A psychobiographical study of John Winston Lennon
- Authors: Kitching, Philip Herman
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Lennon, John, 1940-1980 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Musicians
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010847 , Lennon, John, 1940-1980 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Musicians
- Description: Psychobiography can be viewed as the re-writing of an individual’s life story previously undetected. In general it consists of a combination of two central elements: biography and psychological theory that aim to explain the particular individual’s psychological development. This particular study serves to explore the extraordinary life of renowned singer, songwriter, artist and activist, John Winston Lennon (1940-1980). The basis for this investigation will take the form of notable biographical accounts of the subject’s life, together with Austrian psychiatrist Alfred Adler’s (1938) theory of Individual Psychology, which recognizes the importance of human society for the development of individual character and the orientation of every single action and emotion in the life of a human being. Adler’s theory further explores that the main motives of human thought and behaviour are an individual’s striving for superiority and power, partly in compensation for his feeling of inferiority. The psychobiographical data collection and analysis for this research thesis will be guided by Yin’s (1994) theory of ‘analytic generalisation’, which uses a theoretical framework in selecting relevant data which develops a matrix as a descriptive framework for organizing and integrating that data, and Alexander’s (1988) analytical model which focuses on lifting out themes through principal identifiers of salience was used and applied. John Winston Lennon expressed his personal experiences and ideals through his songs and became the spokesman for his generation on modern day issues such as feminism and world peace. It is however, unfortunate that Lennon throughout his life remained a boy who felt rejected and unloved by his parents and strove to be superior in all aspects of his rich life in an attempt to acquire the love and acceptance that was not bestowed on him as a child.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kitching, Philip Herman
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Lennon, John, 1940-1980 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Musicians
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010847 , Lennon, John, 1940-1980 , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Musicians
- Description: Psychobiography can be viewed as the re-writing of an individual’s life story previously undetected. In general it consists of a combination of two central elements: biography and psychological theory that aim to explain the particular individual’s psychological development. This particular study serves to explore the extraordinary life of renowned singer, songwriter, artist and activist, John Winston Lennon (1940-1980). The basis for this investigation will take the form of notable biographical accounts of the subject’s life, together with Austrian psychiatrist Alfred Adler’s (1938) theory of Individual Psychology, which recognizes the importance of human society for the development of individual character and the orientation of every single action and emotion in the life of a human being. Adler’s theory further explores that the main motives of human thought and behaviour are an individual’s striving for superiority and power, partly in compensation for his feeling of inferiority. The psychobiographical data collection and analysis for this research thesis will be guided by Yin’s (1994) theory of ‘analytic generalisation’, which uses a theoretical framework in selecting relevant data which develops a matrix as a descriptive framework for organizing and integrating that data, and Alexander’s (1988) analytical model which focuses on lifting out themes through principal identifiers of salience was used and applied. John Winston Lennon expressed his personal experiences and ideals through his songs and became the spokesman for his generation on modern day issues such as feminism and world peace. It is however, unfortunate that Lennon throughout his life remained a boy who felt rejected and unloved by his parents and strove to be superior in all aspects of his rich life in an attempt to acquire the love and acceptance that was not bestowed on him as a child.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Josephine Baker: a psychobiographical study
- Authors: Eckley, Shannon Rose
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Adlerian psychology , Baker, Josephine , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9865 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1007850 , Adlerian psychology , Baker, Josephine , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality
- Description: Psychobiographies examine an entire full life, from birth to death, with the aim of understanding the psychological development of that life. Psychobiographical research is a qualitative method of research, and is done by the use of both biography, and the application of relevant psychological theory. While the scientific merit of this type of research continues to be questioned and debated, interest in this area of research continues to grow on both a national, and international level. This particular research study aimed to explore the extraordinary and inspiring life of slave, dancer, singer, lover, soldier and mother, Josephine Baker (1906 – 1975), by applying Alfred Adler’s (1929) theory of personality namely, Individual Psychology. Josephine Baker was chosen by means of purposive sampling. The research study made use of a qualitative psychobiographical research method, which aimed to explore and describe the lived life and personality development of Josephine Baker, in terms of Alfred Adler’s (1929) theory of Individual Psychology. The data collection for this research study made use of a framework, as a means of selecting relevant data which formed a matrix, which in turn became a descriptive framework to organise and integrate the data (see Appendix A). The analysis thereof was done by the means of analytic generalisation (Yin, 1994). To assist in identifying salient data, analytical criteria namely, Alexander’s (1988) guidelines for the extraction of salient data were utilised (see Appendix B). This model also assisted in ensuring an accurate and complete description of Josephine Baker’s life in relation to the psychological theory used namely Alfred Adler’s theory of Individual Psychology. The findings of the study indicate that Josephine’s life paralleled Adler’s (1929) theory in many ways, and also indicated that the person she became was also strongly influenced by many familial, social, historical and cultural events of the time. This study has therefore shown that to date, there is still great value and relevance in Adler’s (1929) theory of Individual Psychology, even though it was proposed and developed almost a century ago. Consequently, recommendations regarding further psychiobiographical research in this area in the future have been made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Eckley, Shannon Rose
