Submitted in part fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2009. / This study documents the journey of five addicted individuals who practice energy-based healing interventions over a period of four months, and provides an in-depth understanding of the embodied meaning of addictive and non-addictive being-in-the-world. The design of the study is qualitative and proceeds from an existential- phenomenological perspective whereby the data is collected through unstructured pre and post intervention interviews. Addiction is reformulated in terms of the flow of energy within and without the subtle energy system of the human body, and viewed largely from the chakra system of traditional Indian healing. The addicted person is thus perceived as a resonating node of the universe through which energy exchanges freely and fluidly or constrictedly and addictively.

Rejection sensitivity is defined as the tendency to expect and look for rejection in ambiguous social situations. Individuals high in rejection sensitivity may interpret ambiguous or benign action to be situations of rejection, which may negatively impact these individuals’ intimate relationships. Research suggests that rejection sensitivity may manifest differently for men and women, such that men are more likely to be jealous and controlling, whereas women are more likely to be unsupportive and hostile. These reactions to ambiguous situations may influence the way rejection sensitive individuals seek help. To our knowledge, there is no research available that examines the link between rejection sensitivity and helpseeking behaviors. Williams and Mickelson (2008) found that stigmatized, low-income women who fear rejection were more likely to engage in indirect help-seeking behavior (e.g., complained about their problems in a general way) than direct help-seeking behavior (e.g., gave details about the problem), which resulted in lower levels of support. However, this one prior study examined only one item of fear of rejection, which actually tapped into worry about the support network not providing support if sought. The current study extended that prior research by examining similar hypotheses except using a more extensive measure of trait rejection sensitivity. Additional outcome variables were tested including anxiety and self esteem. We hypothesized that individuals high in rejection sensitivity would seek help indirectly, which would in turn link with high anxiety and low self-esteem, while those individuals low in rejection sensitivity would seek help directly which would in turn link with low anxiety and high self-esteem. Additionally, we hypothesized that type of help seeking would be related to network response such that indirect help seeking would be related to increased negative network response (e.g., attempt to change the topic) and decreased positive network response (e.g., sympathy), with direct help seeking being related to the inverse. Given the gender differences in experience of rejection sensitivity reported in the literature, these differences were also be explored. The current study was a cross-sectional design, in which participants (N = 381) completed a one-time online survey. The majority of participants were female (68.6%) and Caucasian (90%) with an average age of 20.82. Initial analyses revealed support for the proposed hypotheses. Rejection sensitivity was positively correlated with indirect help seeking (r =.110, p < .05) and negatively correlated with direct help seeking (r = -.133, p < .01). While direct help seeking was positively correlated with positive network response, indirect help seeking was related to both positive network response and negative network response (all ps < .01). Indirect help seeking was also positively correlated with anxiety and negatively correlated with self-esteem (all ps < .01). Findings are consistent with previous work on the negative outcomes among individuals high in rejection sensitivity, and that perhaps in part these individuals behave in ways that foster rejection. The current findings suggest future research should examine the relationship between rejection sensitivity, help seeking, and outcomes using an experimental or longitudinal design in order to capture the temporal ordering of the correlational relations reported here.

