Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2006. / Includes bibliography.

In order to investigate certain anomalies evident in the literature, the performances of three Xhosa groups (rural dwellers, urban dwellers, and undergraduates) of varying degrees of acculturation and a White undergraduate group, each group consisting of 30 subjects, were measured on tests of mode of field approach and susceptibility to the Müller- Lyer and Ponzo illusions. In addition, the effect of the introduction of a mental set, which facilitated the perception of perspective in the Ponzo figure, on susceptibility to the illusion was ascertained. Mode of field approach was measured by a portable version of the Rod-and-Frame Test. Susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion was measured by a conventional movable- slide, subject-adjustable device, while a piece of apparatus which also worked on the movable slide principle and was subject-adjustable was developed to measure susceptibility to the Ponzo illusion. The set to facilitate the perception of perspective in the Ponzo figure was introduced by having subjects match the length of Ponzo contrast lines embodied in a photograph and a line-drawing of a bridge, both of these pictures having strong perspective cues. The subjects were required to perform the tasks in prescribed order. Standardised English or Xhosa instructions were ensured by the use of "programmed" worksheets for each task. Prior to each experimental task, the more unacculturated subjects performed comprehension checks to ensure that they understood the concepts of equal length and verticality. The results of the study suggested that: (i) When groups of differing acculturation levels are tested, there may be a pronounced negative association of field dependence with susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer and Ponzo illusions. In general, the more unacculturated the subject, the more field dependent and the less susceptible to illusions he was. However, there was no evidence which either strongly supported or refuted the relationship between these attributes at the intra-group level. (ii) There is no intra- group association between susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer and to the Ponzo illusions. This would indicate that they are not necessarily generated by similar inference habits or by similar contour properties. (iii) The introduction of a "perspective set" increases susceptibility to the Ponzo illusion only among acculturated subjects, who have well-developed pictorial depth perception skills and who habitually infer depth in inverted - V configurations. (iv) There is a significant association between acculturation and field independence. The unacculturated subjects, presumably because they lack the skills of visual analysis which are engendered by Western culture, were more field dependent than the acculturated subjects. (v) Provided that their degrees of acculturation are more-or-less equivalent, as were those of the two undergraduate groups, there are no differences in mode of field approach or susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer and Ponzo illusion among Xhosa and White subjects. Summary, p. 112.

The increasing need to select individuals for tasks suited to their personality make-up, has added to the challenge psychology faces of developing tests which can be applied to subjects from different cultures and environments. Many attempts at such designs litter the history of industrial and cross- cultural personality research. Among those to have survived years of reassessment, is the cognitive style approach developed by Herman Witkin. Intro., p. 1.

M.A. / The primary objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between Locus of Control, Individualism/Collectivism and Sense of Coherence between two groups of participants by using three measures. The study will also investigate the significance of the relationship between Locus of Control and the Individualism/Collectivism, and between Sense of Coherence and Locus of Control. The motivation for the study stems from a question regarding how cultural perceptual style interacts with personality traits to influence a person's Sense of Coherence. A further question faced by all South Africans, regards how one adapts to the cultural changes being experienced in the country, while at the same time maintaining a sense of self·identity. While there are many possible questions, this study will focus on investigating the interaction between the three constructs of Sense of Coherence. Locus of Control, and Individualism/Collectivism. The three core constructs of Sense of Coherence. Locus of Control, and Individualism/Collectivism are defined as follows: • Antonovsky (1987) defines Sense of Coherence as a global orientation that expresses the extent to which one has a pervasive. enduring though dynamic feeling of confidence as a function of one's sense of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. • Locus of Control refers to a generalised disposition. acquired from past experience, to believe that rewards either are, or are not, controllable by a person's own efforts. Such that those who are externally oriented hold the view that their success is due to factors outside their control such as chance and luck while internally oriented persons attribute success to their personal effort and ability. • Individualism and Collectivism are cultural perceptual styles which indicate whether individuals acts largely for their self interests, or in regard for collective group harmony.

