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'n Holistiese perspektief op die missio Dei : 'n evaluering van die sendingwerk van die Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in KwaNdebele (RSA) / Andre JansenJansen, Andre January 2015 (has links)
Gedurende die afgelope 50 jaar het rolspelers in Sendingwetenskap binne die Evangeliese en Reformatoriese tradisie steeds meer oortuig geraak dat Skrifgetroue sendingwerk ’n integrasie moet behels van teologiese visie en suiwer toegepaste Woordverkondiging waarin die kern van die evangelie steeds sentraal bly. Hierby geld dade van liefde, die najaag van geregtigheid en verligting van armoede asook vermindering van lyding om die verkondiging van die evangelie van Jesus Christus prakties te maak. Deur God se genade was die Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland se sendingwerk in die KwaNdebele-omgewing in Suid-Afrika ’n belangrike instrument in die uitbreiding van God se koninkryk.
Die huidige studie evalueer die integrasie van Woord en daad in hierdie kerke se sendingwerk binne die genoemde gebied in die lig van die missio Dei-motief. Hieruit kan belangrike insigte verwerf en ’n bydrae gelewer word tot Missiologie en Skrifgetroue sendingwerk in die Reformatoriese tradisie uit te bou. Die doel is om 'n model vir integrale sending binne ʼn missio Dei-perspektief daar te stel deur Bybelse beginsels en praktiese lesse te integreer.
Hierdie studie voeg ‘n teoretiese en praktiese benadering saam om ‘n verantwoordbare en toepasbare model daar te stel. ʼn Bybels-eksegetiese begronding van integrale sending gebaseer op die missio Dei en 15 Bybelse sleutelbegrippe hieroor toon die onlosmaaklike eenheid van die motiewe hart, mond en hande. Dit bied ‘n verantwoorde basis vir integrale sending. Hierdie beginsels word getoets aan twee internasionale toepassingsvoorbeelde: die Miga Netwerk en die Lausanne-verklaring 2010, wat waardevolle insigte bied oor ʼn model vir integrale sending. Daarna word die gevolge en uitwerking van geïntegreerde Woord- en daadbediening in die CGKN se sendingwerk binne KwaNdebele ontleed. In die lig van literatuurstudies, ‘n argivale ondersoek en persoonlike onderhoude met sendelinge en kerkleiers in KwaNdebele volg waardevolle gevolgtrekkings in die lig van die missio Dei.
Deur na beide die CGKN en die kerkleiers in KwaNdebele te luister, is ‘n balans gevind om ʼn operasionele denkraamwerk vir integrale sending op te stel. Verwante literatuur uit die teologie en wêreldwye sendinggebiede gee aan hierdie eksegetiese en empiriese studie verdieping. Die kern van die studie se bevindings is tweërlei:
* Die CGKN het geïntegreerde sendingwerk in KwaNdebele verrig. Tog het ʼn onvolledige fundering van en visie op integrale sending in missio Dei-perspektief gelei tot ’n bediening wat ’n versnipperde beeld van integrale sending weergee. Hierdie leemtes hou waardevolle aanwysers in vir sending met hart, mond en hande.
* Daar is wel voldoende teologiese, teoretiese en praktiese beginsels en hulpmiddels wat die ontwerp van ‘n bruikbare model vir geïntegreerde sending aanhelp. Só ʼn model kan meehelp om die lewensgehalte van die mense in KwaNdebele en ander wêrelddele tot eer van God te verhoog, terwyl dit steeds deeglik met die konteks en kultuur rekening hou.
Die navorsing mond uiteindelik uit in ‘n operasionele denkraamwerk wat prinsipiële en praktiese besinning begelei vir integrale sending in KwaNdebele en diverse kulturele kontekste wêreldwyd. / PhD (Missiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015
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'n Holistiese perspektief op die missio Dei : 'n evaluering van die sendingwerk van die Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in KwaNdebele (RSA) / Andre JansenJansen, Andre January 2015 (has links)
Gedurende die afgelope 50 jaar het rolspelers in Sendingwetenskap binne die Evangeliese en Reformatoriese tradisie steeds meer oortuig geraak dat Skrifgetroue sendingwerk ’n integrasie moet behels van teologiese visie en suiwer toegepaste Woordverkondiging waarin die kern van die evangelie steeds sentraal bly. Hierby geld dade van liefde, die najaag van geregtigheid en verligting van armoede asook vermindering van lyding om die verkondiging van die evangelie van Jesus Christus prakties te maak. Deur God se genade was die Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland se sendingwerk in die KwaNdebele-omgewing in Suid-Afrika ’n belangrike instrument in die uitbreiding van God se koninkryk.
