The objective of this research study is to attempt to determine whether the realities or life-stories that successful' employees construct with input from both their cultures of origin (external culture) and the organisational (internal) culture impact on their state of motivation in the workplace. This mini-dissertation is approached from both a theoretical and practical point of view. Related theories and perspectives are explored in an attempt to arrive at an understanding of the philosophy pertaining to construction of reality and motivation in the workplace. Individual narrative discussions were conducted with successful employees, also referred to as respondents, in the research and development division of a South African target industry in an effort to determine whether internal and/or external locus of control impacted on construction of reality and subsequently on work-related motivation. The results from a motivation questionnaire were also incorporated in the research study in order to try to determine whether it supported the findings from the narrative discussions. It can be concluded from this study that successful employees are mostly also motivated employees and that both their cultures of origin and the organisational culture impact on their construction of reality regarding motivation in the workplace. Furthermore, this explanation revealed that an employee's construction of reality definitely impacts on his3 motivation. It is also evident from this research study that these employees have an internal and/or external locus of control. It seemed insignificant whether the respondents were motivated by internal or external factors, but what distinguished them from the other employees were the finding that they were in fact motivated by some or other factor. This study confirmed that different motivational factors impact on different employees as a result of their uniquely constructed realities regarding work-related motivation and success. The challenge for organisations therefore lies in determining which specific, culturally determined internal and/or external factors motivate individual employees. This will enable them to instigate, sustain or increase the motivation of their employees. / Thesis (M.A. (Sociology))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002.

Pautada no modelo médico, a Psicologia tem direcionado seus esforços científicos muito mais para o estudo dos aspectos disfuncionais do indivíduo do que para suas potencialidades. Isso gerou um desequilíbrio no campo de estudos dessa ciência que, ao focalizar sua atenção quase que exclusivamente nos problemas humanos, acabou por deixar que temas, como a Felicidade, fossem apropriados pela chamada literatura de auto-ajuda. A partir do referencial teórico da Psicologia Positiva, este estudo busca compreender a felicidade humana a partir de uma abordagem científica, o que julgamos fundamental para a construção de um corpo teórico consistente sobre o tema e capaz de auxiliar no desenvolvimento de programas de saúde mental de caráter preventivo. Sendo assim, investigamos a relação entre felicidade e lócus de controle numa amostra de 106 sujeitos universitários utilizando-nos, para tanto da Correlação de Spearman e do Teste de Kruskal-Wallis. Os resultados indicaram que quanto maior o lócus de controle interno dos sujeitos pesquisados, maior também seus níveis de felicidade. / Developed around the medical model, Psychology has directed its scientific efforts principally toward the study of the dysfunctional aspects of human behavior rather than toward the potential of the individual. This has created a disequilibrium in the field of study of this science which by focusing its attention almost exclusively on human problems has relegated themes such as Happiness to the so-called self-help literature. Based on the theoretical reference of Positive Psychology, this study seeks to understand Human Happiness from a scientific point of view. We judge this approach fundamental to the construction of a body of theory consistent with the theme and capable of helping in the development of preventive mental health programs. Therefore, we research the relationship between happiness and control "locus" in a sample of 106 university students, using the Spearman Correlation and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results indicate that the greater the internal control locus of the individuals studied, the greater their level of personal happiness.

Text in Afrikaans / Die studie het ten doel om 'n moontlike verband tussen lokus van kontrole jeens skoolwerk en depressie by die adolessent te identifiseer. Die literatuurstudie ondersoek lokus van kontrole - as aspek van verantwoordelikheid - en depressie, sowel as die ontwikkeling van die adolessent. Uit die literatuurstudie ontstaan die gevoel dat sodanige verband wel bestaan. 'n Gerieflikheidsteekproef - bestaande uit graad 11 leerders - is vir die navorsing gebruik. Die deelnemers vul 'n biografiese vraelys in, sowel as Afrikaanse weergawes van Crandall se Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire en die Beck Depression Inventory. Die resultate van die biografiese vraelys, lokus van kontrole vraelys en depressie opname word individueel uiteengesit voordat daar 'n ondersoek gedoen word na moontlike samevallende verskille of korrelasies tussen lokus van kontrole tellings en depressie tellings. weergegee. Gelyktydige voorkoms word ook as persentasies Geen statisties beduidende korrelasies tussen depressie en lokus van kontrole jeens skoolwerk is gevind nie, wat moontlik toegeskryf kan word aan die aard van die steekproef. Verdere navorsing word aanbeveel. / The aim of the study was the identification of a possible relation between locus of control towards schoolwork and depression in adolescence. Locus of control - as an aspect of responsibility - and depression, as well as the development of the adolescent are examined in a literature study. As a result of this the feeling that a relationship between the named variables do exist is expressed. A convencience sample- consisting of grade 11 learners - is used in the research. The participants complete a biographic questionnaire, as well as Afrikaans translations of Crandall's Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory. The result of the biographic questionnaire, the responsibility questionnaire and the depression inventory are reported on their own before an investigation is done regarding possible simultaneous differences or correlations between locus of control values and depression values. Percentages are used for the report of simultaneous values. No statistical meaningful differences or correlations were found, which might be ascribed to the nature of the sample. Further research is recommended. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

