Clinical Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This thesis constitutes a narrative description of the evolution of my therapeutic self during my training as a clinical psychologist. During the telling of this story, I review the ways in which I was perturbed by the mix between the various theories and the various contexts visited during the years of my post-graduate training. I have described and critically compared my responses to the following models: psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, first-order cybernetic, and secondorder cybernetic (covering the first, second and third movements). Throughout, I have attempted to track the development of a congruent, personal therapeutic self while simultaneously assuming that this self is constantly coming-into-being. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This study sets out to report on the reflections of a therapist-in-[post-graduate] training on his experiences when endeavouring to shift from [between] a positivistic to [and] a constructivistic paradigm. Reflections on some experiences associated with the positivistic epistemology that were relinquished were described; reflections on experiences associated with the constructivistic epistemology that were gained were described as well as reflections on experiences of both paradigms, that were added. These reflections were based on research data acquired during the researcher's first year of post-graduate training and exposure to the "new" constructivistic paradigm. Transcriptions from audio-taped sessions with a client from the researchers private practice, during this period served as the research data for this study. A literature study attempting to distinguish between the positivistic and constructivistic paradigms is presented. Arising out of this, the implications of a paradigm shift of this nature, is outlined. / Health Studies / M.A. (Mental Health)

Os processos de produção de arte eletrônica contemporânea (pós-anos 1990) são discutidos sob a ótica da cibernética de segunda ordem, cujos princípios consideram o observador durante a observação dos sistemas, analisando como circular a relação entre observador e observado. A metodologia empregada baseia-se na Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados, cujo argumento emerge do entrecruzamento do arcabouço teórico sobre o assunto com as informações coletadas através de observações, conversas e entrevistas. A análise se desenvolve em três capítulos, todos atravessados pela exploração das relações entre acidente e controle no campo da arte eletrônica. No primeiro capítulo levamos em consideração os aspectos conceituais e estruturais da produção artística em questão. No segundo, exploramos as relações que se tecem entre agentes criativos durante o processo, observando tal produção enquanto sistema social pautado em conversações. No terceiro, vislumbramos a experiência criativa coletiva enquanto possibilidade de construção de espaços de conhecimento, e arriscamos uma auto-crítica sobre o que apreendemos sobre o processo de produção da arte eletrônica. Nossas considerações finais trazem nossa apreensão para as relações entre a arte eletrônica e a arquitetura, apontado para o caráter utópico de nossos argumentos. / The production processes on contemporary media art (post-1990\'s) are discussed through the second order cybernetics perspective, whose principles study the observer and observed as a circular motion. The research methodology is based on the Grounded Theory. The argument emerges by blending together the theoretical framework on the subject with the information collected through observations, conversations and interviews. The analysis is developed in three chapters, all interrelated exploring the relationships between accident and control in the media art field. In the first chapter the conceptual structure of this artistic production is analyzed. In the second chapter, we explore the relationships that emerge between creative agents during the process, observing such production as a social system being ruled by conversation. In the third chapter, picturing the collective creative experience as means to the construction of knowledge spaces, we apply to the architectural field what we learned about the production process of media art. Our final conclusions bring our perception to the relations between media art and architecture leading to the utopian character of our arguments.

