Syfte och frågeställningar: Denna studie har granskat begreppet mental tuffhet och dess roll i sporten baseboll. Syftet var att, genom en kvantitativ och kvalitativ metod, undersöka hur fyra unga svenska pitchers reflekterar över de egenskaper, färdigheter och verktyg associerade till mental tuffhet för att skapa en ökad förståelse i unga pitchers mentala förmåga. Detta genomförs som den första svenska idrottspsykologiska studien i sitt slag. Hur upplever unga basebollspelare olika aspekter av de innefattande egenskaper och färdigheter som omfattar mental tuffhet? Besitter unga basebollspelare som håller en jämn prestationsnivå under match även en högre grad av mental tuffhet? Metod: Studien består av en kvalitativ och kvantitativ metod där ett urval av fyra pitchers först statistiskt har observerats under match för att sen intervjuas med en semistrukturerad intervjumetod. Statistikinsamling genomfördes med syftet att kvantitativt granska deras prestation under match sett till lyckade och misslyckade kast. Efter varje match har testpersonerna intervjuats med utgångspunkt från matchens statistik samt fyra idrottspsykologiska teman; självförtroende, motivation, idrottspsykologiska verktyg och målsättning. Denna metodtriangulering har använts för att granska hur de hanterar mentalt tuffa situationer i match. Resultat: Ett antal faktorer framkom i studiens analys som relaterade till mental tuffhet: fysiska och mentala förberedelser, den fysiska förmågan, fokusering/refokusering, viljan att bli bättre samt att hantera motgång. Även ett antal påverkande faktorer framkom: utbildning, lagkamrater/omgivning, yttre krav och externa distraktioner. Slutsats: Generellt framkom mental tuffhet som ett brett och komplext begrepp kopplat till många olika idrottspsykologiska faktorer. Kopplingar mellan self-efficacy och mental tuffhet har gjorts då testpersonerna beskrev prestationsbaserade självförtroende i sin tro på sin egen fysiska och tekniska förmåga, samt motivation i sin fysiska utveckling. Det framkom även att resultatets påverkande faktorer spelade en stor roll i hur de senare kände mental tuffhet i match. Nyckelord: Baseboll, pitchers, mental tuffhet, self-efficacy, självförtroende, motivation, visualisering, självprat, målsättning

Darbo tyrimų objektas – neįgalių moksleivių, konfliktų sprendimo strategijos, sportinės veiklos motyvacija ir sav��s vertinimas. Tyrimo mokslinė problema - atskleisti skirtingą negalę turinčių asmenų konfliktų sprendimo strategijų, sportinės veiklos motyvų pasirinkimą ir savęs vertinimo lygį. Tyrimo tikslas – šiame darbe tiriame skirtingą negalią turinčių jaunuolių (silpnaregių, aklųjų, fiziškai neįgaliųjų ir su cerebriniu paralyžiumi) gebėjimo spręsti konfliktus, motyvaciją dalyvauti sportinėje veikloje ir jų savęs vertinimo ypatumus. Mūsų darbo uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti skirtingą negalę turinčių jaunuolių, konflikto sprendimo strategijų, sportinės veiklos motyvų ir savęs vertinimo lygio raiškos ypatumus. 2. Ištirti skirtingo fizinio aktyvumo jaunuolių, konflikto sprendimo strategijų, sportinės veiklos motyvų ir savęs vertinimo lygio raiškos ypatumus. 3. Nustatyti sąsajas tarp konflikto sprendimo strategijų, sportinės veiklos motyvų ir savęs vertinimo lygio. Hipotezės: 1. Keliame prielaidą, kad negalės rūšis turi ryšį su neįgalių 15 – 20 metų jaunuolių konfliktų sprendimu, sportinės veiklos motyvų pasirinkimu ir savęs vertinimu. 2. Keliame prielaidą, kad fizinis aktyvumas turi ryšį su neįgalių 15 – 20 metų jaunuolių konfliktų sprendimu, sportinės veiklos motyvų pasirinkimu ir savęs vertinimu. Išvados: 1. Tiriant skirtingą negalią turinčių neįgalių jaunuolių, konflikto sprendimo strategijų, sportinės veiklos motyvų ir savęs vertinimo lygio... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Object of the research – conflicts solution strategies, sport activity motivation and the self-confidence of disabled leaners. Scientific problem of research - work scientific problem researches that reveal the self-confidence level of people having different disabilities, the choice of sport activity reasons and ability to solve conflicts. Research goal – young people‘s, having different disabilities (the weak-eyed, the blind, phisically disabled and having cerebral palsy), motivation to take part in sport activities and their peculiarities of self-confidence, and capability to solve conflicts were researched in this work. Objectives of the research: 1. To establish the peculiarities of young people having different disabilities, conflict solution strategies, sport activity motives and the level of self-confidence expression. 2. To research the peculiarities of young people having different phisical activity, conflict sollution strategies, sport activity motives and self-confidence level expression. 3. To establish whether there is a statistically reliable connection among conflict solution strategies, sport activity reasons and self-confidence. Hypotheses: 1. We are raising an assumption that the kind of disability influences motives‘ choice of self-confidence level, conflict sollution strategies and sport activity of 15-20 years old disabled young people. 2. We are raising an assumption that thysical activity influences motives‘ choice of self-confidence level... [to full text]

