Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003.

During the past three decades the economic performances of South Africa organisations were poor. This poor performance forced a lot of South African organisations to look at the way they do business. A method to analyse the way business is conducted through an Organisation Diagnose. Organisation Diagnose is the process of using concepts and methods from the social and behavioural sciences to assess the current state of an entire organisation and to find ways to improve the organisations effectiveness. The aim of this research was to evaluate perceptions of employees of a distribution organisation through an Organisation Diagnose. A cross-sectional design was used as model for the research. Interviews and questionnaires were used as methods for data gathering. A representative sample (N=30) from different job levels and departments were interviewed. The main themes were identified and these themes were included in the questionnaire as dimensions. The Study population (N=88) was chosen from a depot of a distributing organisation. The empirical investigation was aimed at establishing the reliability and validity of the derived questionnaire and to determine the important dimensions to be focused on with regards to interventions. The results of the empirical study showed that employees of a depot of a distributing organisation tend to have positive perceptions about supervision, remuneration and change organisations. The research also showed that employees of a depot of a distributing organisation tend to have negative perceptions about interpersonal relationships and promotion. The research also indicated a large number of factors that was considered as neutral. This can be an indication that employees of a depot of a distribution organisation may have a lack of motivation. Finally suggestions for future research were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003.

During the past three decades the economic performances of South Africa organisations were poor. This poor performance forced a lot of South African organisations to look at the way they do business. A method to analyse the way business is conducted through an Organisation Diagnose. Organisation Diagnose is the process of using concepts and methods from the social and behavioural sciences to assess the current state of an entire organisation and to find ways to improve the organisations effectiveness. The aim of this research was to evaluate perceptions of employees of a distribution organisation through an Organisation Diagnose. A cross-sectional design was used as model for the research. Interviews and questionnaires were used as methods for data gathering. A representative sample (N=30) from different job levels and departments were interviewed. The main themes were identified and these themes were included in the questionnaire as dimensions. The Study population (N=88) was chosen from a depot of a distributing organisation. The empirical investigation was aimed at establishing the reliability and validity of the derived questionnaire and to determine the important dimensions to be focused on with regards to interventions. The results of the empirical study showed that employees of a depot of a distributing organisation tend to have positive perceptions about supervision, remuneration and change organisations. The research also showed that employees of a depot of a distributing organisation tend to have negative perceptions about interpersonal relationships and promotion. The research also indicated a large number of factors that was considered as neutral. This can be an indication that employees of a depot of a distribution organisation may have a lack of motivation. Finally suggestions for future research were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to focus on the cause and effect of what has been referred to as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation when it comes to second language learning through literature, where the novel To kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee served as an example. The study started off by presenting a definition of the so called intrinsic and extrinsic motivation respectively, as well as the three perspectives psychodynamic, cognitive and socio-cultural by which it was discussed, in order to cement the framework of it and problematize its boundaries accordingly. It later focused on where and how intrinsic and extrinsic motivation respectively came into play, and what possible outcome the two different types might result in when discussing language learning. The applied method was to do a qualitative hermeneutic study by presenting earlier research and having it as a basis when hypothesizing in order to solve the research questions. This study was limited to discussing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation respectively in order to ascertain how both phenomena manifest themselves and ultimately how they affect learning, and by presenting numerous examples in the analysis it was concluded that: a) extrinsic and intrinsic motivation tend to inescapably intertwine during the process of learning and thereby end up being in need of each other, and b) that the order to how one musters extrinsic motivation, when undertaking in the educational enterprise of reading a novel, was opposite from that of the intrinsic motivation as extrinsic motivation is based on an external source of reward and therefore merely in need of an external source rather than an intrinsic curiosity. Keywords Intrinsic motivation, Extrinsic motivation, Cognitive perspective, Psychodynamic perspective, Sociocultural perspective, Zone of proximal development, Efferent reading, Aesthetic reading.

Pistorius (1996) was the first individual to introduce research on serial murder in the South African context with her psychodynamic approach to the phenomenon. Since then, others have followed, namely Labuschagne (1998, 2001) with his search for interactional and communication connections; Du Plessis (1998) from a grounded theory approach; and Hodgskiss (2001) with his assessment of South African offender characteristics and behaviours. Four more studies have been conducted, namely Hook’s post-structural deconstruction of narratives of a person who committed serial murder (2003); De Wet’s psychosocial perspective (2005); Barkhuizen’s intrapsychic object relations approach (2006); and Del Fabbro’s exploration of the phenomenon from a family systems paradigm (2006). To date, no attempt has been made to review these research endeavors. In this article, these studies are reviewed and their strengths and weaknesses with regard to theory, methodology and research findings debated. The author concludes with several recommendations for future research on the phenomenon of serial murder: greater communication between various disciplines (e.g. psychology, criminology, law) investigating serial murder; expansion of Hodgskiss’ research (2001) on offence characteristics for profiling purposes; and the relationship between psychopathology and serial murder. / Dissertation (MA (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Psychology / MA / unrestricted

The 21st century is characterised by globalisation, turbulent change, an information explosion and an electronic revolution. The result is organisations with decentralised structures, increased employee empowerment and growth alliances. This changing landscape calls for a more holistic, collaborative outlook on leadership, placing the emphasis on relationships, context and transformation where leadership occurs at multiple levels in organisations. While organisations work towards future sustainability in response to the demands of this landscape, leaders are faced with their own personal transition within their roles. Leadership is a socially constructed process that is co-created amidst pressure from self-expectations, follower expectations and organisational requirements. Leadership as a boundary-keeping role that functions on the periphery between the organisation and the external environment, evokes anxiety. The researcher sought to explore, describe and analyse the lived leadership role experience of 21st century leaders as it plays out above and below the surface of consciousness. At the conscious level, the normative role refers to job description and content. At the unconscious level, the existential role deals with the role in the mind of the individual, while the phenomenal role relates to what others perceive and project onto the individual fulfilling the role. The level of congruence between these three roles and its consequent impact on the individual leadership experience were explored. Hermeneutic phenomenology, using the systems psychodynamic perspective as a theoretical framework, enabled the researcher to apply in-depth description and interpretation. A case study research approach was adopted where individual cases were analysed and then consolidated into a cross-case analysis of findings. The study revealed the underlying mental activity and irrational behaviour relating to anxiety, conflict and defences that manifest for 21st century leaders. By integrating the findings with both systems psychodynamic literature and leadership literature, nine themes emerged, namely anxiety, leadership identity, boundaries, authority, role, task, containment, valence and perceived performance. These themes culminated in a research hypothesis about the constant evolution of the leadership role in the context of the current business landscape. / Psychology / Ph. D. (Consulting Psychology)