The provision of leisure and recreation has the potential to vitalise and change lower socio-economic communities. The benefits of leisure and recreation participation are, however, absent in the lower socio-economic communities of Danville and Elandspoort, as recreation and leisure activities are not seen as necessary needs that should be provided for the residents. Lower socio-economic status communities tend to suffer as a consequence of the often subliminal assumptions and reactions of well-meaning people. A major barrier to the implementation of recreation programmes in lower socio-economic communities remains the fact that these programmes often fall into the ambit of non-profit organisations, whose first priority does not usually include recreation provision. Second-order cybernetics theory is introduced in this study as a possible alternative approach to recreation provision in lower socio-economic communities. Engaging in a second-order cybernetics approach, the recreation provider can look beyond the feedback patterns utilised by a community to maintain its status quo, and work with and within a community to establish a sustainable recreation programme. Through the use of a second-order cybernetics approach, the residents of a lower socio-economic status community will no longer be regarded as the ‘observed’ participants of a programme that has been designed by an ‘observer’ and ‘expert’ recreation provider, but will, rather, participate in and share the responsibility of designing their own recreation programme for the community. The following three hypotheses were formulated:<ul> <li>Recreation provision in lower socio-economic communities will benefit from a second-order cybernetics approach.</li> <li>Sustainable recreation provision in a lower socio-economic status community will enhance the quality of life of the residents engaging in the activities available within the community.</li> <li>Second-order recreation provision in a lower socio-economic community will create an environment that is likely to be beneficial for social change</li></ul> In order for the hypotheses to be tested, the aims of the study were:<ul> <li>To examine the influence of recreation and leisure opportunities as a means of improving and maintaining social cohesion and quality of life in lower socio-economic status communities.</li> <li>To identify the barriers to providing and maintaining a comprehensive, sustainable recreation programme in a lower socio-economic community.</li> <li>To understand the way in which the residents of Danville and Elandspoort view recreation and recreation provision within the communities.</li> <li>To identify the similarities and differences between the current approach to recreational provision in the lower socio-economic communities of Danville and Elandspoort and a second-order cybernetics approach.</li></ul> Grounded in a qualitative framework, the research methods for the study included a literature review, the use of focus groups and vignette techniques, and observation. The sampling for the focus groups was done by means of convenience sampling. In total, six focus groups, which were segmented by place of attendance, participated. A total of 60 participants were used in the study, excluding the residents to whom the researcher spoke throughout the course of the study, and as part of the observation. It was found that a positive relationship exists between lower socio-economic status and inappropriate recreation programming. Lower socio-economic status communities are excluded from participation by means of several barriers, including factors such as cost of participation, registration fees and transport. An important barrier to recreation participation in the lower socio-economic status communities of Danville and Elandspoort that was identified in the study was the absence of recreation facilities in the communities. Residents confirmed that television and the consumption of alcohol were the main recreation activities in the communities. The responses provided in focus group discussions confirmed the fact that residents felt excluded from society, and that they also assumed that leisure and recreation activities were privileges that were reserved only for the middle and higher socio-economic status communities. Residents within the communities did not only feel excluded from society, but also felt powerless to do something about the situation. In response to the question concerning their perception of quality of life within the communities, participants demonstrated that they felt that recreation programming would be a positive contribution to the communities’ perception of a better quality of life. A second-order approach to recreation provision in the communities of Danville and Elandspoort will assist in facilitating a process of social change within the communities by including residents in the planning and provision of a community recreation programme. In order to utilize the full potential of leisure and recreation provision in the lower socio-economic communities of Danville and Elandspoort, the following aspects are suggested for the undertaking of any further research: <ul> <li>The potential of leisure and recreation provision to facilitate social change in a lower socio-economic community.</li> <li>Real barriers versus perceived barriers to recreation provision and recreation participation in a lower socio-economic community.