It seems as if there is a continued problem with mathematical performances nationally. The rate, at which FET (Further Education and Training) phase learner s discontinue Mathematics as a result of poor mathematical performances, is of great concern. This research study determined how academic self-confidence could have an influence on learners’ abilities to perform in Mathematics. The literature review confirmed that there could be a link between academic self-confidence and mathematical performance. Consequently, the researcher wanted to establish if the same could be found at a school where the emphasis is very much on mathematical achievement. The school is based in Northern Johannesburg (D10) in Gauteng, South Africa. By applying an explanatory mixed method approach (quantitative, followed by qualitative methods), the researcher identified a clear link between this school’s learners’ abilities to perform in Mathematics and their academic self-confidence. Amongst others, positive links were also identified between the learner s’ comprehension of Mathematics, their problem- solving skills as well as educator assistance, which in turn influence their academic self - confidence and consequently al so their performance s. A cycle of mathematical influences was identified that demonstrated that the influence i s not only working one way, but that a cycle forms; academic self-confidence influences the learner’s ability to perform in mathematics and mathematical performance s al so influence academic self - confidence, causing a continuous cycle of influence. / MEd (Learner Support), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2013

Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med denna studie är att ta reda på om elever som gått igenom gymnasiets estetiska dansprogram upplever att de genom dansen utvecklat/stärkt olika psykosociala förmågor samt fysiska kapaciteter. De frågeställningar studien utgick ifrån är: Uppger eleverna att dans som uttrycksform stärker självkänsla, självförtroende och självmedvetenhet? Uppger eleverna att dans som uttrycksform stärker kroppskontroll/kroppskännedom? Uppger eleverna att dans som uttrycksform utvecklar den sociala förmågan? Är det någon del av dansen (dansundervisningen) som verkar vara speciellt utvecklande vad gäller ovanstående frågeställningar? Metod Metoden som använts är en kvantitativ enkät med till viss del kvalitativa ansatser, där före detta elever på gymnasiets estetiska program med dansinsriktning utgjort undersökningsgruppen. Totalt inkom 45 svar och dessa har analyserats kvantitativt och tolkats utifrån ett abduktivt teoretiskt ramverk bestående av fenomenologi, socialpsykologi med stöd av tidigare forskning. Resultat Resultaten visar att majoriteten av eleverna upplever att dansen har bidragit till (i stor utsträckning eller delvis) att stärka deras självkänsla, självförtroende, självmedvetenhet, kroppskontroll/kroppskännedom samt till att öka deras sociala förmåga. De delar inom dansundervisningen som visat sig vara mest utvecklande för de psykosociala förmågorna är möjligheten att stå på scen, improvisationen samt det egna skapandet. De fysiska kapaciteterna upplevdes mest utvecklas av möjligheten att stå på scen, improvisation samt mötet med olika dansstilar. Slutsats Slutsatsen är att genom mötet med dansen som uttrycksform och dansundervisningen som vilar på skolans värdegrund ökar danselevens psykosociala förutsättningar och fysiska kapaciteter. Detta verkar ske framförallt när eleven får arbeta kreativt och kommunikativt i en trygg miljö. En lärmiljö som utgår från en holistisk syn där kroppen får vara både subjekt och objekt, där en sund kroppsuppfattning råder kan då ge eleven chans att utveckla en god självkänsla. / Aim The aim with this study was to find out whether former students of the upper secondary school dance-program, experience that they through dance have enhanced/strengthened certain psychological and social abilities as well as physical capacities. The questions asked in relation to the aim where: Do the students mention that dance as expression strengthens self-esteem, self-confidence and self-awareness? Do the students mention that dance as expression strengthens body-control/body-awareness? Do the students mention that dance as expression helps enhancing the social ability? Is there any part of dance (the dance-education) that seems to be particularly part of the development according to the questions asked? Method The method being used is a quantitative questionnaire with some qualitative approaches where former students of the upper secondary school aesthetic dance-program have been part of the subject group. A total of 45 answers where collected and they have been analysed quantitatively and interpreted from an abductive theoretical framework consisting of phenomenology, social psychology and by the support of earlier research in dance. Results The results show that a majority of the students experience that dance has contributed to (to great extent or partly) strengthen their self-esteem, self-confidence, self-awareness, body-control/body-awareness and enhancing their social ability. The parts of the dance-education that turned out to be particularly enhancing the psychosocial abilities where; the possibility to be on stage, improvisation and the self-creating work.  The physiological capacities that the students experienced most enhancing where; the possibility to be on stage, improvisation and meeting different dance-styles. Conclusions The conclusion is that through meeting dance as expression and dance-education, based on the values of the schools steering documents, the dance-students psychosocial abilities and physical capacities enhances. This seems mainly being referred to when the student can work creative and with communication in a safe environment. A learning-environment based on a holistic point of view where the body can be both subject and object, where a healthy view of the body reigns, might give the student a chance for developing a good sense of self.

