion afro-brésilienne qui détient la capacité d’accueillir les discours et les pratiques de la société brésilienne, a incorporé cette dualité dans sa religiosité, mais de manière particulière : la pombagira prend corps dans la figure d’une « prostituée sacrée » et occupe une place de premier plan pour ses fidèles. A partir d’un travail de terrain dans des terreiros d’umbanda de l’état de São Paulo au Brésil en réalisant aussi des entretiens avec les adeptes du culte et avec les pombagiras elles-mêmes (pendant la possession), nous avons cherché à comprendre les significations associées a ce culte. L’analyse des données s’est effectuée par la combinaison de la méthode ethnographique et d’une écoute psychanalytique lacanienne afin de rechercher comment la pombagira « participe » à la vie des adeptes de cette religion. Le travail présente comment, en interagissant avec la pombagira, l’ « être femme » est associé à la séduction, la force, la beauté, le sexe, le désir, l’intelligence et, également, la maternité, intégrant ainsi des significations dissociées des dichotomies mentionnées plus haut. Les signifiants qui caractérisent les pombagiras produisent des sens qui façonnent de manière significative les expériences personnelles de ses adeptes. Par le biais d’une narration prenant en compte le sensible et intégrant le vécu de la chercheuse elle-même dans son intéraction avec les groupes étudiés, le travail présente une compréhension ethnopsychologique du genre à l’écoute des significations qui s’élaborent dans le contexte umbandiste et circulent socialement. / In the history of the western women, female bodies, especially governed by their sexuality, were conceived in opposite pairs: the mothers and the prostitutes, the saints and the “demoness”. The umbanda, an afrobrazilian religion that holds the discourses and practices of Brazilian society, included this duality in its religiosity, but in a peculiar way: the pombagira is embodied in the figure of a “sacred prostitute” and is worshiped in prominent place by faithfuls of this religion. In umbanda’s terreiros in the state of São Paulo, we interviewed spiritualist mediuns as well as embodied pombagiras to understand the meanings associated with the cult of the pombagiras. The data were analyzed from a combination of the ethnographic method and the lacanian psychoanalytic listening to investigate how pombagiras “participate” in the life of the supporters of this religion. This work presents how, through the relationship with the pombagira, the “woman being” is associated with the seduction, the strength, the beauty, the sex, the desire, the intelligence and even the maternity, integrating the decoupled senses with the mentioned dichotomy. The pombagira’s meanings produce senses that build the personal experiences of their faithfuls. Using a narrative that concerns the sensible and by the researcher’s experience in the relationship with the surveyed groups, this work presents an ethnopsychological comprehension of the gender and considers the senses that are elaborated in the umbanda and that circulate socially. / Na história das mulheres do ocidente, os corpos femininos, regidos e interpelados por normas que regulavam, sobretudo, sua sexualidade, foram compreendidos em pares de oposição: as mães e as prostitutas, as santas e as “satanizadas”. A umbanda, religião afro-brasileira detentora da capacidade de acolher os discursos e práticas da sociedade brasileira, incluiu essa dualidade em sua religiosidade, mas de maneira peculiar: a pombagira foi corporificada na figura de uma “prostituta sagrada” e passou a ser cultuada em lugar de destaque por seus fieis. A partir de trabalho de campo em terreiros de umbanda do estado de São Paulo, foram realizadas entrevistas com médiuns, pais e mães-de-santo, bem como com as próprias pombagiras incorporadas para compreender os sentidos associados ao culto das pombagiras. A análise dos dados contou com a combinação do método etnográfico a uma escuta psicanalítica lacaniana para investigar como a pombagira “participa” da vida dos adeptos da religião. O trabalho apresenta como, na interação com a pombagira, o “ser mulher” é associado à sedução, à força, à beleza, ao sexo, ao desejo, à inteligência e, inclusive, à maternidade, integrando sentidos dissociados pelas dicotomias mencionadas. Por meio de uma narrativa atenta ao sensível e incluindo a vivência da própria pesquisadora na interação com os grupos pesquisados, o trabalho apresenta uma compreensão etnopsicológica de gênero ao dar ouvidos a sentidos que se elaboram no contexto umbandista, circulam socialmente e ressoam intimamente.

