Masters Degrees (Psychology)
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- ItemThe role of personality in predicting rape myth acceptance.(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Makardoij, Seema; Kafaar, Zuhayr; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to the existing literature, personality traits have not been utilised to predict rape myth acceptance among non-convicted aggressors or non-aggressors. As the majority of rape victims are known to be women, researchers have favoured the research of female rape myths. However, incidents involving male rape victims are less well known, and opinions toward the acceptance of male rape myths have not been given as much attention as those toward female rape myth acceptance. A sample was drawn from the Stellenbosch student population using non-probability sampling: Convenience and quota sampling methods. The majority of respondents being female from urban areas and within the age range of 17 to 25 years. The aim of my research was to employ a cross-sectional quantitative research design to measure and decipher whether the independent variables, personality traits (openness, agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, and neuroticism), are related to or predict rape myth acceptance, and to determine whether gender plays a role in predicting rape myth acceptance for both male and female victims of rape. In order to determine whether males or females reported higher levels on the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance (IRMA) scales, descriptive statistics, such as the mean scores of age and gender, were conducted. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the data and assess whether BFI and gender can predict RMA. The acceptance of the Big Five personality characteristic dimensions and rape myths was compared between males and females using a t-test to determine if there was a statistically significant difference. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to explain the female rape myth score based on gender, agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness. A significant regression equation was found, (6, 578) = 22.014, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.178, indicating that personality traits predict rape myth acceptance for female victims. The regression coefficient (B = .110, 95% CI [.085, .134], p < .001) indicated that an increase in one point on gender corresponded, on average, to an increase in the score on the IRMA by 0.110 points. This means that the average IRMA score for males is 0.110 higher than for females in the adherence to female rape myths. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to explain the male rape myth score based on gender, agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness. A significant regression equation was found, (6, 578) = .12630, p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.155. Indicating that personality traits predict rape myth acceptance for males. The regression coefficient (B = https://scholar.sun.ac.za iii 0.090, 95% CI [.067, .114], p < 0.001) indicated that an increase in one point on gender corresponded, on average, to an increase in the score on the Male Rape Myth scale (MRMS) by 0.090 points. This means that the average MRMS score for males is 0.090 higher than for females in the adherence to male rape myths. These findings add to literature on the role that personality traits play in predicting rape myth acceptance and gender differences in their perception of rape myth acceptance for both male and female victims.
- ItemUnderstanding how peer, romantic and family relationships influence adolescent sexual and reproductive health decisions: an exploratory study in two schools in the Western Cape, South Africa(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Marthinus, Arlene Judith; Hoddinott, Graeme; Kafaar, Zuhayr; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Adolescents and young people within the Sub-Saharan African region bear the highest burden of unfavourable outcomes such as high HIV prevalence rates, unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Adolescents and young people may ultimately face a lifetime of catastrophic outcomes resulting from their decisions during their adolescent years. In 2017, the Desmond Tutu TB Centre carried out a symposium with adolescents in the Cape Winelands District based on the high teenage pregnancy rate within the district in prior years. Following the symposium, the Department of Health in the Cape Winelands District implemented the wellness clinic service, where a nurse would go to two schools and offer comprehensive services to adolescents which also included Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) services. This study is a follow-up study nested within the broader collaboration. The aim of this study was to understand the influence of peer, romantic and familial relationships on adolescent reproductive health decisions. This was a qualitative exploratory research study. The sample consisted of (N=16) adolescents. The total sample consisted of two groups namely adolescents who accessed ASRH services and adolescents who did not access ASRH services. The two groups were selected to gain a better understanding of the role of family, peers and romantic relationships in ASRH decision-making. Purposive, snowball and convenience sampling was used to recruit adolescents at the two high schools in the Langeberg District where the wellness clinic services were implemented. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect information on adolescent relationships and the impact they may have on ASRH decision-making. All interviews were transcribed and translated verbatim. All transcripts were imported to ATLAS. ti (v22), where I identified patterns and themes according to Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. The findings of this study showed that adolescents lacked knowledge surrounding ASRH choices available to them. Adolescents who reported having conversation with their caregivers felt uncomfortable, despite their caregivers initiating these conversations with adolescents. With regard to romantic partners, conversations around contraceptives and ASRH were almost non-existent. While the wellness clinic offers comprehensive ASRH options, many of the adolescents were unaware that the services were available to them, directly on the school premises during school hours on specific days. Schools that offer wellness clinic services should therefore make all the adolescents/learners aware of the services offered and should encourage adolescents to see the nurse should they require any information. Additionally, interventions aimed at ASRH should also include caregivers and their adolescents and should be focused on facilitating open and more comfortable discussions surrounding ASRH and the options available to adolescents.
- ItemNavigating life in Stellenbosch University men's residences: the experiences of black queer students.(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Mubaiwa, Unopachido; Van Schalkwyk, Samantha; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This qualitative study, grounded in Social Constructionism and Critical Race Theory, explored Black queer students’ intersectional experiences of living at Stellenbosch University men’s residences. The rationale for this study was motivated by the need to continue investigating how efforts towards deep-rooted transformation have manifested in spaces such as SU men’s residences, which have historically housed hegemonies of Whiteness, heteronormativity, and Afrikanerdom. Furthermore, the study recognised the need for more research focusing on the intersectional oppression of Black queer students due to the multi-layered and complex aspects of their identities and experiences. In-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with six self-identifying Black queer students and analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA). The study findings yield critically significant insights into how cultures and behaviours prevalent in SU men’s residences impact and shape the experiences of Black queer students. The student narratives illuminate the presence of everyday racism, which is ingrained in the make-up of SU, the men’s residences, and the complexities of navigating being both Black and queer in an environment textured by multiple historically based oppression. Insights from the study also shed light on how power functions within SU men’s residences and how participants experienced the residence environment as perpetuating psychological and physical violence through problematic traditions, racial and queerphobic microaggressions, and historical legacies which function at the expense of Black queer students. The findings also highlight how self-identifying Black queer students navigate these spaces by utilising their agency in responding to dominant cultures and behaviours present in SU men’s residences and the broader SU environment. Strategies employed by the participants included subjectively taking up space, creating communities of care, and making sense of and shaping their realities. In light of Stellenbosch University’s Vision 2040, which seeks to create a transformative student experience built by cultures of diversity and inclusion, studies which explore the lived experiences of students must be used as a mechanism for promoting deep rooted transformation and holding spaces such as SU men’s residences accountable. The study serves as a reason why SU men’s residences should be dissected in terms of cultures, behaviours, and traditions to ensure that all aspects of higher education value the importance of diversity and inclusion.
- ItemIntergroup contact and collective action intentions among white South African students(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03-04) Luden, Michael Kyle; Swart, Hermann; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Social inequality is a reality in South Africa, which can have adverse consequences for disadvantaged-group members, such as poor health outcomes, increased dropout rates in higher education, and social unrest. One way in which social inequalities can be addressed is for disadvantaged-group members to participate in collective action to force conversation, debate, and change. However, this comes with challenges that include resistance from advantagedgroup members who may perceive social change as a threat to the status quo. Collective action at South African universities has become a common occurrence, with students from disadvantaged groups calling for greater social equality and inclusivity. The present study explores this in the Stellenbosch University context and considers factors that might encourage advantaged-group members to support disadvantaged-group members in the pursuit of positive social change. Given the limited South African data on the relationship between intergroup contact and collective action intentions (and the emotional and cognitive mediators thereof), the present study employed a cross-sectional design using self-report survey data to investigate the relationship between intergroup contact and collective action intentions among a convenience sample of white South African students (N = 450) studying at Stellenbosch University. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate whether general experiences of intergroup contact with black (African) South Africans in general are associated with the behavioural intention to distribute flyers advocating for racial justice and social equality in support of black (African) South Africans at Stellenbosch University. The secondary aim was to investigate whether context-specific experiences of intergroup contact with black (African) South Africans at Stellenbosch University, specifically, would similarly be associated with the behavioural intention to distribute flyers advocating for racial justice and social equality in support of black (African) South Africans at Stellenbosch University. Findings from the present study demonstrate a positive indirect association between general and context-specific experiences of intergroup contact with black (African) South Africans and context-specific behavioural intentions among white South Africans at Stellenbosch University via the serial mediation of empathy, collective guilt, and collective action intentions. These findings highlight a unique mediational pathway that might explain how white South Africans come to engage in collective action in support of black (African) South Africans. Furthermore, the findings of the present study provide additional support for the relevance of intergroup contact as a social intervention for mobilising advantaged-group members to action in support of the disadvantaged.
- ItemExploring experiences of intergroup conflict among COVID-19 vaccination groups(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Venter, Zander; Salie, Mariam; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: The COVID-19 vaccine has stirred up a noticeable divide between those who have been vaccinated and those who have not. As a result, new social groups have emerged based on vaccination status, and this status has become a shared identity with realworld consequences. Research indicates that identifying as part of a vaccination group can lead to intergroup behaviours, such as favouritism towards one's own group and bias against others. Additionally, international studies have reported tension between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, with instances of stigmatisation and discrimination towards the latter. This study aims to delve into the experiences of intergroup conflict among three COVID-19 vaccination groups, namely Vaccine Acceptant, Resistant and Hesitant groups, building upon the scarce qualitative literature currently available on the subject. Methods: Twenty-two participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams, a video conferencing software, for 30-60 minutes between November 2022 and March 2023. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and then analysed using thematic analysis. ATLAS.ti, a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software, aided the data analysis process. Findings: The findings were presented in two main sections. The first section described the three groups that participated in the study, focusing on highlighting the common motivations, values, and beliefs discussed among the participants in each group. The second section highlighted the main themes associated with the experiences of intergroup conflict. The second section comprised of six themes and nineteen sub-themes. The six themes were: (1) Negative out-group perceptions, (2) In-group perceptions and favouritism, (3) The expressions and manifestations of intergroup conflict, (4) Barriers and accelerators, (5) Consequences and impacts of intergroup conflict, (6) Cooperation and conflict management strategies. The study found that the participants held negative perceptions towards individuals outside their own COVID-19 vaccination group , while favouring their own group. Many participants reported feeling pressure, judgement, and stigma related to their vaccination attitudes. Additionally, the participants viewed vaccination policies as a form of coercion and a violation of their human rights, which had detrimental effects on their well-being. The study also revealed that intergroup conflicts negatively impacted several interpersonal relationships and increased the participants' identification with their own groups. To reduce conflict, participants avoided direct confrontations and expressed the importance of respecting out-group opinions on the vaccine. Discussion: There is a need to understand vaccination attitudes as a group identity that can contribute towards a positive social identity. The study showed that participants attempted to positively differentiate their own group from other vaccination groups to enhance their self-esteem. The tension and conflict between COVID-19 vaccination groups transpired into experiences of pressure, judgement, and stigma, particularly among hesitant and resistant groups. Understanding these experiences is essential to implement strategies to minimise conflict. Enhancing intergroup cooperation has important implications from a public health perspective and may increase vaccine acceptance. Social Identity Theory (SIT) provides valuable insights into the intergroup conflict between vaccination groups and may inform strategies to reduce intergroup conflict and increase vaccine acceptance.