M.Ed. (Education) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Thesis presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Business Science, Human Resources Management) in the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, June 2017 / For the past two years, South Africa has been gripped by a spate of demonstrations by university students demanding free university education. These demonstrations have been violent, and mediation efforts have not succeeded in yielding long-term results. According to the theory of rising expectations, in an economy that is improving and where the people are not oppressed, their expectations often outstrip the pace of actual change (Gale, 2008). When there is a mismatch between what people expect and what they actually get, theory suggests that rising expectations lead to civil unrest as demands for improvement continue to grow. It is the contention of this thesis that the theory of rising expectations is associated with the behaviour of the university students as they make demands for free education, better employment opportunities and more accountability from the government. Also associated with the behaviour of these university students in South Africa is generational cohort theory, which predicts that certain significant national and global events have a long-lasting impact on value systems of individual groups and social orders resulting in the formation of new generational cohorts (Smolla & Sutton, 2002). These individuals then share enduring distinctive sets of values, beliefs, and behaviours (Strauss & Howe, 2000). Furthermore, research suggests that Generation Y are materialistic, which is the value individuals place on possessions (Belk, 1985), have a high entitlement mentality, and their work values are mostly extrinsic. Entitlement has been defined as a “pervasive sense that one deserves more and is entitled to more than others” (Campbell, Bonacci, Shelton, Exline, & Bushman, 2004, p. 31). In the absence of literature that relates to the potential influence of the theory of rising expectations and generational cohort theory on the behaviour of Generation Y in South Africa, this research seeks to: (i) investigate whether Generation Y are indeed materialistic and entitled; (ii) investigate the potential influence of demographic factors on work centrality, work values, materialism, and an entitlement mentality; (iii) investigate the potential influence of work centrality, work values, and materialism on an entitlement mentality; and (iv) investigate the mediating effect of materialism on the relationship between demographic factors, work values, work centrality, and an entitlement mentality in the context of a private college and a public university in South Africa. This research employed a two-stage approach. The first stage, a quantitative study, applied a descriptive approach to validate and justify the research findings that link Generation Y with materialism and entitlement mentality. Entitlement mentality was measured using two dimensions: exploitative and nonexploitative entitlement. Based on a literature review, a model was then developed and tested in the second stage of the study using Structural Equation Modelling. Findings from Stage Two suggested that Generation Y are materialistic and highly entitled, but that their entitlement is non-exploitative. Men were found to be more materialistic than women, but women were found to be more entitled than men. However, both genders were found to have low levels of exploitative entitlement, albeit with men showing slightly higher levels of exploitative entitlement. Gender and age were also significantly associated with materialism and entitlement. However, gender and age were found not to be significantly associated with work centrality. Work centrality was found to be significantly associated with entitlement mentality. Work values, on the other hand, were found not to be significantly associated with entitlement mentality, but were significantly associated with materialism. Materialism was found to be significantly associated with entitlement mentality. On the basis of all of these results, it was concluded that the theory of rising expectations and generational cohort theory might be responsible for the entitlement mentality and materialism, which literature often associates with Generation Y. The results also suggested that for organisations to attract and retain Generation Y employees, managers need to pay attention to extrinsic aspects of the job, such as pay. / XL2018

