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Research indicates that infants lose the capacity to perceive distinctions in nonnative sounds as they become sensitive to the speech sounds of their native language (i.e., by 10- to 12-months of age). However, investigations into the decline in nonnative phonetic perception have neglected to examine the role of non-linguistic information. Exaggerated prosodic intonation and facial input are prominent in the infants' language-learning environment, and both have been shown to ease the task of speech perception. The current investigation was designed to examine the impact of infant-directed (ID) speech and facial input on infants' ability to discriminate phonemes that do not contrast in their native language. Specifically, 11-month-old infants were tested for discrimination of both a native phoneme contrast and a nonnative phoneme contrast across four conditions, including an auditory manipulation (ID speech vs. AD speech) and a visual manipulation (Face vs. Geometric Form). The results indicated that infants could discriminate the native phonemes across any of the four conditions. Furthermore, the infants could discriminate the nonnative phonemes if they had enhanced auditory and visual information available to them (i.e., if they were presented in ID speech with a synchronous facial display), and if the nonnative discrimination task was the infants' first test session. These results suggest that infants do not lose the capacity to discriminate nonnative phonemes by the end of the first postnatal year, but that they rely on certain language-relevant and non-linguistic sources of information to discriminate nonnative sounds. / Ph. D.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1952 T47 / Master of Science

Individual factors that might influence the way sexual abuse is defined and perceived within a culture include gender, the extent to which one adheres to and internalizes traditional roles, and levels of acculturation. The underlying assumption in many studies regarding child sexual abuse is that there is a correlation between perception of abuse and abusive behaviour – a positive mind-set towards abuse may lead to abusive behaviour. The aim of this study was to explore what the perception of adolescent males were regarding sexual abuse in order for social workers to have a better understanding of the adolescent male regarding sexual abuse. Interviews were conducted with 20 adolescent males to gain a keener insight into their perception of sexual abuse. From the data received it was found that adolescent males do not have adequate knowledge regarding the broader definition of sexual abuse, and that misconceptions still persist. The respondents‟ main source of information regarding sex and sexual abuse was the school. The sex education focuses mainly on anatomical and physiological information and lacks information on sexual abuse and sexual values. From data received, it was also found that the majority of parents never spoke to the adolescent males about sex; the respondents received no education from their parents concerning sexual abuse. A holistic approach is necessary when educating the adolescent male, which entails a comprehensive sexual education that focuses on sexual abuse, sexual values and preventative behaviour. A holistic approach requires sexual education provided in the home, the school as well as the community. It should consist of an integration of informal and formal education. Other organisations in the community such as NGO‟s, counselling centres and medical support centres should also form part of this holistic approach as they can offer valuable assistance. / MSW (Forensic Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Individual factors that might influence the way sexual abuse is defined and perceived within a culture include gender, the extent to which one adheres to and internalizes traditional roles, and levels of acculturation. The underlying assumption in many studies regarding child sexual abuse is that there is a correlation between perception of abuse and abusive behaviour – a positive mind-set towards abuse may lead to abusive behaviour. The aim of this study was to explore what the perception of adolescent males were regarding sexual abuse in order for social workers to have a better understanding of the adolescent male regarding sexual abuse. Interviews were conducted with 20 adolescent males to gain a keener insight into their perception of sexual abuse. From the data received it was found that adolescent males do not have adequate knowledge regarding the broader definition of sexual abuse, and that misconceptions still persist. The respondents‟ main source of information regarding sex and sexual abuse was the school. The sex education focuses mainly on anatomical and physiological information and lacks information on sexual abuse and sexual values. From data received, it was also found that the majority of parents never spoke to the adolescent males about sex; the respondents received no education from their parents concerning sexual abuse. A holistic approach is necessary when educating the adolescent male, which entails a comprehensive sexual education that focuses on sexual abuse, sexual values and preventative behaviour. A holistic approach requires sexual education provided in the home, the school as well as the community. It should consist of an integration of informal and formal education. Other organisations in the community such as NGO‟s, counselling centres and medical support centres should also form part of this holistic approach as they can offer valuable assistance. / MSW (Forensic Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Published Article / The question often arises as to how aware consumers are of prices of products and how much they are willing to pay for particular products. Research indicates that 'excellent value for money' is rated as the number one priority by consumers. In economically challenging conditions, tourists have become more price sensitive and prices charged will influence their decision-making. South Africa, as a destination, must ensure that prices charged for tourism products meet tourists' expectations and therefore research on the price perceptions in relation to major products that international tourists spend money on whilst on holiday, becomes important. As point of departure, it should be possible to establish the difference, if any, between what the tourists expected to pay for specific tourism products, and what they actually paid.