The construction of hegemonic masculinity cannot be understood outside its relationship to emphasized femininity. Women’s negotiation of masculinity is dependent on their own feminine identity narratives (emphasized or liberated) in a corresponding context. Replicating and extending previous work, this study is aimed at exploring women’s construction of masculinity in the contexts of work, family, friendship and romantic relationships. However, where previous studies explored this in the South African context, the present study is aimed at determining if women’s construction of masculinity followed similar patterns for women from different countries across the world. The UNDP inequality index was used to estimate the developmental status (low, medium and high) of the country to explore whether participants from countries with different levels of development showed differing constructions of masculinity across the different contexts. The results supported Brittain (2010, 2011), in that this sample advocated for traditional hegemonic masculine traits in the context of family, romance and work, while constructing non-hegemonic ‘nice guy’ masculinities in the context of friendship. It was found that women from high and medium equality countries incorporated a few acceptable non-hegemonic and majority hegemonic masculine traits in their constructions of the ideal man across work, romance and family, while predominantly choosing non-hegemonic traits for friendship. In Low equality countries, women advocated predominantly for traditional hegemonic masculine traits across all four contexts. It seems that women’s negotiation of masculinity (traditionally hegemonic or non-hegemonic) is interdependent on their own identity narrative and their ability to construct and negotiate their own femininity (emphasized and liberated) in the same contexts. This study demonstrates that (1) despite the level of equality women have gained in society, they continue to advocate for and perpetuate hegemonic masculine ideals (2) that male/masculine and female/feminine identities are intrinsically bound together; and the production of female identities valued by women requires the simultaneous production of complementary masculinities. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

This thesis explores the multidimensional nature of poverty as well as the impact of units of analysis on the creation of poverty pictures. The multidimensional nature of poverty is explored through the comparison of income and an asset-based measure (Living Standard Measure) and is conducted across five South African Development Community countries. This is done via six main avenues of investigation: income and its predictors; the asset-based Living Standard Measure; the consistency of the Living Standard Measure; a comparison of income and the Living Standard Measure; a comparison at different units of analysis of poverty across the five countries; the multidimensional nature of poverty. Socio-economic and political secondary data obtained from the Human Sciences Research Council was used for the comparisons. In total, 5927 respondents were drawn from the five countries. Findings from this study indicate that there is a large degree of agreement and overlap as to the poverty pictures created by income and the Living Standard Measure. There also appears to be a convergence in poverty picture created at different levels of analysis as well as with different measures. Despite these similarities, and the fact that different dimensions and units of analysis do not alter the general poverty picture drastically, an argument is made that these two elements do have important roles in poverty measurement as they provide details to the general picture. These details have an impact on the success of the interventions chosen. In conclusion this thesis suggests that there is a possibility that the multidimensionality of poverty has been over-emphasised in recent literature. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Objectives: The general problematic of social science research is located in individualized explanations of social and collectively based phenomena. This is due to methodological issues inherent in the way social research is conducted. Research on ingroup bias via the renowned minimal group studies is an exemplar of this general problem and is examined in this study. This research argued that explaining ingroup bias in terms of individuals’ psychological needs is insufficient. This is because the original paper and pencil test failed to account for the effects of social interaction and how the interaction unfolds over time. Consequently, the old problem of ingroup bias was revisited using a new technology: the Virtual Interaction Application (VIAPPL). Design: A within-subjects and between-groups experimental design was used. Methods: VIAPPL was used to replicate the original study but in a way that demonstrated how ingroup bias was produced in interaction over time. This was facilitated by the ‘Give and Get’ game, where participants allocated tokens to one another in a simulated game-like environment. A repeated measures ANOVA and social network analyses were used to analyse the data. Results: As predicted, 1) ingroup bias was found most likely to be manifest in social interaction characterised by group categorization, and 2) more ingroup bias was expressed when the group interaction is visible to those participating in the interaction. Ingroup bias did not amplify as the group interaction unfolded over time. However, there was evidence proving that ingroup bias is not static, as was previously thought. Instead, it changed by increasing and decreasing as the rounds of the game advanced. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that 1) participants distributed their tokens fairly when they acted with and without a group membership, 2) observing the interaction informed the way tokens were allocated in both individual and group conditions, and 3) reciprocity was not operant in the interaction. Conclusions: This study introduced a new framework for studies in the minimal group paradigm (MGP) that allowed participants to interact in a virtual environment and enabled both traditional ANOVA methods and social network analyses. By rendering social interaction visible in the MGP, this study moved beyond an individualized explanation of social interaction by offering a social explanation of the behaviours manifested. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2014.