Análise da leitura dos alunos de graduação- do Curso de Psicologia da Universidadee de São Paulo. O aluno/leitor constitui o objeto central da análise que tem como pano de fundo diversos contextos sociais e culturais dos quais participa. A leitura é abordada de forma abrangente, buscando-se, basicamente, as variáveis interrelaciona das em três momentos que se mostram significativos na vida do estudante universitário enquanto leitor: a leitura na sua prática acadêmica, a leitura no lazer e, por fim, os possíveis reflexos de tais experiências no uso da biblioteca do Instituto de Psicologia. A pesquisa abrange a população total de estudantes que freqüentaram aquele curso no segundo semestre de 1984. Utiliza como instrumento de coleta de dados questionário semi-estrututado, pré-codificado e apresenta análise descritiva dos dados, com base nas distribuições de freqüencia das variáveis consideradas, utilizando o pacotte estatístico BMOP. Aponta, entre outras, as seguintes características para a população analisada: a) tempo disponível para estudo e leitura individual de 11 horas semanais; b) comportamento, em relação à bibliografia recomendada para os cursos, dependente de algumas variáveis; c) leitura mais freqüente de material bibliográfico complementar a partir do 3º ano do curso; d) preferência, no lazer, pela leitura da prosa de ficção, de revistas noticiosas e de divulgação científica; e) prática freqüente da leitura no núcleo familiar em estreita relação com outras variáveis, entre outras, o nível de escolaridade dos pais; f) freqüencia de mais de uma vez por semana à biblioteca da instituição com demanda concentrada em material bibliográfico para os cursos, especialmente em português; g) utilização crescente da biblioteca da instituição à medida que avançam nas etapas do curso; h) atribuição de bom nível para o atendimento oferecido pe Ia biblioteca da instituição. O estudo procura ainda identificar o perfil do estudante de Psicologia e suas expectativas de atuação profissional e desenvolvimento cultural. A análise das diversas variáveis permite constatar que o es tudante focalizado na pesquisa mostra-se bastante influenciado por fatores psícossociais que determinam a maior ou menor presença da leitura nos vários contextos de que participam, suas preferências no lazer e o uso que faz de bibliotecas. / An analysis of Reading among undergraduate students of Psychology at the University of são Paulo. The student/reader constitutes the central object of the analysis which has at its base several social and cultural aspects the student has experienced during his 1ifetime. Reading is approached taking into consideration, basically, the varied interrelationship in three different moments which shows significantly in the life of the university student as a reader: academicreading, leisure reading and, finally, possible reflexes of these experiences in the use of the 1ibrary of the Institute of Psychology as well as other libraries. The research covers the total student population attending that course in the second semester of 1984 and uses a semistructured, pre-coded questionnaire as a data collecting means including a descriptive analysis of this same data based on the distribution of frequency of the variables taking into consideration applying statistical package BMDP. The fol1owing main characteristics surface as pertinent to this student population: a) e1even weekly hours dedicated to individual study and reading; b) attitude in relation to the courses recommended bibliography depending on some variables; c) more frequent reading of complementing bibliographical material from third grade onwards; d) preference, as far as leisure reading is concerned, for fiction, news and scientific pub1ications; e) frequent practi-ce of reading at home strictly related to others variables, such as parent\'s level of education; f) more than once a week attendance to the institution\'s library with great demand of bibliographical material related to the various courses, particularly in the portuguese language; g) crescent use of the institution\'s library as they advance in their courses; h) good appreciation given by the students referring\' to the services rendered by the institution\'s library. This study also tries to identify the psychology student\'s profile and their expectations as to professional life and cultural development.Analysis of the variables allows to state that the student in view is very much influenced by psyco-social factors that determine their greater or lesser use of reding in their various activities, their leisure reading preferences and the use they make of libraries in general.

Michelle Siu Mui Yik. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-43).

The purposes of this study were to examine the associations between (a) self-objectification, (b) body shame, (c) appearance anxiety, and (d) exercise dependence. Participants (N = 155) completed a demographic questionnaire and a survey packet including the Body Surveillance subscale and Body Shame subscale of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale, Appearance Anxiety Scale, Eating Attitudes Test 26, and the Exercise Dependence Scale. Correlations were conducted revealing associations between self-objectification, body shame, appearance anxiety, and eating attitudes. Associations were also found between body shame and exercise dependence. Partial correlations were conducting revealing body shame and appearance anxiety mediated the relationship between self-objectification and eating attitudes. Body shame also mediated the relationship between self-objectification and exercise dependence.

Análise da leitura dos alunos de graduação- do Curso de Psicologia da Universidadee de São Paulo. O aluno/leitor constitui o objeto central da análise que tem como pano de fundo diversos contextos sociais e culturais dos quais participa. A leitura é abordada de forma abrangente, buscando-se, basicamente, as variáveis interrelaciona das em três momentos que se mostram significativos na vida do estudante universitário enquanto leitor: a leitura na sua prática acadêmica, a leitura no lazer e, por fim, os possíveis reflexos de tais experiências no uso da biblioteca do Instituto de Psicologia. A pesquisa abrange a população total de estudantes que freqüentaram aquele curso no segundo semestre de 1984. Utiliza como instrumento de coleta de dados questionário semi-estrututado, pré-codificado e apresenta análise descritiva dos dados, com base nas distribuições de freqüencia das variáveis consideradas, utilizando o pacotte estatístico BMOP. Aponta, entre outras, as seguintes características para a população analisada: a) tempo disponível para estudo e leitura individual de 11 horas semanais; b) comportamento, em relação à bibliografia recomendada para os cursos, dependente de algumas variáveis; c) leitura mais freqüente de material bibliográfico complementar a partir do 3º ano do curso; d) preferência, no lazer, pela leitura da prosa de ficção, de revistas noticiosas e de divulgação científica; e) prática freqüente da leitura no núcleo familiar em estreita relação com outras variáveis, entre outras, o nível de escolaridade dos pais; f) freqüencia de mais de uma vez por semana à biblioteca da instituição com demanda concentrada em material bibliográfico para os cursos, especialmente em português; g) utilização crescente da biblioteca da instituição à medida que avançam nas etapas do curso; h) atribuição de bom nível para o atendimento oferecido pe Ia biblioteca da instituição. O estudo procura ainda identificar o perfil do estudante de Psicologia e suas expectativas de atuação profissional e desenvolvimento cultural. A análise das diversas variáveis permite constatar que o es tudante focalizado na pesquisa mostra-se bastante influenciado por fatores psícossociais que determinam a maior ou menor presença da leitura nos vários contextos de que participam, suas preferências no lazer e o uso que faz de bibliotecas. / An analysis of Reading among undergraduate students of Psychology at the University of são Paulo. The student/reader constitutes the central object of the analysis which has at its base several social and cultural aspects the student has experienced during his 1ifetime. Reading is approached taking into consideration, basically, the varied interrelationship in three different moments which shows significantly in the life of the university student as a reader: academicreading, leisure reading and, finally, possible reflexes of these experiences in the use of the 1ibrary of the Institute of Psychology as well as other libraries. The research covers the total student population attending that course in the second semester of 1984 and uses a semistructured, pre-coded questionnaire as a data collecting means including a descriptive analysis of this same data based on the distribution of frequency of the variables taking into consideration applying statistical package BMDP. The fol1owing main characteristics surface as pertinent to this student population: a) e1even weekly hours dedicated to individual study and reading; b) attitude in relation to the courses recommended bibliography depending on some variables; c) more frequent reading of complementing bibliographical material from third grade onwards; d) preference, as far as leisure reading is concerned, for fiction, news and scientific pub1ications; e) frequent practi-ce of reading at home strictly related to others variables, such as parent\'s level of education; f) more than once a week attendance to the institution\'s library with great demand of bibliographical material related to the various courses, particularly in the portuguese language; g) crescent use of the institution\'s library as they advance in their courses; h) good appreciation given by the students referring\' to the services rendered by the institution\'s library. This study also tries to identify the psychology student\'s profile and their expectations as to professional life and cultural development.Analysis of the variables allows to state that the student in view is very much influenced by psyco-social factors that determine their greater or lesser use of reding in their various activities, their leisure reading preferences and the use they make of libraries in general.

