This study focused on the 16PF (SA 92), a personality questionnaire that was developed in the USA and adapted for South African conditions. The main aim of the study was to determine whether the scores of the 16PF are comparable in a cross-cultural setting in South Africa. The influence of age, language, socio-economic status and gender on the scores were also determined. The sample consisted of black, white, coloured, and Indian university students and were drawn from the University of Western Cape, University of Pretoria, University of DurbanWestville, and University of Natal. To achieve the aims outlined construct comparability studies and item comparability studies were conducted. In addition, descriptive statistics were also calculated to provide a general picture of the performance of the various sub-samples. A qualitative study was also conducted to determine some of the reasons for the occurrence of item incomparability of the racial sub-sample. The results showed that the racial variable had the greatest influence on the scores obtained. Problems existed with the construct and item comparability of the 16PF when the different race groups were compared. In addition, significant mean differences were also found on the majority of factors when the scores of the different race groups were compared. The results of the qualitative study showed that participants whose home language was not English or Afrikaans had difficulty in understanding many of the words and the construction of sentences contained in the 16PF. The implications of using the 16PF in South Africa, with its multicultural population was outlined, taking the new labour legislation pertaining to selection into consideration. Finally, a number of options for test users, and users of the 16PF in particular were presented. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D.Com. (Industrial Psychology)

Anyone desiring to qualify as an accountant or auditor is required to pass an examination as approved by the Public Accountants' and Auditors' Board to establish whether candidates have attained the required standard of academic knowledge in terms of the syllabi laid down by the Board, as well as whether they are able to apply that knowledge in practice (P AAB, 1995). However each year many students fail this very important examination. The reasons for this are not clear and the purpose of this research is to determine whether: personality; vocational interests; intelligence; matriculation Mathematics and home language (English/ Afrikaans) results, predict success in the QE, by comparing a group of successful and unsuccessful QE candidates. The logistic regression, discriminant analysis and t-test statistical procedures, indicated that: warmth (A), liveliness (F), rule-consciousness (G), social boldness (H), apprehension (0), self-reliance (Q2), perfectionism (Q3), tension (Q4), computational interest, social services interest, mechanical interest, Mental Alertness and matriculation home language, are significant factors to consider when identifying candidates likely to be successful in the QE. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / MCOM (Industrial Psychology)

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the potential effect of sudden loss on the personality structures of bereaved individuals. For this purpose, I focused on the individual personality structures of five nuclear family members during the first year following the sudden loss of their daughter/sister. I followed a concurrent nested mixed model research approach and relied upon both the post-positivist and interpretivist paradigms, allowing me to integrate the complementary strengths of quantitative and qualitative data collection by means of triangulation. I utilised a within group interrupted time series design, comparing the family’s MBTI® profiles prior to and following the sudden loss they had experienced. In addition, I incorporated the results of 16PF profiles of the participants administered post-sudden loss. I further substantiated my findings in terms of recurring themes on individual metaphors concerning the sudden loss experience, constructed by the participants. The findings of the study indicated that distinct changes in personality structures occurred in terms of the personality structures of the participants. Pertaining to the four polarities of the MBTI®, I found that the participants displayed a greater preference for the Introversion attitude, as well as both the Sensing and Feeling functions, after they had experienced sudden loss. All participants displayed an inclination towards personal growth by moving closer to the Judging/Perceiving axis post-sudden loss. In addition, two general tendencies were evident amongst the participants, namely a greater dependence on the inferior functions; and secondly the tendency to rely on type exaggeration when dealing with sudden loss. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Hierdie proefskrif handel oor 'n selfaktualiseringsbenadering tot bestuursukses binne 'n finansiele instelling. Die stand punt word gehuldig dat bestuurders wat reeds hoer vlakke van selfaktualisering bereik het oor die persoonlikheidskenmerke (intrapersoonlike, interpersoonlike en werkskenmerke) beskik wat tot bestuursukses lei. Hierdie standpunt, wat gegrond is op die uitgangspunte van die humanistiese benadering, is nog nie in finansiele instellings nagevors nie. Die volgende literatuurdoelstellings is in hierdie navorsing bereik: 'n Ge"integreerde beskouing van die vernaamste humanistiese persoonlikheidsteoriee, wat dien as metateoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie navorsing, is daargestel. - Die konsep selfaktualisering is omskryf en die persoonlikheidskenmerke van die selfaktualiserende persoon is ge"identifiseer. - Die konsep bestuursukses is omskryf en die persoonlikheidskenmerke van die suksesvolle bestuurder is ge"identifiseer. - Meetbare bestuursukseskriteria asook meetinstrumente vir die meet daarvan is ge"identifiseer. 'n Psigometriese toetsbattery is saamgestel uit die Algemene Gesondheidsvraelys, Verstandelike-helderheidstoets, Sestien-persoonlikheidsfaktorvraelys, Persoonlikeorienteringsvraelys, Rottervraelys, RGN Gevallestudietegniek-enbesluitnemingsvraelys en die Biografiese vraelys. Hierdie meetinstrumente is as klassifikasieveranderlikes gebruik om die meetbare komponente van die konstruk selfaktualisering by bestuurders van 'n finansiele instelling te meet. Besuursukses, as kriteriumveranderlike, is met die prestasiebestuurevaluering- en werknemer -effektiwiteitsvraelys gemeet. Uit die statistiese analise (meervoudigeregressie-analise) blyk dit dat 15 klassifikasieveranderlikes met bestuursukses verband hou. Die meervoudige korrelasie R (aangepas vir getal gevalle en getal klassifikasieveranderlikes) is gelyk aan 0,54. Daar is dus in hierdie navorsing 'n verband gevind tussen die konsepte selfaktualisering en bestuursukses soos gemeet by bestuurders van 'n finansiele instelling. Verskeie klassifikasieveranderlikes toon 'n paraboliese verband met bestuursukses. Dit dui daarop dat 'n relatiewe aanwesigheid of sterkte van spesifieke persoonlikheidskenmerke noodsaaklik is vir bestuursukses. lndien 'n sekere optimale punt egter oorskry word, het dit 'n nadelige effek op bestuursukses. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die evalueringstegnieke en psigometriese instrumente wat in hierdie navorsing gebruik is en wat 'n verband (reglynig of parabolies) met bestuursukses getoon het, binne die finansiele instelling gebruik kan word om bestuurders met bestuurspotensiaal te identifiseer. Aanbevelings is ten opsigte van die gebruikswaarde van die konsep selfaktualisering vir die praktyk en vir verdere navorsing geformuleer. / This thesis examines the self-actualisation approach to management success within a financial institution. The premise is that managers who have already reached high levels of self-actualisation possess the personality traits (intrapersonal, interpersonal and work traits) that lead to management success. This premise, which is based on the points of view of the humanistic approach, has not yet been researched in a financial institution. The following literature objectives were achieved in this research: - An integrated view of the major humanistic personality theories, which serve as metatheoretic framework for this research, has been compiled. - The concept of self-actualisation has been defined and the personality traits of the self-actualising person identified. - The concept of management success has been defined and the personality traits of the successful manager identified. - Measurable management success criteria as well as measuring instruments for measuring these criteria have been identified. A psychometric test battery has been compiled from the General Health Questionnaire, Mental Alertness Test, Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, Personal Orientation Questionnaire, Rotter Questionnaire, HSRC Case Study Technique and Decision-making Questionnaire and the Biographical Questionnaire. These measuring instruments were used as classification variables to measure the measurable components of the selj-actualisation construct among managers of a financial institution. Management success, as a criterion variable, was measured using the performance management evaluation and employee effectiveness questionnaires. From the statistical analysis (multiple-regression analysis) it is evident that 15 classification variables relate to management success. The multiple correlation R (adjusted for number of cases and number of classification variables) equals 0,54. A relation has therefore been found in this research between the concepts of selfactualisation and management success as measured in managers of a financial institution. Several classification variables show a parabolic relation to management success. This indicates that a relative presence or strength of specific personality traits is essential for management success. However, when a certain optimal point is exceeded, this has a detrimental effect on management success. The conclusion is reached that the evaluation techniques and psychometric instruments used in this research, which showed a relation (whether rectilineal or parabolic) with management success, may be employed at a financial institution to identify managers with management potential. Recommendations in respect of the usefulness of the self-actualisation concept for the practical environment and for future research were formulated. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / DCom (Bedryfsielkunde)

