The use of force by police has been explored through a range of social science perspectives. However, the majority of those perspectives have failed to account for the impact that situational factors have on the use of coercion by police. While situational perspectives have been utilized, they have primarily focused on solitary features of the situation; thus, ignoring a situation’s various component parts. The general absence of consideration given to situational force is exhibited within the sociological literature more generally. This absence contributes to a diminished appreciation for the circumstances that transpire within the context of the situation. This thesis explores the role that the situation plays in the generation of police use of coercion. In addition, this thesis observes whether contemporary theoretical developments can elaborate the explanatory value of the situation in studying the use of violence by police. Specifically, this thesis utilizes Collins’ (2004) micro-situational theory of violence and his concept of forward panic. To examine the utility of Collins’ theory, eight theoretical propositions are used. This research examines the extent to which the propositions were empirically observable and whether they had a value added impact. The propositions examined were: 1) cross-purpose, 2) tension/fear, 3) the prolonged building of tension/fear, 4) docile lingering, 5) suspect in a position of weakness, 6) suspect outnumbered, 7) overkill and piling on of violence, and 8) rhythm. To observe the propositions a multiple case study analysis was conducted using Internet videos and newspaper articles. It was found that in all nine cases each of the propositions as described by Collins (2004) were present. The findings suggest general support for using Collins’ theory to explain police violence. In addition, his theory was found to have value added capability, as each of the situational components of the theory combined to impact on police violence. / Thesis (Master, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2010-06-01 12:01:57.453

The following research and subsequent study look at identity construction and intergroup differences during computer-mediated communication (CMC) across two platforms with varying degrees of anonymity: Twitter and Yik Yak. A review of research conducted mainly within the framework of the social identity model of deindividuation (SIDE) demonstrates that, counter to popular beliefs heralding the individual freedoms of anonymity, anonymous environments act to strengthen salient social identities and perpetuate group norms. In a medium with such variability and flexibility, drawing comparisons across platforms based solely on content can lead to error. In an attempt to circumvent this difficultly, a linguistics analysis of function words was conducted in each condition. Statistical tests point to changes in usage frequencies of i, impersonal pronouns, you, and they as distinctive between the individuating environment of Twitter and anonymous Yik Yak, while an almost identical underlying proportional framework seen in both platforms brings new context to understanding the role of societal norms in language construction.

Tremendous pressure is being placed on organisations to improve their work performance and to become increasingly competitive. In order to survive in a highly competitive economy, organisations in both the public and the private sector are undergoing major re-structuring and can no longer guarantee employees with life time employment, thus leading to job insecurity. A relatively large amount of research can be found in the literature regarding the relationship between job insecurity and various outcomes, for example, reduced job satisfaction and organisational commitment, and reduced well-being. Limited research has, however, been conducted on possible mediators of the job insecurity - outcomes relationship. Such research may be useful for the development of programmes to reduce the negative impacts of job insecurity. The primary objectives of this research were to investigate the relationship between job insecurity and general health of employees (N = 337) in both the public and the private sector, as well as to determine whether situational sense of coherence mediates the relationship between job insecurity and general health. A further objective was to compare the job insecurity levels of public and private sector employees. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Constructs were measured by means of the Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (Form S), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and a biographical questionnaire. Results indicated that a practically-significant relationship exists between job insecurity and general health, implying that high levels of job insecurity are associated with ill health (as displayed in somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and social dysfunction). Regression analyses confirmed the partially mediating effect of situational sense of coherence on the relationship between job insecurity and general health. It was also found that public sector employees displayed higher levels of affective job insecurity than their private sector counterparts. Conclusions and recommendations were made / Thesis (Ph.D.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