Au sein de la périnatalité organisée en réseau(x), entre les objectifs préventifs et thérapeutiques attendus pour les bébés et leurs parents et les vécus concrets, des écarts sont à constater. Nous avons dans cette recherche souhaité proposer quelques pistes de réflexion concernant ces constats : notre démarche en psychopathologie et psychologie clinique s’associe à un positionnement ethnopsychologique, psychanalytique et systémique, pour aborder la complexité de cette problématique.Notre hypothèse est que la compréhension du travail psychique des réseau(x) de soins, ici situés autour de la Naissance, passerait par :1) la prise en compte de l’existence d’un « réseau dans la tête » de chaque protagoniste de l’enfantement, professionnel et parent, en tant que formation psychique spécifique des groupalités intra, inter et trans-subjective de la réticularité2) le fait d’envisager les résistances et ressources propres aux exigences de ce travail psychique en réseau, qui entravent et/ou étayent les qualités dynamiques des processus perceptifs, relationnels et communicationnels3) le principe selon lequel ces processus perceptifs fragilisent et/ou soutiennent les qualités potentiellement préventives et thérapeutiques de cette organisation de soins spécifiques à la mise et à la venue au monde des enfants.4) l’idée que cette organisation des soins se modélise en réticularité pour permettre une adaptabilité des processus psychiques défensifs, groupaux et singuliers plus ou moins conscientisés, face aux émergences et réminiscences mobilisées par le phénomène de la Naissance.Le recueil des perceptions attenantes au réseau périnatal et à la place de chacun au sein de cette organisation, a été effectué selon la méthode ethnobiographique auprès des protagonistes de l’enfantement (familles et professionnels) en Languedoc-Roussillon, de 2005 à 2009, au sein de services d’obstétrique, de pédiatrie et de pédopsychiatrie périnatale. A partir de l’analyse de ces données et de trois vignettes cliniques, sont questionnés ici les élaborations et les processus psychiques participant et procédant des liens institués autour de la Naissance. L’analyse, étayée de certains apports des théoriciens du chaos, aboutit à établir peu à peu un modèle de compréhension du travail psychique propre aux réseaux de soins, dont notamment la périnatalité. Ce modèle propose de procéder par :- l’analyse psychologique simultanée des situations cliniques en cinq focales ; niveau singulier conscient, niveau singulier inconscient, niveau groupal conscient, niveau groupal inconscient et selon les différentes strates du réseau (réseau-dispositif ; réseau local-informel ; réseau de proximité formalisé ; réseau-famille ; réseau-professionnel ; réseau dans la tête).- le repérage et l’instrumentalisation des protagonistes-clés de cette méthodologie ; le référent, le répondant et le préoccupé.Face aux mobilisations convoquées par l’enfantement, chacun et tous, familles et professionnels, mettent en place des processus et des élaborations psychiques propres au domaine de la périnatalité réticulaire, à travers des dynamiques psychiques complexes, où le sujet apparaît de, dans, entre et à travers le(s) groupe(s), afin de permettre une adaptabilité défensive adéquate face aux éprouvés participant et procédant de la mise et de la venue au monde des enfants. Entre exigences et possibilités de chacun et de tous, il s’agit d’un tissage dynamique, entre accordages et désaccordages intra, inter et trans-subjectifs : groupalités psychiques réticulaires, réseau(x) dans la tête, dont les qualités en termes de flexibilité et/ou de rigidification, vont permettre, ou peu, ou pas, les potentialités créatrices de la Naissance, dans des contextes préventifs et thérapeutiques / In the context of perinatal nexus, there are differences between the preventive and therapeutic purposes set for the baby and her/his parents on one hand and actual experiences on the other hand. In this research, we wish to develop some reflections about these differences, by mainly resorting to clinical psychology and psychopathology approaches, with ethno-psychological, psychoanalytic and systemic views to grasp the complexity of this theme. Our hypothesis is that a better understanding of the mental shaping of network around the birth could proceed from : - acknowledging this mental shaping in network for each and all partners, professional and parent, as specific mind shaping of network in intra, inter and trans-subjective groups. - taking into account the resistances and resources fitted to mental shaping of network, that hinder and/or support the dynamic qualities of perceptive processes that partake and originate in this care organisation and which weaken and/or prop up its preventive and therapeutic potentialities.Using an ethno-biographical method, a data collection of the birth protagonists’ (the families and medical-nursing staff) perceptions of perinatal nexus and the part played by each one of them in it, made in obstetric, paediatric and child psychiatric units, in Languedoc-Roussillon, from 2005 to 2009. From the data analysis and from three clinical examples, were particularly examined psychological elaborations and processes that originate and partake in the established birth nexus. This analysis, made complete with some contributions of chaos theoreticians, leads to a pattern of understanding of the mind shaping in this specific perinatal network. This model suggests to proceed from : - simultaneous psychological analysis of clinical situation in five levels ; conscious individual level, unconscious individual level, conscious group