The literature on psychological well-being indicates that high levels of psychological well-being encourage a psychological loop that reinforces itself, lifting an individual on an 'upward spiral' of continued psychological flourishing, which may contribute to positive human functioning. In addition, the literature suggests that effective intervention can raise the levels of psychological well-being. There are features inherent in the training of student pianists that can contribute to their psychological vulnerability, especially with regard to self-concept and anxiety. Therefore, they can benefit from an intervention that may raise their level of psychological well-being, thus contributing to their resilience in coping with the challenges presented by their training as well as their piano performance. Clinical observations as well as research indicate that the Tomatis Method can enhance psychological well-being and improve academic functioning. Furthermore, Tomatis' theories and observations suggest that this programme can also enhance music performance, especially with regard to self-listening skills. However, although Tomatis indicates that he observed the same results with instrumentalists as with singers, his writings mostly refer to singers. Except for a single case study by Madaule in 1976, there seems to be no other scientific evidence that the Tomatis Method has benefited student pianists. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the effect of the Tomatis Method on student pianists' psychological well-being and piano performance. The empirical study consisted of a two-group pre-post assessment mixed-method design, involving thirteen 2nd year to postgraduate student pianists from the School of Music and Conservatory, of the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). These students were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 7) which was exposed to the Tomatis Listening Programme, and a non-intervention control group (n = 6). Quantitative data were obtained by means of a battery of tests, which included self-report inventories regarding psychological well-being and music performance anxiety, as well as scales regarding piano performance. The levels of the participants' psychological well-being were measured with the Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff, 1989), the Affectometer 2 (Kammann & Flett, 1983), and the Profile of Mood States (Mc Nair et al., 1992). Participants' levels of music performance anxiety were measured with the Music Performance Anxiety Inventory for Adolescents (Osborne & Kenny, 2005), and the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (Kenny et al., 2004). The quality of the students' piano performances was assessed by means of a general impression expressed as a percentage, Mills' constructs (1987) for the assessment of music performance, and Piano Performance Rating Scale (PPRS) which was developed for this study. Qualitative data were acquired by means of interviews, group discussions, projective drawings, written reports, personal observations and the Tomatis Listening Test Results indicated improvement regarding some aspects related to student pianists' psychological well-being and piano performance. Further research with regard to these aspects is required. / Thesis (M.Mus.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