The problem of this study was to identify variables in the family environment that may describe depressed adolescents' families. This study was based on Adlerian theory. The Family Environment Scale (FES) was used to measure the family atmosphere. The Lifestyle Scale (LS) was used to examine the adolescent's unique system of beliefs, values, and attitudes. The Internal-External Locus of Control Scale (IE) was used to measure the extent of external control exhibited by the adolescents and their parents. The subjects of this study were 31 depressed adolescents from 2 suburban psychiatric hospitals and one of each of the adolescent's parents. The subjects were from a homogeneous socioeconomic population showing no significant variation in the demographic categories of sex, race, chronological birth order, or marital status of the parents. Scores were compared with normative data. Product moment correlations were calculated between the results of the subscales on the 3 instruments. A principal components factor analysis was performed to determine if any patterns existed.

Med utgångspunkt i det moderna arbetslivet och de krav som detta medför på dagens medarbetare har den aktuella studien valt att inrikta sig på den psykosociala arbetsmiljön. Studien utgår ifrån Julian Rotters teori om locus of control. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur inre och yttre kontrollfokus påverkar upplevelserna av möjligheten till återhämtning och delaktighet. Studien är kvantitativ, och har genomförts på uppdrag av en medelstor kommun i Västsverige. Webbaserad enkät har använts. Resultatet visar att inre kontrollfokus har en signifikant positiv påverkan på både den upplevda möjligheten till återhämtning och den upplevda delaktigheten. Inre kontrollfokus är dessutom av större betydelse för den upplevda möjligheten till återhämtning och den upplevda delaktigheten hos medarbetarna i kommunen, jämfört med de som är chefer med budget- och/eller personalansvar. Således anses inre kontrollfokus kunna påverka den psykosociala arbetsmiljön i positiv riktning.

