Massey Documents by Type
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294
Browse
11 results
Search Results
Item Kiwi circle : a social platform connecting Chinese international students with local New Zealanders : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Design, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2019) Yu, LiangIn the past 25 years, international education has grown to become New Zealand’s fourth largest export industry, generating around 5.1 billion dollars to its economy (New Zealand Education, 2018). While Chinese students comprise the largest proportion of consumers within this sector, research indicates that Chinese international students in New Zealand are less satisfied than students from all other countries. This research proposes to design an online social platform to facilitate connections between these Chinese international students and local New Zealanders, in order to assist them in adjusting to studying and living in New Zealand. Furthermore, the platform would provide a channel for local New Zealanders who are interested in the Chinese culture to learn about and interact with it through contact with Chinese students. This research project aims to add value to New Zealand’s international education industry, by improving the overall quality of international students’ experience.Item The nature of intimacy: a qualitative study of five couples : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University(Massey University, 1992) Salisbury, Robyn MThis study takes a qualitative approach to facilitate five couples describing their experiences of intimacy. Transcribed interviews were analysed for recurring themes and processes. The Waring Intimacy scale was also administered to participants. Athough intimacy is an important goal in contemporary society much is still to be understood about how it is achieved and maintained. Reis and Shaver (1988) have developed a process model of intimacy that describes a single interaction between two individuals and incorporates the properties of a relationship, thus recognising that intimacy is more than the sum of repeated interactions. The general validity of the model was confirmed by the experiences of the couples in this study. Differences were found between those with intimate relationships, who often behaved according to the model and those who reported their relationship as lacking in intimacy, who frequently omitted one or more steps of the model. The model was revised in the light of the data to incorporate such metacognitive factors as the effects of an individuals' expectations and beliefs on his or her motives, fears, needs and goals. Self disclosure was differentiated into direct or indirect, verbal or non-verbal; all of which may play a role in intimacy. The results show that intimacy is both a complex process and a subjective relational experience necessitating a relatively well defined sense of identity and high level communication skills. Analysis of themes and experiences from the interview data reflected the complexity of this construct more adequately than data from the Waring Intimacy Questionnaire.Item Small task-oriented groups : a systems analysis : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Education at Massey University(Massey University, 1972) Nolan, Clarence James Patrick; Harvey, Judith Ceridwen IranganiWhere two or more people are gathered together in order to engage in social interaction - there is a social system". (Anon.) The question of why it is that people come together in systems of interaction and how these systems persist as viable social arrangements is one which has been taken up by social philosophers and sociological theorists as far back as Hobbes. Subsequently Spencer, Durkheim, and such contemporary figures as Homans, Merton and Parsons have also taken issue with this problem. The present thesis shares a similar concern with the problem and derives its stimulus from the way in which sociologists have attempted to formulate adequate explanatory theories. The thesis exhibits a convergence in the interests of the two authors - on the one hand, an interest in the application of parsonian theory' to small group phenomena, and on the other, the use of 'systems theory' in the explanation of social interaction in educational settings. The specific focus of attention is on those groups which have the properties of being small and task-oriented. Such groups are ubiquitous in educational contexts. At the most general level the thesis uses Parsons' voluntaristic theory of social action as the frame of reference from which a theory of small task-oriented groups can be derived. The thesis is therefore an expedition into the realms of sociological theory and an exploration of the way in which parsons' theory in particular can be applied to an empirical situation. Elements of general systems theory have been employed to further limit the scope of the investigation by focussing only on the internal dynamic of small task-oriented groups, rather than the way in which they adapt to their surrounding environments, thus enabling such groups to be conceptualised as discrete social systems in their own right. [From Introduction]Item Translating a silent language : photographing social interaction : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2016) Slade, ThomasWorking with photography to alter our perception of time, this project examines social interaction in a city environment. I have adopted the unobtrusive role of the flaneur and observed how social norms orchestrate social behaviour in public spaces. I chose to use constructed photography and I selected and recreated observed moments. I made images that I hope come alive