From Preface: The present study attempts to explore, both theoretically and empirically, some implications that a personal consideration of death may have for the way we live our lives. Existential-Phenomenology has concerned itself with the description of the dimensions of human existence. It is in this enquiry that Death, and through it, human finitude, emerges as an important dimension of existence. It is not the fact of death itself, but the MEANING it has for our lives which may be of important consequence. It is to this area that this research addresses itself. The methodology employed arises out of a concern to contribute to the establishment of Psychology as a Human Science. To this end, a chapter focusing on the philosophical bases of methodology is included. It is hoped that this study may, however little, contribute both to the field of Thanatology as well as to the more theoretical issue of what Psychology is, and where it is going. / KMBT_363 / Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in

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Introduction: There is a growing literature base focusing on the correlates and predictors of psychological distress following stroke. However, there is still limited understanding regarding the physical, cognitive and psychosocial variables that may increase an individual’s vulnerability to experiencing post stroke psychological distress. This thesis had two aims: 1) to review the evidence relating to functional impairment and depression post stroke, in order to identify any differences in this relationship at different stages of recovery, or over time, and 2) to explore whether perceived social support and perceived control moderate the relationship between cognitive impairment and psychological distress following stroke. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to investigate any potential differences in the relationship between functional impairment and depression post stroke. Quality criteria were applied to the included studies and the results were discussed in relation to these. A cross-sectional study was conducted to address the second aim of this portfolio. Participants completed three self-report questionnaires and a clinician administered measure. Statistical analysis was utilised to explore the relationships between cognitive impairment, perceived social support, perceived control and psychological distress following stroke. Results: The results of the systematic review were inconclusive. It was not possible to identify any definitive differences in the relationship between functional impairment and depression post stroke, at different time points or with regard to change over time. With regard to the cross-sectional study, none of the independent variables (cognitive impairment, perceived social support and perceived control) were found to be significantly related to psychological distress following stroke. Conclusions: The results of the systematic review highlight the need for methodologically robust, longitudinal studies to investigate differences in the relationship between functional impairment and depression during different stages of recovery and potential change over time in this relationship. Further research into the cognitive and psychosocial correlates and predictors of psychological distress are required in order to identify, and provide timely intervention to, those that are most likely to experience psychological distress following stroke.

This research can be seen as being a step towards an answer to the question "what is bisexuality?". Such an aim, however, appears to be a contradiction in terms. Surely we must be assuming an answer by asking the question. How can one ask a question such as “what is bisexuality?", if we have no conception of what the word bisexuality means? Owing to the lack of information in the literature with which to answer the question of this study, it was decided that an in-depth study of one individual would be a most suitable starting point to begin an illumination of the themes which lie in the depths of this complex phenomenon . An in-depth study would hopefully do this without lapsing into the stereo - typed ways of thinking and terminology that could eventuate from a more populous and necessarily more superficial approach (Kotze 1974). Arising out of the prevailing conception of human sexuality as comprising two modes of sexual existence - heterosexuality and homosexuality only, the idea of bisexuality is hardly to be found in the ordinary man's or, for that matter, the psychologist 's, conceptual frameworks. The only extensive work that has been undertaken to date which uncovers, to a certain extent, the nature of human sexuality, is that of Kingsley (1948 and 1953). Although it must be kept in mind that this research is dated, it certainly does indicate that perhaps it would not be unrealistic to begin to reconceptualise our views on man's sexual mode of existence . This thesis presents the case of a man, who, according to our present view, does not exist.

This project attempts to articulate an understanding of the worlds of selected subjects suffering from schizophrenia, through their dreams. It proceeds from the implicit question of whether or not schizophrenic dreams reflect the schizophrenic worlds as literature defines, and tries to address some of the dream features which reflect the schizophrenic world. Five psychiatric inpatients suffering from schizophrenia were selected. The data gathered included the subjects' dreams and subsequent interviews for the purpose of clarification of the dreams. A phenomenological-hermeneutic methodology was deemed to be appropriate as it gave access to the richness of the dream experiences as well as the following dialogue between the data and literature. The results indicate that the subjects' dream worlds bear evidence to a fragmented state of ego which is to be expected to be found in schizophrenia. On the other hand some of these subjects' dreams also point to evolving health that is present in their world, at least on an intrapsychic level.

M.A. (Counselling Psychology) / The process of retirement is perceived by many as the 'end of' rather than the 'beginning of ' an important part of their life. As Michelan (in Osgood, 1982, p.29) says, " the major dilemma facing the retired elderly is essentially how to substitute a new set of personal values and new kinds of activities for the life long job of earning a living, raising a family, and overcoming the day-to-day obstacles which effect income, status and career." One is immediately led to ask whether retirement does indeed entail unstructured free time, new activities and role characteristics or whether the aging persons in question are not being ascribed a preconceived, stereotyped role in society - distantly removed from the real experience of this relatively newly created developmental phase in human life. For example, Achenbaum (in Graebner, 1980, p.11) feels that in the pas t, American elderly people were valued for their insight into the sources of longevity, for their wisdom in creating a new world order for the United States, for the moral guidance they could bring to youth, for their knowledge of farming, and for their performance of domestic duties. However, these categories of 'usefulness' conceal a peculiar softness - the aged being valued for little more than their knowledge, advice and guidance.

This research explores a different view of the picky or fussy eater. Although occupational therapists and speech therapists are aware that children with sensory defensiveness and specific tactile defensiveness have different eating habits, this has not been described before.