Hierdie proefskrif handel oor 'n selfaktualiseringsbenadering tot bestuursukses binne 'n finansiele instelling. Die stand punt word gehuldig dat bestuurders wat reeds hoer vlakke van selfaktualisering bereik het oor die persoonlikheidskenmerke (intrapersoonlike, interpersoonlike en werkskenmerke) beskik wat tot bestuursukses lei. Hierdie standpunt, wat gegrond is op die uitgangspunte van die humanistiese benadering, is nog nie in finansiele instellings nagevors nie. Die volgende literatuurdoelstellings is in hierdie navorsing bereik: 'n Ge"integreerde beskouing van die vernaamste humanistiese persoonlikheidsteoriee, wat dien as metateoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie navorsing, is daargestel. - Die konsep selfaktualisering is omskryf en die persoonlikheidskenmerke van die selfaktualiserende persoon is ge"identifiseer. - Die konsep bestuursukses is omskryf en die persoonlikheidskenmerke van die suksesvolle bestuurder is ge"identifiseer. - Meetbare bestuursukseskriteria asook meetinstrumente vir die meet daarvan is ge"identifiseer. 'n Psigometriese toetsbattery is saamgestel uit die Algemene Gesondheidsvraelys, Verstandelike-helderheidstoets, Sestien-persoonlikheidsfaktorvraelys, Persoonlikeorienteringsvraelys, Rottervraelys, RGN Gevallestudietegniek-enbesluitnemingsvraelys en die Biografiese vraelys. Hierdie meetinstrumente is as klassifikasieveranderlikes gebruik om die meetbare komponente van die konstruk selfaktualisering by bestuurders van 'n finansiele instelling te meet. Besuursukses, as kriteriumveranderlike, is met die prestasiebestuurevaluering- en werknemer -effektiwiteitsvraelys gemeet. Uit die statistiese analise (meervoudigeregressie-analise) blyk dit dat 15 klassifikasieveranderlikes met bestuursukses verband hou. Die meervoudige korrelasie R (aangepas vir getal gevalle en getal klassifikasieveranderlikes) is gelyk aan 0,54. Daar is dus in hierdie navorsing 'n verband gevind tussen die konsepte selfaktualisering en bestuursukses soos gemeet by bestuurders van 'n finansiele instelling. Verskeie klassifikasieveranderlikes toon 'n paraboliese verband met bestuursukses. Dit dui daarop dat 'n relatiewe aanwesigheid of sterkte van spesifieke persoonlikheidskenmerke noodsaaklik is vir bestuursukses. lndien 'n sekere optimale punt egter oorskry word, het dit 'n nadelige effek op bestuursukses. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die evalueringstegnieke en psigometriese instrumente wat in hierdie navorsing gebruik is en wat 'n verband (reglynig of parabolies) met bestuursukses getoon het, binne die finansiele instelling gebruik kan word om bestuurders met bestuurspotensiaal te identifiseer. Aanbevelings is ten opsigte van die gebruikswaarde van die konsep selfaktualisering vir die praktyk en vir verdere navorsing geformuleer. / This thesis examines the self-actualisation approach to management success within a financial institution. The premise is that managers who have already reached high levels of self-actualisation possess the personality traits (intrapersonal, interpersonal and work traits) that lead to management success. This premise, which is based on the points of view of the humanistic approach, has not yet been researched in a financial institution. The following literature objectives were achieved in this research: - An integrated view of the major humanistic personality theories, which serve as metatheoretic framework for this research, has been compiled. - The concept of self-actualisation has been defined and the personality traits of the self-actualising person identified. - The concept of management success has been defined and the personality traits of the successful manager identified. - Measurable management success criteria as well as measuring instruments for measuring these criteria have been identified. A psychometric test battery has been compiled from the General Health Questionnaire, Mental Alertness Test, Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, Personal Orientation Questionnaire, Rotter Questionnaire, HSRC Case Study Technique and Decision-making Questionnaire and the Biographical Questionnaire. These measuring instruments were used as classification variables to measure the measurable components of the selj-actualisation construct among managers of a financial institution. Management success, as a criterion variable, was measured using the performance management evaluation and employee effectiveness questionnaires. From the statistical analysis (multiple-regression analysis) it is evident that 15 classification variables relate to management success. The multiple correlation R (adjusted for number of cases and number of classification variables) equals 0,54. A relation has therefore been found in this research between the concepts of selfactualisation and management success as measured in managers of a financial institution. Several classification variables show a parabolic relation to management success. This indicates that a relative presence or strength of specific personality traits is essential for management success. However, when a certain optimal point is exceeded, this has a detrimental effect on management success. The conclusion is reached that the evaluation techniques and psychometric instruments used in this research, which showed a relation (whether rectilineal or parabolic) with management success, may be employed at a financial institution to identify managers with management potential. Recommendations in respect of the usefulness of the self-actualisation concept for the practical environment and for future research were formulated. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / DCom (Bedryfsielkunde)