Rejection sensitivity is defined as the tendency to expect and look for rejection in ambiguous social situations. Individuals high in rejection sensitivity may interpret ambiguous or benign action to be situations of rejection, which may negatively impact these individuals’ intimate relationships. Research suggests that rejection sensitivity may manifest differently for men and women, such that men are more likely to be jealous and controlling, whereas women are more likely to be unsupportive and hostile. These reactions to ambiguous situations may influence the way rejection sensitive individuals seek help. To our knowledge, there is no research available that examines the link between rejection sensitivity and helpseeking behaviors. Williams and Mickelson (2008) found that stigmatized, low-income women who fear rejection were more likely to engage in indirect help-seeking behavior (e.g., complained about their problems in a general way) than direct help-seeking behavior (e.g., gave details about the problem), which resulted in lower levels of support. However, this one prior study examined only one item of fear of rejection, which actually tapped into worry about the support network not providing support if sought. The current study extended that prior research by examining similar hypotheses except using a more extensive measure of trait rejection sensitivity. Additional outcome variables were tested including anxiety and self esteem. We hypothesized that individuals high in rejection sensitivity would seek help indirectly, which would in turn link with high anxiety and low self-esteem, while those individuals low in rejection sensitivity would seek help directly which would in turn link with low anxiety and high self-esteem. Additionally, we hypothesized that type of help seeking would be related to network response such that indirect help seeking would be related to increased negative network response (e.g., attempt to change the topic) and decreased positive network response (e.g., sympathy), with direct help seeking being related to the inverse. Given the gender differences in experience of rejection sensitivity reported in the literature, these differences were also be explored. The current study was a cross-sectional design, in which participants (N = 381) completed a one-time online survey. The majority of participants were female (68.6%) and Caucasian (90%) with an average age of 20.82. Initial analyses revealed support for the proposed hypotheses. Rejection sensitivity was positively correlated with indirect help seeking (r =.110, p < .05) and negatively correlated with direct help seeking (r = -.133, p < .01). While direct help seeking was positively correlated with positive network response, indirect help seeking was related to both positive network response and negative network response (all ps < .01). Indirect help seeking was also positively correlated with anxiety and negatively correlated with self-esteem (all ps < .01). Findings are consistent with previous work on the negative outcomes among individuals high in rejection sensitivity, and that perhaps in part these individuals behave in ways that foster rejection. The current findings suggest future research should examine the relationship between rejection sensitivity, help seeking, and outcomes using an experimental or longitudinal design in order to capture the temporal ordering of the correlational relations reported here.

Grassland bird species have declined dramatically since 1966. This decline can be linked to changes in land use practices, such as grazing. I examined the effects of cattle grazing on the abundance of birds by testing the predictions of the More Individuals Hypothesis (MIH). The study was conducted in Grasslands National Park of Canada (GNPC) in Saskatchewan. Point counts were used to sample richness and relative abundance of birds. I sampled two groups of invertebrates: grasshoppers and carabid beetles. In addition, vegetation measurements were taken to assess the intensity of grazing. I found that (1) grasshopper abundance, richness and diversity were higher in grazed pastures; (2) carabids showed mixed responses to grazing; (3) bird abundance was correlated with carabid abundance, thus supporting the assumptions of the MIH. Overall, my results indicate that grazing can be beneficial for both birds and their invertebrate prey in southern Saskatchewan mixed-grass prairies.

Grassland bird species have declined dramatically since 1966. This decline can be linked to changes in land use practices, such as grazing. I examined the effects of cattle grazing on the abundance of birds by testing the predictions of the More Individuals Hypothesis (MIH). The study was conducted in Grasslands National Park of Canada (GNPC) in Saskatchewan. Point counts were used to sample richness and relative abundance of birds. I sampled two groups of invertebrates: grasshoppers and carabid beetles. In addition, vegetation measurements were taken to assess the intensity of grazing. I found that (1) grasshopper abundance, richness and diversity were higher in grazed pastures; (2) carabids showed mixed responses to grazing; (3) bird abundance was correlated with carabid abundance, thus supporting the assumptions of the MIH. Overall, my results indicate that grazing can be beneficial for both birds and their invertebrate prey in southern Saskatchewan mixed-grass prairies.