Thesis (M. A. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / Upon entering the university environment, first year students encounter what could be described as a “foreign culture”, and have to reconcile conflicting transitional spaces of their home and university identities. This adjustive demand can lead to some considerable levels of psychological distress. This study examined the level of psychological health in first year students. It also evaluated whether factors such as monetary background, residential area, race and the availability of bursaries affect students’ transition into “university life”. First year students (N = 300; male = 135; female = 165) completed the General Health Questionnaire-12 at the University of Limpopo. A substantial percentage (that is, 30.33%) of the participants was found to have or is prone to psychological health problems. This finding is consistent with the results of previous studies which have found that some students may be susceptible to mental health problems predating their entry into university. There was no significant difference between the levels of psychological health between males and females and bursary users and those that are funded by their parents or guardians. There was also no significant difference between those that live in the rural areas and those from the cities. However, the figures between those that are poor and rich were strikingly noteworthy.

According to Engel, Blackwell, and Miniard (1993), evaluative criteria is defined as "the standards and specifications used by consumers to compare different products and brands" (p.51). Many studies have investigated factors that might influence the importance of clothing evaluative criteria used by consumers in the decision making process. However, few studies have been directed to examine the relationship between consumers' shopping motivations and their use of clothing evaluative criteria. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of consumers' shopping orientations on the importance placed on the clothing evaluative criteria. Hedonic and utilitarian shopper dichotomy was applied in this study. Self-administered questionnaires which included four sections of questions were used for data collection. The four sections, with 7-point Likert scales, asked about respondents' clothing evaluative criteria used in general and specific purchase context, shopping values, and demographic information. The data were collected at Oregon State University in summer 2005. A convenience sample of 452 students from nine departments was obtained. The frequency and descriptive statistics, cross tabulation and chi-square statistics, Principal Components Factor Analysis with Varimax Rotation, and Pearson Correlation were used to analyze the data. Respondents were classified into hedonic shoppers, utilitarian shoppers, or neutral shoppers, who were dropped in comparison analysis. Results indicated that hedonic shoppers were more likely to be female and younger than were the utilitarian shoppers. Hedonic shoppers were found to be more engaged in un-planned clothing purchases, go clothing shopping more frequently, and spend more money on clothing each month then utilitarian shoppers. Moreover, hedonic shoppers more often went clothing shopping in department stores, closed malls and specialty stores than did the utilitarian shoppers. Principal Components Factor Analysis was conducted to classified clothing evaluative criteria used in both general and specific purchase situations, and new variables were generated for Pearson Correlation Analysis. Results of Pearson Correlation analysis were used to test the hypotheses. Results showed that hedonic shopping value was positively and significantly related to "Aesthetics" and "Symbolic" dimensions of clothing, which supported the first hypothesis. However, utilitarian shopping value was not found to have positive and stronger relationship with "Performance" and "Economic" dimensions of clothing than hedonic shopping value, thus, the second hypothesis was not supported. Apparel manufacturers, retailers, and marketers can draw implications from the study result to develop more effective marketing communication mix. Also, consumer behavior researchers can further investigate hedonic shopping behavior based on the research findings. / Graduation date: 2006

Graduation date: 1994

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