Die huidige studie evalueer die integrasie van Woord en daad in hierdie kerke se sendingwerk binne die genoemde gebied in die lig van die missio Dei-motief. Hieruit kan belangrike insigte verwerf en ’n bydrae gelewer word tot Missiologie en Skrifgetroue sendingwerk in die Reformatoriese tradisie uit te bou. Die doel is om 'n model vir integrale sending binne ʼn missio Dei-perspektief daar te stel deur Bybelse beginsels en praktiese lesse te integreer.
Hierdie studie voeg ‘n teoretiese en praktiese benadering saam om ‘n verantwoordbare en toepasbare model daar te stel. ʼn Bybels-eksegetiese begronding van integrale sending gebaseer op die missio Dei en 15 Bybelse sleutelbegrippe hieroor toon die onlosmaaklike eenheid van die motiewe hart, mond en hande. Dit bied ‘n verantwoorde basis vir integrale sending. Hierdie beginsels word getoets aan twee internasionale toepassingsvoorbeelde: die Miga Netwerk en die Lausanne-verklaring 2010, wat waardevolle insigte bied oor ʼn model vir integrale sending. Daarna word die gevolge en uitwerking van geïntegreerde Woord- en daadbediening in die CGKN se sendingwerk binne KwaNdebele ontleed. In die lig van literatuurstudies, ‘n argivale ondersoek en persoonlike onderhoude met sendelinge en kerkleiers in KwaNdebele volg waardevolle gevolgtrekkings in die lig van die missio Dei.
Deur na beide die CGKN en die kerkleiers in KwaNdebele te luister, is ‘n balans gevind om ʼn operasionele denkraamwerk vir integrale sending op te stel. Verwante literatuur uit die teologie en wêreldwye sendinggebiede gee aan hierdie eksegetiese en empiriese studie verdieping. Die kern van die studie se bevindings is tweërlei:
* Die CGKN het geïntegreerde sendingwerk in KwaNdebele verrig. Tog het ʼn onvolledige fundering van en visie op integrale sending in missio Dei-perspektief gelei tot ’n bediening wat ’n versnipperde beeld van integrale sending weergee. Hierdie leemtes hou waardevolle aanwysers in vir sending met hart, mond en hande.
* Daar is wel voldoende teologiese, teoretiese en praktiese beginsels en hulpmiddels wat die ontwerp van ‘n bruikbare model vir geïntegreerde sending aanhelp. Só ʼn model kan meehelp om die lewensgehalte van die mense in KwaNdebele en ander wêrelddele tot eer van God te verhoog, terwyl dit steeds deeglik met die konteks en kultuur rekening hou.
Die navorsing mond uiteindelik uit in ‘n operasionele denkraamwerk wat prinsipiële en praktiese besinning begelei vir integrale sending in KwaNdebele en diverse kulturele kontekste wêreldwyd. / PhD (Missiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015
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Revealing the emotion lexicon of the Setswana language within the South African Police Service / Christelle FourieFourie, Christelle January 2010 (has links)
Anthropologists claim that people in a variety of human societies differ enormously in how they experience, express and understand emotion (Kalat & Shiota, 2007). Research on emotions, around the world, has become increasingly popular during the past few decades. Emotion is involved in the mainstream of topics in psychology, be it about antecedents, emotional expressions and responses, or about the dimensions underlying the large emotion lexicon (Shaver, Schwartz, Kirson, & O’Connor, 1987).
While the study of emotion is of universal interest, emotions are of special interest for South-Africa. By studying the emotion lexicon of the Setswana culture, an evidence-based intervention program could be implemented by the SAPS, which will be relevant and practical to address emotional needs and support for South African Police members to express their emotions more accurately. This will help to ensure a healthy, productive and motivated police service which is an important contributor to the society (Van der Doef & Maes, 1999). South Africa, a multi-cultural country, with its eleven official languages, makes an exceptional country for studying emotion as presented in different cultures.
The main objective of this study was to investigate emotion and culture in accordance with a literature study, and to identify the different emotion words within the Setswana language group and determine the prototypical emotion words as well as the cognitive structure (different dimensions) of emotion concepts.