level, unconscious group level and various network levels (system-network, locally and informally network, formal closeness network, family-network, professional-network, mental shaping in network). - the key-protagonists’ identification and instrumentalization of this method; “the” referent, “the” guarantor and “the” involved.Facing thoughts about child birth, everyone (the families and medical-nursing staff) sets up psychological elaborations and processes that originate and partake in specific perinatal nexus, through psychological and complexe dynamics, which emerges the subject “from”, “in”, “between” and “through” human group(s), in order to permit adequate defensive adaptability when facing feelings partaking and originating in coming and bringing into the world. In between the demands and possibilities of each protagonist, a dynamic weaving of thoughts is ranging from being tune to being out of tune : there lies a mind shaping of network whose flexibility and/or rigidity can or cannot much entice, creative potentialities on human birth, in preventive and therapeutic context

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Selecting actors to appear in an advertisement is an important decision which has a crucial impact on the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. The same message, delivered by different actors, produces varying outcomes among consumers. This dilemma concerning the choice of actors occurs particularly in multi-racial societies, such as South Africa, where advertisers have to target different sectors of the community. In multi-racial societies, the choice of actors in advertisements goes beyond the usual commercial reasons. Indeed, two dimensions are generally conferred to multi-racial advertising. Firstly, the use of multi-racial representations allows for the targeting of a wider population that also owns a wider purchasing power. Marketers who want to market their brand use, for example, white and black actors so that white and black consumers can identify with the actors and recognize themselves as the target of the advertisement. Secondly, the multi-racial representations of this type of advertising hold a social role that counteracts the segregated depiction of the society. Consumers who are exposed to a multi-racial advertisement might perceive this social dimension and attribute a social responsibility to the advertisement. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the influence of the above dimensions on the effectiveness of a multi-racial advertisement. On the one hand, this study investigates the Identification Process followed by a consumer exposed to a multi-racial advertisement. On the other hand, it examines how consumers attribute a social responsibility to a specific multiracial advertisement and how this attribution, in turn, influences their responses to the advertisement and brand. Finally, the impacts of both of these dimensions on consumer behaviour are compared and the most persuasive dimension is identified. This thesis draws on Attribution Theory and Identification Theory in arguing that there are strong economic imperatives for adopting a multi-racial advertising approach. The thesis develops a conceptual framework and tests empirically hypotheses regarding the key constructs and moderating variables. The empirical results point out that both dimensions symbiotically influence the effectiveness of a multi-racial advertisement. Specifically, the results highlight that the social responsibility attributed by the viewers to the advertisement influences their behaviour more than the Identification Process.

The Wechsler Memory Scale –iii is the newest version of a six-decade old neuropsychological inventory. Since its conception, the Wechsler Memory Scale has been highly utilized by practitioners to accurately assess various memory functions in adult subjects. Revisions made within this inventory include the Faces I subtest, a facial recognition scale, which was added in order to strengthen the instrument’s accuracy at measuring episodic memory. Facial recognition, both cross-race and within-race, has been researched extensively and consistent biases have been found between race of test taker and cross-racial identification. Theories of exposure/contextual interaction (environment) and biological foundations have been the subject of study in the past in order to determine from where these racial identification deficits stem. The current study focuses on revealing bias in the Faces I subtest, regarding to an unequal distribution of racially representative faces in the testing materials. Eighty-eight college students were recruited to view forty-eight pictured faces from the Faces I subtest and determine the racial category to which the pictured face belonged. The subjects’ categorical responses were the basis for calculating a percent agreement score for racial category of each face. It was determined, using the results of subjects’ responses, that the Faces I subtest contained an unequal distribution of racially representative faces in both the Target and Interference testing material. This confirmed the presence of an inherent bias within the subscale. The implications of memory accuracy for the WMS-iii are discussed as it relates to different fields of study, but none more directly than the criminal justice system. Eyewitness testimony is a pivotal evidentiary tool in the criminal justice system, and ramifications of cross-racial identification deficits and biases in the tools to accurately assess memory are increasingly bringing this once heavily relied upon tool into question.