The literature on psychological well-being indicates that high levels of psychological well-being encourage a psychological loop that reinforces itself, lifting an individual on an 'upward spiral' of continued psychological flourishing, which may contribute to positive human functioning. In addition, the literature suggests that effective intervention can raise the levels of psychological well-being. There are features inherent in the training of student pianists that can contribute to their psychological vulnerability, especially with regard to self-concept and anxiety. Therefore, they can benefit from an intervention that may raise their level of psychological well-being, thus contributing to their resilience in coping with the challenges presented by their training as well as their piano performance. Clinical observations as well as research indicate that the Tomatis Method can enhance psychological well-being and improve academic functioning. Furthermore, Tomatis' theories and observations suggest that this programme can also enhance music performance, especially with regard to self-listening skills. However, although Tomatis indicates that he observed the same results with instrumentalists as with singers, his writings mostly refer to singers. Except for a single case study by Madaule in 1976, there seems to be no other scientific evidence that the Tomatis Method has benefited student pianists. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the effect of the Tomatis Method on student pianists' psychological well-being and piano performance. The empirical study consisted of a two-group pre-post assessment mixed-method design, involving thirteen 2nd year to postgraduate student pianists from the School of Music and Conservatory, of the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). These students were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 7) which was exposed to the Tomatis Listening Programme, and a non-intervention control group (n = 6). Quantitative data were obtained by means of a battery of tests, which included self-report inventories regarding psychological well-being and music performance anxiety, as well as scales regarding piano performance. The levels of the participants' psychological well-being were measured with the Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff, 1989), the Affectometer 2 (Kammann & Flett, 1983), and the Profile of Mood States (Mc Nair et al., 1992). Participants' levels of music performance anxiety were measured with the Music Performance Anxiety Inventory for Adolescents (Osborne & Kenny, 2005), and the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (Kenny et al., 2004). The quality of the students' piano performances was assessed by means of a general impression expressed as a percentage, Mills' constructs (1987) for the assessment of music performance, and Piano Performance Rating Scale (PPRS) which was developed for this study. Qualitative data were acquired by means of interviews, group discussions, projective drawings, written reports, personal observations and the Tomatis Listening Test Results indicated improvement regarding some aspects related to student pianists' psychological well-being and piano performance. Further research with regard to these aspects is required. / Thesis (M.Mus.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-150).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-150).

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology (Discipline: Information Technology) in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Women in South Africa are under-represented in senior management positions in the Information technology (IT) sector — even with available incentives and directives to rectify the situation. The purpose of this research is to explore and understand the reasons for the imbalance in representation of women in senior management positions in the IT sector in South Africa. Seventeen women in middle to senior management positions from two of South Africa’s nine provinces — Western Cape and Gauteng — were interviewed for this study. The women were asked to relate their personal experiences and perceptions around organizational culture in IT environments and factors influencing their career advancements. A qualitative content analysis method was used to analyse the responses from the interviews. The findings of this study confirm the imbalanced representation of women in senior management positions. It was found that organizations are open and welcoming and provide opportunities to women, but women in the IT sector do not necessarily desire to advance to senior management positions. Factors such as the legacy in the IT industry where men held senior positions, career interruptions due to child bearing, and the absence of female mentor’s impact on the career advancement of women. The informal recruitment process for senior manager positions and the lack of emphasis on the need for women in IT when advertising senior management positions worsen the situation. Women lack self-confidence and are of the opinion that their skills set must be an exact match to the job requirements before applying for senior positions. Work life balance is not supported in the IT environment and no development programs aimed specifically at women are available. The paucity of women taking up technical careers — such as IT — limits the number of women available to develop and appoint in senior management positions. Guidelines for women to advance to senior positions and for companies to recruit and hire women are proposed. These guidelines will assist to correct the imbalance representation of women in senior management positions and promote IT as a career for women. A suggestion for future studies is to compare career advancement of women working in the software development environments, compared to women in the infrastructure and technical environments of IT, as well as those who have left the IT industry.

This diploma thesis concerns the area of self-presentation of a teacher and effective use of his communication skills. The thesis is divided into two parts. The first part is theoretical and presents basic concepts of social communication and defines communication skills essential for effective teaching. The practical part is partly based on the output of a questionnaire survey where the author probes knowledge of communication skills of students of pedagogical faculty and how they evaluate their readiness for the profession of a teacher. Then the author provides a summary of the main rules of communication, necessary skills and practical recommendations. Summary of the main rules of communication, necessary skills and practical advice is also a guide that should help prevent problems with self-presentation and to mitigate or eliminate deficiencies in this area.