There is a high rate of HIV/AIDS in the country and getting an estimate of the underlying contributing factors will help in creating interventions that will contribute towards reducing the high HIV rate. This study aimed to compare three methods the Unmatched Count Technique, Face to Face Interview and Self Report Questionnaire to explore which one yields higher rates of disclosure to questions about sensitive behavior. It aimed to get an estimate of people that engage in unprotected sex as well as those that have concurrent sexual partners amongst students. This study used a quantitative experimental survey design to compare the three methods. The study used convenience sampling and the questionnaires were randomised using the random number generator. A total of 283 questionnaires were analyzed. The study found mixed results. The Unmatched Count Technique did not produce higher base rates than the Self Report Questionnaire and Face to Face Interview on all the sensitive questions as there were instances in which more respondents in the SRQ and FTFI endorsed the sensitive statement than in the UCT. The UCT produced negative numbers and it yielded lower levels of disclosure than the SRQ and FTFI on some of the sensitive statements. The SRQ was expected to elicit higher base rate estimates than the FTFI but instead the study found that the SRQ only elicited higher reporting for one sensitive statement out of five. No statistically significant results were obtained for differences in disclosure levels of unprotected sex and multiple concurrent partners between the UCT, SRQ and FTFI on most of the questions. Accurate reporting of sexual behaviour is crucial especially in contexts where the major route of HIV transmission is through sexual intercourse. It is crucial in the creation of interventions that will respond directly to the problem. With the study having produced mixed results further research needs to be conducted in this area. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2014.

This study explores the experiences of five children witnessing family violence and the resultant psychological distress experienced by these children. The study was conducted within a phenomenological framework and used in-depth interviews with the children and caregivers. The data gleaned from the interviews with the children was substantiated by projective drawing tasks. Analysis of the interviews and drawings found that children who witnessed domestic violence experienced significant psychological distress. The significant findings of the study were as follows: Child witnesses exhibited behavioural, affective and cognitive responses to witnessing the traumatic events. Themes of guilt, shame and role confusion emerged from the interview data as results of having witnessed the abusive episodes. Fear was a result of having witnessed the abusive episodes, and was pervasive in all relationships - with significant others, peers, and the researcher. Social support from peers and family members acted as a buffer by providing an escape to dealing with witnessing the trauma. There was a significant difference in the coping styles in relation to developmental status- the older children exhibited a multitude of coping styles as compared to the younger children. Gender pattern differences emerged - boys were more likely to exhibit externalizing behaviour in response to witnessing the abusive episodes, whilst the girls exhibited more internalizing behaviour patterns. The results of this study are discussed within the ecological-transactional framework. Further research in the area of domestic violence is recommended. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.

An analysis of mother-infant interaction during the preverbal period has revealed the importance of gaze in establishing the phatic channel and in the development of an intersubjectivity between them. Before the infant starts speaking there are behavioural indices of intersubjectivity - this enables complex tasks to be jointly accomplished. Seven stages in the ontogenesis of joint co-ordinated activity have been identified. It is argued that there is a continuity of function between these preverbal communicative actions and later verbal behaviour. The two theories providing the theoretical basis for this research are Speech Act Theory (Searle 1969) and Piaget's (1953, 1970) theory of cognitive development. Some modification of these theories has been necessary. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, 1977.

This study was undertaken to explore trainee and registered psychologists' perceptions of indigenous healing, its recognition, its inclusion in the formal mental health care system, and its role in the mental health care system. A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study was conducted in Durban. Unstructured interviews and focus group interviews were conducted with registered and trainee psychologists respectively. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis. Based on the findings the following conclusions were drawn: In comparison to student psychologists, intern and registered psychologists held more positive views about indigenous healing, its recognition, its role, and its inclusion into the formal health care sector. Most participants reported that they would not refer to indigenous healers unless a client made an explicit request; registered psychologists were more confident about their ability to collaborate with indigenous healers; and most participants reported a need for more knowledge on indigenous healing. The implications of these findings are discussed. / This study was undertaken to explore trainee and registered psychologists' perceptions of / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

