A psychobiography of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu
- Authors: Eliastam, Liesl Marijke
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality -- Research -- Methodology , Emotional intelligence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11856 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/537 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality -- Research -- Methodology , Emotional intelligence
- Description: Psychobiographies offer the illuminating experience of uncovering the story of an individual’s life through the lens of a psychological theory. Psychobiographies offer the chance to gain a deeper understanding of what makes that individual unique. This study aimed to explore and describe the emotional intelligence of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu according to Goleman’s (1998) theory of Emotional Intelligence. Tutu was chosen as a subject for this study because of his extraordinary life and accomplishments, and because he is regarded as a prominent figure of moral leadership in South Africa. A qualitative psychobiographical research method was utilised. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources to enhance internal validity, and was then analysed according to Miles and Huberman’s (1994) approach. The findings suggest that Tutu applied all of the twenty five emotional intelligence capacities during his life, and that at times, some were used more extensively than others. This study is groundbreaking in that it is the first psychobiography on Desmond Tutu, and it is the first psychobiography undertaken at the University of Fort Hare. Psychobiographies offer an opportunity to evaluate the psychological theory which is applied. It was found that Goleman’s (1998) theory of Emotional Intelligence is supported by this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Eliastam, Liesl Marijke
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality -- Research -- Methodology , Emotional intelligence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (C Psy)
- Identifier: vital:11856 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/537 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Personality -- Research -- Methodology , Emotional intelligence
- Description: Psychobiographies offer the illuminating experience of uncovering the story of an individual’s life through the lens of a psychological theory. Psychobiographies offer the chance to gain a deeper understanding of what makes that individual unique. This study aimed to explore and describe the emotional intelligence of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu according to Goleman’s (1998) theory of Emotional Intelligence. Tutu was chosen as a subject for this study because of his extraordinary life and accomplishments, and because he is regarded as a prominent figure of moral leadership in South Africa. A qualitative psychobiographical research method was utilised. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources to enhance internal validity, and was then analysed according to Miles and Huberman’s (1994) approach. The findings suggest that Tutu applied all of the twenty five emotional intelligence capacities during his life, and that at times, some were used more extensively than others. This study is groundbreaking in that it is the first psychobiography on Desmond Tutu, and it is the first psychobiography undertaken at the University of Fort Hare. Psychobiographies offer an opportunity to evaluate the psychological theory which is applied. It was found that Goleman’s (1998) theory of Emotional Intelligence is supported by this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A psychobiography of Paul Jackson Pollock
- Authors: Müller, Toni
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Pollock, Paul Jackosn , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1554 , Pollock, Paul Jackosn , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects
- Description: While the value of psychobiographical research continues to be debated, interest in this area is growing on an international basis. From the ever increasing number of studies being conducted in connection with academic institutions in South Africa, the vitality and worthiness of studying lives lived in conjunction with the applicability of psychological theories is showing itself to be an exciting world in which to participate. This particular research study aimed to explore and describe the developmental life stages of Paul Jackson Pollock. Pollock was, and continues to be, a controversial figure in the art world as there is much debate over the artistic merit of his paintings. Unconventional in all that he did, Pollock challenged the art world by moving beyond paintbrush and easel to throwing paint across canvasses laid out on the floor. Around these emerging artworks he would move in a staccato dance, mesmerising those present by the way he made art immediate using his entire body to create the abstract image. Pollock is credited with being the pioneer of abstract expressionism in the United States, and to date his paintings are credited as being among the most expensive ever sold. He struggled with alcoholism and emotional instability throughout his teens and adult life. His alcoholism eventually caused his death at the age of 44 when, while heavily intoxicated, he drove his car into a tree a few metres from his home. No known literature has adopted an exclusively psychological stance when studying the life of this individual. The progression of Pollock’s lifespan development was filtered through Erikson’s (1950) theory of psychosocial stages. Erikson’s (1950) theory takes a holistic, biopsychosocial approach to human development, with an emphasis on ego development. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources to enhance internal validity, and the data was then analysed according to Miles and Huberman’s 1994 general approach, taking Alexander’s (1990) nine identifiers of salience into necessary consideration. Using this framework, it was found that Jackson Pollock’s development coincides with Erikson’s theoretical psychosocial stage constructs, lending weight to Erikson’s theory. While Pollock’s life paralleled Erikson’s (1950) theory in many ways, the theory failed to provide enough definition with regards to constructs and intrapsychic processes. However, this study has also shown that there is great value and relevance to be found in Erikson’s (1950) theory, even though it was developed over fifty years ago.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Müller, Toni
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Pollock, Paul Jackosn , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1554 , Pollock, Paul Jackosn , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects
