This thesis provides some evidence of variability in cognitive style, and refutes the notion of it being a stable, generalisable personality trait. The study is statistical in nature and uses the cognitive style construct tolerance/intolerance of ambiguity as the main dependent variable. The main independent variables are context, content, ideological conservatism and ideological commitment. The theoretical context for this thesis is the long.,.standing debate about the nature of cognitive style within the field of social psychological research. The four major theories constituting this context are the theory of authoritarianism, the theory of extremism, context theory and value pluralism theory. However, these appear to be inadequate to explain the contextual variability of value conflict. Hence an attempt has been made to develop a new theory, tentatively named the contextual value conflict theory. The founding hypothesis of contextual value conflict theory is that the different characteristics of the manipulated contexts would present subjects with different levels of contextual value conflict, thus resulting in the expression of different levels of tolerance of ambiguity. The assumption was that higher conflict leads to higher attitudinal ambiguity tolerance and lower conflict to lower attitudinal ambiguity tolerance. The quantitative part of the research is constituted by two studies in which the Attitudinal Ambiguity Tolerance (AAT) Scale (Durrheim, 1995) was used to measure cross-context and crosscontent variations in tolerancelintolerance of ambiguity. This was done by first administering the scale across two different contexts with a fixed university student sample. This procedure was repeated in a follow-up study in two different contexts with a fixed church sample. The AAT scale was used in conjunction with 3 scales measuring ideological conservatism/ideological belief, and two scales measuring ideological commitment. These were the Subtle Racism scale (Duckitt, 1991), the Conservatism scale (Durrheim & Foster, 1997) and the Right-Wing Authoritarian Scale (Duckitt, 1990). Scales measuring ideological commitment included the Religiosity Scale (Rohrbaugh & Jessor, 1975) and the Political Interest scale (an adaptation of the one used by Sidanius, 1988b). Results have indicated that it is important to distinguish between the various dimensions of ideological conservatism as the shape and direction of the relationship with attitudinal ambiguity tolerance depend on these dimensions. Although contextual value conflict has managed to better account for the vast variability in patterns of associations than any of the four other theories mentioned above, it too has its limitations. It was found that conflict caused by context is difficult to control and pre-define, and future studies need to address this shortfall by finding ways of determining more efficiently the level of contextual value conflict inherent in different situations. A recommendation for further research is that an attempt be made to develop an instrument for quantifying the level of contextual value conflict present in a particular situation. These shortfalls resulted in the major limitation of this study, i.e. the post hoc nature of explanations offered for the results. Thus, although contextual value conflict theory was not confirmed without contradiction, this thesis did uncover a degree of support for it. Due to the small sample size in both studies, but in particular that of the church study it is important, however, to treat the findings with caution. In conclusion, although the support for contextual value conflict was not conclusive, some confIrmation was found. What was most strongly evidenced though, was that tolerance of ambiguity cannot be seen as a stable, generalisable personality trait, but should rather be seen as performance in context that is fluid in nature. / Thesis (M.A.) - University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

Note: / This study is a verification of Hartnett’s (1975) claim on correlation between cognitive style, lateral eye-movement, and success in deductive versus inductive foreign language learning. Subjects were 123 native English or French speaking students in two different types of beginners German language classes. Results show that subjects exhibiting a global cognitive style learn well with an inductive method and not as well with a deducti~e method. Students exhibiting an analytic cognitive style learn well with a deductive method but also well with an inductive method. The subjects’ cognitive styles were measured by the Group Embedded Figures Test. There is no correlation between handedness and cognitive style or language proficiency. If we assume that non-right-handers are less lateralized for language functions than right-handers, then the results suggest that cognitive style is independent of language lateralization. Results do not support the validity of lateral eye-movement as a measure of cognitive style. / Cette etude verifie 1e postulat de Hartnett (1975) selon lequel une correlation existe entre style cognitif, direction du regard et succes dans 1 ‘apprentissage deductif et inductif d’une langue etrangere. Les 123 sujets qui ont participe a cette experience avaient pour langue maternelle 1 ‘anglais ou le francais et s’initiaient a l'allemand selon deux methodes differentes d’enseignement. Les resultats montrent que les sujets manifestant un style cognitif global apprennent bien avec une methode inductive et moins bien avec une methode deductive. Les etudiants manifestant un style cognitif analytique apprennent bien avec une methode deductive, mais aussi bien avec une methode inductive. Les styles cognitifs des sujets ont ete determines par le “Group Embedded Figures Test". Il n’y a pas de correlation entre la preference manuelle et le style cognitif ou la competence linguistique. Si l'on suppose que les fonctions du langage sont moins lateralisees chez les non-droitiers que chez les droitiers, les resultats suggerent que le style cognitif est independant de la lateralisation du langage. Les resultats ne confirment pas la validite de la direction du regard pour determiner 1e style cognitif d'un individu.

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<p>The study attempts to understand how distance education practices influence the learning of calculus. Understanding student learning in a distance education environment is an important factor to consider in improving the learning experiences of students who for one reason or the other opt not to study in conventional institutional of higher education. On one hand, understanding student learning may illuminate the influences that the learning environment has on student learning and on the other hand, it may inform on how learning experiences can be improved. The aim of this study is to acquire a deeper understanding of the diverse manner in which distance students learn calculus, Specific focus is also placed on the distance education contect of the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) influences student learning. The study describes a group of student's experiences of learning calculus in the ZOU distance education environment.</p>