A survey design with convenience sampling was used to achieve the research objectives in a series of three phases (studies). The study population for the first (N=154) and third (N=140) phases consisted of entry level police applicants (students) from the South African Police Services. The study population (N=51) of the second phase consisted of Setswana language experts. Free Listing questionnaires, Prototypicality questionnaires and Similarity rating questionnaires were administered. Statistical methods and procedures (Multidimensional Scaling and Descriptive Statistics) were used and Cronbach alpha coefficients were calculated to analyse the results.
Results of the Free Listing task gave a strong indication that basic emotion concepts of joy, sorrow and love readily came to mind in the Setswana group. Most prototypical concepts listed by the Setswana-speaking group were those of: “lela” (cry), “rata” (like), “go tenega” (fed up), “kgalefo” (warning), “lerato” (love), “boitumelo” (joy), “go utlusiswa botloko” (being hurt), “kwata” (anger), “amego maikutlo” (affection), “itumeletse” (elation), “botlhoko” (disappointment) and “itumela” (happiness).
In order to determine the cognitive structure of emotion concepts, a multi-dimensional scaling was performed. A five-factorial solution was created with dimensions of Pleasantness, Yearning, Arousal, and Potency with the last dimension, “Go amega maikutlo”, being unique to the Setswana group.
Suggestions were made concerning future studies on the emotion lexicon. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010
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Revealing the emotion lexicon of the Setswana language within the South African Police Service / Christelle FourieFourie, Christelle January 2010 (has links)
Anthropologists claim that people in a variety of human societies differ enormously in how they experience, express and understand emotion (Kalat & Shiota, 2007). Research on emotions, around the world, has become increasingly popular during the past few decades. Emotion is involved in the mainstream of topics in psychology, be it about antecedents, emotional expressions and responses, or about the dimensions underlying the large emotion lexicon (Shaver, Schwartz, Kirson, & O’Connor, 1987).
While the study of emotion is of universal interest, emotions are of special interest for South-Africa. By studying the emotion lexicon of the Setswana culture, an evidence-based intervention program could be implemented by the SAPS, which will be relevant and practical to address emotional needs and support for South African Police members to express their emotions more accurately. This will help to ensure a healthy, productive and motivated police service which is an important contributor to the society (Van der Doef & Maes, 1999). South Africa, a multi-cultural country, with its eleven official languages, makes an exceptional country for studying emotion as presented in different cultures.
The main objective of this study was to investigate emotion and culture in accordance with a literature study, and to identify the different emotion words within the Setswana language group and determine the prototypical emotion words as well as the cognitive structure (different dimensions) of emotion concepts.
A survey design with convenience sampling was used to achieve the research objectives in a series of three phases (studies). The study population for the first (N=154) and third (N=140) phases consisted of entry level police applicants (students) from the South African Police Services. The study population (N=51) of the second phase consisted of Setswana language experts. Free Listing questionnaires, Prototypicality questionnaires and Similarity rating questionnaires were administered. Statistical methods and procedures (Multidimensional Scaling and Descriptive Statistics) were used and Cronbach alpha coefficients were calculated to analyse the results.
Results of the Free Listing task gave a strong indication that basic emotion concepts of joy, sorrow and love readily came to mind in the Setswana group. Most prototypical concepts listed by the Setswana-speaking group were those of: “lela” (cry), “rata” (like), “go tenega” (fed up), “kgalefo” (warning), “lerato” (love), “boitumelo” (joy), “go utlusiswa botloko” (being hurt), “kwata” (anger), “amego maikutlo” (affection), “itumeletse” (elation), “botlhoko” (disappointment) and “itumela” (happiness).
In order to determine the cognitive structure of emotion concepts, a multi-dimensional scaling was performed. A five-factorial solution was created with dimensions of Pleasantness, Yearning, Arousal, and Potency with the last dimension, “Go amega maikutlo”, being unique to the Setswana group.
Suggestions were made concerning future studies on the emotion lexicon. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010
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Emotion structure, emotion meaning and emotion episodes of white Afrikaans–speaking working adults / van der Merwe, A.S.Van der Merwe, Aletta Sophia January 2011 (has links)
Emotion research is an important research topic, thus making the measurement of emotion in the
workplace crucial. In attempting to study, understand and measure the role of emotions in the
human condition, various researchers have identified different theoretical models to manage the
information they have gathered and the observations they have made. In order to study or
scientifically investigate any human behaviour, it is essential that such behaviour can be
measured, if not quantitatively, then at least qualitatively.
