CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS FOR
KGOMO
A001
PSYCHOLOGY IN AFRICA: An interview with two leading figures in teaching psychology
Dr Sophie Moagi-Gulubane and Dr Matshepo Matoane in conversation with Sean Hagen
This interview is about issues academics often discuss amongst themselves. But because these topics
do not appear in study material and are not raised in lecture rooms students are not exposed to this
information. Thus the aim of this session is to offer students the opportunity to listen in on what
goes on behind the scenes in psychology. The following are examples of the kind of questions the
interviewer will put to the interviewees:
-
What made you decide to study psychology?
Does psychology help you in anyway?
Would you recommend psychology as a study option to today’s students?
What do you see students struggle with in psychology?
What would you identify as differences between SA and Botswana regarding students, life
contexts, teaching milieus etc?
Do you think there is a role for psychology in Africa?
Do you think there is a role for Africa in psychology?
If you could dream up any psychology, what would it be?
Keywords: psychology and Africa, relevance of psychology, teaching of psychology
About the authors
A002 Ending the truncation on Africa’s thought: The move towards an inclusive psychology
Yaseen Ally
Psychology as practiced and taught in African countries is currently dominated by Western-derived
theories and understandings. These theories and understandings are assumed to have universal
applicability and have been adopted in both practicing and academic psychology. African
psychologies however, differ from traditional Western psychology, in that it extends beyond the
body-mind distinction and incorporates the concept of the spirit or soul. By implication, this suggests
that Western theories alone may not result in a holistic understanding or treatment of persons
whose beliefs incorporate the concept of the spirit or soul. Folk belief in ancestors, spirits, witches
are often incorporated into the medical and health models adopted by many communities and
psychological ailments are often attributed as stemming from these sources. Similarly, the treatment
of psychological ailments follows the folk belief in question and faith healing techniques are often
adopted. This presentation focuses on examples from South African communities that incorporate
folk beliefs into their overall health system. Data were gathered from South African Sangomas’,
Muslim faith healers, Muslim medical practitioners as well as from various community members.
The aim of which is to illustrate the need for inclusion rather than exclusion of indigenous belief
systems into mainstream psychology, both at the practical and academic level. This blending or
fusion of indigenous psychologies with Western orientated theories will make psychology in Africa
more applicable and accessible to its people.
Keywords: African psychology, folk beliefs, traditional healing, Western psychologies
About the author
Yaseen Ally has an MA Research Psychology degree from Wits
University. Currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology at Unisa, his
research interests include religion, culture and psychopathology,
gender-based violence, psychoanalytic theory as well as the
social experience of bewitchment. He is currently employed as a
junior researcher at the Unisa-Institute for Social and Health
Sciences.
A003 Beyond the evil ‘witch’: Dimensions and explanations of South African ‘witch’-hunts
Yaseen Ally
Understanding violence and factors that lead to violence is imperative. This is highlighted by the fact
that as a global health problem, violence claims the lives of approximately 1.6 million people each
year and resonates in social and health consequences. At the same time, recent years have seen an
influx of interest on the influence of cultural and religious beliefs on (the manifestation of) violence.
In particular, increasing research focuses on cultural beliefs and their influence on violence. One set
of cultural beliefs involves witchcraft and the bewitched, with the ‘witch’ portrayed as a malevolent,
evil being. This being is viewed as responsible for a variety of misfortunes, like death, sickness,
accidents and even financial gains or business losses. It is thus important that one understands what
the ‘witch’ is imbued with as those referred to as ‘witches’ are often subject to discrimination and
prejudice, that stem from the culturally or religiously informed fear of what bewitchment can cause.
These ‘witches’ face severe cases of both physical and psychological torment and in many cases are
the victims of burnings, hackings and murders - by family, friends and the community. This
presentation will focus on the identification of factors that lend themselves to ‘witch’ accusations in
South Africa. It is assumed that religio-cultural, psychological, political and socioeconomic
dimensions may provide explanations for the ‘witch’-hunts that extend the actual ‘witch’ beliefs
themselves. Media reports will be used to highlight the underlying reasons which motivate the
‘witch’-hunt. Even though an acknowledgment of ‘witch’-hunts exists in such literature, it remains
under-explored in terms of the violent consequences such accusations have on those they are
levelled at. As such, this presentation will also draw out a framework of violent behaviour typical of
‘witch’-hunts in relation to factors that contributed to or continue to contribute to culturally
sanctioned violence in the South African context.
Keywords: gender violence, ‘witch’ belief, ‘witch’ hunts
About the author
Yaseen Ally has an MA Research Psychology degree from
Wits University. Currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology at
Unisa, his research interests include, religion, culture and
psychopathology, gender-based violence, psychoanalytic
theory as well as the social experience of bewitchment. He
is currently employed as a junior researcher at the UnisaInstitute for Social and Health Sciences.
A004 The chicken or the harley: An investigation of specific executive functions in risk takers
Laura Alison Harris
I’d like to present my masters research proposal: my literature review, rationale, and instruments. I
am assessing three aspects of executive functioning – inhibition, shifting and decision making - as
well as affect intensity in risk takers. In the literature, there is an association between risk taking
(which is typically operationalised as substance use) and abnormal executive functioning. In
substance users, however, the direction of effect is unclear: there is reason to believe that illicit drug
use could lead to neurological damage; however, those who exhibit poor prefrontal cortex
functioning (and thus poor executive functioning) may be prone to risky behaviours such as
substance use and abuse; in addition, research in a sample which functions poorly in society has
limited implications for a socially functional population. Replication of previous research in an
economically successful (and thus socially functional) population which engages in an alternative risk
taking behaviour (which cannot in and of itself alter executive or neurological functionality as
substance use can) is necessary to solve the direction of effect, chicken-or-the-egg question. My
sample comprises a risk taking and economically successful group of Harley-Davidson riders who
belong to the Sandton chapter of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and a demographically
comparable sample of golf club members; hence the title. I will present fairly formally, using a
powerpoint presentation, but will include audience interaction. I hope to be able to organise the full
Harley outfit to present in
Keywords: executive function, Harley-Davidson, neuropsychological testing, risk behaviour
About the author
Laura Harris is currently completing her MA Research
Psychology degree at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her
research interests are diverse and include intelligence,
psychological testing, self-esteem and self-concept, analytic
philosophy, business and corporate strategy, neuropsychology,
health psychology and programme evaluation.
A005 Bridging the gap: Psychology, public health, and violence and injury prevention: The case of
Unisa’s Institute for Social and Health Sciences
Lebohang Letsela, Yaseen Ally and Deanne Goldberg
Psychology as an academic and applied discipline involves the scientific study of human mental
functions and behavior. Given the scope and branches of psychology it is essential for the principles
and theories it advocates to be utilized in relation to other disciplines. This collaboration will foster
holistic understandings of social experiences and phenomenon. Despite these collaborative benefits,
psychology like many other disciplines, remains isolated in terms of practice and academia. The
Unisa Institute for Social and Health Sciences provides a rare example of the benefits of multidisciplinary research in informing and lobbying for social change. The ISHS has over the years
established itself as a research institution that focuses attention on crime, violence and injury
prevention by infusing the public health principles and theories with those from psychology and
sociology. The aim of this presentation is to describe psychological work as integrating principles
from other disciples such as the public health in order to facilitate and advocate for change on a
number of pressing health issues on the African continent and the world at large. This will be
demonstrated through discussing the psychology of injury and violence prevention, health and
safety promotion, as well as practical research studies that have been conducted at the Unisa
Institute for Social and Health Sciences. In the end, the idea is to provide practical examples of how
psychology can be applied to enhance research on a variety of topics.
Keywords: injury, psychology, public health, violence and prevention
About the authors
My name is Lebohang Letsela. I am currently completing my
Masters degree in Research Psychology at the University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. I also work for UNISA
(University of South Africa), Institute for Social and Health Science
as a research psychologist intern. I am very passionate about
research as a field in Psychology (social sciences). My current
research interests are in HIV and AIDS, violence and injury.
Yaseen Ally ( has an M A Research Psychology degree from Wits University. Currently pursuing a PhD
in Psychology at Unisa, his research interests include, religion, culture and psychopathology, genderbased violence, psychoanalytic theory as well as the social experience of bewitchment. He is
currently employed as a junior researcher at the Unisa-Institute for Social and Health Sciences.
A006 Dying young in South Africa: Men and health seeking behaviours
Lebohang Letsela and Kopano Ratele
Studies indicate that men to have higher mortality rates than women and that males die at a
younger age than females. A number of factors have been demonstrated to contribute to this
problem. Sub-Saharan men in particular are shown to have the most premature male deaths in the
world. A number of South African research studies have documented premature male mortality
rates and the years of life lost due to death. However, little research that explores factors
contributing to male mortality has been documented. Furthermore, the most recent population
estimates (2008) have shown that South African males die as early as ages between 20-24 years old.
Given this knowledge as well as that traffic related injuries, and intentional and unintentional
injuries, self directed and interpersonal violence, poor health-care seeking behaviours, high risk
taking behaviours due to held masculine norms, and prevailing HIV and AIDS conditions all
contribute to this disaster. The aim of this research was to investigate factors that influence
premature male mortality, as well as shed some light into the survivability of males to old age. Data
was gathered through interviews from a number of sites. Preliminary analysis was done using
qualitative thematic analysis. The findings are interpreted with a framework of masculinity theory.
Keywords: health-care seeking behaviours, health debilitating behaviours, HIV and AIDS, injury,
masculinity, mortality, public health, violence
About the author
My name is Lebohang Letsela. I am currently completing my Masters degree in Research Psychology
at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. I also work for UNISA (University
of South Africa), Institute for Social and Health Science as a research psychologist intern. I am very
passionate about research as a field in Psychology (social sciences). My current research interests
are in HIV and AIDS, violence and injury.
A007 “Black-on-Black research”: The personal and political implications of shifting subject
positions in the research context
Jude Clark
Drawing on a critical feminist qualitative study of Black South African women’s life stories, this paper
interrogates the implications of assumptions of commonality and difference in a research context
where both researcher and participants identify as Black. It is informed by the theoretical principle
of critical reflexivity and based on reflections on the research process. In the research interaction,
the negotiation of subject positioning evolved into a complex choreography of power, highlighting
not only what’s at stake in the theoretical and methodological choices we make, but also the
broader politics of knowledge production.
Keywords: methodology, reflexivity, subjectivity
About the author
Jude Clark is a lecturer at the School of Psychology UKZN,
teaching modules on social psychology and on trauma. She
has a PhD from Manchester Metropolitan University (UK).
She is a peer reviewer for a number of national journals of
psychology and an international editorial board member
of Social Psychology and Personality Compass (Critical
Psychology Division), and Annual Review of Psychology.
Her research interests include: Discursive representations
and socio-cultural re-constructions of ‘trauma’ in South
Africa; HIV and AIDS and gender-based violence; Processes of memorialisation and constructions of
‘the new nation’. A few keywords that describe her research interests are: Critical; Feminist;
Discursive; Narrative; Afrocentric.
A008 The use of psychological theories in the exploration of racial and gender discrimination in
Bessie Head’s Maru
Vincent Luxolo Mtyende
The rise of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytical theory, at the turn of the 20th century, gave rise to an
increasing interest in the ‘psychology of literature’. Despite new developments in both the field of
psychology and literary production, most literary theorists remain set at paying exclusive focus on
reading the aberrant or ‘neurotic’ behaviour in their application of psychological phenomenon, even
when the literary processes in question point to the contrary. In this paper I intend to give an
analysis of the use of psychological theories in Bessie Head’s novella, Maru. The novella suggests an
overt application of radical behaviourism and biological determinism, as well as an implied use of the
humanistic-existentialist model of psychology and the social psychological phenomena pertaining to
prejudice and group processes.
Keywords: ethnicity, gender, literary theory, literature, psychological theories, psychology, racism
About the author
Vincent Luxolo Mtyende lectures in English and African literature at
Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha. He holds an honours degree in
Theory of Literature, an MA in African Literature and is currently
studying towards a BSc Honours degree in Psychology at Unisa. His
research interests include organisational communication, teaching of
African literature in South African higher education institutions,
contemporary literary theories (especially Structuralist and Formalist
poetics) as well as aspects of learning theories, cognitive and social
psychology.
A009 Can you guess the meaning of these objects?
Lesiba Molepo
Many young persons live under difficult circumstances. Factors including the HIV and AIDS
pandemic, exacerbate the need to place young persons into alternative placements. The new and
the unknown can be frightening but there are strategies that young persons, and even adults, use to
cope with the situation. In this poster, I share a variety of images that hint at one of the key ways in
which young persons manage their disruptive experiences. Viewers of the poster are invited to
imagine what this might entail and can then collect a document containing a full explanation. The
document explains the significance of the research on which the poster is based and provides
recommendations for improving therapeutic interventions aimed at working with young persons at
risk.
Keywords: awareness, developmental work, possessions, significance, therapeutic work, transition,
young persons, well-being
About the author
Lesiba Molepo is a lecturer in the department of psychology at UNISA,
mainly responsible for basic psychology and community psychology. He
has extensive experience in the field of child and youth care work.
A010 Is there hope in hell?
Avivit (Avie) Cherrington
According to the Department of Correctional Services, there are over 2 000 children under the age of
18 years sitting in South African prisons awaiting trial. What happens to these boys and girls while
they sit there, sometimes for months on end, exposed to the cruel, depressing world of an adult
prison? My interest in aggression and how (and why) our children are so angry, lead me to manage a
prison programme for the Department of Education at the University of Pretoria where I am
studying. Through this programme I have the privilege of visiting a group of boys awaiting trial at the
Pretoria Local Prison once a week. Initially intending to conduct some life skill sessions and psychoeducational activities with them, I soon realised that my perceptions, assumptions and expectations
would be completely turned on their head. Engaging with them and trying to understand their world
has challenged me intellectually and emotionally. I would like the opportunity to share with other
psychology students my journey so far – the highlights, the challenges, the surprises. As well as
facilitating a discuss or workshop about psychology’s role in guiding these forgotten children. I
believe that the vicious cycle of crime, gangs and drugs can be stopped with well targeted,
meaningful intervention, and from my interaction with these young offenders - who are so ripe for
change and guidance - I have hope. The question is how? I hope that an open discussion could shed
some light on this question, and help me to move forward with my work.
Keywords: aggression, awaiting trail juveniles, juvenile offenders, life skills, rehabilitation, crime
About the author
Avie Cherrington is a Masters degree student in Educational
Psychology at the University of Pretoria. She currently coordinates an undergraduate in-service learning programme for
the Faculty of Education, and volunteers at the Pretoria Central
Correctional Facility working with the juvenile offenders
awaiting trial. She has experience working with foster children
placements, conducting HIV VCT counseling and youth
mentoring & guidance. Her research interests lie in childhood
aggression and violence, community engagement and the
development of resilience and emotional maturity in children
and youth.