</li> <li>Second-order cybernetics recreation provision as a community development approach: implementation and evaluation of change and sustainability within the community.</li></ul> AFRIKAANS : Die voorsiening van rekreasie in ‘n lae sosio-ekonomiese status gemeenskap het die inherente vermoë om ‘n positiewe verandering in die gemeenskap te bring. Die voordeel van rekreasie kan egter nie in die lae sosio-ekonomiese status gemeenskappe van Danville en Elandspoort verwesenlik en bydrae tot ‘n hoër persepsie van lewenskwaliteit nie, aangesien rekreasievoorsiening dikwels nie gesien word as ‘n nodige behoefte in die versorging van lae sosio-ekonomiese gemeenskappe nie. Die voorsiening van behoeftes in lae sosio-ekonomiese gemeenskappe val dikwels onder die vaandel van geloofsgroepe (kerke), nie-winsgewende organisasies en vrywilligers wat, alhoewel met goeie bedoelings, dikwels onbewustelik as ‘kenners’ namens die gemeenskap besluite neem. ‘n Tweede-orde kubernetiese benadering tot rekreasievoorsiening word in die studie voorgestel as ‘n moontlike alternatief tot die huidige benadering in lae sosio-ekonomiese status gemeenskappe. Die gebruik van ‘n tweede-orde kubernetiese benadering gee die rekreasievoorsiener die geleentheid om verby die gemeenskap se terugvoer patrone te kyk, en saam met die gemeenskap ‘n volhoubare rekreasieprogram te ontwikkel. ‘n Tweede-orde kubernetiese benadering tot rekreasie voorsiening verander die posisie van die gemeenskapslede van ‘geobserveerde’ deelnemers aan ‘n rekreasie program ontwerp deur ‘n ‘observerende’ rekreasiekundige, na ‘n deelnemende rol in die ontwerp van die rekreasie program vir die gemeenskap. Die volgende drie hipoteses is geformuleer in antwoord op die navorsings probleem: <ul> <li>Rekreasie voorsiening in lae sosio-ekonomiese gemeenskappe sal positief beïnvloed word deur ‘n tweede-orde kubernetiese benadering.</li> <li>‘n Volhoubare rekreasie program en geleenthede vir rekreasie deelname in die lae sosio-ekonomiese gemeenskappe van Danville en Elandspoort sal die gemeenskap se persepsie van lewenskwaliteit verhoog.</li> <li>‘n Rekreasie program met ‘n tweede-orde kubernetiese benadering in ‘n lae sosio-ekonomiese gemeenskap sal bydrae tot ‘n omgewing ontvanklik vir sosiale verandering.</li> </ul> Die doelwitte gestel vanuit die hipoteses is as volg: <ul> <li>Om die invloed van rekreasie en vryetyds-besteding geleenthede op die sosiale samehorigheid en handhawing van ‘n positiewe persepsie van lewenskwaliteit in die lae sosio-ekonomies gemeenskappe van Danville en Elandspoort te ondersoek;</li> <li>Om die struikelblokke tot die aanbied van ‘n volhoubare rekreasieprogram in ‘n lae sosio-ekonomies gemeenskap te identifiseer;</li> <li>Om te verstaan hoe die inwoners van die lae sosio-ekonomiese gemeenskappe van Danville en Elandspoort rekreasie voorsiening in die gemeenskap sien en ervaar;</li> <li>Om ooreenkomste asook verskille tussen die huidige benadering tot rekreasie voorsiening in die gemeenskap, en ‘n moontlike tweede-orde kubernetiese benadering te identifiseer.</li> </ul> Navorsing in die studie is kwalitatief en navorsingsmetodes sluit in ‘n literatuurstudie, fokus groepe, vignette tegniek, informele onderhoud en observasie. Selektering vir die fokus groepe is gedoen deur gerieflikheids-selektering, met indeling volgens die plek van bywoning: twee sopkombuise in Elandspoort, ‘n sopkombuis in Danville en ‘n ma-en-baba sentrum in Danville. ‘n Totaal van sestig deelnemers is gebruik in die studie, uitgesluit die gemeenskapslede met wie die navorser gepraat het deur die verloop van die studie. ‘n Positiewe verhouding is gevind tussen lae sosio-ekonomies status en swak rekreasie voorsiening. Lae sosio-ekonomiese gemeenskappe word uitgesluit deur die bestaan van verskeie struikelblokke tot deelname aan rekreasie, insluitend koste van deelname, registrasiefooie en vervoerprobleme. ‘n Belangrike struikelblok tot deelname aan rekreasie geidentifiseer in die studie is die afwesigheid van rekreasie fasiliteite in die gemeenskap. Inwoners het bevestig dat televisie en verbruik van alkohol die belangrikste vorm van rekreasie in die gemeenskap is. Reaksies van deelnemers aan die fokusgroepe het bevestig dat inwoners uitgesluit voel van die samelewing, en dat die aanname binne die gemeenskap bestaan dat rekreasie en vryetyd-aktiwiteite die voorreg van middel en hoër sosio-ekonomiese status gemeenskappe is. In reaksie op inwoners se lewenskwaliteit is daar deur die deelnemers aangedui dat rekreasie aktiwiteite in die gemeenskap sal bydrae tot ‘n positiewe persepsie van lewenskwaliteit. Om die volle potensiaal van rekreasie voorsiening in die gemeenskap van Danville en Elandspoort tot reg te laat kom, word die volgende aanbevelings gemaak ten opsigte van verdere navorsing: <ul> <li>Die potensiaal van rekreasie en vryetydsbestuur in die fasiliteitering van sosiale verandering in ‘n lae sosio-ekonomiese gemeenskap.</li> <li>Werklike struikelblokke teenoor die ‘persepsie’ van struikelblokke in ‘n lae sosio-ekonomiese gemeenskap.</li> <li>Implementering van ‘n tweede-orde kubernetiese rekreasie program in ‘n lae sosio-ekonomiese status gemeenskap.</li> </ul> / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / unrestricted