However, what one finds with regard to emotion research and measurement are two–dimensional
models. The existing affect has been described with a choice of two dimensions and structures,
i.e. circumplex, positive and negative affect, tense and energetic arousal, and eight combinations
of pleasantness and activation. These two dimensions and structures measure a person’s
experiences and, thereafter, report them. The question is if these two–dimensional emotion
models are sufficient to cover the broad and often complex dynamics of emotions.
The start of multiple–emotion dimension models were reported by researchers, who identified a
three–dimensional structure in the emotion domain that is suggestive of the Evaluation–Potency–
Activation (EPA) dimensions in the connotative or affective meaning of words. However, in
recent studies the sufficiency of two–dimension models to comprehensively investigate emotions
was questioned. The three–dimensional emotion model was replicated in cross–cultural similarity sorting studies by other researchers. The similarity sorting studies also indicate the importance of
studying emotions in specific cultural contexts. Studying emotion in different cultures is
especially relevant in a country such as South Africa that has a variety of cultures and eleven
official languages.
Researchers followed an approach that studied the meaning of emotion in different cultural
groups in the context of 144 emotion features using a componential emotion theory approach.
Researchers argue in the groundbreaking research that was published in Psychological Science
that emotion meaning has more than only two dimensions. The approach postulated by
researchers was tested in a student population of three language groups, namely Dutch–, Englishand
French–speaking students. According to researchers this is an empirical and theoretical
method to study the meaning of emotions across cultures. However, apart from studying the
meaning of emotions in specific cultural groups, research also attempts to determine the meaning
of emotion in the natural contexts in which they occur. The relevant natural contexts for the field
of Industrial Psychology are the work contexts. It is therefore also important to investigate the
categories of emotion episodes in the work environment.
The general goal of this study was therefore a) to investigate the emotion lexicon in the white
Afrikaans–speaking working adult language group, b) to determine the cognitive emotion
structure of this cultural group, c) to investigate the meaning of emotion as comprehensively as
possible (multidimensional models of the meaning of emotion), and d) to determine the meaning
and content of emotion episodes in the workplace.
Research Article 1
The research was subsequently presented in two independent phases. Firstly, a free listing of
emotion terms was compiled, and secondly the emotion terms were prototypically rated by
Afrikaans–speaking people in South Africa. Both of these were then used as measuring
instruments. A survey was designed to explore the research objectives utilising availability
samples in two studies. The participants in the free–listing (N=70) and in the prototypicality
(N=70) study consisted of native Afrikaans–speaking employees. The sample consisted of
participants from the white ethnic group speaking Afrikaans within the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North–West and KZN provinces and use was made of an availability
sample.
After conducting the research, the emotion terms with the highest frequency, as identified during
the first study, the free listing task, were to be happy (gelukkig wees), be sad (hartseer wees),
love (liefde), anger (kwaad) and hateful (haatlik). The emotion terms with the lowest scores as
identified during the free listing were uncomfortable (ongemaklik), painful (seer), be hurt
(seergemaak wees), sympathetic (simpatiek) and shout/yell (skreeu). Correspondingly, the five
(5) prototypical terms with the highest scores in Afrikaans were nice (lekker), fed–up/had enough
(gatvol/“genoeg gehad”), loveable (liefdevol), anger (kwaad) and to be scared (om bang te
wees). The five (5) least prototypical terms from the list generated in the free listing task were:
unstable (onvas), bashfulness (skugterheid), captivation (geboeidheid), envy (naywer) and
delight (opgetoënheid).
From the information obtained in this research it was revealed that the emotion terms nice
(lekker), fed up/had enough (gatvol/“genoeg gehad”) and loveable (liefdevol) are at this stage
unique to the white Afrikaans language group. These terms had not been reported in any
previously conducted prototypical studies. The results of this study contribute to a cross–cultural
understanding of the emotion concepts within the Afrikaans–speaking language groups in South
Africa.
Research Article 2
A survey design was used to achieve the research objectives utilising availability samples in a
series of one study. The participants of the Similarity study (N=131) consisted of native
Afrikaans–speaking employees. The sample consisted of participants from the white ethnicity
group speaking Afrikaans within the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North–
West, KZN and Northern Cape provinces and use was made of an availability sample.
Results of Multidimensional Scaling revealed a three–dimensional cognitive emotion structure.
The first dimension was the evaluation–pleasantness dimension. This dimension evaluates the
pleasantness versus the unpleasantness of an emotion. This dimension is characterised by intrinsic appraisals of pleasantness and goal conduciveness and action tendencies of approach
versus avoidance. The second dimension that emerged was a power–control dimension. This
dimension is characterised by appraisals of control, how powerful or weak a person feels when a
particular emotion is experienced. This includes feelings of dominance or submission, the
impulse to act or withdraw and changes in speech and parasymphatic symptoms. The third
dimension which emerged was an activation–arousal dimension. According to other researchers
this arousal dimension is characterised by sympathetic arousal, e.g. rapid heartbeat and readiness
for action.
This study produced a cognitive emotion structure in a white Afrikaans–speaking working adult
population in South Africa. To add value to the field of Industrial Psychology, the threedimension
structure (evaluation–pleasantness, power–control and activation–arousal dimension)
that was found, is very important and valuable when studying the meaning of emotion and can
consequently be used as a reference for other emotion research constructs. If it is accurate as
stated in literature, there are three and not only two emotion dimension structures, and
researchers are missing out on a bigger picture for not drawing on the experience of emotion
sufficiently.
Research Article 3
A survey design and an availability sample (N=120) in the Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng
provinces in South Africa was utilised for this study. The Meaning Grid was translated and backtranslated
and adapted for use in Afrikaans.
The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were obtained for the emotion terms. According to the results
of the Meaning Grid instrument, the following emotion terms were the highest: disgust (afkeur)
0,95; pleasure (plesier) 0,94; stress (stres) 0,92; happiness (blydskap) 0,91; joy (vreugde) 0,91;
fear (bang) 0,91; anger (angstig) 0,91 and hate (haat) 0,90. The emotion terms that scored the
lowest with the Meaning Grid instrument were compassion (medelye) 0,79; pride (trots) 0,79
and contempt (minagting) 0,74. Out of the 24 emotion terms of the Meaning Grid instrument, 8
terms were above 0,90 and 13 were between 0,80 and 0,89. Only 3 terms were between 0,74 and
0,79 [compassion (medelye), pride (trots) and contempt (minagting)]. A three–factor solution was found which represented four emotion dimensions (evaluation,
arousal/unpredictability and power) that were universal to the emotion structures found in
European samples. Factor scores of the 24 Meaning Grid emotions indicate a three–factor
solution that explained 62,2 % of the total variance. The first factor was labelled evaluation and
explained 43,0% of the variance, the second factor was labelled arousal/unpredictability as it
was a combination of arousal and unpredictability and explained 11,0% of the variance, and the
third factor was labelled power and explained 8,2% of the variance.
This study followed an approach that investigated the meaning structure of emotion in the
sample group in the context of 144 emotion features using a componential emotion theory
approach. Different researchers argued that emotion meaning has more than only two
dimensions. A three–dimensional emotion structure was found that was universal to the emotion
structures of three language groups in a European sample. Therefore, the meaning of emotions
for this sample group is far more complex than the two–dimensional emotion models that are
found in literature. According to the componential emotion theory approach, the 144 emotion
features are very important building blocks for Industrial Psychology when studying the meaning
of emotion.
Research Article 4
A survey design was used in this research study. The Episode Meaning Grid was administered
and participants reported on the two intense emotion experiences at work (in total 358 episodes).
Employees rated their emotion experiences on features based on the componential emotion
theory and also described the emotion events in their own words. The participants in the emotion
episodes (N=179) study consisted of native white Afrikaans–speaking working adults. The
sample consisted of participants from the white ethnicity group speaking Afrikaans within the
Eastern Cape, Free State and North–West provinces and use was made of an availability sample.
The results indicated a three–dimensional structure (evaluation–pleasantness, activation–arousal
and power–control dimension) was identified within a white Afrikaans–speaking working adult
language group. The first dimension was an evaluation–pleasantness dimension. The second dimension was an activation–arousal dimension. The third dimension was a power–control
dimension.
Regarding the reporting of emotion episodes one hundred and ninety seven respondents reported
84 satisfying emotion episodes and 267 less satisfying emotion episodes that took place at work.