A011 Guiding personal development within in-service learning programmes
Avivit (Avie) Cherrington
Tertiary institutions globally are realising the value of incorporating an in-service learning
component to their academic modules. This requires students to fulfil a practical component
engaging with a community in a project or activity that links directly to learning outcomes of their
course. But any activity requiring community engagement inherently has a social, emotional and
psychological impact on the participants. Various faculties at the University of Pretoria (UP)
(Education, Engineering, Arts and Medical to name a few) have students currently engaging in some
form of in-service learning within the community. The common challenge is how to nurture and
facilitate the emotional and psychological well being of these students. I believe this identifies an
opportunity for postgraduate psychology students within their institution, as well as a promising
prospect for initiating long lasting inter-faculty co-operation. As a Masters student (Educational
Psychology) with the Department of Education I am involved in designing and conducting a wellness
programme for the second year Education students involved in compulsory community
programmes. This involves facilitating their personal development (through feedback sessions and
reflections) and counselling any psychosocial challenges they encounter. Although UP has a
department dedicated to overseeing the in-service learning programmes across faculties, there is
currently no programme in place for this aspect. I would like to present this as an opportunity to my
fellow psychology students, outlining my ideas and experiences, and perhaps engage in a discussion
of ideas and suggestions.
Keywords: community engagement, in-service learning, interfaculty co-operation, student support,
student wellness,
About the author
Avie Cherrington is a Masters degree student in Educational
Psychology at the University of Pretoria. She currently coordinates an undergraduate in-service learning programme for
the Faculty of Education, and volunteers at the Pretoria Central
Correctional Facility working with the juvenile offenders
awaiting trial. She has experience working with foster children
placements, conducting HIV VCT counseling and youth
mentoring. Her research interests lie in childhood aggression
and violence, community engagement and the development of
resilience and emotional maturity in children and youth.
A012 The use of anthropology and logotherapy in the reflexive review of psychology in Africa
M A Kanda
The presenter of this paper proposes that anthropology and logotherapy could bring great insight to
the process of reflexive review of psychology in Africa and worldwide. The paper presents some
critical questions (topics or points) which are crucial for a reflexive review of psychology. These
questions are among other: the definition of psychology and its research and application, the view of
human being and its reality or context and finally the existential question of life: the purpose of life.
From the presenter’s view, these critical questions are applicable and relevant to psychology as a
scientific branch and to the people using psychology. The presenter attempts to look at these
questions and to bring some answers based on the use of anthropology and logotherapy. The
presenter uses as well some cases from his practice of medicine and psychiatry to illustrate the
importance of critically reviewing psychology with the help of anthropology and logotherapy.
Through this presentation, the presenter hopes to bring the attention on the usefulness of
anthropology and logotherapy in the practice of psychology today. This presentation ends with two
challenging questions. These questions are (1) Does the Re-Imagining of psychology signal the
beginning of a new era of psychology?, and (2) What could Africa bring to this new era of
psychology?
Keywords: anthropology, logotherapy, purpose of life, new era of psychology
About the author
Kanda M. A. is a medical doctor from DRC, currently working as a principal medical officer in the
psychiatric department of Polokwane-Mankweng Complex Hospital in South Africa. He is a
diplomate clinician in Logotherapy and facilitator at the UNISA Centre For Applied Psychology. He is
currently an honors student in Anthropology at UNISA. His main interest is the application of
Anthropology and Logotherapy in medicine and day-to-day life.
A013 Attitudes of the University of Botswana students towards lesbians, gays and bisexuals
McDonald Bokamoso Raditladi
The present study examined the attitudes of the University of Botswana students towards lesbians,
gays and bisexuals and also sought to find out predictors of these attitudes. A convinient sample of
111 University of Botswana students was used for the study of which 61% were female and 39%
were male. The theoretical framework of the study was based on Ajzen and Fishbein(1980)'s theory
of reasoned action which states that a person's behavior is determined by their attitude towards the
outcome of such behavior and by the opinions of the person's social environment. Hudson and
Rickets(1980)'s Index of Attitudes towards Homosexuals (IAH) was used to measure attitudes
towards homosexuals. The findings showed that females had more accepting attitudes than males,
and students who had a friend or relative who is lesbian, gay or bisexual also held more accepting
attitudes than those who did not. Students who were religious held more negative attitudes than
those who regarded themselves as non-religious. the regression equation also revealed that these
three predictor variables, gender, religiousity and contact with Lesbians, gays and bisexuals' had
noticeable variances on the IAH.
Keywords: bisexuals, gays, homosexual, lesbians, undergraduate research, University of Botswana
About the author
McDonald Bokamoso Raditladi is a Bachelor of
Psychology (B.Psych) final year student from the
University of Botswana. His main interest is in
psychology but not limited to Industrial &
Organizational Psychology and Counselling. He aspires
to become one of the world's most renowned
Organizational Coaches!
A014 Raditladi's personal theory and process model
McDonald Bokamoso Raditladi
After reading so many theories by American and European Authors like Alfred Adler, Sigmund Freud
and many others, Raditladi decided to come up with his own Personal Theory and Process Model.
The purpose of such a theory is basically to contribute to the Africanization of Psychology as an
adopted discipline. The author saw it fit to develop his own theory of personality which will be
relevant to Africa and take into consideration aspects of culture and an African experience. Western
authors like Alfred Adler, Sigmund Freud and many others based their personality theories on their
own experiences. The paper comprises of a background information(experiences) of the author, his
view of human nature and personality which are influenced by his experiences and his nderstanding
of psychology. His impression on Stages of Human Development, how healthy and unhealthy
personalities develop and assessment and interventions on psychopathology. The paper is nonempirical but rather a very personal view and lacks empirical support but it is the Authors's own
work and through peer reviews it may be improved and researched on until a time when it can be
published.
Keywords: human development, McDonald, non-empirical, personality, personal theory,
psychopathology, University of Botswana
About the author
McDonald Bokamoso Raditladi is a Bachelor of Psychology final year
student from the University of Botswana. His main interest is in
psychology but not limited to Industrial & Organizational Psychology
and Counselling. He aspires to become one of the world's most
renowned Organizational Coaches!
A015 Christian Psychology as a new voice – re-imagining the possibilities!
Nicolene Joubert, Hennie Scheepers, Zipphora Sigwili and Phule Phule
The purpose of the symposium will be to present an explication of the principles and assumptions of
Christian Psychology, which is emerging as a new voice in Psychology and to demonstrate its
application to the therapeutic context. Taking the above into consideration, the symposium will be
structured in terms of the following framework for presentation: i) the field of Christian Psychology
will be conceptualised from an explicitly Christian approach, and the audience will be provided with
an overview of the major theoretical models underpinning Christian Psychology and its application
to various contexts; ii) The aspect of the scientific rigour underpinning Christian Psychological
research will be addressed; this will be done with the purpose of offering support to the statement
that research conducted in the field of Christian Psychology can be described as both valid and
reliable, hence making it possible to make inferences regarding psychological constructs, and iii)
citing real-life examples of the application of models of Christian Psychology to selected therapeutic
contexts, such as HIV and AIDS counselling. The symposium is therefore aimed at supporting the
claim that Christian Psychology, as new voice in Psychology, offers an additional set of models and
approaches, which can be applied to a variety of therapeutic contexts.
Keywords: application, Christian Psychology models, research
About the authors
Hennie Scheepers is the deputy head of
the Institute of Christian Psychology. After
departing from the world of public higher
education, he has been involved in
management, teaching, and research
capacities at major private higher
education institutions. In terms of
Psychology, Hennie has a keen interest in
the field of career development, and the
integration of this into the world of business and human resources
management. Prof. Nicolene Joubert is the head of the Institute of Christian
Psychology. She has qualified with a PhD in Psychology with a specialisation
in Christian Psychology.
Nicolene Joubert
Zipporah Sigwili is a clinical psychologist and lecturer at the ICP. She
lectures the following subjects: Counselling Techniques, HIV and AIDS
Counselling, and Marriage Counselling.
Pule Pule is currently studying towards his B.
Psych degree at the Institute of Christian
Psychology. He is involved in community
projects, which include counselling interventions
to HIV and AIDS patients.
A016 The business case for Integrative Life Planning – imagining an integration of seemingly
diverse disciplines
Hennie Scheepers
The field of Counselling Psychology is also experiencing the trend towards the integration of various
related areas. As a result of this, Hansen has developed an integrative approach to counselling
known as Integrative Life Planning (ILP). This model assist clients in the development of their own
career and life pathway, in response to issues such as their economic, spiritual, family, cultural, and
societal needs. In terms of the approach, six critical tasks have been identified, which constitute the
framework for the approach: Finding work that needs doing in changing global contexts; weaving
one’s life into a meaningful whole; connecting family and work; valuing pluralism and inclusivity;
exploring spirituality and life purpose; and managing personal transitions and organisational change.
The purpose of the current paper will be to demonstrate the application of the above model to a
context wider than its initial focus, being the world of human resources management within
business. The workshop will endeavour to equip attendees with a working understanding of the
model, and indications of its links to the practice of Human Resources Management will be
investigated through attendee participation. The main aim of the workshop will be to demonstrate
the possibility – and necessity – of integrating two diverse fields of study.
Keywords: business applications, human resources management, integrative life planning
About the author
Hennie Scheepers is the deputy head of the Institute of Christian
Psychology. After departing from the world of public higher
education, he has been involved in management, teaching, and
research capacities at major private higher education institutions.
In terms of Psychology, Hennie has a keen interest in the field of
career development, and the integration of this into the world of
business and human resources management.
A017 The relationship between neuropsychological performance, acculturation and personality: A
pilot study
Zanie le Grange
To date variables such as acculturation, language and ethnicity within the neuropsychological test
literature have been underreported. South Africa presents with a dynamically acculturative society
and there is a need to bring into focus these issues within neuropsychological testing. This study
investigates the association between acculturation, computerised neuropsychological test
performance and personality variables (the temperament and character dimensions). Results from a
pilot sample of sixty-three South African university students yielded significant associations between
various neuropsychological domains and cultural aspects as measured by an acculturation scale as
well as certain personality traits as measured by a temperament and character inventory. The study
supports literature evidencing correlations between personality and neuropsychological outcomes in
clinical and community samples residing in diverse cultural milieus. This study's results might have a
large impact on the way neuropsychological tests are used on various cultural groups in South Africa
as well as Africa. This study will thereby help to re-imagine assessment for the rainbow nation.
Keywords: acculturation, emotion, executive functioning, neuropsychology, personality, South Africa
About the author
Sezanne Marlé (Zanie) le Grange is a MA student in
research consultation at UNISA. She has completed both a
Bsocsci:Psychology and a Bsocsci(Hons):Psychology course
at the University of Pretoria after which she continued onto
an academic MA degree, also at the University of Pretoria.
Her academic MA dissertation topic: “The relationship
between Neuropsychological Performance, Acculturation
and Personality: a Pilot study”, is the basis for this
presentation. Her major interests in psychology lie in the
fields of neuropsychology, assessment and research methodology. She also acknowledges the role of
her supervisor, Dr N. Cassimjee (University of Pretoria) and other collaborator (Dr R Murphy –
University College Cork, Ireland and Prof D Maree – University of Pretoria) for their contributions to
the research and her dissertation.
A018 The lived experiences of culture and psychology
Thandazile Mtetwa, Hayley Medurić, Janine Agathagelou, Nico Van Zyl
A two hour experiential cultural symposium where students are given the opportunity to express
their uniquely individual integrations of psychology embedded within their personal culture. The
learning will take place in a setting where students reflect on practical lived experiences as
facilitated by the presenters.
Keywords: culture, experiential, psychology
About the authors
Hayley Medurić is currently completing her second year of her
MA Clinical Psychology degree at UNISA. She completed her
undergrad and honours at RAU, and has been working as a
Pyschometrist since 2005. Her fields of interest include play
therapy and childhood sexual abuse.
Francois Nico van Zyl is currently enrolled in his second year of training for
his MA Clinical Psychology degree at UNISA. He completed his BSocSci
(Hons) in 2006 at the University of Pretoria and spent 2007 working as a
research assistant at Weskoppies Hospital. His interests include family
therapy, the role of language and discourse in the construction and
resolution of psychological problems, as well as the constructive power of
psychiatric labels.
Thandazile Grace Nokukhanya Mtetwa is a second year MA Clinical Psychology student at UNISA.
She started studying psychology in 1997 doing BA. Due to financial constraints, she did not further
her studies immediately. After getting married in 2003, she enrolled with UNISA for her BA (Hons)
degree and commenced with MA training in Clinical Psychology in 2008. Her areas of interest include
family therapy and forensic psychology. Beyond that, she is fascinated by finding different ways or
different areas of connection amongst people- ways that go beyond cultural, religious and racial
boundaries.
Janine Agathagelou is currently enrolled in her second year of
Masters training in Clinical Psychology at UNISA. She completed her
BA (Hons) in psychology at UNISA and her BSocSci degree at the
University of Pretoria. Her interests are forensic psychology and
working with adolescents.
A019 The human life cycle: Psychology's move toward domestic dependence and international
independence
Amanda Erasmus, Antonia Motiowane, Rosemaré Visser and Linda M. Eskell-Blokland
If the practice of psychology in Southern Africa is to be culturally relevant and contextually sensitive,
conscious efforts must be directed toward the respectful critique of psychology’s current knowledge
base. Professionals practicing in the realm of psychology often depend on mainstream Western
knowledge which serves as a backdrop for their understanding and explorative investigation of
individuals. Of particular relevance in the professional practice of psychology is the
conceptualisation of an individual in relation to his or her developmental life stage. The relevance,
however, of such knowledge in Southern Africa, and more specifically South African informal
settlements is questionable. By means of highlighting the complex and distinct environmental
realities and social circumstances of individuals living in the Mamelodi informal settlement, an
argument is put forth to facilitate the development of a theory of human life stages relevant to the
Southern African context. The necessity for the development of the respective theory is brought to
light and justified to the conference attendee with reference to primary and secondary sources.
Various themes related to developmental life stages, as mentioned by diverse Western theorists, are
identified through this meta-theoretical analysis. Henceforth the inapplicability of these mainstream
developmental stages are elucidated by means of referring to conflicting case examples of Mamelodi
residents at Itsoseng clinic. In this regard an attempt is made to re-imagine psychology in Southern
Africa as young scholars on route to becoming consumers of psychological knowledge and those
responsible for the production thereof will become more sensitive to domestic dependence and
international independence.
Keywords: cultural relevance, human life cycle, mainstream Western knowledge, Mamelodi informal
settlement
About the authors
Amanda Erasmus is an intern psychometrist at Itsoseng Clinic at the University of Pretoria’s
Mamelodi campus. Amanda would like to pursue a career in clinical psychology in the near future
and is interested in contextual factors as moderators and mediators in the
development and maintenance of psychopathology.
Antonia Motlowane is an intern Trauma Counsellor at
the University of Pretoria Mamelodi Campus. She
enjoys Community Psychology and is passionate
about Commnunity Development
Rosemaré Visser is a psychology intern, currently completing an
interdisciplinary PhD (Psychology/Sociology/Theology) at the University of
Pretoria. Rosemaré is especially interested in abuse and trauma counselling
from an integrative perspective.
Linda Eskell-Blokland has a PhD in psychology and is a
practising clinical psychologist. She teaches critical
community psychology at the University of Pretoria
and played a key role in the establishment of the university's Itoseng clinic in
Mamelodi. Her research interests include the interface between local
knowledge and the Western profession of psychotherapy.