- Description: While the value of psychobiographical research continues to be debated, interest in this area is growing on an international basis. From the ever increasing number of studies being conducted in connection with academic institutions in South Africa, the vitality and worthiness of studying lives lived in conjunction with the applicability of psychological theories is showing itself to be an exciting world in which to participate. This particular research study aimed to explore and describe the developmental life stages of Paul Jackson Pollock. Pollock was, and continues to be, a controversial figure in the art world as there is much debate over the artistic merit of his paintings. Unconventional in all that he did, Pollock challenged the art world by moving beyond paintbrush and easel to throwing paint across canvasses laid out on the floor. Around these emerging artworks he would move in a staccato dance, mesmerising those present by the way he made art immediate using his entire body to create the abstract image. Pollock is credited with being the pioneer of abstract expressionism in the United States, and to date his paintings are credited as being among the most expensive ever sold. He struggled with alcoholism and emotional instability throughout his teens and adult life. His alcoholism eventually caused his death at the age of 44 when, while heavily intoxicated, he drove his car into a tree a few metres from his home. No known literature has adopted an exclusively psychological stance when studying the life of this individual. The progression of Pollock’s lifespan development was filtered through Erikson’s (1950) theory of psychosocial stages. Erikson’s (1950) theory takes a holistic, biopsychosocial approach to human development, with an emphasis on ego development. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources to enhance internal validity, and the data was then analysed according to Miles and Huberman’s 1994 general approach, taking Alexander’s (1990) nine identifiers of salience into necessary consideration. Using this framework, it was found that Jackson Pollock’s development coincides with Erikson’s theoretical psychosocial stage constructs, lending weight to Erikson’s theory. While Pollock’s life paralleled Erikson’s (1950) theory in many ways, the theory failed to provide enough definition with regards to constructs and intrapsychic processes. However, this study has also shown that there is great value and relevance to be found in Erikson’s (1950) theory, even though it was developed over fifty years ago.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A psychobiographical study of Helen Keller
- Van Genechten, Désirée Martina
- Authors: Van Genechten, Désirée Martina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Keller, Helen, 1880-1968 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Deafblind people
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1101 , Keller, Helen, 1880-1968 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Deafblind people
- Description: This psychobiographical study of Helen Keller’s life is exploratory-descriptive in nature. The subject was chosen through purposive sampling. The choice was based on the researcher’s personal interest and the remarkable impact this profoundly handicapped woman had within her society. Helen Keller also meets the psychobiographical requirements. These include that she is historically well known, inspirational, and her life has been completed. The study uses a qualitative, single case, interpretive research design. The design is employed to study Helen Keller’s entire life span within a formal psychological theory. The theory used in this study is Daniel Levinson’s (1996) Life Structure theory of adult development. Data for this study were collected from a variety of primary and secondary sources which provided alternative perspectives on her life. In addition, the data have been corroborated by historical texts, and newspaper and journal articles. Levinson’s (1996) theory divides the lifespan into four developmental eras, each with its own biopsychosocial character. Each era in turn is divided into shorter periods of development, each with particular developmental tasks. Cross-era transitions separate the eras. By describing and exploring the data according to this theory, Helen Keller as a profoundly handicapped person is shown to display universal patterns of development as suggested by Levinson. At the same time, the Life Structure she developed, her life components, and Satisfactoriness illuminated her uniqueness. Through the application of the theory to Helen Keller’s life, this psychobiographical study facilitated an examination of the theory. This led to suggestions for potential development of the theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Van Genechten, Désirée Martina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Keller, Helen, 1880-1968 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Deafblind people
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1101 , Keller, Helen, 1880-1968 , Developmental psychology , Life cycle, Human -- Psychological aspects , Deafblind people
- Description: This psychobiographical study of Helen Keller’s life is exploratory-descriptive in nature. The subject was chosen through purposive sampling. The choice was based on the researcher’s personal interest and the remarkable impact this profoundly handicapped woman had within her society. Helen Keller also meets the psychobiographical requirements. These include that she is historically well known, inspirational, and her life has been completed. The study uses a qualitative, single case, interpretive research design. The design is employed to study Helen Keller’s entire life span within a formal psychological theory. The theory used in this study is Daniel Levinson’s (1996) Life Structure theory of adult development. Data for this study were collected from a variety of primary and secondary sources which provided alternative perspectives on her life. In addition, the data have been corroborated by historical texts, and newspaper and journal articles. Levinson’s (1996) theory divides the lifespan into four developmental eras, each with its own biopsychosocial character. Each era in turn is divided into shorter periods of development, each with particular developmental tasks. Cross-era transitions separate the eras. By describing and exploring the data according to this theory, Helen Keller as a profoundly handicapped person is shown to display universal patterns of development as suggested by Levinson. At the same time, the Life Structure she developed, her life components, and Satisfactoriness illuminated her uniqueness. Through the application of the theory to Helen Keller’s life, this psychobiographical study facilitated an examination of the theory. This led to suggestions for potential development of the theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »