This is an exploratory study of the stress experiences of 20 flood victims in the Bloemfontein area. Measures consisted of demographic variables, Rotter's Locus of Control scale, Horowitz's Impact of Event scale and unstructured interviews. Whereas female subjects reported higher levels of stress than male subjects, no differences in the subjects' experiences of stress were found with regard to age, occupation or the measure of internal-external locus of control. In accordance with Lazarus's stress model, the interviews revealed that the subjects' initial reactions to the disaster (primary appraisals) included feelings of numbness, despondency, helplessness and reduced control over their circumstances. With regard to secondary appraisals the subjects reported having employed a number of successful as well as inadequate coping strategies. Sex differences occurred especially with regard to the subjects' accounts of primary appraisals and their use of external (outwardly directed) coping strategies.
This cross-cultural study was designed to investigate children's development of spatial representation as measured by the sketch map technique (cognitive mapping). The sample (N = 526) consisted of white, black, Asian and coloured South Africans of both sexes varying in age from 5 to 13 years. The maps were assessed according to a Piagetian constructivist framework and the quality of accompanying verbal descriptions was evaluated. The sketch maps differed in terms of age but not race, gender or socio-economic status. Evaluative verbal descriptions were provided by more girls than boys and by more white subjects than black subjects. The developmental trends shown Were similartothose described in the existing literature.Die doel van hierdie kruiskulturele studie was om kinders se ontwikkeling van ruimtelike voorstellings soos deur 'n sketskaarttegniek (kognitiewe kartering) gemeet, te ondersoek. Die steekproef (N = 526) het wit, swart, Asier en kleurling Suid-Afrikaners van beide geslagte tussen die ouderdomme van 5 en 13 jaar ingesluit. Daar is van 'n Piagetiaanse konstruktivistiese raamwerk gebruik gemaak in die evaluering van die sketskaarte. Verder is die aard van die meegaande verbale beskrywings ook beoordeel. Die sketskaarte het verskille ten opsigte van ouderdom getoon, maar geen verskille het met betrekking tot ras, geslag of sosioekonomiese status na vore getree nie. Evaluatiewe verbale beskrywings is egter deur meer meisies as seuns, asook deur meer wit as swart proefpersone verskaf. Ontwikkelingstendense wat in hierdie studie voorgekom het, stem ooreen met bestaande beskrywings in die literatuur.
This study explored factors influencing the production of research and publications by members of the Psychology Department of the University of South Africa. With regard to external factors, it was found that lack of a culture of research and lack of recognition for research and publication in the Department tended to inhibit research. But support offered by the University in terms of recess leave, funding and library resources were sources of encouragement and motivation. Interpersonal factors, such as contact with other academics and students, and publication were also motivating. Internal personal factors, such as self-discipline, enthusiasm and interest, were not as frequently mentioned as external factors. It was recommended that a departmental research committee with a participative approach and clear duties be established to address the needs of staff members. Given the National Department of Education's call for increased research output it follows that academic departments will have to adapt to the proposed funding shift by assessing and strenghtening their existing research capacitites.
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