A020 School based group interventions: New ideas
Andreas Baron, Zani Deysel, Melina Georgiou, Loraine Macdonald, Tina Sofocleous, Ilze Steyn and
Donne Visser
One of our subjects this year is called School Guidance and Counselling. This subject is a year
module, which focuses on putting theoretical knowledge into concrete actions. In the first block of
this subject, named ‘Group based assessment and counselling’, we were given an assignment. The
assignment basically boils down to the following: We had to select a school where we would be able
to put into action a group based intervention program on a topic of our choice. As our honours
group was divided into groups of two, a wide variety of topics were chosen. Amongst the topics
chosen were, for example, sexual education, and how to handle peer pressure. The next step was for
each group to research and develop a group based intervention program, stretching over 6 to 8 onehour sessions with up to 10 children per group. The children targeted are mostly at the end of their
primary school education. What we plan to do is to give a break-down of the programs which we did
research on and developed ourselves, as a class. This will mean that we will not only look at one
single program, but give a basic overview of the general ideas implemented in the programs which
we developed as a part of our practical education in our community.
Keywords: school-based, group based intervention programme
About the authors
Loraine Macdonald is a Masters student at the University of Pretoria,
and she is also doing her psychology degree part-time. Her strongest
focus is on child and female struggles endured due to neglect and
harmful living conditions.
Ilze Steyn is 25 years old, and is currently teaching at Eduplex – a school
which focuses on inclusion, especially with children with loss of hearing. Her
highest degree is an Honours degree at the University of Pretoria in Learnersupport. She loves to draw, paint and to play tennis in her free time.
Tina Sofocleous is currently doing her Honours in Educational Psychology
at the University of Pretoria. She has also obtained her Post Graduate
Certificate in Education Majoring in the Early Child Development and
Foundation Phase. Her passion and interest lies with children and their
family context.
Melina Georgiou was born on the 16th of December 1986, and is
currently 22 years old. She is living in Pretoria and completing her
Honours Degree in Educational Psychology.
Donne Visser is currently doing her honours degree in Educational
Psychology. She is also interested in Clinical Psychology and would like to be
involved in family therapy. She is also interested in the different aspects of
child development and likes to read on this topic.
Zani Deysel is an honours student of Educational Psychology at the University of
Pretoria and holds a BSocSci degree in Psychology also obtained from this
University. She is interested in all aspects of psychology, but has a special
interest in the various approaches used in Play Therapy.
Andreas Baron is a 23-year old Honours student in
Educational Psychology at the University of Pretoria.
He plans to complete his Masters degree in this
direction as well, and enjoys family therapy and is interested in Play
Therapy.
A021 Ukukhula - a student's initiative to help students of psychology put theory into practice
Zani Deysel
Ukukhula is a society, of the University of Pretoria, for students of psychology with the main
objective of being a support system for its members. It was founded on the premise that psychology
students, especially at undergraduate level, is not granted sufficient opportunities where the theory
of psychology being studied can be applied practically. Ukukhula functions as a support system by
creating such opportunities, liaisioning with other institutions and notifying its members about extra
curricular activities, courses and volunteering opportunities they could get involved in. One of
Ukukhula’s major achievements is the establishment of a Social Skills Training group for children
with Autism. Done in alliance with the Association for Autism, this group is run solely by psychology
students who completed the foregoing training. Goals include organising events where qualified
guest speakers enlighten Ukukhula’s members on issues such as what psychology is like as a
practice, and what options or directions of study are available within the field of psychology.
Initiatives such as Ukukhula is a re-imagining of psychology in the sense that it addresses an area in
the study field which we perceive as being a shortcoming – actively affording psychology students,
specifically those at undergraduate level, the change to put their knowledge into action, thereby
making a positive difference in our country.
Keywords: putting theory into practice, shortcoming in psychology, student support system,
Ukukhula
About the author
Zani Deysel is an honours student of Educational Psychology at the
University of Pretoria and holds a BSocSci degree in Psychology also
obtained from this University. She is interested in all aspects of psychology,
but has a special interest in the various aproaches used in Play Therapy.
A022 The psychological experiences of grieving for adolescents recently bereaved of a parent
Gabrielle Garzouzie
The main aim of this study is to develop a greater understanding of the possible effects bereavement
may have on adolescent’s psychological and social well being in the South African context. The study
will investigate and aims to reflect the different social and psychological patterns associated with the
loss of a parent for the developmental stage of early adolescents (12-18 years). Such a study would
be important given that the loss of a parent may negatively affect the surviving adolescent’s
psychological well-being. Research interests will hopefully grow and pave a way for further needed
research in this field, in order to develop better support for adolescents experiencing bereavement.
Bereavement indicates the status of the individual who has suffered a significant loss and may be
experiencing change or stress in their psychological and social patterns due to the loss (Boyd Webb,
1993). The exposure of adolescents to death has increased and it is important to realize that
adolescents grieve differently from both children and adults. The limited preliminary literature
available, based on studies conducted on parental bereavement of adolescents in the cross-cultural
South African context, demonstrates how understudied this particular field is within South Africa,
with bereavement studies in South Africa based on spousal bereavement . It is important to take
into consideration how such a parental loss could affect the individuals’ psychological and social
well-being within the cross-cultural and diverse context of South Africa. In this study, quantitative
research will be used to gather information by used of the measuring instruments (in the form of
questionnaires) The participants will be drawn from various high schools in the Stellenbosch,
Somerset West, Bellville, Durbanville and Strand areas. They will be between the ages of 12 and 18
(Grade 8 to Grade 12). The participants can be English, Afrikaans or Xhosa speaking. Both male and
female participants will be included. Participants had to have lost a parent recently (within the last
year). The measurement instruments that will be used include a Demographic questionnaire, the
Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Coping Strategy
Indicator, the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment and the Social support appraisal
questionnaire. The research project is currently under way and will only be completed by September
for grading.
Keywords: adolescents, bereavement, parental loss
About the author
Gabrielle Garzouzie is a psychology master’s research student at the
University of Stellenbosch. Her interests include adolescent development,
bereavement, and social development.
A023 Students' motivation to helping other people
Olebogeng Molefe
This is a survey study that examined motives that influence helping behavior among students at the
University of Botswana. A convenient sample of 140 undergraduate students was used of which 75
(53.6%) were females and 65 (46.4%) were males, with an age range of 17 to 30 years. This study
was guided by the theorem of Batson (1991) which predicted that empathy plays part in influencing
people to demonstrate helping behavior. However, findings of the study did not provide evidence
that proves that students were motivated by empathy to engage in helping behavior. The findings
indicated a relationship between gender, level of study and helping behavior. Using Person’s
correlation coefficient, the correlation between study level and helping behavior was meaningful (r
=-.331) as well as between gender and study level (r=-.303). The correlation between other
demographic variables and helping behavior proved to be meaningless (r=<.30). In conclusion,
gender and study level seem to influence students’ engagement in helping behavior. However, the
study did not provide evidence as to the role of empathy in motivating helping behavior. Thus, this
suggests the need for more research to be done to determine other motives to helping behavior in
the Botswana context.
Keywords: Botswana, helping, motivation, university students
About the author
Olebogeng Molefe is a final year psychology student at the University of Botswana. Her areas of
interest are Social Psychology and Industrial Organisational Psychology especially consumer
behavior.
A024 Conferring African psychology academic relevance: An examination of Basotho and Nandi
paremiography
Ruto - Korir Rose and Sefotho Monaheng Maximus Don
The voice of Africa in Psychological thought has been hushed in the history of the discipline, while
western psychology has enjoyed prolonged hegemony over it. This deprives the rich and diverse
African indigenous psychological knowledge relevance in the human sciences. Despite this shortfall,
Africa has complacently consumed western originated ideas. We are therefore, conscientious of the
need to develop psychological knowledge that addresses Africa’s needs. Therefore, the hushed voice
of Africa needs to create a platform to express and share its endowed cultural diversity. African
psychology has existed in forms other than those prescribed by western mainstream psychology.
Despite its latent potential, African psychology lacks systematised and documented practices, hence
the hushed voice. However, in the new millennium, in order to embrace and to enjoy the different
freedoms, African academics have to embrace non-regimented processes that bring psychology to
the central realm of science. In this new dispensation, platforms that encourage innovative academic
discourse, documentation, storage and transmission might ensure sustainability and use of an
African psychology. One such avenue therefore is, to embrace the psychology enshrined in African
proverbs as part of show-casing the richness entrenched in African Psychology. Purpose: This paper
critically examines the status quo of psychology in Africa in order to set the stage for paremiography
from the Basotho of Lesotho and the Nandi of Kenya. Through this discourse, we extrapolate the
social and psychological content and the meaning of proverbs as part of systematising Psychology in
Africa. Concurrently, the paper charts the way forward for African Psychology to set a platform
where knowledge can be generated and shared on Africa by African scholars. This might provide the
impetus for Africans to divulge rich and diverse knowledge embedded in their different cultures.
Practical implications: The paper adds to emerging voices that encourage recognition of African
indigenous psychology, as it also lays a foundation to develop relevant psychological subject matter.
It challenges practitioners in psychology to establish and embrace their academic as well as
professional African identity. Originality/value: This study builds upon the current discourse about
giving African psychology its rightful place in Africa.
Keywords: African indigenous psychology, Basotho proverbs, Nandi proverbs, social psychology, the
voice of Africa, Western psychology
About the authors
Sefotho Monaheng Maximus Don
A026 The effects and nature of counselling for HIV and AIDS in South Africa as experienced by the
counsellor
Deanne Goldberg
Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) represents a critical avenue for intervention in the fight
against the spread of HIV and AIDS, and has been consistently promoted both within academic
literature, as well as governmental and health care policies. Effective counselling has a significant
role to play in assessing risk behaviour and preventing further potential infections. Research has
shown that the receiving of the serostatus diagnosis can be an extremely traumatic experience for
the client, and secondarily so for the counsellor. It is therefore essential to consider that the
counsellors’ exposure to such an emotionally trying context on a day to day basis may expose him or
her to considerable stress, and may challenge available coping resources. This paper presents an
exploration of the nature and effects of counselling for HIV and AIDS in South Africa as experienced
by the counsellor. The researcher contends that quality interventions will be produced by quality
interventionists. In this vein, the in-depth understanding of the counselling experience generated
within this research could contribute significantly to assisting and refining the process of counselling
at both an administrative and practical level. Enhanced services in this field could potentially make
an invaluable contribution to the efficacy of this health intervention in South Africa. In order to
investigate the nature of this experience, qualitative, non-experimental and cross –sectional
research was conducted with the counselling staff at a number of sites in Gauteng. Findings in this
study represent the culmination of the original study conducted at the Honours level. Results were
diverse, and explored the counsellors’ appreciation of their training and experiences, their attention
to youth, community and outreach programs as well as their innate awareness of the consequences
of stress and the benefits of insight and experience. Additionally, some tentative findings emergent
in the Masters level study currently underway are highlighted.
Keywords: coping, counselling, VCT, voluntary counselling and testing
About the author
Deanne Goldberg is currently completing her Masters degree in
Research Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Additionally, she is interning at the UNISA Institute for Social and
Health Science. Her interests include health and public-health
psychology, HIV and AIDS related research, as well as safety promotion
and injury prevention.
A027 Black consciousness as a psychological theory of identity
Siyanda Ndlovu
Political movements in the US, notably the civil rights and women’s movements, were confronted by
a new ‘kind of threat’, a new form of politics in the late 1960’s (Nicholson, 2008) that focused
explicitly and exclusively to issues of identity. ‘Identity politics’, as this new politics is referred to,
sought to redefine, to articulate and to consciously embrace the meanings and experiences of ‘black’
and ‘woman’. In this way, ‘identity politics’ became not only about a political but also a psychological
assertion of difference. In this paper I aim to reflect on my research practice in collecting life stories
of black people about what it means to be black in this globalised, cosmopolitan and seemingly postrace world. Using this reflection and borrowing insights from Stephen Bantu Biko, I argue that black
consciousness is as much a political position as it is a deeply psychological imperative.
Keywords: black consciousness, blackness, life story, psychological, race
About the author
Siyanda Ndlovu is doing his PhD in the School of Psychology at the
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. His thesis is entitled, “There is
No-One Black: Narratives of Blackness, Exploring the Boundaries of Time
and Place”. This work interrogates the multiple constructions of what it
means to be black-in-the-world.
A028 Living out psychology: "Let's walk the talk"
Sannah Moeti and Bontlebotsile S.T Sebate
Psychology is one of those practical fields of study in which, the concepts can be integrated into our
everyday lives. As a fairly new discipline in Botswana, psychology has not yet reached the
community at large and therefore its importance and influence has not yet been felt by all. It is
indeed true that the concepts of psychotherapy have the potential of improving the well being of a
community such as Botswana. Regardless of which area of specialty one ventures into as a
psychologist, he/she would have gained some insights about the human mind and behaviour thus
making them the best people to sensitise a population such as Botswana about the efficacy of
psychological concepts. A revolutionising of psychologists themselves is needed, how do they make
psychology a living example in their own lives? It would be very difficult to convince the community
that psychology is applicable in their own lives (eg. in the Botswana context), if psychologists do not
have that personal conviction themselves. Our attitude, on a personal level as psychologists towards
psychology will to a large level determine psychology's influence on a community. Let us look at
psychology in a different way, not simply as a facade that we put on when we meet clients, then
when we have finished for the day we take it off until the next day. We need to be real and walk the
talk of psychology so that the interventions that we most likely use on our clients we use on
ourselves first when the need arises. This paper will serve as a way of stimulating a discussion on the
ways in which we can make psychology a way of living not just in theory but in application. A strong
message can be sent to the population that psychology is livable. The greatest teacher is the
outward demonstration of a life that shows the inward conviction of the heart.
Keywords: living, psychology
About the author
Sannah Moeti is currently a teaching assistant in the
department of psychology at the University of Botswana.
She holds a B. Psych degree obtained from the University of
Botswana. She plans to pursue her masters degree in clinical
psychology next year.
A029 Predictors of altruistic behavior among University of Botswana students
Tumelo Kgolo
The present study examined the predictors of altruistic behavior, being sense of shared self,
empathic concern, consequences of helping and personal distress. a convenient sample of 105
University of Botswana studentys was used for the study, of which 78% were females and 22% were
males. the theoretical framework of the study was based on Pilliavin's "bystander calculus theory"
and Batson's "empathy-altruism theory". the Helping attitude scale was modified as a questionnaire
measuring helping behavior, sense of shared self, empathic concern, consequences of helping and
personal distress, thus used to collect data for the study. The findings show that the majority
(78.5%)have positive attitudes towards helping behavior. on the overall, 58% of the participants
acknowledged shared self as predictive of their helping behavior, 79% agreeing that they weigh the
consequences of helping with the benefits before they can help someone. only 42.8% of the
participants help due to personal distress, whilst 23.5% engage in helping behavior to ease their
physical distress. Empathic concern plays a role in a lot of the participants' helping behavior (755),
whilst 58% do not do not help mainly because they feel someone is more responsible to assist than
they are. The simultaneous multiple regression equation revealed that in this sample of University of
Botswana students, shared self, empathic concern, consequences of helping and personal distress
are not important predictors of helping behavior.
Keywords: altruism, bystander calculus theory, empathy, personal distress, predictors shared self
About the author
Tumelo Kgolo is a 4th year student in Psychology at the University of Botswana. She is mostly
interested in all aspects of psychology and hoping to study for her masters in Neuropsychology. Her
areas of interest in research are mostly, but not limited to child development and social psychology.
A030 The relationship between beliefs about condoms, perceived worry about condoms, sex
comfort and condom use
Oarabile Machola
The study explored beliefs about condoms, perceived worry about condoms and sex comfort in
relation to condom use. A convenient sample of 102 University of Botswana students was used for
the study of which 66% were female and 34% were male. The theoretical framework of the study
was based on Godfrey Hochbaum (1952)’s Health Belief Model which attempts to predict healthrelated behavior in terms of certain belief patterns. A modified scale adopted from the Center of
AIDS Prevention Studies was used to investigate the relationship between condom use, perceived
worry about condoms and sex comfort in relation to condom use. Results indicated that there is a
relationship between perceived worry and condom use as well as sex comfort and condom use.
Using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the relationship between perceived worry about condoms
and condom use was meaningful (r=.351, p. < 0.01). The relationship between sex comfort and
condom use was also meaningful at (r=.412, p. < 0.01). The regression equation has also revealed
that the two predictor variables (perceived worry about condoms and sex comfort) were
significantly related to condom use. This suggests that in this sample of University of Botswana
students, the most influential predictors for condom use are perceived worry about condoms and
sex comfort.
Keywords: beliefs about condom use, condom use, perceived worry about condoms, sex comfort,
University of Botswana
About the author
Oarabile Machola is a final year student at the University of Botswana.
She is interested in research psychology as her main area of speciality.
Her research interest include investigating behavioural change
programmes that can be used to help the youth in Africa in curbing the
spread of HIV and AIDS.
A031 Psychometric testing: Beyond the bean counting
Daniel John Greenslade
Research has suggested that both frontal lobe functioning (executive functioning) and rote learning
ability are essential for advancement within tertiary study, and in academia in general. Relevant to
the quantification of these abilities are the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (Used to measure frontal
lobe functioning) and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (used to measure rote learning ability).
Performance on a specific psychometric measuring instrument does not depend on a unitary trait or
ability. The nature of the information elicited by the RAVT and the WCST overlap with regard to
aspects such as self-monitoring and learning curve. These tests are able to measure far more than
just what is on the surface, yet these tests are often used in their most basic forms (just obtaining
the surface results to compare with the norms of the tests) without obtaining the vast amounts of
qualitative data available to be gathered from them, the knowledge beyond the “simple bean
counting”. In an interactive and interpretive workshop the methodology, both theoretical and
practical applicability, for these tests will be explained in detail, as well as how one can get the most
information out of these tests. This added knowledge will allow greater research and therefore
understanding of the cognitive functioning of the human brain, specifically within the context of
Universities. Armed with this information, students will be able to go out into the psychological field
within Southern Africa, to explore and discover great advancements for the knowledge of
psychology within Africa, and ultimately allow for the re-imagining of psychology’s place within
Africa (both academically and in general practice).
Keywords: Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Psychometric Test Administration, Learning Strategies,
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test
About the author
Daniel John Greenslade is currently completing his Honours in
Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). His interests
include neuropsychology (specifically frontal lobe functioning) and
Freudian psychoanalytic theory.
A034 Occupational stress and psychological well-being among secretaries at the University of
Botswana
Diana Shamisai Mberengwa
The aim of this study was to investigate whether secretaries at the University of Botswana
experience occupational stress and if so, how such stress affects their psychological well-being. The
study was guided by the theoretical framework of Lazurus's Theory (1993)on stress and coping. A
focus group discussion was held with selected secretaries employed at various levels and sections in
the University. Information obtained from this focus group discussion was used to develop a
questionnaire that was distributed to all secretaries at the University, of which 61 secretaries
responded. Results from the study show that common sources of stress included: lack of
opportunities for promotion, lack of recognition for capabilities and experience, and sharing
resources such as a computer, telephone and an office with a colleague. Secretaries were found to
experience low or moderate levels of stress and were generally satisfied with their job. The
secretaries investigated had good relationships with their colleagues and supervisors. However, the
study showed that the majority of the respondents wanted to receive more training in their
secretarial skills. The findings of the study showed that stresss experience was significantly
correlated with headaches and sleeplessness. However, most of the secretaries were found to
expereince mo or low levels of burnout. In terms of coping, participants were found to engage more
in problem-focused coping than emotion-focused coping.
Keywords: occupational stress, psychological well being, secretaries
About the author
A035a Walkabout: Converging journeys through community
Eduard Fourie, Lesiba Molepo, Keit Shirinda-Mthombeni, Martin Terre Blanche, Germina Khoza and
Lufuno Snow-White Muntswu
In this symposium lecturers and students involved in the Community Psychology modules at Unisa
share their experiences of discovering and re-imagining community. Unisa offers community
psychology modules at 2nd year, 3rd year and honours levels. Each of these modules strongly
emphasise active involvement by students in community-based experiences and in contributing their
own perspectives on what community is and could be. The symposium starts with a short
introduction, followed by three presentations. The first two presentations are by lecturers involved
in the community psychology modules and highlight interesting aspects of the 2nd and 3rd year
modules respectively. The third presentation takes the form of an open discussion facilitated by
students and provides an opportunity for reflecting on the value and limitations of the modules from
the perspective of learners.
Keywords: community, community psychology
About the authors
Eduard Fourie is a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at
Unisa. He is passionate about various things, amongst others,
community psychology, organisational identity and networks,
and the publishing of academic work by young and new authors.
Lesiba Molepo is a lecturer in the department of psychology at UNISA, mainly
responsible for basic psychology and community psychology. He has extensive
experience in the field of child and youth care work.
Keit Shirinda-Mthombeni is a lecturer in the Department of
Psychology at Unisa. Her interests include Community
Psychology and themes related to HIV and AIDS, Orphans &
Vulnerable children in African communities, Counselling and
Research.
Martin Terre Blanche lectures in the pscyhology
department at Unisa. His interests include critical and
community psychology and the politics of knowledge
production in and around academia.
Lufuno Snow-White Muntswu is a BA graduate at UNISA
and currently studying for an Honors degree in Psychology. I
am a versatile, assertive and ambitious hard working young
woman.
Germina Khomotso Khoza is an honours student at
Unisa. I am also a peer helper at the Bureau for
Counselling, Career, Academic and Development. I
have a passion in working with people and explore
new things.
A035b From self into community (part of “walkabout” symposium)
Lesiba Molepo
It is important that people who want to practice community psychology are in touch with who they
are. This includes knowing and coming to terms with their roots, their pains as well as their joys. Self
knowledge is critical for them to be effectively useful to their own communities. The presentation
will focus on what some of the 2nd year students who study community psychology at Unisa had to
say about the origin of their names, family rituals as well as their experiences of “going walkabout”.
A035c Journey into organisations (part of “walkabout” symposium)
Keit Shirinda-Mthombeni
This presentation aims to highlight how 3rd year Community Psychology students become involved
with community organisations of their choice. The teaching and learning approach used draws on
students’ intellectual and creative abilities and recruits them as active participants in the ongoing
process of re-imagining communities. Students are invited to join, observe and participate in the
work of a particular organisation or group. They are encouraged to simultaneously engage with
academic readings and subsequently share their understanding with academic staff and fellow
students through written assignments. The presentation will also shed light on the types of
organisations students tend to join and their expectations for the module.
A035d Students re-imagining community psychology (part of “walkabout” symposium)
Germina Khoza and Lufuno Muntswu
This discussion is introduced with short reflections by two students (Germina Khoza and Lufuno
Muntswu) who recently completed community psychology modules at Unisa. They will then
facilitate an open discussion among other community psychology students (and anybody else
attending the symposium) exploring issues such as how to further improve the peer-feedback
system used in the modules, opportunities and challenges experienced in interacting with
community members and organisations, and why everybody hates/loves the textbook!
Keywords: community, community psychology, walkabout
A036 The lost child: Locating the African child within a developmental framework
Daniela Guerrera
The topic for this discussion was inspired by problems I am facing in my current research: identifying
a suitable developmental theory for a child existing within the African context. The majority of
widely studied and critiqued developmental theories are Western in origin, and euro-centric in
nature. The issue I am facing, along with fellow students with interests in developmental psychology,
is the applicability of a Western theory to the African child. Children growing up in Africa face
numerous challenges and problems, many of which occur rarely within the Western context. Do the
current developmental theories account for this? My argument is that the challenges faced by
African children are paramount in their course of development. A question I put forward is whether
Western theories can be adapted to the African context, or whether a new developmental theory is
needed for future progress. This discussion is theoretically based, informed by critical developmental
theories.
Keywords: African developmental psychology, African child development, developmental theory
About the author
Daniela Guerrera is a Psychology Masters by Dissertation student at
UKZN. She obtained her undergraduate degree from UNISA. Her interests
include the effect of HIV and AIDS on children, and neuropsychology
A038 The relevance of psychology in the context of Botswana
Ronald Lelaka and Bathsheba Mbongwe
The practice of psychology in Botswana is more or less similar to other countries in the world.
Psychology is a product and a producer of global capitalism. In Botswana as well as other countries
in the world psychology is part of a global agenda of resistance. However the practice of psychology
in Botswana is still at infancy stage. The issue that will be explored in the formal presentation (group
presentation) is the relevance of psychology practice and its benefits for citizens. Narratives will be
drawn from the perspective of two psychology lectures and two psychology students, as we share
our understanding of the relevance of psychology in the context of Botswana. These issues will be
explored from the theoretical context of critical psychology as well as positive psychology.
Furthermore, in this presentation, we will sketch the development of the current and future
prospects of psychology of Botswana. The presentation will provide suggestions that will guide the
relevance of psychology theory and practice, not only to academics, but all the stake holders of
psychology in Botswana.
Keywords: Botswana, psychology relevance
About the authors
Ronald Lelaka has finished his Bachelor's degree in Social
Work at the University of Botswana on May 2009. He is
interested in aspects of psychology, especially lifespan
development.He has done a research project on Disability
and Education as a partial fulfilment of his Bachelor's degree
in Social Work.Ronald is a member of the Botswana Social
Work Association, and is the founding president of Youth for
Drug and Acohol free Generation (Y-DAG) at the university of
Botswana. During his study at the University of Botswana, he
has been the Vice president of the Health Outreach Programme (HOP) and a member of the Social
Work Society. Ronald Lelaka have certificates on Peer counsellor and educator. He has worked
before in the University of Botswana Careers and Counselling centre from 2008 to 2009 as a peer
counselor and has gone for internships at Sesholo Junior School and Tlokweng Social and Community
Development in 2007 and 2008 respectively as a social worker.
Bathsheba Mbongwe is a lecturer of Educational Psychology at the University of Botswana. Her
research interest are psychosocial development, psycho educational assessments and community
psychology.Bathsheba Mbongwe is a graduate of University at Albany in USA where she received her
Master of Science in Educational Psychology and Methodology with specialization in Assessments
and Learning & Instruction. Ms Mbongwe also holds Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and
International Relations from Towson University in USA.
A039 The Freudian Rap
Itani Thalefi
In order to deepen my understanding if not, make it more relative and personal. Having coined the
method of Oral Tradition, as if story telling, in the modern sense "Rap". This then arose an interest in
the use of mnemonic devices. Mnemonic devices are memory aids which contribute to the
organisation of information into meaningful compartments. Provided that certain cues are present
retreival of information from ones long term memory through use of these devices is more effective.
My presentation Entitled: "The Freudian Rap", will be a summation of Freudian theory, and his
inferences made from his methodology of psychotherapy. My understanding as per the text book
and not the original text. With the obstacles for first a time reader, of interpreting and grasping the
concepts presented in his theory. Hoping not to fall subject to the desires of my ID ( i.e Grabbing a
snack after the first paragraph and taking a nap after the fifth ). I, no perhaps my ego, devised lyrical
plans to delay my gratification but still enjoy my studies. Instead of being lost in a sea of unconscious
and unidentifieable texts. It was incumbent that the use of a technique, to extrapolate the complex
concepts of the text. With obvious use of psychological jargon for test purposes. This allowed
Freudian concepts to float to my consciousness. This information temporarily residing in my pre consciousness, and at the beginning of a beat, rise again to the surface of thought. This would be my
great contribution to the field of psychology, by incorporating usefull memory recall techniques for
students. I imagine, if my method of study was to be implemented we would have chorus' of
psychology students "rapping" if not in groups but individually. The Lyrics delineating the
complexities of Freudian theory. Perhaps the next step would be having lecturers "rap" their classess
to students. And thats a wrap.
Keywords: Freudian Rap
About the author
Itani Thalefi is a second year psychology student at the University of
the Witwatersrand and who has thoroughly enjoyed the course and
has developed a preferance for Cognitive aspect of Developmental
Psychology. In the future Itani seeks to explore the connetcions
between cognition and education in an attempt to improve teaching
techniques in the classroom.
A040 The effect of stress on memory: Eyewitness performance in juveniles and young adults
Marianne Ball
The relationship between stress and eyewitness memory was investigated experimentally in
adolescents (Study 1) and young adults (Study 2). Psychosocial stress was induced using a public
speaking task. As eyewitness outcome measures, participants were asked to provide a physical
description and to make a lineup identification of a) a research assistant with whom they had
interacted under stressful circumstances (prior to public speaking), and b) a research assistant with
whom they had interacted under neutral circumstances. Participants also responded to questions
that tested their memory for central and peripheral details of the interactions. As validity checks on
the stress manipulation, participants’ heart rate and skin conductance levels were measured using
an Ambulatory Monitoring System and anxiety ratings were obtained using the State-Trait Anxiety
Inventory. In the adolescent study (n = 26), inferior performance on target descriptions, detail
recollection and lineup identification was generally associated with the stress condition. In the
young adult study (n = 22), arousal had no effect on the quality of target descriptions or the accuracy
of lineup identifications, but seemed to enhance memory for both central and peripheral details.
Understanding whether stress impairs eyewitness memory, and subsequently compromises
reliability, can assist in preventing misidentifications—the single greatest threat to the delivery of
justice.
Keywords: adolescents, eyewitness memory, psychosocial stressor, stress, young adults
About the author
Marianne Ball is pursuing her Masters degree in Research Psychology at
the University of Cape Town. She is interested in the interface between
psychology and law, and in childhood development.
A041 The relationship between traumatic life events, high cortisol, and Alzheimer's disease
Katharine James, Kevin Thomas and Marc Combrinck
Previous research has shown that the negative effects of stress may be a contributing factor to the
development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This pilot study investigated whether there is a
relationship between the experience of stressful life events, levels of salivary cortisol, and the risk of
developing AD in a sample of older adults from the Western Cape. Participants, all over the age of 55
years, included 11 possible or probable AD patients and 11 healthy controls. They completed
demographic and life events questionnaires that provided life history information. Cognitive
functioning was measured using a battery of neuropsychological tests. Furthermore, participants’
salivary cortisol levels were measured to provide physiological markers of their amount of stress.
Between-group comparisons suggested a link between stressful life events, cortisol levels, and the
risk of developing AD. Correlational and regression analyses identified age, low levels of education,
and poor resilience as possible risk factors for the development of AD (p = 0.00048). This study will
provide a relevant and necessary contribution to the limited literature regarding AD in South Africa.
In order to increase the possibility of obtaining more statistically significant and generalizable
results, our future research aims to obtain larger sample sizes and samples that are more
representative of the broader South African population.