Nine different categories of episodes for satisfying emotions experienced were mentioned. It
consists of behaviour of work colleagues, acts of boss/superior/management, goal achievement,
receiving recognition, workplace policy, task recognition, personal incidents, emotion
involvement and subordinate behaviour. The three highest categories of satisfying emotions
episodes were “Goal Achievement” (N=31), “Receiving Recognition” (N=20) and “Personal
Incidents” (N=10). Goal achievement describes situations where job related targets or goals were
met, and receiving recognition refers to positive feedback from managers, supervisors and work
colleagues on meeting targets.
Nineteen different categories of episodes for less satisfying emotion episodes were mentioned. It
consists of behaviour of work colleagues, acts of boss/superior/management, lack of goal
achievement, lack of receiving recognition, workplace policy, task requirement, personal
incidents, emotional involvement, subordinate behaviour, workload, work mistakes, customer
behaviour, external environment, lack of control, physical well–being, involvement in
disciplinary action, workplace strikes, wellness of colleagues and unfairness in the workplace. In
the categories of less satisfying emotions episodes, the three highest were “Behaviour of Work
Colleagues” (N=58), “Acts of Boss/Superior/Management” (N=47) and “Task Requirement”
(N=33). The first two categories are appraised less satisfying behaviour towards oneself or others
by work colleagues, managers, supervisors and customers. In terms of the categories of
satisfying and less satisfying emotions episodes, less satisfying emotion episodes outnumbered
satisfying emotions episodes by three to one.
By making use of a multi–componential emotion model, the results confirm that the four factors
of pleasantness, power, arousal, and unpredictability, in that order of importance, are essential to
satisfactorily determine the emotion experience and meaning of emotion terms. A threedimensional
emotion structure (evaluation, arousal and power) was found after determining the
meaning of emotion in the natural contexts in which they occur. The answer to the question if
these two–dimensional emotion models, as stated in literature, are sufficient to cover the broad
and often complex dynamics of emotion, is certainly no.
Recommendations for the organisation and future research were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.
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Emotion structure, emotion meaning and emotion episodes of white Afrikaans–speaking working adults / van der Merwe, A.S.Van der Merwe, Aletta Sophia January 2011 (has links)
Emotion research is an important research topic, thus making the measurement of emotion in the
workplace crucial. In attempting to study, understand and measure the role of emotions in the
human condition, various researchers have identified different theoretical models to manage the
information they have gathered and the observations they have made. In order to study or
scientifically investigate any human behaviour, it is essential that such behaviour can be
measured, if not quantitatively, then at least qualitatively.
However, what one finds with regard to emotion research and measurement are two–dimensional
models. The existing affect has been described with a choice of two dimensions and structures,
i.e. circumplex, positive and negative affect, tense and energetic arousal, and eight combinations
of pleasantness and activation. These two dimensions and structures measure a person’s
experiences and, thereafter, report them. The question is if these two–dimensional emotion
models are sufficient to cover the broad and often complex dynamics of emotions.
The start of multiple–emotion dimension models were reported by researchers, who identified a
three–dimensional structure in the emotion domain that is suggestive of the Evaluation–Potency–
Activation (EPA) dimensions in the connotative or affective meaning of words. However, in
recent studies the sufficiency of two–dimension models to comprehensively investigate emotions
was questioned. The three–dimensional emotion model was replicated in cross–cultural similarity sorting studies by other researchers. The similarity sorting studies also indicate the importance of
studying emotions in specific cultural contexts. Studying emotion in different cultures is
especially relevant in a country such as South Africa that has a variety of cultures and eleven
official languages.
Researchers followed an approach that studied the meaning of emotion in different cultural
groups in the context of 144 emotion features using a componential emotion theory approach.
Researchers argue in the groundbreaking research that was published in Psychological Science
that emotion meaning has more than only two dimensions. The approach postulated by
researchers was tested in a student population of three language groups, namely Dutch–, Englishand
French–speaking students. According to researchers this is an empirical and theoretical
method to study the meaning of emotions across cultures. However, apart from studying the
meaning of emotions in specific cultural groups, research also attempts to determine the meaning
of emotion in the natural contexts in which they occur. The relevant natural contexts for the field
of Industrial Psychology are the work contexts. It is therefore also important to investigate the
categories of emotion episodes in the work environment.