Talent retention, organisational commitment and diversity management is a key focus area for organisations’ human resource departments, wanting to compete effectively in the evolving business environment. The psychological contract provides a framework for organisations to acknowledge, understand and manage employee expectations to ensure positive employee attitude and importantly, reduce turnover. However, limited research has attempted to describe the relationship between individual cultural orientation, subcultural membership, organisational culture and the resultant impact on the type of psychological contract. Against this backdrop, this research aimed to determine whether individual cultural orientation in relation to subcultural membership and organisational culture influences the psychological contract. Prior to conducting the quantitative research, current literature was used to determine the cultural and psychological contract constructs that could be used to describe the relationship at an individual and organisational level, which were then incorporated as inputs in the self-administered online questionnaire. 113 respondents from within the medical devices and pharmaceutical industry completed the online survey. Individualism and collectivism at both an individual and organisational level was found to associate with the psychological contract. Irrespective of the cultural orientation, respondents were found to develop psychological contracts which consisted of both transactional and relational content. Collectivism was identified as being a strong predictor in reducing contract violation as well as maintaining the integrity of the psychological contract and thus congruence of individual and organisational collectivism would have the most positive impact on the contract. Subcultural differences were not apparent within the study and thus no inferences could be made. The results of this study assist organisations in better understanding the dynamics of the psychological contract and the role cultural diversity plays in shaping employees expectations / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / mngibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

M.A. (Leadership, Performance and Change) / In order to become leaders, we need to develop ourselves from within. Often the inner dimension of leadership is undervalued as a ‘soft’ skill and ignored by organisations intent on bottom line results. Nevertheless, a profound understanding of the need for personal leadership is evolving in the 21st century ‒ an understanding which acknowledges that, in order to be a powerful leader, one needs to win, firstly and most importantly, the battle over one’s own mind. In this study the two extremes, the worrier and the warrior, are introduced as a metaphor in terms of which to explore the contrast between a dysfunctional and a highly functional mindset. In order to gain both traction and credibility in the leadership field, the worrier and the warrior ways of thinking are explained and analysed through the dual lens of the relevant literature on leadership and the field of neuroscience with the latter offering a brain based perspective of personal development. The study was designed as a means of exploring the beliefs, thoughts, emotions, behaviours and strategies that underpin a mastery level of leadership. I chose a qualitative methodological approach, specifically reflecting the interdisciplinary and positivist postmodernistic nature of this research type. My ontology is mirrored in the narratives that the warriors shared ‒ subjective truths that are unique ‒ while acknowledging the constructionist view that we evolve continually within a social context, in other words, I believe that social reality does not exist outside people, but that it is created by individuals. I engage an interpretivist epistemological position where the researcher interprets these narratives from the warrior’s viewpoint as well as adding his or her own interpretations of their experiences and views in a social-science perspective . I also used elements of the intrinsic, as well as the instrumental, case study with the aim of gaining an insight into and knowledge of the warrior mindset. The data was described and analysed until key themes emerged which were then integrated meaningfully with the relevant literature on both leadership and neuroleadership. Drawing from this, the key themes that emerged through the process are described as the five swords of the warrior mind. These include consciousness, connection, confidence, control and choice. A further common thread that connected the warriors’ voices was the concepts of mindfulness and emotional regulation. Together with the five swords these concepts of mindfulness and emotional regulation provide the ‘what’ of the warrior experience. This provides the basis for developing a potential future intervention, which may address the ‘how’ of warrior functioning. A strong implication of what leadership mastery means, may be found in the mindset and not in the actions of the leader. In view of what is required for a master’s degree, the mini dissertation is of limited scope while its implications and applications are, at best, modest. Nevertheless, the mini dissertation did provide an opportunity to explore the principles of both neuroleadership and Personal and Professional Leadership (PPL) in order to establish whether they could be used as a means for understanding the transformation potential from worrier pathology to warrior empowerment. It appears that transformation is possible and this research may provide a framework to facilitate such transformation. In addition, it is hoped that the study has enhanced the understanding of warrior thinking through the linking of the neurological and human sciences in explaining this development. I endeavoured to enhance the principles of credibility, dependability and transferability through rigorous auditing, peer debriefing with my supervisors, intermittent reflexivity through engagement with the relevant literature and triangulation. This was further enhanced by my close relationship with the warriors and also by being able to present quite extensive realist tales. However, on reflection, I would have benefitted from an even richer understanding of the warriors’ worlds, as well as a deeper engagement with my supervisors. I believe that this study has made a modest contribution to existing scholarly knowledge and also that it provides a useful framework in terms of which to begin the conversations about the rich and open topic of leadership mastery.

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / We live in a society that continually reinforces the connection between femininity and maternity and for the majority of women, attempts to experience motherhood are successful. However, for others the world of motherhood is not so easy to enter. To date, research regarding the needs and life satisfaction of women who are unsuccessful in becoming mothers, is fairly limited. The purpose of this study was to explore the transitional phase women endure from potential motherhood to non-motherhood and to highlight some of the complexities underpinning infertility and its impact on the lives of women in South Africa. The main objective was to gain deeper insight into how women incorporated this experience into their lives and relationships and how they began to create a future life without their own biological children. A secondary aim of this study was to investigate whether the women viewed aspects such as age and finances as having had an effect on their decision to discontinue treatment for infertility. Feminist standpoint theory served as a theoretical framework for the study that recognized that each individual voice be heard. This study was a qualitative exploration, utilizing a short demographic questionnaire and an in-depth semi-structured interview. Five interviews were conducted with women from diverse backgrounds. These interviews were recorded; transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis of the data was conducted. / South Africa