Keywords: aging, Alzheimer’s disease, cognition, cortisol, dementia, stress
About the author
Katharine James, the presenter of this paper, is a first year Master’s student
studying psychological research and neuropsychology at the University of
Cape Town. She is particularly interested in the emerging field of
neuropsychology in South Africa and is currently involved with a study on
Alzheimer’s disease.
Kevin Thomas is a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the
University of Cape Town. He completed his postgraduate degrees at the
University of Southern California and the University of Arizona. His primary
research interests are in clinical and cognitive neuropsychology, with specific
focus on age-related changes in memory functioning and early prediction of
Alzheimer's disease.
Marc Combrinck is a neurologist who trained in medicine and biochemistry and obtained his PhD
from the University of Cape Town in 1994. He works as a Lecturer and Specialist in the Department
of Medicine, Division of Neurology at UCT and Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.
A042 “Ngilotto njalo” [I play lotto all the time!]: Mothers’ stories and possible futures
Tarryn Frankish
The paper explores how mothers’ stories are drawn on and resisted in the construction of future
narratives of identity for young people from families that have experienced politically traumatic
events. In doing this I will interrogate the ways that participants narrate stories of ‘life as a lottery’.
Within these stories we see ideas of chance, the randomness of life and the jagged, disrupted nature
of narratives emerge. In particular, the past Apartheid South Africa was characterized by random,
often violent, disruptions to life. In the present context of the current global ‘credit crunch’,
excessively high unemployment figures and one of the highest inequality indices in the world, we
can see how participants might pin their hopes on similarly random forces such as the lottery. The
narrative of ‘life as a lottery’ seems dissimilar to its “rags to riches” counterpart in that it does not
subscribe to the ideology underpinning global capitalism and the ‘American dream’ that hard work,
perseverance and/or strength of character will be rewarded. Rather participants’ stories seem to
display life as a waiting game for that lucky windfall, where current work and domestic life become
disconnected from personal goals. This connects us back to mothers’ stories, whose strategies for
coping after traumatic events is the business of everyday. In accepting the hand that they have been
dealt, mothers project future aspirations onto their children and grandchildren, whilst adopting
domestic roles for themselves. This paper will explore the ways that the younger generation
negotiate possible selves by drawing on and resisting scripts for success handed down to them by
their mothers. I hope, in doing so, to expand on the workings of an ‘economy of the future’ within
life narratives for work within my research community, and to extend insights and tensions to a
broader psychological and global community.
Keywords: economy of the future, everyday, ‘life as a lottery’, narrative, possible futures, trauma
About the author
Tarryn Frankish is a masters student in Psychology and Society at the
University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her research delves into theorising postapartheid identity, working with narrative theory and method, as well as
navigating trauma theory and practice within South Africa.
A043 Questioning informal segregation: 'Race' and space in the small town
Sahba Shaker (Supervisor: Don Foster)
South Africa is a melting pot and a meeting place for a multitude of ‘races’, representing an optimal
arena for understanding the psychology of contact and desegregation. This study focuses on the
construction of racial and spatial identity, through continued informal segregation, within the small
town setting of Mokopane. Drawing on thirty-two open-ended interviews, segregation is explored in
everyday interactions and spaces. Working within a discursive framework, critical discourse analysis,
supplemented by a further rhetoric analysis, was employed. Participant’s discursive constructions
overwhelmingly demonstrate that segregation persists within the micro-ecology of contact.
Discourses were used to construct racial isolation as a natural and normal phenomenon, exposing
the superficial quality of inter-racial contact. These discourses can be seen, through rhetoric
strategies, to justify and reproduce racist ideas. It is argued that informal segregation in Mokopane,
acts as a regulator of hostile and hidden racism. This study ultimately demonstrates the need for a
discursive-rhetorical orientation and a more ‘embodied’ turn in our construction of segregation.
Keywords: inter-group relations, micro-ecology of contact, race relations, racial isolation,
segregation, spatial identity
About the author
Sahba Shaker is a Masters student at the University of Cape Town. She
holds an honours degree in Psychology obtained from the University of
Cape Town. Her research interests range from social psychological
investigations into continued racial segregation and clinical
neuropsychology.
A044 Therapists with hooves
Sarah Garland and Fiona Bromfield
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is a unique and leading edge form of therapy. EAP is an experiential
approach which involves partnering with horses in order to facilitate emotional growth and learning.
Horses are non-judgemental and honest, relying on body language to know the world and it is these
qualities that enable the therapeutic process. Horses mirror human behaviour and challenge clients
in non-threatening ways that give rise to immediate cause and effect situations. This allows the
therapeutic process to be self-reflective and powerful whereby the horses and activities create a
metaphorical link to the client’s life. Sessions comprise of ground-based activities which are
specifically designed to address the presenting themes that arise throughout the process. There is no
horse riding or horse experience required for this process. We have provided a case study to better
explain the process. Case Study: Jane* came in the hopes of overcoming her struggle with addiction.
In the third session, one horse started to constantly ‘pull’ at Jane’s* jacket and when asked who or
what could be ‘stripping’ her down, she responded that it could metaphorically represent her
therapist. The horse’s behaviour, however, demonstrated that this was not the case as the horse
constantly remained in her personal space. Jane* returned for her final session and told her
facilitators that she had finally realised who the horse represented; however, she was not ready to
share this information with us. The specific activity involved attaching a label to a cone, which
represented a predominant emotion that an individual was feeling. Jane* labelled her cone “FEAR”.
Once the activity was complete and the group came together to process and reflect on their
experience, the same horse picked up her cone labelled “FEAR” and stood right next to her with it in
his mouth. Jane* turned to the facilitators and asked if she could attempt to take the cone away
from him - on trying to pull it out of his mouth he would not let go. When she was asked what she
thought the incident could possibly represent, she began to cry quietly and then divulged that she
had been in an abusive relationship for the past five years. Her “FEAR” was of finally acknowledging
the abuse and speaking openly and dealing with it. The horse, who relentlessly continued to ‘pull’
her jacket over a number of sessions was metaphorically reflecting her abusive relationship and
‘stripping’ her of her defences, essentially making her aware of the fact that she needed to work
through this issue.
Keywords: equine assisted therapy
About the authors
Sarah Garland has a BSocSc Honours degree in clinical social work and a
Post Graduate Certificate in Education from UCT. Sarah specialises in Equine
Assisted Therapy and Learning and is specifically trained in this field. She is
passionate about horses and people and has the privilege to combine these
two fields.
Fiona Bromfield has a BA Honours degree in Psychology from Stellenbosch
and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from UCT. Fiona specialises in
Equine Assisted Growth and Learning and is specifically trained in this field.
She enjoys being able to work with people in conjunction with horses
enabling a powerful learning process.
A045 The paradox of female initiation rites: Understanding school dropout among rural female
adolescents in Zambia
Ecloss Munsaka
School dropout especially among adolescent females is one of the most vexing problems facing the
Ministry of Education in Zambia. In order to try to address the problem, the Ministry passed a policy
in 1996, which allowed adolescent mothers to continue with school. Despite this policy, surveys have
continued to indicate that adolescent females are still dropping out of school. Thus, this study
investigated the reasons for the persistence of school dropout among adolescent rural females. A
qualitative sample comprising five young rural female dropouts was selected. The data were
analysed using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Among the findings, the participants
indicated that the female initiation rite tends to lure girls into early marriages and/or pregnancy. A
prominent theme of sexual objectification of women during initiation rites seemed to emerge from
the data. Therefore, this paper focuses on exploring the theme of sexual objectification of women by
reviewing the Chisungu female initiation rite performed among the Bemba speaking people of
Northern Zambia. The rite uses various types of lore as a mode of transmitting the patriarchal
teaching to the initiates. The paper discusses how most of this lore is laden with objectification
messages, which portray the woman as a sexual object to be enjoyed by men. Finally, the paper
argues that the initiation rite being a major mode of transmitting cultural values to young women
who enter puberty, has a critically important influence on how young women construct their identity
and what attitudes they have towards formal schooling.
Keywords: Chisungu initiation rite, female adolescents, lore, patriarchal teaching, school dropout,
sexual objectification
About the author
Ecloss Munsaka is a male Zambian, born on September 25, 1973. He has
been a full-time lecturer of educational psychology at the University of
Zambia since January 2003. Currently, he is on study leave, finalizing his
PhD thesis in Psychology at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
His interests include the following areas: adolescent development,
school dropout, counselling, and life coaching.
A046 Exploring Masekitlana as a projection medium in child psychological assessment
Nerine Odendaal (supervised by Dr. Moletsane)
The researcher is exploring Masekitlana, which is an indigenous South African seSotho stone game,
as a projection medium to conduct a psychological assessment on a seSotho child. Throughout my
training I became aware through firsthand experience that Western based assessment media,
although standardized for South African children did not reveal authentic images of the African
children during assessment. The study is an intrinsic case study, qualitative in nature and guided by a
constructivist-interpretive paradigm. The researcher is in the process of identifying recurring themes
through thematic analysis of the child’s projections in order to make an authentic assessment of the
child’s psychological functioning. The findings will be released as soon as the process is finished.
Through the use of this assessment tool (Masekitlana), which is familiar to the child, the participant’s
background and traditional belief systems are taken into account. It is demonstrated that the
participant is very responsive and demonstrative when playing Masekitlana which would probably
not be the case when Western assessment media is implemented.
Keywords: exploring, Masekitlana, projection medium
About the author
Nerine Odendaal from the University of Pretoria is an Intern
Educational Psychologist whom is currently busy with her
internship at a high school in Piet Retief (Mpumalanga - South
Africa) Her research interests are in the following areas:
indigenous psychology, especially the development of
authentic culturally appropriate assessent media, as well as
play in assessment.
A047 The challenges of counselling psychologists and registered counsellors in a diverse world
Sally John
I aim to present the challenges of training psychologists working out of an urban hospital
environment and reaching out from there to children’s homes and rural clinics. Psychologists in
South Africa are privileged to confront clients from diverse languages, races, religions and cultures.
How to bridge the gap between the psychologist and his client is an interesting question. I would like
to discuss various dilemmas which I feel could be researched by psychologists interested in doing
research such as: the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of translators, the clash and compatibility
between social workers and psychologists in rural clinics, the ambiguity of referrals and the
impractical demands on psychologists in rural clinics, how to understand and work with clients from
different cultures, how to apply tests that are standardized for a Western as opposed to an African
world so as not to label the child and jeopardize his future, the roles of registered counselors in rural
clinics and how they can complement the work of intern psychologists despite the existing mandate
on their performing academic and projective testing. The above-mentioned challenges motivated
me to conduct a research study on effective and appropriate ways of therapeutic intervention
strategies for the HIV and AIDS orphans I am working with. One of the instruments that I would like
to investigate is masekitlana that uses stones to help traumatized children express their issues.
Masekitlana is a traditional Sotho game that is mostly played by children in South African townships
and rural areas (Kekae-Moletsane, 2008). The players hit one stone with the other while relating
their stories. They always speak in the third person and listeners can comment or encourage the
players into talking further. Masekitlane is therefore a projective and expressive medium. The study
will be qualitative case study design research whereby I shall enter into therapeutic work with and
record multiple sessions with two traumatized children. It is in the form of a pilot study paving the
way for a larger study where numbers might be great enough for a standardization process.
Keywords : masekitlana, therapeutic intervention strategies
About the author
Sally John is a Counselling Psychologist who established and now runs the
Psychology Department at McCord Hospital in Durban. I train and work
alongside Intern Psychological Counsellors and Intern Psychologists in the
department. I am involved in reseach projects within in the hospital and I
run a small private practice. I did my internship at McCord Hospital in 2002
to 2003 and have been registered and practicing since then. I am doing my
PhD under Dr. Kekae-Moletsane of the University of Pretoria. My subject is
indigenous psychology and masekitlana, an indigenous narrative
therapeutic method.
A050 Becoming human - The existential shift
Martin Dutton
“Deep within every life, no matter how dull or ineffectual it may seem from the outside, there is
something eternal happening” (O’Donohue, 1997, p. 128). Traditional psychological practice has in
the past rendered me helpless. Although there was a place for the significance of Freudian type
ideology, it proved irrelevant when my personal fears of mortality were concerned. I struggled with
these notions, I battled with the mere suggestion of being human. Without the known existential
paradigms that were available to me, I would have been desperately flawed within my frame of
reference. The importance of an holistic, existential paradigm within psychology proved imperative.
The past became insignificant, whereas the future, and what it means to be human, was my primary
concern. This concern still encompasses my thoughts, yet through continual therapy using the
existential paradigm, I have managed to free myself of the many inhibiting cognitive patterns that I
experienced. It is from this personal experience that this paper is to be written. Mortality is a
universal concern; the “meaning of life”, the knowledge of one’s fears and the comprehension of
these are central to the idea of existential psychology as a paradigm. This paper thus, will address
existentionalism and its uses in the therapeutic process, as a means of grasping pertinent, primitive
questions that people are faced with on every level of their existence.
Keywords: existential paradigm, personal experience, meaning of life, therapeutic process
About the author
Martin J.W. Dutton holds a BA (Psychology) and is currently studying
toward a BA (hons) Psychology through UNISA. His interests include child
psychology and medical anthropology - which combines psychology and
anthropology.
A051 Watergarden after school project: The “red couch” on the sports field
Lorenza Williams, Liezle Meredith, Lynn Jacobs and Shalane Oliphant
Watergarden is an after school project for the children of Klapmuts, a small community outside
Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, South Africa. At Watergarden we aim to create a safe
environment where the children can play and learn under supervision. We do psycho-educational
and life skills programmes, sports and movement, spiritual and cultural programmes, as well as
academic tutoring for different age groups. Programmes are facilitated by student volunteers from
Stellenbosch University. The Watergarden project is based on community psychology principles of
prevention, empowerment, ecological perspective, psychological sense of community and social
justice. In this presentation, the Watergarden coordinators will speak about different aspects of this
project. A brief overview will be given of how the project came about; the management of various
relationships; psycho-educational programmes for the different age groups; the role of student
volunteers in the project; financial aspects and sustainability of the project as a vehicle of growth
and development in the South African context. There will also be ample opportunity for open
conversation between the coordinators and conference attendees during this session. This will allow
for transference of knowledge in this particular field of work. Since many conference attendees will
be psychology students, the practical nature of this project would help to bring community
psychological principles to life for them. This dynamic and conversational presentation would
possibly also assist the psychologists-in-training to re-imagine psychology in the Southern African
context.
Keywords: life skills programmes, psycho-education
About the authors
Lorenza Williams is the Project Manager of Watergarden. She
holds a BPsych (2005) and Masters of Psychology (Research)
(2007) degree from Stellenbosch University. She is zealous
about community development and bringing about positive
change.
Liezle Meredith is the Finances Coordinator of Watergarden. She is
passionate about people especially the youth. She is interested in inspiring
people whether it is through music and the arts or community work.
Lynn Jacobs is the Volunteers Coordinator of Watergarden. She has a
BA Humanities (2009) degree from Stellenbosch University. She loves
kids and has a servant heart.
Shalane Oliphant is a final year BSc student at Stellenbosch University.
She is the Day Programmes Coordinator of Watergarden. She is
passionate about children and making a difference in their lives. She
would like to teach some day.
A052 In living practice
Lisa J. Cooper and Martin J. W. Dutton
As students who are facing a future in psychology, a pertinent question we must ask: What
separates the mediocre psychologist from the exceptional? In this paper we look at how experience
shapes our ability that may or may not set us apart. In combining a philosophical approach of
epistemological methodology of personal experience in one’s own world, we apply this to our
psychological understanding of human trauma in relation to another’s world. How living one’s own
life, experiencing as much as there is to experience can have a profound effect when it comes down
to applying Rogerian Principles with clients. We look into how the theory in undergraduate and postgraduate studies; the internship; the board exams; the board registration may just not be enough to
qualify us. Personal life experience, that which enhances our understanding of ourselves, of our
world and of other’s within it needs to encompass a major part of our ‘training’. In this context we
relate a small part of our personal experiences, also having known those mediocre and exceptional
psychologists to re-iterate that perhaps theory and an internship are not enough. To echo John
Dewey, one of the founding members of the APA (Hergenhahn, 2005, p.647). “an experience, a very
humble experience, is capable of generating and carrying any amount of theory…, but a theory apart
from an experience cannot be definitely grasped even as a theory” (Kolak, 2001, p.467). To
understand and help people we need to experience people, beginning with ourselves and this
papers’ aim is to set students on a course of self-exploration in order to fulfill the most necessary of
psychological aide: empathy. For without which, a textbook would suffice for the client.
Keywords: life experience, psychological theory, psychological training, psychology, self-exploration
About the authors
Lisa J. Cooper graduated with a BA (Psychology) from the University of
Johannesburg in 2008 and is currently studying toward a BA (hons)
Psychology through UNISA. Her interests lie in clinical research and
developmental psychology, especially child & adolescent.
Martin J.W. Dutton holds a BA
(Psychology) and is currently studying
toward a BA (hons) Psychology through
UNISA. His interests include child
psychology and medical anthropology - which combines psychology
and anthropology.
A053 A communication facilitation workshop based on the suitcase project
Diane Welvering, Angelo Fynn, Zanie le Grange, Yolanda Mitchell, Rayhaan Solomon and Hanlie van
Wyk
The practice of psychology, both in research and therapy, relies on the effective communication with
participants or clients. This becomes problematic when language and / or cultural barriers hinder the
ability of participants or clients to express themselves clearly. Moreover, communication with highrisk individuals such as children, individuals with limited education, or severely traumatized persons
remains a challenge. This is particularly evident in South-Africa, where there are too many severely
traumatized persons at grassroots level for whom conventional therapy is unattainable. A number of
interdisciplinary collaborative techniques, such as music therapy, equine therapy and art therapy,
have evolved to address communication barriers. The workshop aims to illustrate the process of
using art to provide a low-cost, non-invasive, non-threatening method of expression other than
through spoken language. It is based on the Suitcase Project which was used successfully in Hillbrow,
Johannesburg, to elicit narratives by refugee children. The children each chose a suitcase, which they
decorated both on the inside and outside, representing their journey through life and their dreams
for the future. The process will be demonstrated by eliciting our participants’ thoughts around the
theme “re-imagining psychology”. Large strips of paper will be provided on which participants can
express their ideas using a variety of supplied, low-cost and unconventional art materials. These art
pieces will then be displayed at the conference to invite discourse. Participants will also be given an
envelope to work on, which they can take home as an example of the art facilitation process that
was used in the Suitcase Project.
Keywords: art, communication facilitation, high-risk individuals, Suitcase Project
About the author
All the authors, with exeption of Diane Welvering, are students at Unisa, enrolled for the Masters in
Research Consultation. Diane Welvering is a well-known artist and teaches art at the German school
in Pretoria. She has been involved in several art therapy programmes, one of which is the "Suitcase
Project". The book was nominated for the Alan Paton award for non-fiction.
A054 On being a psychology student: My journey between the biggest university in South Africa
and the biggest university in the United States
Puleng Segalo
For many years African psychology depended on knowledge from the West. In this paper I take the
reader on my journey of being a psychology student in South African and in the United States of
America sharing my experience of studying Psychology in these two continents. African Psychology is
still ‘invisible’ outside the borders of our continent. I take a brief look at the history of the discipline
in South Africa and the move from ‘solely’ relying on the western way of doing psychology to the
indigenization of the discipline. I suggest and argue that African psychology has much to offer, not
only in helping to understand the emancipation and liberation of people through looking at the
discipline critically, but also by incorporating knowledge from outside the continent. I further argue
that we should not only rely on ‘written tests’ or knowledge from the books, but acknowledge
everyday practical experiences.
Keywords: African psychology, Liberatory psychology, multiculturalism, narratives, theory and
practice
About the author
Puleng Segalo is a second year PhD student at the Graduate Center, City
University of New York. Her research interests relate to the notion of
identity construction in various contexts and also on issues of gender,
power and sexuality and how these interplay and are problematized.
A055 Transgender: A soul journey: You are not born a woman, you become a woman
Jasmine Opperman
I am transgender, on a feminisation programme and is in the process of compiling an article on my
soul journey - a personal experience. I would like to share my experience as I belief that this is a
subject matter sadly You are not born a woman, you become a woman. Two young girls sitting at a
pond, one looking down, her reflection that of a smile. The other girl looking up displaying no
emotions as she stares at the world. This reflects the soul journey of being transgender. It’s when
the girl looking up, starts smiling and hands stretched out, that your journey provides its value: you
have gained the greatest jewel any soul can wish for: you have found your “it”, your “being”. As you
look at your own reflection, there is a woman staring vividly back at you. Her eyes filled with
softness, tenderness, dreaming about breaking free from the caged pond. She longs for being wife,
mother and woman in all its beings. She knows who she is and appreciates every moment of
feminism, of being called “her” and “she”, the wonder of make-up, soft skin, thinking about life in all
its wonder, knowing how everything feeds into the awesome beauty of just being. Yet, she remains
trapped in the pond, know one sees, hear or talk to her – even her smile only to you that knows her
as no one else ever would. You even know her name: Jasmine. A life long engagement of embracing
her wonder, wishing you could brush her hair, shave her legs, and take her shopping, introducing her
to your family and the world, pronouncing her existence as she is so beautiful. Yet, she remains
trapped in the pond, and when you try to pull her out from behind water bars, she shatters into
thousand pieces. And fear encircles you – is she gone, was this just a wish, a moment of confusion
and as your eyes sunk into the pond, she appears again, even more vivid, more pronounced; and you
know that she is real, she is you. So you look up, the pond replaced by a world where being seems
impossible, where your “it” contradicts that of the “normal”. The smile disappears, your eyes a
prison of your soul. Someone calls “Johan” and you have to listen, irrespective on how a simple
name calling crucifies your emotions. You hate mirror reflections of manhood and living a man’s life
with the result of endless failures. You dare not speak, oppose, reject, so you are filled with hidden
tears of emptiness as your life is false. You hate your body, you disgust expectations, and you isolate
yourself. And all you do is to rush back to the pond thousand times a day to smile and seek insurance
that your soul is alive. And then back to an awesome reality of being man with fear your only friend.
Fear made you shy, made you look down, filled you with guilt and made you struggle with God. As
time pass, you cannot ignore the being of two girls becoming one, as they start holding hands, start
playing in the field next to the pond; you here them laugh, being spontaneous with no inhibitions.
You start joining them, initially with fear, bewildered you look around if someone is noticing your
game of hide and seek. You become there mother, you cook, dress them, do their make-up, pack
their lunch box and take them to school and back. But they keep staring at you with eyes crying for
acceptance, begging to take their hands and walk with them out of the fenced park to where they
can make friends, for playing hide and seek is not enough. You wipe their tears, hold them tight on
your lap and tell them how you love them and that people will only reject them as freaks. As they fall
asleep, fragile in their perfection, tears whips lashes into your cheeks, your body shakes wildly with
anger seeking escape from your own fear, from your lies of being embarrassed by their presence.
And as you close your eyes, you know you are neglecting two little angles from just being children.
You open your eyes and there you are dressed in a shirt and tie. At work they call you “sir”. And so
the rules of the game change for a soul captured, is a soul dwelling in deserts of meaningless life.
Behind a tree, you touch your skin, brush your hair, put on light make-up and for a moment you are
free. Then you hear voices and with all ferociousness you appear from your hiding place; “all manly”
in appearance, bewildered in being. O God, please deliver me from this evil is all that you pray; over
and over. But the two girls’ total freedom embraces you, you spent most of your time with them,
where you can listen and talk to them; for they listen and care. They have grown so quickly,
womanhood has taken root and you know that the pond, the fenced park the game of hide and seek
cannot contain them. Their wish to live, to experience and embrace life for whatever it gives have
overwhelmed your endless state of misery. The two women take your hand and lead you from the
park and you realise for the first time that the gates to the park were never closed nor locked. You
clutch their hands, you scream in suffocation of breathing, overwhelmed in known faces staring
strangely at you. Hastily they give you to the two women and love overwhelms you, and you feel
safe in their arms. Jasmine has been born into the world. You start crawling your way to the wonder
of being you; woman. Your insecurities make you stumble and force you to look down. When you
cry, seek God, get yelled at as a “queen” or “bitch”, being ignored and laughed at, the two women
are there to comfort and care and in them you get courage, strength and the will to be. And you
walk through a shopping centre not noticing how people stare and whisper, for your mirror image
reflects a woman being at total peace with her own being. You recognise your role and place in your
own being, letting your soul free in a world in which tears, being emotional, taking care,
unconditional love, determined, focussed and to belief regains its rightful place as irreplaceable
values. The two women look up and smile as they fade into your being, guilt is replaced by pride and
praying to God second nature. There is no more Jasmine in a water pond, she is born into a physical
me; body and soul have been set free. No more rushing back to a pond, as she is you every minute of
every day. Jasmine surfaces, no matter all condemnation, no matter being called disgusting and
sinner, – she announces herself in pride and joy; a woman. She lives and let your soul talk, laugh, and
cry, thinks, creates sexual desires and provides dreams and ideals, and she provides the voice of
reason and direction. Dignity, integrity and consciousness replace a life of lies: “Thank you God for
deliverance of my evil. Amen”.
Keywords: transgender
About the author
A056 On writing a dissertation: A story circle
Esther van der Walt
Writing a dissertation seems to be a huge burden for many psychology students. In my M1 and
internship years I often heard comments like I wish I could get this !@#$%^&* dissertation over
with, and I worked until 03:00 again this morning, and I have emailed my supervisor eight days ago
and have not heard anything back, and so forth. (We later had a rule in our M1 class not to use the
word dissertation. We preferred to refer to the D-word). Slowly through writing and conversation
with my study group, I started realizing that dissertation writing could be a deeply satisfying
experience. While recently attending a story circle celebrating International Storytelling Day, I was
struck by the idea that the art of storytelling is not a given, and that the practice of it is not by
default part of the mainly modern, western culture that I live in. It therefore needs to be practiced
and witnessed intentionally if we wish it to be part of our culture. This ritual is not dependent on a
specific setting, but rather on the willingness to participate. It also struck me that it is only possible
to directly access stories experienced by others by being there with them while they are telling
them. I am proposing a story circle around experiences of writing a dissertation. Participants will be
invited to tell their stories of previous writing experiences, as well as to listen to the stories of
others, and to learn from each other for future writing. The aim of the story circle is twofold. Firstly,
to share valuable tips to dissertation writers-to-be, and secondly to make explicit some experiences
shared between colleagues in the psychotherapy fraternity. To share potentially overlapping stories
and related experiences is to acknowledge that we are part of a community, and not alone in this
potentially isolating profession.
Keywords: dissertation writing, psychotherapy community, story telling
About the author
Esther van der Walt is in limbo between internship in clinical psychology at
Tara Hospital (2008), and community service at Sizwe Hospital. She
completed M1 at the University of Johannesburg in 2008. She is planning to
hand in her dissertation, On becoming a psychotherapist, before the
Students' Psychology Conference in June 2009.
A058 Identity negotiation in the New South Africa
Carly Abramovitz
I am holding a round-table discussion focusing on my current research interest of identity. I am
currently looking primarily within the South African context, encouraging people to speak about
their experiences as a citizen of a country undergoing transformation. I'm hoping to uncover themes
around people's sense of their national identity and how that is tied to their personal and
political/ideological standpoints. For the conference, I am happy to include voices on African
identity, so anyone is welcome to join in the discussion. As this is more of informal conversation, I do
not intend to use any particular theoretical standpoint. However, I encourage participants to bring
any form of material (be it academic or from the media) to highlight some of the current discourses
of national identity in their respective countries. My research will be looking at uncovering the
rhetorical and argumentative strategies people adopt when articulating their national identity. From
this discussion I hope to encourage people to start looking at their own views of who is represented
by their constructions of the 'nation' and how the ways in which their group identity plays a role in
this representation.
Keywords: African identity, identity, identity negotiation, transformation
About the author
Carly Abramovitz is a psychology honours student at the University of
Cape Town. She is currently conducting research into South African
national identity. She is mainly interested in social psychology but
intends to do her clinical masters and become a clinical psychologist.
A059 Discursive constructions of gender-based violence and safe sex practices among female
residence students at UKZN
Sarah Gordon
The emergence of gender-based violence as a prominent challenge facing the University of KwaZuluNatal community has led to the impetus for a qualitative study which aims to focus specifically on
female UKZN residence students on Howard College Campus. The University of KwaZulu-Natal has
received increased media coverage in the last two years regarding the prevalence of gender-based
violence in University residences culminating in a safety review which was drawn up in December,
2007, however relevant suggestions in the safety review have not been implemented by the
University. The key research questions are ‘What discourses do these women use when discussing
gender-based violence?’ and ‘How do these discourses intersect with the risk of HIV and AIDS
infection?’. This research will be used to illuminate the current problem of gender-based violence at
UKZN, hopefully creating the pathway for suitable interventions. The risk of women being infected
with HIV through sexual violence is a relevant area of concern as there is both a high prevalence rate
of HIV and rape in South Africa. This research is situated within a long tradition of gender-based
violence theory, however gender-based violence theory tends to operate from a mainly western
perspective. This presents a challenge for this research as the social problems of gender-based
violence and HIV and AIDS in a South African University residence is framed against a backdrop of
Apartheid history and racialised oppression, and does not necessarily fit into the framework of
traditional western theory. It is necessary for South African research which focuses on relevant social
issues to forge a new path in psychology and develop context-specific literature that can be used for
further research.
Keywords: gender-based violence
About the author
Sarah Gordon is a Research Masters student at the University of
KwaZulu-Natal. She holds a Bsc honours degree in Psychology from
the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her research interests include HIV
and AIDS and women's health and social issues.
A060 Yoga and psychology: A preventative and complementary approach to managing stress and
anxiety in modern society
Anèl Kloppers and Andreas Labuschagne
Yoga philosophy and practice gained prominence in the West during the early 1960’s and is gradually
becoming more common amongst scientific research and practice. This is due to its numerous health
benefits physically, psychologically and spiritually. In this workshop I will specifically address its
contribution to the psychological health of the lay person and psychology practitioner in the modern
context. Yoga is not offered as an alternative, but rather as a complement to modern practices and
living. More specifically the management of stress and anxiety by means of yoga will be considered.
In the theoretical part of the workshop yoga will be discussed in terms of definition, its situatedness
in the western scientific paradigm and the reason it is beneficial in the relevant context. Yoga is
about practice; thus the theory will be experienced in the form of a meditative and calming yoga
sequence and ended with a relaxation technique that can be practiced in the office or home.
Keywords: complementary approach, relaxation, stress and anxiety management, yoga
About the authors
Anèl Kloppers completed her degree in religion studies and psychology at
the University of Pretoria and is currently doing her honours degree in
psychology at the University of South Africa. She is also currently enrolled
for modules in African traditions (UP) and art (Doxa Deo Art School), doing
accredited training for teaching Yoga (Yoga Connection Centurion) and
counselling (Helios/ UNISA). She is passionate about multidimensional and
creative approaches to mental health and expresses this through various
volunteering opportunities and lifestyle choices.
Andreas Labuschagne completed his degree in psychology and religion
studies at UP and is currently enrolled for his honours degree in religious
studies (UNISA), counselling (Helios/ UNISA) and accredited yoga teacher
training (Yoga Connection Centurion). He gives regular instruction in mindfulness meditation at
different meditation groups.
A061 The effects of a psychological intervention upon pre-competition multidimensional state
anxiety in volleyball players
Lim Boon Hooi
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of three psychological intervention
strategies (plus a control group) in reducing the multidimensional state anxiety among volleyball
players with matching hypothesis. The CSAI-2R was employed to examine the pre-competition
temporal patterning of its three components during the time leading up to competition (Cox et al.,
2003). Subjects were the Youth State Volleyball Players (N=96; boys = 48, girls = 48; Age: M=16.35
yr., SD = .89 yr.) competing in the Under 18 National School Sport Council of Malaysia Volleyball
Tournament 2008. The group with the highest group mean scores in cognitive anxiety component
was assigned to a cognitive intervention group (n=24) in which subjects going through the breathing
technique & autogenic relaxation with music lasting for 30 minutes per session; the group reported
with the highest group mean scores in somatic anxiety component (n=24) completed the somatic
intervention with progressive muscular relaxation lasting for 30 minutes; the self-confidence
intervention group which rated the lowest mean group scores in self-confidence component
followed the intervention with positive self-talk & goal setting exercises lasting 30 minutes; and the
control group (n=24) completed the concentration grid exercise. Results from the ANOVA test
revealed that there was a significant difference [F(3,92) = 17.48, p < .05] in cognitive anxiety level
between groups one day before competition; the somatic anxiety level also reported significant
difference [F(3,92)=71.06, p < .05] between groups one day before competition; and on the other
hand, results of this study revealed that there was a significant different [F(3,92) = 13.70, p < .05] of
self-confidence level between groups one day before competition. The findings in this study with the
Malaysian volleyball players supported the matching hypothesis which recommended that
intervention strategies to reduce state anxiety should be matched to the target modality of the
anxiety.
Keywords: matching hypothesis, multidimensional anxiety, psychological intervention
About the author
Lim Boon Hooi currently pursuing his PhD in University o Malaya, Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. He is interested in Applied Sport Psychology to help
the athletes on enhancing sport performance. His research mainly
focused on the psychological intervention in reducing anxiety
A062 Progressive Muscular Relaxation & Autogenic Relaxation methods in reducing anxiety
Lim Boon Hooi
Introduction of two relaxation methods to reduce anxiety. Workshop will be carried out
progressively, step by step to make sure every body know the correct way to implement these
methods after the workshop.
Keywords: autogenic relaxation, progressive muscular relaxation,
About the author
Lim Boon Hooi currently pursuing his PhD in University o Malaya,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is interested in Applied Sport Psychology
to help the athletes on enhancing sport performance. His research
mainly focused on the psychological intervention in reducing anxiety.
A063 The problem with violence: A critical examination of ways of researching violent crime
Monique James
With its focus on the individual, psychology often seeks the root of social problems within the
individual. It defines what is considered to be normal or healthy behaviour and then pathologizes
that behaviour which does not fall within such confines, suggesting ways to prevent or cure such
behaviour. One such social problem that has been researched in great depth using this type of
approach is violence. Looking specifically at the issue of violent crime and the ways in which it has
been popularly thought about and researched in psychology, I evaluate and critique such an
approach. In this paper I argue that we need to take a critical approach to the methods that we use
to research social issues, to always take the context of our particular problem into account, and to
be cognizant that what we ask and how we ask it, is necessarily implicated in the kind of answers
that we get in our research.
Keywords: approaches to research, researching violent crime
About the author
Monique James is a psychology masters student in the Psychology and
Society Masters programme at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Her
research interests include forms of and understandings of violence.
A064 Psychosocial adjustment in children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS
Live Maria Lundemo
The present study was designed to examine the psychosocial adjustment in children infected with
and affected by parental HIV and AIDS. As opposed to the adult and orphan literature pertaining to
HIV and AIDS there is little information regarding those who are currently living with the illness as
well as caring for an ill parent(s). Participants, males and females between 7-17 years of age and
their parents, were recruited through the organisation Kidzpositive and the G25 ward at the Groote
Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. Fieldworkers were employed to conduct interviews in the target
language (IsiXhosa) and both quantitative (measures of depression, anxiety and social support) and
qualitative information (demographics and daily life activities) were collected. Preliminary results
show that these children are more resilient than initially expected. Data however show an inclination
towards psychosomatic symptoms of anxiety as well as lack of social support from peers in these
children. Findings furthermore highlight information regarding potential interventions relating to
social support networks.
Keywords: anxiety, depression, parental illness, social support, young carers
About the author
Live Maria Lundemo is currently completing her masters in
psychology at University of Cape Town. Her research focus is on
developmental and community psychology.
A065 Neuroimaging in psychology
Christopher du Plooy
The use of neuroimaging as a research tool is increasingly important in psychology as all serious
psychological theories recognise that cognition is implemented somewhere in the brain. The recent
development of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has lead to an explosion in its
application in the field of experimental psychology in general and neuropsychology in particular.
fMRI measures changes in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal due to changes in blood
oxygenation while a person performs a cognitive activity. This presentation will focus on the
application of fMRI in psychological research with particular reference to various research studies
being conducted at the Cape Universities Brain Imaging Center.
Keywords: fMRI, neuroimaging, neuropsychology
About the author
Christopher du Plooy is a PhD student at the University of Cape
Town. He has an interest in both cognitive and neuropsychology, with
a specify research interest in emotion and spatial cognition.
A066 Viewing of self in an African perspective
Naphtal David Ndukulu
Africa is one of the largest continents in the world, with multitudes of various individuals from
different walks of life. African men and women are motivated in defining themselves from an African
perspective. Psychology today considers and acknowledges many different cultural contexts, but I
strongly believe that there is still much in psychology which is not yet defined from an African
Perspective. Self is one of the symbols that define an African man or woman, and culture, society,
values, norms, environment and personality all have a direct influence in viewing the Self.
Keywords: culture, history, norms, personality, society, values
About the author
My name is Naphtal Ndukulu, I've studied Bsc at Medunsa, currently with Unisa on Psychology third
year (NDP). My interests varies depending on the subject. How self is defined mostly in Psychology
books inspire me. It gives me the edge that we as Africans may partially contribute our views to the
world. Not to say that we are excluded but to view other aspects in an African dimension.
A067 A qualitative study exploring reasons for volunteer involvement among students
Alvina J. Schuurman (presenter) and Ronelle Carolissen (supervisor)
Voluntarism is very popular in contemporary society at both a global and local level. Yet few South
African studies, have explored volunteer motivations for participation in voluntarism. In 2003
president Thabo Mbeki in his State of the nation address, made an appeal to all South Africans to
enlarge their territories by putting their hand to the plough in the fight against poverty and speed up
the process of change and a “better life for all”, thus declaring it “the year of the volunteer”. In the
multicultural context of South Africa, it is crucial to take cognisance of the diverse groups of people
it has as potential volunteers. University campuses have an abundance of potential social capital at
their disposal in the form of students, to perform civic responsibilities. The overarching aim of this
study is thus to explore the reasons that motivate university students to volunteer in the
Watergarden project (WG). A qualitative study was conducted in an established student intitiated
afterschool project,the Watergarden project, which focuses on youth development, in a peri-urban
community, situated approximately 30 km outside Stellenbosch. Eleven volunteers provided written
accounts of their motivations to volunteer. Their written pieces were used as data which was
analysed for themes, using content analysis. results suggest that students volunteer as a result of
both personal and social factors. The implications of these findings will be discussed. A summary of
the study will be presented in the form of a poem.
Keywords: adolescents, college students voluntarism, community, motivations, philanthrophy,
students, university, volunteers
About the author
Alvina J. Schuurman is a MA Research Psychology student at
Stellenbosch University. Her research interests include
investigating the phenomenon of Voluntarism among
university students. She is passionate about children and is
drawn toward community, developmental and educational
psychology.
A068 Don't fear, help is near!
Jenny Back and Joanne Beckwith
In everyday life people are faced with multiple problems, be they emotional, career-related or
relationship oriented. There are a number of ways in which people choose to seek help. In
psychology, one of the more common ways of dealing with one's problems is through seeing a
therapist. However, this is not the only way. This discussion forum engages individuals to address
alternative ways to get help other than conventional means only, particularly in a context where
resources are limited. Call-lines, self-help books, group therapy, pop psychology such as Dr. Phil,
internet sites, a supportive friend and a “happy” space will be topics of discussion. The advantages
and disadvantages of these certain ways will be debated amongst groups assigned to a topic. Visual
aids and video-clips will be used to generate this debate. To end off with, each group will create a
jingle/song/poem to be shown as a TV ad to promote their given topic.
Keywords: help, pop psychology, traditional psychology
About the authors
Jenny Back and Joanne Beckwith are Honours Psychology students at the
University of Cape Town. They are passionate about South Africa and the
opportunities available for young, aspiring individuals wanting to make a
difference in people's lives. Jenny's current research project is concerned
with piloting the Young Carers Questionnaire, which seeks to assess the
social, educational and health impacts of young carers caring for their HIV
and AIDS ill parents. Joanne is focusing on the male mentoring relationships
in a community-based Men's group in Hanover Park in the Cape Flats.
A069 Investigating the relationship between cortisol, sleep architecture and memory
consolidation in an attempt to explain the content of dreams
Ridwana Timol, Kevin Thomas, and Erajnie Gounder
This study aimed to measure the short term cognitive effects of a single dose of oral glucocorticoids
in healthy adults (n=20), with a particular focus on memory, sleep architecture and dream recall and
content. High levels of cortisol have been associated with a) damage to the hippocampus and hence
less than optimal memory performance and b) disrupted sleep architecture. Both memory
consolidation during sleep and sleep architecture affect dream content. The study uses a doubleblind design using randomized placebo-control. Participants were divided into 2 groups: the
Prednisone (cortisone) group (n=10) and the placebo group (n=10) and were observed on 1 night. 25
mg of Prednisone was administered one hour before sleep onset. Salivary cortisol was measured at 3
points during sleep (first REM after sleep onset: time 1, 2nd REM after sleep onset: time 2 and on
awakening: time 3). Subjects were awakened after collection, at times 1 and 2 and dream reports
were collected; the last dream report was collected on awakening. On awakening, verbal memory
was tested using a list of paired associates. It is hypothesized that the single intake of cortisol would
have disrupted sleep architecture (less slow wave sleep), affected dreaming (more fragmented) and
impaired verbal memory performance. Analyses are under way.
Keywords: cortisol, dreaming, memory, sleep architecture
About the authors
Ridwana Timol has a M A degree in research psychology. Her areas of expertise include Cortisol
effects on memory, sleep, and dreaming. She is currently part of the Applied Cognitive Science and
Experimental Psychology Team (ACSENT), Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town. This
study forms part of Ridwana’s doctoral project.
Kevin Thomas has a PhD in clinical psychology. He is a senior psychology lecturer at UCT and
Ridwana Timol's PhD supervisor. His areas of expertise include neuropsychology; stress and memory;
and neuroimaging.
Erajnie Gounder has a B.Tech. qualification in Clinical Technology (Neurology) & National Diploma in
Clinical Technology (Neurology). Her areas of expertise include Sleep Apnea, diagnosis & treatment.
She is a Sleep Technologist, Vincent Pallotti Private Hospital Sleep Laboratory. Her role in the project
is to provide expert input into the collection and interpretation of sleep data.
A070 Perceptions regarding employment prospects: Psychology, accounting & engineering
students
Thandeka Tshabalala
This study examines existing perceptions regarding employment prospects among final year
students. The study seeks to investigate whether employment perceptions vary among final year
students registered for accounting, chemical engineering and psychology degrees, among male and
female students as well as across the different racial groups. A study of this nature is important
especially in the South African context because the perceptions that one has about employment can
contribute to the type of job seeking activities that final year students engage in. These perceptions
can also act as self-fulfilling prophecies. For example, if one attributes the possibilities of
unemployment to external factors, they are more likely to be less proactive when seeking
employment than someone who attributes the possibilities of unemployment to internal factors.
Attribution theory was used to investigate whether final year students attribute their concern or lack
of concern, about the possibility of unemployment to internal factors, such as their ability and
qualification, or to external factors, such as government policies introduced by the government e.g.
affirmative action policies. The study is of a quantitative nature and data was collected through the
use of questionnaire. The sample consisted of 247 black and white final year students from the
accounting, chemical engineering and psychology degrees. The results of the study will be discussed.
Keywords: affirmative action, Attribution Theory, employment prospects, unemployment
About the author
Thandeka Tshabalala is a junior lecturer at Unisa. She is
currently completing her MA in Research Psychology degree.
She has a special interest in organisational psychology.
A071 Career maturity, self knowledge and career knowledge among psychology honours students
Precious Mubiana
Career maturity, self knowledge and career information are important and critical aspects of good
decision making. The purpose of this study was to explore career maturity, self knowledge and
career knowledge among psychology honours students. The data consisted of a group of honours
students (N=62) who were asked to fill in two career development questionnaires namely; the
Career Decision-making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ) and the Career development
Questionnaire (CDQ). Using the CDDQ, three distinct components relating to helping individual make
better career decisions: lack of readiness, lack of information and inconsistent information. Overall,
analysis on the 10 subcategories of the CDDQ revealed that students had negligible difficulty in
making career decisions. However, analysis on the scale Lack of Readiness revealed that students
had moderate difficulty specifically on the sub-scales general indecisiveness in all types of decisionmaking and dysfunctional beliefs (irrational expectations about career decision-making) scoring 4.99
and 4.93 respectively. Using the CDQ five distinct components relating to career maturity were
assessed: self information (self knowledge), decision-making, career information (career knowledge),
integration of self information and career information and career planning. Analysis on the CDQ
revealed that on all the categories students had an optimal level of career maturity with scores
above 16 on all the scales. Results of the CDQ also revealed that students had a very good
integration of self knowledge and career information. Both questionnaires indicated that students
had adequate self knowledge and career information to make good career decisions.
Keywords: career decision-making, career information, career maturity, self information
About the author
Precious Mubiana is a junior lecturer at Unisa. She holds a BA
Psychology degree (University of Pretoria) and BSocSci Honours
Degree (UP) and is currently completing her MA research thesis
(UP). Her interests include, research (HIV and Aids, social
problems), group facilitation and, group processes.