Network Direct Selling Organisations (NDSOs) exist in more than 50 countries and have more than 74 million members. The most recent statistical information reveals that the vast majority of members do not earn significant income. Criticism of these organisations revolves around the ethicality of consumption, the commercialisation of personal relationships, and the exploitation of unrealistic expectations. This study aims to explore how communication creates networks that sustain an industry of this kind despite the improbability of its existence. The study commences with a description of NDSOs from historical, operational, tactical, and strategic perspectives. Given the broader context created by the global presence of this industry, cybernetics has been selected as a meta-theoretical perspective for the study of communication. The more recent development of second-order cybernetics and social autopoiesis are introduced to communication theory as a field. Niklas Luhmann‟s new social theory of communication is assessed and applied in relation to existing communication theory. New conceptual models are developed to explore communication as the unity of the synthesis of information, utterance, understanding, and expectations as selections that occur both consciously and unconsciously, intentionally and unintentionally. These models indicate the multiplexity of individual and social operationally closed, yet informationally open systems, and they are used here to provide a systemic and coherent alternative to orthodox communication approaches to the study of organisations. The study adopts a constructivist epistemological stance and propounds throughout the necessity of further interdisciplinary collaboration. The study concludes that individuals are composite unities of self-creating systems, and they co-create social systems by self-creating and co-creating meaning. Meaning is described as the continuous virtualisation and actualisation of potentialities that in turn coordinate individual and social systems‟ actions. A communication process flow model is created to provide a theoretical explanation for the existence of NDSOs as self-creating systems. The study aims to show that communication has arguably become the most pervasive discipline as a result of the globally interactive era. It is shown that second-order cybernetics and social autopoiesis raise several further questions to be explored within communication theory as a field. / Communication, first-order cybernetics, second-order cybernetics, Complexity and complex systems, autopoiesis, self-reference, recursivity, operational closure, system boundaries, Network Direct Selling Organisations / Communication / D. Litt. et Phil. (Communication)

Hierdie studie is 'n kwalitatiewe ekosistemiese ondersoek van die fenomeen Chroniese Moegheidsindroom (CMS) . Die paradigmaverskuiwing vanaf die Cartesiaans-Newtoniaanse epistemologie na die kubernetiese epistemologie, het 'n aantal belangrike implikasies vir die bestudering en konseptualisering van CMS, soos uiteengesit in hierdie studie. 'n Bespreking van die konseptualisering en behandeling van CMS vanuit die tradisionele, reduksionistiese navorsing word verskaf. Die aannames van twee-orde kubernetika en sosiale konstruksionisme, is bespreek en toegepas op die beskrywing van twee sisteme waarin CMS voorkom. Die navorsingsmetodologie van die studie is gegenereer op grand van die genoemde teoretiese aannames. Die implikasies van die toepassing van die ekosistemiese epistemologie vir die konseptualisering van CMS word uitgewys. Die herkonseptualisering van CMS as 'n transisieproses word bespreek en riglyne vir verdere navorsing en psigoterapie word aangedui. Die huidige studie bied 'n beskrywing van die unieke betekenisse en oplossings wat gesinne genereer tydens die veranderings wat CMS vergesel. / The present study is a qualitative ecosystemic exploration of the phenomenon known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The paradigm shift from the Newtonian epistemology to the epistemology of cybernetics, has important implication for research and the conceptualisation of CFS, as indicated in the study. The traditional, reductionist conceptualisation of CFS in research and treatment methods, is discussed. The suppositions of second order cybernetics and social constructionism, are discussed and applied in the description of two systems where CFS occurs. The research methodology of the present study is generated from the theoretical suppositions. Die implications of the use of the ecosystemic epistemology for the conceptualisation of CFS are indicated. The re-conceptualisation of CFS as a transition process is discussed and guidelines are given for future research and psychotherapy. The present study is a description of the unique meanings and solutions that the families generated during the changes that accompany CFS. / Psychology / M.A. (Kliniese Sielkunde)