Thesis (DPhil (Psychology))—University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The spread of HIV/AIDS in South Africa has continued in spite of initiatives by government and numerous concerned community-based and non-governmental organisations to contain the pandemic. Hegemonic masculinity and traditional male sexual practices associated with such identities have only recently been identified as a key area of challenge in the HIV/AIDS pandemic and more broadly in addressing issues of gender inequality. Practices such as non-negotiation in heterosexual relationships as well as other manifestations of gender inequality remain rife. Not surprisingly, this has led to a proliferation of research on men and boys in South Africa. Yet, while critical men’s studies foreground the centrality of context in the construction of masculinities, the role of particular institutions long associated with the construction of hegemonic masculinity has not been well documented in the light of the HIV/AIDS challenge. Given that HIV infection ratios are higher among soldiers than civilians, and the masculinist culture that prevails in military settings, it is clear that soldiers are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. This study seeks to understand how men in the military draw on notions of masculinity and heterosexuality in constructing their identity and heterosexual practices. I conducted in-depth interviews with a diverse group of 14 male soldiers aged 23 to 33. All participants were officers pursuing a career in the military who were enrolled in a tertiary institution. The interviews were audio-taped and then transcribed. All the interviews were analysed using discourse analysis, with interpretation being informed by a social constructionist theoretical framework in order to address the intersecting issues of gender, sexuality and masculinity. The discourse analysis carried out on the transcripts highlights the centrality of dominant constructions of (hetero)sexual masculinity. Key here is the ‘male sexual drive discourse’ which has been identified elsewhere in South Africa and internationally, usually coupled with traditional expectations of women’s sexuality as submissive and responsive to that of men. There is, furthermore, a prevailing notion of ‘double standards’ which reward men for risky sexual practices while condemning women for the same practices and for resisting their traditional feminine and sexual roles. The study also found that the military as a macho/masculinist institution plays a key role in exaggerating traditional identities and sexual practices for men, in particular notions of masculinity as equated with physical strength and prowess and traditional constructs of male sexuality as urgent and aggressive. These are exacerbated by the military context in which soldiers, due to the nature of their task, have socio-economic and political power over (female) members of local communities. Long periods of isolation from partners during deployment and courses could also facilitate unsafe sexual practices. The study further points to the salience of social identities such as race and class intersecting with gender in the subjective representations of masculinity and sexuality, with neither of these representations manifested as fixed or unitary. The study foregrounds how male sexual risk-taking facilitates the reproduction of hegemonic discourses on male and female sexuality that continue to repress women’s rights to sexual desire and pleasure, while legitimating hegemonic male sexual practices. The study concludes that tackling HIV in the military demands critical examination of multiple constructions of masculinity: those common to broader groups of men and those peculiar to the context of the military. It is thus argued that the development of effective intervention programmes on the one hand requires an unpacking of broader discourses on masculinity and male sexuality and on the other a specific targeting within the context of military imperatives and conditions.

Thesis (PhD)-- Stellenbosch University, 1924. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien artikel vir opsomming