A072 Tracking the future: From school to where?
One Selohilwe
"Tracking the Future: From School to Where?" is a qualitative study aimed at understanding the life
histories of Amangwane and Chesterville female matriculants who participated in the Fast Forward
programme at the University of KwaZulu-Nata, Durban, in the years 2003 to 2005. The study is
concerned with the narratives or stories of these young people, how they feel about their lives, their
worlds; what and how they think about schooling, post schooling and work in the context of the
newly democratized South Africa where there is an assumption that opportunities are given on merit
as opposed to the inequalities that existed according to racial differences during the apartheid
governance. The research aims to find out if this is really the case from the point of view of the
young people. It further aims to gain a perspective on how these young people construct their
identities in the given context.
Keywords: identities, narratives, South Africa, women
About the author
One Selohilwe is a Clinical Psychology Masters student at the
University of Kwazulu Natal, Durban. She is currently doing her
internship at the Free State Psychiatric Complex. Her research
interests include identity construction and how people
conctruct and interprete their worlds.
A073 The utilisation of Attachment Theory by social workers in foster care supervision
W. Botes (presenter) and E.H. Ryke (supervisor)
Attachment Theory and its practical application have re-emerged in recent years as a critical factor
in understanding and determining the quality of relationships between the primary caregiver and
the child. Administering a questionnaire and a quantitative research approach social workers were
asked what they know and how they apply Attachment Theory in foster care supervision. The results
suggest that although the social workers knew that the quality of the relationship between the
foster parents and the child is predictive of the success of the placement, they do not have a
sufficient grounding in Attachment Theory to be able to provide effective intervention regarding
attachment-based concerns within the foster care context.
Keywords: attachment, attachment theory, foster care, social work
About the author
A074 Information flow as a key component within a Work Integrated Learning Program
Angelo Fynn
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is the integration of practical work experience into the curriculum of
a degree or diploma. The aim of WIL is to provide students with the "hard skills" that their chosen
career requires in addition to the theoretical knowledge they obtain through their course. The aim of
this paper is to briefly elaborate on the WIL program for Research Psychology Masters students at
UNISA and the successes and challenges it has faced thus far in 2009 by exploring a conversation
between a student and a "placement supervisor" through thematic analysis. The paper will then go
on to explore whether the establishment of additional lines of communication between student,
placement organisation and the university can address a number of the challenges experienced
within the program.
Keywords: placement, practical placements, research psychology masters, vac work, WIL, work
integrated learning
About the author
Angelo Fynn is currently completing his Masters degree in
Research Consultation at UNISA, South Africa. A curious cat,
Angelo's fields of interest range far and wide. His current
interests lie in the field of Program Evaluation.
A075 Empowerment of emerging South African LGBT communities: The North-West province as
case study
Sanele Mdanda, Mandisa Magwaza and Daniel Knobel
LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) persons, also collectively known as sexual
minority groups, face prejudice and discrimination hence continued research and awareness in this
sector is vitally important. Based on this, further discussion around this topic is essential, thus a
round table discussion has been proposed to foster further debate around this issue. This discussion
will be based on a study that is currently underway in the North-West Province (Mafikeng) titled
Empowerment of Emerging South African LGBT Communities: The North-West Province as Case
Study. This study aims to develop and gain contextual understanding of people engaging in same-sex
sexual practices and to have a sense of whether people engaging in same-sex sexual practices find
any relevance in developing a community of individuals who are attracted to people of the same sex
as well as understand the challenges they experience within their communities. The study on which
the round table discussion will be based, has adopted both a qualitative and quantitative
methodology of analysis. The discussion will be based on themes from the qualitative aspect of the
research. Some of the aspects or themes that are emerging from the study are that discrimination is
still a concern for LGBTI persons and communities. Although awareness of constitutional rights has
developed an avenue for the acceptance of the LGBTI community, there was an overarching concern
among LGBTI persons that acceptance without an understanding by the broader community creates
a communication break down and uncomfortable feelings when addressing issues of the LGBTI
community. The round table discussion will thus provide a basic understanding and background of
the study; thereafter develop an understanding of participants’ perceptions of LGBTI individuals.
Experiences that emerge in the workshops conducted in North-West Province as part of the study
will be shared with the participants and hopefully elicit debate and discussion around this issue.
Keywords: discussion, LGBTI, North-West case study, understanding, perceptions
About the authors
Sanele N.I. Mdanda is a Research Psychology Masters student
at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).She holds a BA
honours degree in Psychology obtained from the North West
University as well as a BA Psychology Degree from the
University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her research interests include
gender studies, traditional African beliefs and healing
methods and the influence of psychology in African
communities. She is also currently working at Unisa as a
Research Assistant with the Unisa Centre of Applied
Psychology (UCAP).
Mandisa Magwaza is an MA Research Psychology Student at the
University of the Witwatersrand. She holds a BA Honours Degree in
Applied Psychology. Her research interests are on balancing the gender
approach in research and understanding and improving teaching and
learning. She is also developing an interest in victim empowerment
through her internship exposure to issues of victim empowerment and
support. She is currently working for the UNISA Centre for Applied
Psychology as a Research Intern.
Daniel Knobel is a MA Research Psychology student at UNISA. He is
currently busy with his internship at the UNISA Centre for Applied
Psychology (UCAP). He has obtained his BA and Honours degree in
Psychology at the University of Pretoria. His research interests include
Sport and Social Psychology, LGBTI and gender studies, tradition and
religion. He also has a keen interest in ancient history, archaeology,
astronomy, philosophy and general science.
A076 Aspects pertaining to termination of pregnancy service provision in South Africa
Boshadi Semenya
Reduction of poverty and inequality has been a central concern of the South African government
since 1994. One of the manifestations of this concern is the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy
(CTOP) Act no 92 (Government Gazette, 1996) which is heralded as one of the revolutionary legal
provisions that protect women’s rights to choose to procreate. Though important strides have been
made in the research efforts looking at the impact of the legalisation of abortion on medical and
nursing practice, quantitative descriptions and analysis of national and local demographics have
been slow to emerge. The main reason is that evidence has had to be built up (mainly by the
National Department of Health and Ipas, an independent organisation that has been at the forefront
of fighting for women’s reproductive rights). In this paper, I look at the demographic trends and
patterns and how they have evolved since the legalisation of abortion drawing from national census
data and figures from the National Department of Health and Ipas. Specifically the analysis includes
a review of the different variables (fertility trends, socio-economic issues like poverty) and how they
relate to the personal circumstances and experiences that shape South African women's lives. This
sets the stage for the presentation of a theoretical model for understanding the practice of abortion
in South Africa.
Keywords: abortion legislation, demographics, historical trends, termination of pregnancy
About the author
Boshadi Semenya is a lecturer at Unisa’s department of
psychology. She is also a clinical psychologist. Her interests involve
facilitating group processes, Indigenous knowledge systems and
practices. She is also interested in women’s reproductive health
issues and her current research studies focus on termination of
pregnancy.
A077 The Applied Cognitive Science and Experimental Neuropsychology Team (ACSENT)
Marianne Ball, Christopher Du Plooy, Laurian Grace, Katharine James and Ridwana Timol
The Applied Cognitive Science and Experimental Neuropsychology Team (ACSENT) is a central
component of the Department of Psychology at the University of Cape Town. This laboratory team
has strengths in both clinical and experimental neuropsychology as well as in applied cognitive
science. The speakers at this symposium are members of the ACSENT team; they will demonstrate
the research in which they are involved and their contribution to the ACSENT laboratory. Areas to be
presented include the neuropsychology of aging, neuroimaging, sleep studies, and eyewitness
identification. Discussion will also focus on the steps being taken toward forming a professional
training programme in neuropsychology at UCT, as well as the implications of this training
programme for the practice of psychology in South Africa.
Keywords: applied cognitive science, neuropsychology
About the authors
Marianne Ball is pursuing her Masters degree in Research Psychology at
the University of Cape Town. She is interested in the interface between
psychology and law, and in childhood development.
Christopher du Plooy is a PhD student at the University of Cape Town. He
has an interest in both cognitive and neuropsychology, with a specific
research interest in emotion and spatial
cognition.
Laurian Grace graduated with a BSc and
went on to do her honours in Biomedical
Sciences (Neuroscience) with her research
focusing on the effect of stress and
exercise on learning and memory. She
started her Masters in psychology and
neuropsychology this year with research
focusing on Alzheimer’s disease.
Katharine James is a first year Master’s student studying psychological
research and neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town. She is
particularly interested in the emerging field of neuropsychology in South
Africa and is currently involved with a study on Alzheimer’s disease.
Ridwana Timol holds a M.A. (Psychology –
Research) degree. She is particularly interested
in cortisol effects on memory, sleep, and
dreaming, and this forms the focus of her
doctoral project.
A078 The emerging field of neuropsychology in South Africa
Laurian Grace and Katharine James
Neuropsychology is a scientific discipline that investigates brain structure and function in relation to
specific psychological processes and overt behaviours. It utilizes specially designed tests to measure
the presence and degree of behavioural impairment as a result of organic brain disease or brain
development problems. By linking the nosology and the pathology of an abnormality one is able to
define the parameters for current and future behavioural expectations in the lifestyle of the
individual. Neuropsychology overlaps with other fields such as neurology, neuroscience, philosophy,
psychiatry, psychology, and computer science. However, it is a separate category of its own and
requires specific training. As a fairly recent field, particularly in South Africa, it is important to
illustrate its significance and relevance in both the medical and psychological spheres. Clinical
neuropsychology aims to serve a need in the patient population, whilst research in this area helps
South Africa to remain abreast in the world and up to date with the latest international
developments. Discussion will focus on aspects of the aforementioned and will provide an
overarching view of the exciting, emerging field of neuropsychology.
Keywords: neuropsychology South Africa
About the authors
Laurian Grace graduated with a BSc and went onto do her honours in
Biomedical Sciences (Neuroscience) with her research focusing on the effect
of stress and exercise on learning and memory. She started her Masters in
psychology and neuropsychology this year with research focusing on
Alzheimer’s disease.
Katharine James is a first year Master’s student
studying psychological research and
neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town.
She is particularly interested in the emerging field of neuropsychology in
South Africa and is currently involved with a study on Alzheimer’s disease.
A079 Publishing as a primary indicator of performance assessment in the Department of
Psychology at UNISA – A mixed methods approach
Unisa MA(RC) Group 2009
This study proposes to investigate the perceptions of academic staff at an open distance learning
institution, in South Africa, on the performance assessment process and the criteria on which this
process is based. The study was conducted using a mixed methods approach, which involved indepth interviews and questionnaires that centred on the academic performance of the academic
staff. A sample size of 16 participants was used for the qualitative research section and 20
participants for the quantitative approach. The method used for the qualitative section of the
research was thematic analysis on the in-depth interviews that were conducted and the
methodology used for the quantitative approach involved running descriptive statistical analysis on
the questionnaire data using excel and SPSS 12.0. The information gathered from the interviews was
then correlated with the performance of the academic staff (questionnaires) to determine whether a
relationship exists between perceptions and performance, with particular emphasis on the
publishing requirements that applied to the various levels. The value of this study lies in the
contribution it makes toward understanding the factors that influence the performance of academic
staff within an open distance learning institution in South Africa. Results will be discussed in more
detail at the conference.
Keywords: academic performance, mixed methods, open distance learning institution, publication
process, publication requirements
About the authors
The MA(RC) group is a group of fourteen MA students in
Psychological Research Consultation at UNISA. We are a
diverse group in age, race and interests, which
strengthen our group’s ability to do effective, inquisitive
and critical research. This can be seen in the mixed
approach used in our research for this presentation;
each member used his or her strengths to ensure that
this research project can contribute to psychology as a
whole. This project was undertaken under the
supervision of two phenomenal lecturers at Unisa; Fred
van Staden and Madri Janse van Rensburg who gave us a free hand to complete a very important
inquery for the department of psychology. The group consists of (in front left to right) Yolanda
Mitchell, Vicky Julie, Shanaaz Roopen and Hanlie van Wyk; (middle row) Nkateko Lowane,
Jeanette Berkowitch, Zanie Le Grange, Michelle De Klerk, Tabea Tsheole, Rayhaan Solomon and
Johan Bosman; (last row) Kobie van Zyl, Angelo Fynn and Alexa Brandt.
A080 Re-imagining psychology
Hanlie van Wyk, Yolanda Mitchell, Rayhaan Solomon, Angelo Fynn and Zanie le Grange
The posters are intended to be a series of thought provoking images around the theme of
psychology
Keywords: posters, psychology, re-imagining
About the authors
Hanlie van Wyk, Yolanda Mitchell, Rayhaan Solomon are currently completing a Masters degree in
Research Consultation at UNISA, South Africa.
Angelo Fynn is currently completing his Masters degree in Research Consultation at UNISA, South
Africa. A curious cat, Angelo's fields of interest range far and wide. His current interests lie in the
field of Program Evaluation.
Sezanne Marlé (Zanie) le Grange is a MA student in research consultation at UNISA. She has
completed both a Bsocsci:Psychology and a Bsocsci(Hons):Psychology course at the University of
Pretoria after which she continued onto an academic MA degree, also at the University of Pretoria.
Her major interests in psychology lie in the fields of neuropsychology, assessment and research
methodology.
A081 The re-contextualisation of student counselling in ODL
Boshadi Semenya and Tshifhiwa Kodisang
Student or learner support services are identified within the Open Distance learning environment as
one of the main subsystems in distance education. Counselling, guidance or advising services are
placed at the learner support or circulation subsystem and are meant to assist individuals’ lifelong
learning in an academic, professional and/or psychological comprehensive way. This paper explores
how the counselling unit at UNISA responds to the current revolutions towards realigning its
functions with ODL principles and policies.
Keywords: counselling, learner support, open distance learning
About the author
Tshifhiwa Kodisang is a qualified clinical psychologist who is
currently works in a student counselling unit at UNISA as a
senior student counsellor. Her specialties are training and
development.
Boshadi Semenya is a lecturer at Unisa’s department of
psychology. She is also a clinical psychologist. Her interests
involve facilitating group processes, Indigenous Knowledge
systems and practices. She is also interested in women’s
reproductive health issues and her current research studies focus on termination of pregnancy.
A082
Re-imagining psychology in Africa
Unisa MA(RC) 2009 group
This symposium consists of an introduction and three papers. The introduction tables the notion if
re-imagining. We build on Lacan’s idea that the subject comes into being through mirroring itself to
itself. Lacan’s subject is constituted through a process of imagining. Following through on this logic
it is not unreasonable to view psychology (as subject) coming into being through reflecting Lacan’s
process of imagining to itself – that is, a re-imagining (an imagining of imagining). In other words, we
are not talking of taking psychology as subject and imagine what it could be like. We are saying
something much more profound, namely that re-imagining is the process through which psychology
comes into being as subject/discipline. The implications of this position are described and discussed
in three papers, with specific references to African and Western contexts. The first paper considers
the prerequisites and fundamentals of a re-imagined psychology. The second paper looks at
psychology’s contribution to Africa versus Africa’s contribution to psychology within the context of a
re-imagined psychology, and the third paper explores how a re-imagined psychology can be realised
in practice.
Keywords: Lacan’s mirror stage theory, re-imagined psychology, psychology in Africa
About the authors
See A079