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Adlerian psychology , Baker, Josephine , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9865 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1007850 , Adlerian psychology , Baker, Josephine , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality
- Description: Psychobiographies examine an entire full life, from birth to death, with the aim of understanding the psychological development of that life. Psychobiographical research is a qualitative method of research, and is done by the use of both biography, and the application of relevant psychological theory. While the scientific merit of this type of research continues to be questioned and debated, interest in this area of research continues to grow on both a national, and international level. This particular research study aimed to explore the extraordinary and inspiring life of slave, dancer, singer, lover, soldier and mother, Josephine Baker (1906 – 1975), by applying Alfred Adler’s (1929) theory of personality namely, Individual Psychology. Josephine Baker was chosen by means of purposive sampling. The research study made use of a qualitative psychobiographical research method, which aimed to explore and describe the lived life and personality development of Josephine Baker, in terms of Alfred Adler’s (1929) theory of Individual Psychology. The data collection for this research study made use of a framework, as a means of selecting relevant data which formed a matrix, which in turn became a descriptive framework to organise and integrate the data (see Appendix A). The analysis thereof was done by the means of analytic generalisation (Yin, 1994). To assist in identifying salient data, analytical criteria namely, Alexander’s (1988) guidelines for the extraction of salient data were utilised (see Appendix B). This model also assisted in ensuring an accurate and complete description of Josephine Baker’s life in relation to the psychological theory used namely Alfred Adler’s theory of Individual Psychology. The findings of the study indicate that Josephine’s life paralleled Adler’s (1929) theory in many ways, and also indicated that the person she became was also strongly influenced by many familial, social, historical and cultural events of the time. This study has therefore shown that to date, there is still great value and relevance in Adler’s (1929) theory of Individual Psychology, even though it was proposed and developed almost a century ago. Consequently, recommendations regarding further psychiobiographical research in this area in the future have been made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill: a psychobiographical study
- Authors: Moolman, Bilué Anton
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Churchill, Winston -- 1874-1965 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009434 , Churchill, Winston -- 1874-1965 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Description: Psychobiography is a qualitative approach to exploring and understanding the life story of an individual through the lens of psychological theory. The application of theory is typically conducted on the finished lives of well-known or enigmatic people. This study explores and describes the psychological development across the lifespan of Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, by applying the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler. Winston Churchill voted the greatest Briton of the twentieth century, was an author, painter, adventure, soldier, politician and Prime Minister that led the United Kingdom during World War Two. Extensive data has been examined in this work to ensure an accurate description of Winston Churchill‘s life. Alexander‘s model of identifying salient themes was used to analyse the data within a conceptual framework derived from the theory. Churchill‘s difficult childhood motivated him to succeed, his passion for the nation of Britain and his dislike of the Nazi regime meant that Churchill was always abreast with current affairs, anticipating every possible scenario of attack. When the time came to fight the Nazi‘s Churchill was ready to die for his country. The research findings highlight Churchill‘s ability to rise above his childhood stigmas and surpass all expectations and so cementing his name into the history of a country he loved and a democratic world he hoped for. Alfred Adler‘s Individual Psychology proposes that an individual‘s potential weaknesses can be used as a means to strive and achieve greatness within their sphere of influence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Moolman, Bilué Anton
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Churchill, Winston -- 1874-1965 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009434 , Churchill, Winston -- 1874-1965 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Description: Psychobiography is a qualitative approach to exploring and understanding the life story of an individual through the lens of psychological theory. The application of theory is typically conducted on the finished lives of well-known or enigmatic people. This study explores and describes the psychological development across the lifespan of Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, by applying the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler. Winston Churchill voted the greatest Briton of the twentieth century, was an author, painter, adventure, soldier, politician and Prime Minister that led the United Kingdom during World War Two. Extensive data has been examined in this work to ensure an accurate description of Winston Churchill‘s life. Alexander‘s model of identifying salient themes was used to analyse the data within a conceptual framework derived from the theory. Churchill‘s difficult childhood motivated him to succeed, his passion for the nation of Britain and his dislike of the Nazi regime meant that Churchill was always abreast with current affairs, anticipating every possible scenario of attack. When the time came to fight the Nazi‘s Churchill was ready to die for his country. The research findings highlight Churchill‘s ability to rise above his childhood stigmas and surpass all expectations and so cementing his name into the history of a country he loved and a democratic world he hoped for. Alfred Adler‘s Individual Psychology proposes that an individual‘s potential weaknesses can be used as a means to strive and achieve greatness within their sphere of influence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
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