<p>A literature study focusing on teaching and learning in higher education in South Africa was conducted. Theories relevant to adult learning were also examined. These included behaviourist, cognitive, humanistic and social learning theories which were found to be relevant for the adult learner. The learning styles, which form the foundation for this study, were explored. Nine learning style theories and instruments were examined for possible adaptation in the South African higher education context. These were: Kolb Learning Style Index, Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Index, Honey and Mumford Learning Style Questionnaire, Felder and Silverman Index of Learning Style, Gregorc Style Delineator, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Grasha Reichmann Student Learning Styles Scales, Vermunt Inventory of Learning Styles, and the Centre for Innovative Teaching Experiences. From the nine learning style instruments, the Centre for Innovative Teaching Experiences instrument was selected for adaptation for the South African higher education sector.</p>

This essay deals with the influence of leadership on student use of Smart phones as an ICT tool at after school care. I use a qualitative, hermeneutical method that departs from two stories. I also use qualitative interviews with both structured and unstructured questions. My reflections and interpretations are, through the interviews, complemented by my colleagues’ views of the use of Smart phones and how that is affected by how the activities are managed. I have faced a dilemma in my stories where I have to choose between following the school’s rules or help the students that need help with the use of Smart phones. Reflecting on the stories leads me to view my own leadership and style of leadership in a critical light and to view myself in a wider context within a problematic organization with a hierarchical leadership. This leads to other dilemmas that occur in a school organization, where helpful factors to a change can be seen in different perspectives with the open dialogue as an advantage.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the attachment scale added in the newly developed self-rating questionnaire Trauma Symptom Inventory-2 (TSI-2). Participants were recruited from the Swedish parent-infant unit Hagadal (N=58). Reliability analyses concluded Cronbach´s α .92 for attachment total scale, .88 for avoidance subscale, and .91 for rejection sensitivity subscale. Convergent validity analyses concluded moderate to strong correlations between TSI-2 attachment scale and subscales, and Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) total scale and subscales (r= .34 - .68, p ≤ .01). Criterion validity analyses concluded that adverse childhood circumstances measured by Linköping Youth Life Experiences Scale (LYLES) signficantly estimated 17 % of variance in TSI-2 attachment scale scores. Preliminary support for reliability and validity of the TSI-2 attachment scale was obtained. No previous trauma symptom rating instrument has included information about adult attachment styles. The present findings point to the benefits of such inclusion.

This study investigated the following: “Leadership styles of senior librarians in the City of Cape Town”. Stueart and Moran (1998) state that despite the vast amount of knowledge, training and focus on management, little is known about how to lead efficiently and effectively. The motivation behind this study originated from the assumption that determining the different leadership styles of senior librarians could contribute to a more effective public library service. If senior librarians were made aware of particular outcomes prompted by certain behaviour, they would be empowered to evaluate their leadership styles and adapt them in a more effective way, which could in turn lead to a more effective public library service. Empirical research techniques were used to apply both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Riggs (2001:6) states that librarians need to understand the difference between management and leadership. If senior librarians understand this difference, they will be able to lead more effectively. Hence, this study focused on transformational leadership, a leadership style which looks at the bigger picture, questions the status quo and focuses on improving services (Riggs, 2001:14). This study aimed to answer the following research questions: What are library managers’ job histories, educational qualifications and historical backgrounds? What are their beliefs about leadership, and how do they view their roles as leaders? Are they emulating a predecessor or leader whom they admire? Do they consciously consider their behaviour, actions and the consequences of their behaviour? In other words, do they apply strategies when they lead? Do managers inspire, motivate and communicate with their staff? Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to senior librarians and staff, which allowed the researcher to explore issues not previously thought of or planned for, and this provided valuable new insight into the problem. The results of this study affirmed that this research could contribute to an awareness of leadership in public libraries, and not only concentrate on management, as this could result in organisations becoming too task-driven, with the associated risk of the destination becoming more important than the journey itself. / Magister Bibliothecologiae - MBibl

In recent years, the media have publicized the social problem of physical child abuse. This study examined three artifacts of physical abuse: the children's book Robin's Story, the popular song "Luka," and the television documentary Scared Silent: Exposing and Ending Child Abuse. Chapter One described each artifact and provided a literature review which detailed the writings about physical child abuse and artifacts discussing this topic. The chapter then posed research questions about how the artifacts viewed abused children and their abusers, the causes of abuse, and the solutions proposed for ending physical abuse.Chapter One finally discussed the narrative framework of rhetorical analysis used to examine the three artifacts. The narrative method used in this analysis employed three steps: 1) An examination of narrative structure, which discussed the plot of the story, the crucial points of the story and the events which supplemented those points, and the steps of breach, crisis, redress, and reintegration in the narrative; 2) An examination of narrative rationality, which talked about the completeness and true to life quality of the story and evaluated the reasons the rhetors gave for following the course of action endorsed by the story; and 3) An examination of narrative standards, including truth standard or how the narrative compares with what the audience believes is true; aesthetic standard or the grammar, setting, and characterization within the story, and ethical standard or the values expressed within the narrative. Chapter Two applied this framework to the children's book Robin's Story. Chapter Three viewed the popular song "Luka" through the narrative framework. Chapter Four discussed the documentary Scared Silent in terms of narrative analysis.Chapter Five then discussed the conclusions of the analysis for each artifact, artifacts discussing physical abuse, and for rhetoric. Some of the conclusions reached were that artifacts discussing physical child abuse should attempt to make their stories universal, that such artifacts need to distinguish between abuse and physical punishment, and that artifacts dealing with this problem must provide concrete courses of action to end physical abuse. This analysis concluded that, while narrative analysis provided the answers to the research questions, this framework needs to be made into a concrete method of rhetorical analysis to ensure that narratives are effectively evaluated. Narrative analysis was positive in this analysis, however, in that it supported the definitions of rhetoric as value, epistemology, motive, drama, meaning, and argument. This analysis found that, to end the problem of physical child abuse, rhetors must work with experts in this field and tailor artifacts from different perspectives to various audiences using different forms of media. / Department of English