Chronic headache may be the most frequently reported somatic symptom, yet it puzzles health experts and poses a considerable treatment challenge. It was suggested that this is because conventional views of headache, adhering to a Newtonian-Cartesian epistemology, focus almost exclusively on intrapsychic factors ignoring the wider social context in which the problem is embedded. An overview of the existing body of knowledge on the most widely researched headache conditions was presented, and it was argued that a conceptual shift is required to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. This study was conducted within an holistic, ecosystemic epistemology. A qualitative approach employing a case study method was adopted to provide rich descriptions of the contexts in which two chronic headache sufferers' symptoms were embedded. The case study presentations also illustrated the attempts that were made to intervene into the headache contexts from a second-order cybernetics stance. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Network Direct Selling Organisations (NDSOs) exist in more than 50 countries and have more than 74 million members. The most recent statistical information reveals that the vast majority of members do not earn significant income. Criticism of these organisations revolves around the ethicality of consumption, the commercialisation of personal relationships, and the exploitation of unrealistic expectations. This study aims to explore how communication creates networks that sustain an industry of this kind despite the improbability of its existence. The study commences with a description of NDSOs from historical, operational, tactical, and strategic perspectives. Given the broader context created by the global presence of this industry, cybernetics has been selected as a meta-theoretical perspective for the study of communication. The more recent development of second-order cybernetics and social autopoiesis are introduced to communication theory as a field. Niklas Luhmann‟s new social theory of communication is assessed and applied in relation to existing communication theory. New conceptual models are developed to explore communication as the unity of the synthesis of information, utterance, understanding, and expectations as selections that occur both consciously and unconsciously, intentionally and unintentionally. These models indicate the multiplexity of individual and social operationally closed, yet informationally open systems, and they are used here to provide a systemic and coherent alternative to orthodox communication approaches to the study of organisations. The study adopts a constructivist epistemological stance and propounds throughout the necessity of further interdisciplinary collaboration. The study concludes that individuals are composite unities of self-creating systems, and they co-create social systems by self-creating and co-creating meaning. Meaning is described as the continuous virtualisation and actualisation of potentialities that in turn coordinate individual and social systems‟ actions. A communication process flow model is created to provide a theoretical explanation for the existence of NDSOs as self-creating systems. The study aims to show that communication has arguably become the most pervasive discipline as a result of the globally interactive era. It is shown that second-order cybernetics and social autopoiesis raise several further questions to be explored within communication theory as a field. / Communication, first-order cybernetics, second-order cybernetics, Complexity and complex systems, autopoiesis, self-reference, recursivity, operational closure, system boundaries, Network Direct Selling Organisations / Communication / D. Litt. et Phil. (Communication)

Hierdie studie is 'n kwalitatiewe ekosistemiese ondersoek van die fenomeen Chroniese Moegheidsindroom (CMS) . Die paradigmaverskuiwing vanaf die Cartesiaans-Newtoniaanse epistemologie na die kubernetiese epistemologie, het 'n aantal belangrike implikasies vir die bestudering en konseptualisering van CMS, soos uiteengesit in hierdie studie. 'n Bespreking van die konseptualisering en behandeling van CMS vanuit die tradisionele, reduksionistiese navorsing word verskaf. Die aannames van twee-orde kubernetika en sosiale konstruksionisme, is bespreek en toegepas op die beskrywing van twee sisteme waarin CMS voorkom. Die navorsingsmetodologie van die studie is gegenereer op grand van die genoemde teoretiese aannames. Die implikasies van die toepassing van die ekosistemiese epistemologie vir die konseptualisering van CMS word uitgewys. Die herkonseptualisering van CMS as 'n transisieproses word bespreek en riglyne vir verdere navorsing en psigoterapie word aangedui. Die huidige studie bied 'n beskrywing van die unieke betekenisse en oplossings wat gesinne genereer tydens die veranderings wat CMS vergesel. / The present study is a qualitative ecosystemic exploration of the phenomenon known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The paradigm shift from the Newtonian epistemology to the epistemology of cybernetics, has important implication for research and the conceptualisation of CFS, as indicated in the study. The traditional, reductionist conceptualisation of CFS in research and treatment methods, is discussed. The suppositions of second order cybernetics and social constructionism, are discussed and applied in the description of two systems where CFS occurs. The research methodology of the present study is generated from the theoretical suppositions. Die implications of the use of the ecosystemic epistemology for the conceptualisation of CFS are indicated. The re-conceptualisation of CFS as a transition process is discussed and guidelines are given for future research and psychotherapy. The present study is a description of the unique meanings and solutions that the families generated during the changes that accompany CFS. / Psychology / M.A. (Kliniese Sielkunde)