During the past few years, organisations throughout the public sphere have undergone dramatic changes due to extensive restructuring and mergers. These changes are caused international by an accelerating pace of business, increasing economic activity, science and technology, public partnerships involving government and population, changing demographics, and education and training. Changes such as these usually result in job insecurity which in turn may lead to job dissatisfaction. The objective of this study was to examine the possible relationship between job insecurity, job satisfaction and situational sense of coherence among civil servants in the Johannesburg-West District Education Department and, more particularly, to determine whether situational sense of coherence mediates the relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction. A survey design was used to realise the research objectives. The study population consisted of 120 civil servants in the Johannesburg-West District of Education Department. The Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) and Orientation to Life Questionnaire - Form S (OLQ - S) were used as measuring instruments. The findings showed that a negative correlation of medium effect was found between cognitive job insecurity and situational sense of coherence. Total job satisfaction displayed negative statistically significant correlations with all the job insecurity dimensions, although these correlations fell below the practically significant cutoff point. Analyses indicated that situational sense of coherence does not hold a statistically significant amount of predictive value with regard to job satisfaction, nor does job insecurity hold a statistically significant amount of variance with regard to job satisfaction, implying that situational sense of coherence does not mediate the relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction. Job insecurity was however found to hold some predictive value with regard to situational sense of coherence. Limitations were identified and recommendations with regard to future research as well as for the organisation were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2007.

Tremendous pressure is being placed on organisations to improve their work performance and to become increasingly competitive. In order to survive in a highly competitive economy, organisations in both the public and the private sector are undergoing major re-structuring and can no longer guarantee employees with life time employment, thus leading to job insecurity. A relatively large amount of research can be found in the literature regarding the relationship between job insecurity and various outcomes, for example, reduced job satisfaction and organisational commitment, and reduced well-being. Limited research has, however, been conducted on possible mediators of the job insecurity - outcomes relationship. Such research may be useful for the development of programmes to reduce the negative impacts of job insecurity. The primary objectives of this research were to investigate the relationship between job insecurity and general health of employees (N = 337) in both the public and the private sector, as well as to determine whether situational sense of coherence mediates the relationship between job insecurity and general health. A further objective was to compare the job insecurity levels of public and private sector employees. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Constructs were measured by means of the Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (Form S), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and a biographical questionnaire. Results indicated that a practically-significant relationship exists between job insecurity and general health, implying that high levels of job insecurity are associated with ill health (as displayed in somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and social dysfunction). Regression analyses confirmed the partially mediating effect of situational sense of coherence on the relationship between job insecurity and general health. It was also found that public sector employees displayed higher levels of affective job insecurity than their private sector counterparts. Conclusions and recommendations were made / Thesis (Ph.D.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

During the past few years, organisations throughout the public sphere have undergone dramatic changes due to extensive restructuring and mergers. These changes are caused international by an accelerating pace of business, increasing economic activity, science and technology, public partnerships involving government and population, changing demographics, and education and training. Changes such as these usually result in job insecurity which in turn may lead to job dissatisfaction. The objective of this study was to examine the possible relationship between job insecurity, job satisfaction and situational sense of coherence among civil servants in the Johannesburg-West District Education Department and, more particularly, to determine whether situational sense of coherence mediates the relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction. A survey design was used to realise the research objectives. The study population consisted of 120 civil servants in the Johannesburg-West District of Education Department. The Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) and Orientation to Life Questionnaire - Form S (OLQ - S) were used as measuring instruments. The findings showed that a negative correlation of medium effect was found between cognitive job insecurity and situational sense of coherence. Total job satisfaction displayed negative statistically significant correlations with all the job insecurity dimensions, although these correlations fell below the practically significant cutoff point. Analyses indicated that situational sense of coherence does not hold a statistically significant amount of predictive value with regard to job satisfaction, nor does job insecurity hold a statistically significant amount of variance with regard to job satisfaction, implying that situational sense of coherence does not mediate the relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction. Job insecurity was however found to hold some predictive value with regard to situational sense of coherence. Limitations were identified and recommendations with regard to future research as well as for the organisation were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2007.

国立情報学研究所で電子化したコンテンツを使用している。

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 113-117).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 100-107).

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.111-129).