Dissertation (DPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the evaluation of a programme for the marital development of migrant couples. Constructs relevant to marriage and various theories on family functioning are discussed in detail. The three variables included in most theories are adaptability, cohesion and communication, as emphasised in the Circumplex model (Olson, Sprenkle & Russel, 1979), which forms the basis for this study. The importance of marriage development through enrichment programmes is discussed, and it appears that prevention is described as the most important form of therapy. The research was divided into three phases. In phase I, 25 couples living in South Africa and 25 South African couples living in England were used. The following unique elements causing tension in marriages of migrant couples were identified: family unit, role responsibilities, spiritual, emotional and physical matters, external influences and communication. In phase II the literature was studied to determine which programmes already exist. This knowledge, in conjunction with the results of phase I of this research, was used to develop a unique programme for migrant marriages. This newly developed programme focuses on the following aspects of marriage: conflict resolution; the understanding and negotiation of the different roles in a marital relationship; the role of external factors; and physical, emotional and spiritual fulfilment in the relationship. Phase III of the research related to the presentation and evaluation of this newly developed programme in order to assess the impact thereof on the psychofortologic development of migrant couples. Participants were divided into three groups. The programme was evaluated by presenting and comparing an experimental group (10 couples living in England) with two control groups (Control Group 1, 10 couples and Control Group 2, 5 couples living in England). All three groups completed questionnaires as a pre-test. The experimental group attended the new programme, Control Group 1 received no intervention, and Control Group 2 engaged in the alternative intervention. The groups then completed questionnaires directly after the intervention and again three months later. The aspects of marriage relationships where significant development took place, were: satisfaction with religious orientation, sexual intimacy, social intimacy, and a more constructive handling of conflict. A further aspect whereby participating couples benefited from the programme was the understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses. Some of the recommendations include that more time should be allowed to talk about priorities, and also that longer discussion times between sessions should be allowed. The program should preferably be presented as an “island situation”. An effective follow-up of participants should be incorporated into the programme. In future research it should be determined whether any existing programme addresses the specific needs of the target group. Should this not be the case, it is proposed that a new programme is developed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie ondersoek fokus op die evaluering van ’n program vir die huweliksontwikkeling van migrante-egpare. Konstrukte wat met die huwelik verband hou, asook verskillende teorieë oor gesinsfunksionering, word bespreek. Die drie gesinsveranderlikes wat in die meeste teorieë voorkom, is aanpasbaarheid, kohesie en kommunikasie. Hierdie aspekte word beklemtoon deur die Circumplex-model (Olson, Sprenkle & Russel, 1979), wat ook as grondslag van hierdie ondersoek dien. Die belangrikheid van huweliksontwikkeling deur verrykkingsprogramme is bespreek, waaruit blyk dat voorkoming die belangrikste vorm van terapie is. Die navorsingsproses is in drie fases verdeel. In Fase I het 25 egpare wat in Suid-Afrika woon en 25 Suid-Afrikaanse egpare wat in Engeland woon aan die ondersoek deelgeneem. Die volgende aspekte wat spanning veroorsaak in migrantehuwelike is geïdentifiseer: gesinseenheid, rolverantwoordelikhede, geestelike sake, emosionele nabyheid, fisieke sake, eksterne invloede en kommunikasie. Fase II van die ondersoek het behels dat die literatuur bestudeer is om vas te stel watter programme reeds bestaan en hoe bestaande kennis, tesame met die resultate van Fase I van hierdie ondersoek, gebruik kon word om ’n unieke program vir migrante-huwelike te ontwikkel. Die nuut ontwikkelde program fokus op die volgende huweliksaspekte: konflikhantering; die verstaan en onderhandeling van die onderskeie rolle in die huwelik; die rol van eksterne invloede op die huwelik; en fisiese, emosionele en geestelike tevredenheid binne die huweliksverhouding. In Fase III van die ondersoek is die nuut ontwikkelde program aangebied en geëvalueer om die impak daarvan op migrante-ontwikkeling te bepaal. Deelnemende Suid-Afrikaanse egpare is in Engeland geïdentifiseer en in drie groepe verdeel, naamlik; tien egpare in die eksperimentele groep, tien egpare in een kontrolegroep en vyf egpare in ’n tweede kontrolegroep. Deelnemers in al drie groepe het dieselfde vraelyste as die deelnemers in Fase I van die ondersoek voltooi. Dit het gedien as die voormeting. Daarna is die voorlopige program vir die eksperimentele groep aangebied, terwyl die eerste kontrolegroep geen intervensie ontvang het nie en die tweede kontrolegroep ’n alternatiewe intervensie deurloop het. Direk na afloop van die program het deelnemers van die eksperimentele groep en die tweede kontrolegroep weer dieselfde vraelyste voltooi. Drie maande later het deelnemers van al drie groepe as tweede nameting weer dieselfde vraelyste voltooi. Die aspekte van die huweliksverhouding waar beduidende ontwikkeling plaasgevind het, was tevredenheid met godsdiensoriëntasie, seksuele intimiteit, sosiale intimiteit en meer konstruktiewe konflikhantering. ’n Ander aspek waarby deelnemers aan die program baat gevind het, was die beter verstaan van mekaar se sterk- en swakpunte. Enkele aanbevelings is dat meer tyd ingeruim word om oor prioriteite binne die huwelik te praat, dat besprekingstye tussen die verskillende sessies verleng word, dat ’n program verkieslik as ’n eilandsituasie aangebied word, en dat opvolgaksies met deelnemende egpare deel van die program moet wees. Daar moet in toekomstige navorsing oor huweliksontwikkeling vasgestel word of ’n bestaande program die behoeftes van die spesifieke teikengroep aanspreek, en indien nie, word voorgestel dat ’n nuwe program ooreenkomstig hulle omstandighede en behoeftes ontwikkel word.