The general goal of this study was therefore a) to investigate the emotion lexicon in the white
Afrikaans–speaking working adult language group, b) to determine the cognitive emotion
structure of this cultural group, c) to investigate the meaning of emotion as comprehensively as
possible (multidimensional models of the meaning of emotion), and d) to determine the meaning
and content of emotion episodes in the workplace.
Research Article 1
The research was subsequently presented in two independent phases. Firstly, a free listing of
emotion terms was compiled, and secondly the emotion terms were prototypically rated by
Afrikaans–speaking people in South Africa. Both of these were then used as measuring
instruments. A survey was designed to explore the research objectives utilising availability
samples in two studies. The participants in the free–listing (N=70) and in the prototypicality
(N=70) study consisted of native Afrikaans–speaking employees. The sample consisted of
participants from the white ethnic group speaking Afrikaans within the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North–West and KZN provinces and use was made of an availability
sample.
After conducting the research, the emotion terms with the highest frequency, as identified during
the first study, the free listing task, were to be happy (gelukkig wees), be sad (hartseer wees),
love (liefde), anger (kwaad) and hateful (haatlik). The emotion terms with the lowest scores as
identified during the free listing were uncomfortable (ongemaklik), painful (seer), be hurt
(seergemaak wees), sympathetic (simpatiek) and shout/yell (skreeu). Correspondingly, the five
(5) prototypical terms with the highest scores in Afrikaans were nice (lekker), fed–up/had enough
(gatvol/“genoeg gehad”), loveable (liefdevol), anger (kwaad) and to be scared (om bang te
wees). The five (5) least prototypical terms from the list generated in the free listing task were:
unstable (onvas), bashfulness (skugterheid), captivation (geboeidheid), envy (naywer) and
delight (opgetoënheid).
From the information obtained in this research it was revealed that the emotion terms nice
(lekker), fed up/had enough (gatvol/“genoeg gehad”) and loveable (liefdevol) are at this stage
unique to the white Afrikaans language group. These terms had not been reported in any
previously conducted prototypical studies. The results of this study contribute to a cross–cultural
understanding of the emotion concepts within the Afrikaans–speaking language groups in South
Africa.
Research Article 2
A survey design was used to achieve the research objectives utilising availability samples in a
series of one study. The participants of the Similarity study (N=131) consisted of native
Afrikaans–speaking employees. The sample consisted of participants from the white ethnicity
group speaking Afrikaans within the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North–
West, KZN and Northern Cape provinces and use was made of an availability sample.
Results of Multidimensional Scaling revealed a three–dimensional cognitive emotion structure.
The first dimension was the evaluation–pleasantness dimension. This dimension evaluates the
pleasantness versus the unpleasantness of an emotion. This dimension is characterised by intrinsic appraisals of pleasantness and goal conduciveness and action tendencies of approach
versus avoidance. The second dimension that emerged was a power–control dimension. This
dimension is characterised by appraisals of control, how powerful or weak a person feels when a
particular emotion is experienced. This includes feelings of dominance or submission, the
impulse to act or withdraw and changes in speech and parasymphatic symptoms. The third
dimension which emerged was an activation–arousal dimension. According to other researchers
this arousal dimension is characterised by sympathetic arousal, e.g. rapid heartbeat and readiness
for action.
This study produced a cognitive emotion structure in a white Afrikaans–speaking working adult
population in South Africa. To add value to the field of Industrial Psychology, the threedimension
structure (evaluation–pleasantness, power–control and activation–arousal dimension)
that was found, is very important and valuable when studying the meaning of emotion and can
consequently be used as a reference for other emotion research constructs. If it is accurate as
stated in literature, there are three and not only two emotion dimension structures, and
researchers are missing out on a bigger picture for not drawing on the experience of emotion
sufficiently.
Research Article 3
A survey design and an availability sample (N=120) in the Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng
provinces in South Africa was utilised for this study. The Meaning Grid was translated and backtranslated
and adapted for use in Afrikaans.