What are the thoughts of individuals regarding the proposed retirement fund reform? Has rising levels of debt in South African households begun to eat into our future retirement savings? This paper walks through South Africa’s retirement fund history, taking us to the present day’s retirement fund reform proposals, notably compulsory preservation funding, before describing the low savings and high debt environment which also provides challenges for policy makers.The high cost of not preserving retirement benefits is shown and contrasted to retirement fund costs. Stakeholders are considered before the description of individual attitudes, views and opinions takes place. Finally the association between the presence of debt and past actions and future desires relating to the use of retirement fund monies when changing jobs is shown. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Stigma has a negative effect on individuals, which may include psychological distress, anxiety, and social isolation (Pachankis, 2007). Stigma can be either concealable or visible. A concealable stigma is an attribute that is not visibly apparent, but would be devalued if known by others (e.g., sexual orientation, Page 30 2014 Appalachian Student Research Forum mental illness, sexual abuse). Some believe that individuals with a concealable stigma do not face prejudice and discrimination because the stigma is not apparent to others. However, research suggests that those with a concealable stigma may feel the constant need to hide that identity or characteristic, and this may increase distress and anxiety due to the threat of discovery (Pachankis, 2007). We hypothesized that individuals with a concealable stigma will have higher levels of stigma, rejection sensitivity, distress, and anxiety as well as lower levels of self-esteem, relative to those individuals with a visible stigma. The current sample was taken from a larger study (N=408) and consist of participants (n=70) who selfidentified a stigmatizing characteristic. The self-reported characteristics were independently coded by two research assistants as concealable or visible and finally, the assistants collectively assigned the characteristics to each group. Our sample consists of 35.7% concealable (e.g., sexuality, mental illness, history of abuse) and 64.3% visible (e.g., physical appearance, physical disability, race/ethnicity). To test our hypotheses, we used an independent t test to assess the differences in levels of stigma, self-esteem, distress, anxiety, and rejection sensitivity between concealable and visible stigma groups. Results show that self-stigma (t(68)=-.798, p=.428), public stigma (t(68)=-.149, p=.882), and self-esteem (t(68)=-1.320, p=.191) do not differ between groups. By contrast, and in support of our hypotheses, those with concealable stigma reported more rejection sensitivity (t(68)=2.315, p=.024) and anxiety (t(68)=3.030, p=.003) than those with visible stigma. Contrary to our hypotheses, distress (t(68)=-2.599, p=.011) was higher for those with visible stigma than concealable stigma. Future research should be conducted to examine levels of anxiety and rejection sensitivity in individuals with concealable stigma to understand the differences among stigmatized identities and characteristics.

The major theoretical position of this study was that the cognitive functioning of the creative individual, as compared with the non-creative normal, is characterized by the greater availability of mature operations as these operations are defined by the Rorschach. It was assumed that the "creative individual" is free to use his imaginal processes to enrich his perception of the world. This study recognized that the perception of good Gestalten of the world is a function of the perceiver, his needs, defense mechanisms, integration, and the characteristics of the stimulus-field. When the stimulus is ambiguous, as it is in the Rorschach, the perceiver has to draw on his own resources more heavily than if the stimulus was structured.

Title: Mountain birds – a comparative study from valley to mountaintop in a northern and southern Swedish fjeld   Author: Kristian Zackrisson   Abstract Main aim in this study was to increase the knowledge about birds in the Swedish mountain area. Three questions were asked: 1) Which bird species can be found during the breeding season along a low mountain slope from a forested valley to a mountaintop with bare mountain environment? 2) Do the number of species and individuals differ in different elevation zones? 3) Is the composition of bird species along a low mountain slope the same in the Kebnekaise mountains inLaplandand the Grövelsjön mountains in Dalarna? Bird census in two study sites located in the Kebnekaise mountains and the Grövelsjön mountains and subsequent analysis of the results from the bird census was the main parts in this study. Totally 20 bird species were found along a low mountain slope in the Kebnekaise mountains. In a lower elevation zone below the forest boundary there was 16 bird species and 509 individuals observed. 6 bird species and 65 individuals were registered in an upper elevation zone above the forest boundary. The lower elevation zone indicated a higher biodiversity for birds compared to the upper elevation zone. Bird species composition varied between the two study sites. Five species that had been observed in the Kebnekaise mountains where not found in the Grövelsjön mountains which instead had six species that were not found in the Kebnekaise mountains. Compared to other studies the 20 observed bird species are some of several species in the specific area. The higher biodiversity in the lower elevation zone can be related to declining temperature by elevation gradients. Previous bird censuses indicate that the bird species observed in the Kebnekaise mountains also can be found in the Grövelsjön mountains.

abstract: During the past decade, the Chinese bond market has been rapidly developing. The percentage of bond to total social funding is constantly increasing. The structure and behavior of investors are crucial to the construction of China’s bond market. Due to specific credit risks, bond market regulation usually involves in rules to control investor adequancy. It is heatedly discussed among academia and regulators about whether individual investors are adequate to directly participate in bond trading. This paper focuses on the comparison between individual and institutional bond investors, especially their returns and risks. Based on the comparison, this paper provides constructive suggestions for China’s bond market development and the bond market investor structure. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2016