Due to the fact that the environment in which companies in 'South Africa are operating is constantly changing, these companies are undergoing a process of transformation. Organisations that intend competing successfully within this changing environment will have to have the right kind of leaders in order to stay afloat and even flourish. It is expected from companies' leaders at all levels to successfully navigate these troubled waters. Much of leadership has to do with the way in which leaders motivate their subordinates. Research has shown that there are succinctly different styles of leadership, and that each type of style has a different influence on the motivation of workers. Another factor, equally important, is the concept of locus of control. Research has also shown that people perceive differently, that which controls their destiny. Does the leader feel that he/she is controlled by this constantly changing environment in which he/she has to lead, or is he/she as the leader of an organisation in control of him-herself and his/her actions, and therefore also in control of the company itself? The question that inevitably arises is the following: is there any relationship between the style of leadership and the locus of control of the leader, and if so, what is the nature of this relationship? A quantitative design (two test survey design on a large population) was used to take the measurements on the style of leadership and the locus of control of the leaders. The Locus of Control Inventory (LCI) of Schepers (1998) and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), form 5R of Bass and Avolio (1995), were administered. A statistical analysis was then carried out in order to determine the relationship that exists between the two measurements, as well as the nature of the relationship. There were 221 respondents from organisations in South Africa, most of whom were in a middle level of leadership. The results showed that an internal locus of control and a disposition towards autonomy were associated with a laissez-faire leadership style as well as a transformational leadership style. It also showed that an external locus of control was associated with a laissez-faire leadership style. Recommendations for organisations and for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Due to the fact that the environment in which companies in 'South Africa are operating is constantly changing, these companies are undergoing a process of transformation. Organisations that intend competing successfully within this changing environment will have to have the right kind of leaders in order to stay afloat and even flourish. It is expected from companies' leaders at all levels to successfully navigate these troubled waters. Much of leadership has to do with the way in which leaders motivate their subordinates. Research has shown that there are succinctly different styles of leadership, and that each type of style has a different influence on the motivation of workers. Another factor, equally important, is the concept of locus of control. Research has also shown that people perceive differently, that which controls their destiny. Does the leader feel that he/she is controlled by this constantly changing environment in which he/she has to lead, or is he/she as the leader of an organisation in control of him-herself and his/her actions, and therefore also in control of the company itself? The question that inevitably arises is the following: is there any relationship between the style of leadership and the locus of control of the leader, and if so, what is the nature of this relationship? A quantitative design (two test survey design on a large population) was used to take the measurements on the style of leadership and the locus of control of the leaders. The Locus of Control Inventory (LCI) of Schepers (1998) and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), form 5R of Bass and Avolio (1995), were administered. A statistical analysis was then carried out in order to determine the relationship that exists between the two measurements, as well as the nature of the relationship. There were 221 respondents from organisations in South Africa, most of whom were in a middle level of leadership. The results showed that an internal locus of control and a disposition towards autonomy were associated with a laissez-faire leadership style as well as a transformational leadership style. It also showed that an external locus of control was associated with a laissez-faire leadership style. Recommendations for organisations and for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Text in Afrikaans / Die studie het ten doel om 'n moontlike verband tussen lokus van kontrole jeens skoolwerk en depressie by die adolessent te identifiseer. Die literatuurstudie ondersoek lokus van kontrole - as aspek van verantwoordelikheid - en depressie, sowel as die ontwikkeling van die adolessent. Uit die literatuurstudie ontstaan die gevoel dat sodanige verband wel bestaan. 'n Gerieflikheidsteekproef - bestaande uit graad 11 leerders - is vir die navorsing gebruik. Die deelnemers vul 'n biografiese vraelys in, sowel as Afrikaanse weergawes van Crandall se Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire en die Beck Depression Inventory. Die resultate van die biografiese vraelys, lokus van kontrole vraelys en depressie opname word individueel uiteengesit voordat daar 'n ondersoek gedoen word na moontlike samevallende verskille of korrelasies tussen lokus van kontrole tellings en depressie tellings. weergegee. Gelyktydige voorkoms word ook as persentasies Geen statisties beduidende korrelasies tussen depressie en lokus van kontrole jeens skoolwerk is gevind nie, wat moontlik toegeskryf kan word aan die aard van die steekproef. Verdere navorsing word aanbeveel. / The aim of the study was the identification of a possible relation between locus of control towards schoolwork and depression in adolescence. Locus of control - as an aspect of responsibility - and depression, as well as the development of the adolescent are examined in a literature study. As a result of this the feeling that a relationship between the named variables do exist is expressed. A convencience sample- consisting of grade 11 learners - is used in the research. The participants complete a biographic questionnaire, as well as Afrikaans translations of Crandall's Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory. The result of the biographic questionnaire, the responsibility questionnaire and the depression inventory are reported on their own before an investigation is done regarding possible simultaneous differences or correlations between locus of control values and depression values. Percentages are used for the report of simultaneous values. No statistical meaningful differences or correlations were found, which might be ascribed to the nature of the sample. Further research is recommended. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

The purpose of this study was to examine how work locus of control and self-esteem relate to job satisfaction. Quantitative data were collected through an online questionnaire. The study included 126 participants who filled out the Short Index of Job Satisfaction, Work Locus of Control Scale and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale. It was hypothesized that work locus of control and self-esteem would be related to job satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis showed strong relations between the variables. Work locus of control and self-esteem explained 23 % of the variance in job satisfaction, which suggests that other variables also affect job satisfaction. The result from the study was consistent with previous research indicating that internal work locus of control and self-esteem predict job satisfaction. Future research is needed to investigate how individuals’ internal locus of control and self-esteem at the workplace could be increased. / Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur work locus of control och självkänsla relaterar till arbetstrivsel. Datainsamlingen utfördes kvantitativt genom användandet av ett självskattningsformulär. Studien omfattade totalt 126 deltagare som fyllde i Short Index of Job Satisfaction, Work Locus of Control Scale och Rosenbergs Self-Esteem Scale. Studiens hypoteser var att både work locus of control och självkänsla skulle relatera till arbetstrivsel. Resultatet från den multipla regressionsanalysen påvisade att arbetstrivsel har ett starkt samband med de undersökta variablerna. Work locus of control och självkänsla förklarade variationen i arbetstrivsel med ungefär 23 procent, vilket pekar på att även andra variabler kan påverka arbetstrivsel. Resultatet från denna studie var konsistent med tidigare forskning som indikerar att inre work locus of control och självkänsla predicerar arbetstrivsel. I framtida forskning hade det varit intressant att undersöka vad som ökar individers inre locus of control och självkänsla på arbetsplatsen.

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