D.Litt. et Phil. / South Africa is a country in transition where the development of people is a primary focus. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) is a valuable instrument to use for such a purpose. The applicability, use and popularity of the MBTI® in Southern Africa has outstripped research using the instrument on the African continent. This study serves to provide base line research on type distribution patterns found amongst different language, age and gender groups within the South African culture. The research also has as an important focus the assessment of similarities and differences found in South African and USA type distribution data. A total of 6 452 South African MBTI® profiles is used in this study. This represents males and females from a broad segment of society and industry. The database consists mainly of adults, both working and non-working. The profiles represent individuals ranging from 17 to 70 years of age. The study discusses the following international analyses : RSA type distribution compared to a representative USA sample; RSA White type distribution compared to a representative USA White sample; and RSA Black type distribution compared to a representative USA African-American sample. The study discusses the following national analyses : type distribution of the Afrikaans speaking compared to English speaking group; type distribution of the Afrikaans speaking compared to Indigenous languages group; and type distribution of the English speaking compared to Indigenous languages group. The study discusses the following national comparison of language and gender groups : type distribution of Afrikaans speaking females compared to Afrikaans speaking males; type distribution of English speaking females compared to English speaking males; and type distribution of Indigenous language speaking females compared to males of the Indigenous languages group. The study discusses the following national comparison of age groups : type distribution of females aged 20-29 compared to females aged 50-59 years; and type distribution of males aged 20-29 compared to males aged 50-59 years. Results indicate similarities and differences in both the international and national comparisons. Similarities and differences are discussed in detail in terms of MBTI® attitudes, functions, functional pairs, whole types, temperament and dynamics of type. The South African type distribution results are related to the theories of national cultures formulated by Hofstede (1991), Lessem (1993) and Trompenaars (1993). The concept of UBUNTU, as a significant cultural force (Mbigi, 1997) is interpreted within the perspective of the unique type distribution results of the South African Indigenous Languages group.

No description available.

Mak Hoi Yan Iris. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-82). / Abstracts in English and Chinese; questionnaire in Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.3 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Goals of this study --- p.16 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Personality constructs --- p.17 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Methodology --- p.28 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Statistical methods --- p.33 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Results --- p.36 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- Discussion --- p.68 / Chapter Chapter 9 --- Conclusion --- p.76 / References --- p.77 / Tables 1-11 --- p.83 / Appendix 1 / Appendix 2

This study examined the relationships between international students’ ethnic identity, self-efficacy, uncertainty avoidance, and their socio-cultural adjustment. A total of 65 international students (aged 18 to 33 years) from seven countries completed the online questionnaire. As hypothesized, path analyses demonstrated a positive relationship between students’ self-efficacy and their socio-cultural adjustment. International students’ uncertainty avoidance had a negative relationship with their self-efficacy, but a positive relationship with ethnic identity. The hypotheses that international students’ ethnic identity and uncertainty avoidance are negatively correlated to their socio-cultural adjustment were not supported in the present study.

Thesis--New Mexico State University, 1969. / Bibliography: p. 65-74.

The influence of culture on the construal of the normal and abnormal self was compared for three race groups of students, namely, White, Black and Indian students. Furthermore, the effect of gender on the construal of the self for the three race groups were investigated. The subjects for the study were 102 first-year psychology students (mean age: 18.5). The test consisted of two sets of 10 psychological words. Each student completed one test by providing two synonyms for every stimulus word given. Using the Semantic Differential, the synonyms were rated by nine independent judges, against ten polar dimensions, relating to the concept of the self. Frequency scores were obtained for the number of times that a synonym was used by the subjects and cross-tabulation of these scores with race and gender were performed. Logit analysis, using 7 different models of interaction between synonym, race and gender were also performed. Using the Western vs. Non-western and the Individualism vs. Collectivism models of the self, results indicate that the White subjects fitted the Western and Individualistic models of the self. The Black and Indian subjects construed the self as being both individualistic and collectivistic and the self was seen as totally self-orientated. With the abnormal self, the Black and Indian students emphasised both the somatic and psychological complaints, while the White subjects emphasised only the psychological aspects. Regarding gender, the males in the study used mental words while the females used word depicting behaviour. Summarising, the results indicate that the White, Black and Indian subjects construe the self in a similar manner, indicating that the Black and Indian subjects are in the process of change or acculturation. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1997.