The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were obtained for the emotion terms. According to the results
of the Meaning Grid instrument, the following emotion terms were the highest: disgust (afkeur)
0,95; pleasure (plesier) 0,94; stress (stres) 0,92; happiness (blydskap) 0,91; joy (vreugde) 0,91;
fear (bang) 0,91; anger (angstig) 0,91 and hate (haat) 0,90. The emotion terms that scored the
lowest with the Meaning Grid instrument were compassion (medelye) 0,79; pride (trots) 0,79
and contempt (minagting) 0,74. Out of the 24 emotion terms of the Meaning Grid instrument, 8
terms were above 0,90 and 13 were between 0,80 and 0,89. Only 3 terms were between 0,74 and
0,79 [compassion (medelye), pride (trots) and contempt (minagting)]. A three–factor solution was found which represented four emotion dimensions (evaluation,
arousal/unpredictability and power) that were universal to the emotion structures found in
European samples. Factor scores of the 24 Meaning Grid emotions indicate a three–factor
solution that explained 62,2 % of the total variance. The first factor was labelled evaluation and
explained 43,0% of the variance, the second factor was labelled arousal/unpredictability as it
was a combination of arousal and unpredictability and explained 11,0% of the variance, and the
third factor was labelled power and explained 8,2% of the variance.
This study followed an approach that investigated the meaning structure of emotion in the
sample group in the context of 144 emotion features using a componential emotion theory
approach. Different researchers argued that emotion meaning has more than only two
dimensions. A three–dimensional emotion structure was found that was universal to the emotion
structures of three language groups in a European sample. Therefore, the meaning of emotions
for this sample group is far more complex than the two–dimensional emotion models that are
found in literature. According to the componential emotion theory approach, the 144 emotion
features are very important building blocks for Industrial Psychology when studying the meaning
of emotion.
Research Article 4
A survey design was used in this research study. The Episode Meaning Grid was administered
and participants reported on the two intense emotion experiences at work (in total 358 episodes).
Employees rated their emotion experiences on features based on the componential emotion
theory and also described the emotion events in their own words. The participants in the emotion
episodes (N=179) study consisted of native white Afrikaans–speaking working adults. The
sample consisted of participants from the white ethnicity group speaking Afrikaans within the
Eastern Cape, Free State and North–West provinces and use was made of an availability sample.
The results indicated a three–dimensional structure (evaluation–pleasantness, activation–arousal
and power–control dimension) was identified within a white Afrikaans–speaking working adult
language group. The first dimension was an evaluation–pleasantness dimension. The second dimension was an activation–arousal dimension. The third dimension was a power–control
dimension.
Regarding the reporting of emotion episodes one hundred and ninety seven respondents reported
84 satisfying emotion episodes and 267 less satisfying emotion episodes that took place at work.
Nine different categories of episodes for satisfying emotions experienced were mentioned. It
consists of behaviour of work colleagues, acts of boss/superior/management, goal achievement,
receiving recognition, workplace policy, task recognition, personal incidents, emotion
involvement and subordinate behaviour. The three highest categories of satisfying emotions
episodes were “Goal Achievement” (N=31), “Receiving Recognition” (N=20) and “Personal
Incidents” (N=10). Goal achievement describes situations where job related targets or goals were
met, and receiving recognition refers to positive feedback from managers, supervisors and work
colleagues on meeting targets.
Nineteen different categories of episodes for less satisfying emotion episodes were mentioned. It
consists of behaviour of work colleagues, acts of boss/superior/management, lack of goal
achievement, lack of receiving recognition, workplace policy, task requirement, personal
incidents, emotional involvement, subordinate behaviour, workload, work mistakes, customer
behaviour, external environment, lack of control, physical well–being, involvement in
disciplinary action, workplace strikes, wellness of colleagues and unfairness in the workplace. In
the categories of less satisfying emotions episodes, the three highest were “Behaviour of Work
Colleagues” (N=58), “Acts of Boss/Superior/Management” (N=47) and “Task Requirement”
(N=33). The first two categories are appraised less satisfying behaviour towards oneself or others
by work colleagues, managers, supervisors and customers. In terms of the categories of
satisfying and less satisfying emotions episodes, less satisfying emotion episodes outnumbered
satisfying emotions episodes by three to one.
By making use of a multi–componential emotion model, the results confirm that the four factors
of pleasantness, power, arousal, and unpredictability, in that order of importance, are essential to
satisfactorily determine the emotion experience and meaning of emotion terms. A threedimensional
emotion structure (evaluation, arousal and power) was found after determining the
meaning of emotion in the natural contexts in which they occur. The answer to the question if
these two–dimensional emotion models, as stated in literature, are sufficient to cover the broad
and often complex dynamics of emotion, is certainly no.
Recommendations for the organisation and future research were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.
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