within the expanded time of a still photograph. Through these reconstructions of observed behaviour I set out to question the capacity of photography to amplify reality and demonstrate how a fictional image might reach closer to a lived experience. I focussed on overlooked moments to produce an expansion of time that allows the viewer to question the ordinary values that shape social behaviours in the everyday, providing an opportunity to recognise the complexity of a lived experience as part of everyday actions.Item Friendship patterns, desire for change and satisfaction : thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Massey University(Massey University, 1994) Guy, AlanThe aim of the present study was to investigate friendship patterns and change within these over the past twelve years. A replication of an earlier friendship study conducted using a New Zealand sample was undertaken. Additional information was gathered relating to satisfaction with elements of friendship and desire for change in friendships. Few changes in variables relating to friendship patterns were expected. Being in a relationship was expected to reduce the numbers of friends possessed especially in cross-sex friendships. Both men and women were expected to value women more in areas of emotional support, discussing personal problems and therapeutic value in friendship. Men and women were expected to rate greater satisfaction with women in areas of assistance and emotional support. Men were expected to desire greater increases in friendship numbers and conversation intimacy than women. A sample of 64 male and 78 female Massey University Psychology students volunteered as participants. Comparisons were made between the present study's findings and those of earlier work, noting changes in males friendships. Most friendship patterns were found to be largely unchanged. predictions about valuing friendship were supported. Satisfaction data indicated that women rate themselves more satisfied in same-sex friendships than men. Men rated themselves as more satisfied in opposite-sex friendships than women. No significant sex-differences were noted for desire for change in friendship. However both sexes would like more friends of each type, and greater personal conversation in friendship. Results are discussed with reference to change in friendship patterns and traditional male sex-roles.Item Intercultural interactions in a New Zealand university : Pakeha and Asian perspectives : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy (Arts) in Sociology at Massey University(Massey University, 2005) Brebner, Lian-HongResearch on the phenomenon of intercultural contact in Western higher education has attracted the interest of a wide scope of academic disciplines. Psychologists and communication experts have underlined the inextricable link between positive friendship encounter with host students and well-being of sojourning students. Educationalists have also highlighted the impact of culturally diverse classrooms on the academic experience of both home and overseas students. Against this backdrop, the focus of my study is to offer some sociological observations on the intercultural contact phenomenon from the perspective of Pakeha and Asian international students in the New Zealand university context. The present study has adopted a qualitative approach using focus groups and in-depth interviews. Results from the current research underscore that growth in the export education sector has strengthened New Zealand economy but it has not necessarily enriched the socio-cultural arena of its higher institutions of learning. Instead, ethnic segregation of varying levels has become more apparent institutionally as a result of the strengthening subcultures within the Asian international student communities. The proliferation of ethnic enclaves has had significant social implications for both Pakeha and Asians. The research outcome also indicates that academic capitalism has dominated the agenda of New Zealand higher education. Hence, the task of promoting international understanding and global interdependence in New Zealand higher education has been relegated to the periphery in terms of issues to be addressed. These sociological trends demonstrate an antithesis of the objective of international education. The challenge, therefore, is for those responsible for managing higher education to review and renew its commitment towards the cultivation of intercultural global citizens.Item Interaction within the therapeutic relationship : exploring the relationship between the music therapy practices of a music therapy student and the concepts used in intensive interaction : an exegesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music Therapy, Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2014) How, Shona LouiseThis research project explores the relationship between the music therapy practices of a music therapy student and intensive interaction, a teaching model of communication used with children, young people and adults who experience challenges with learning and relating to others. Secondary analysis of clinical records (session notes and video footage) was used in this theoretical research, using both inductive and deductive methods of micro-analysis to explore the relationship between the two approaches. Themes included two relatively distinct forms of interactive communication – communication which predominantly used music and communication which used other modes. These two groups were then divided into further themes including: elements of music and improvisational musical techniques; visual cues; vocal activity; gestures and body language; movement activity and time/space. These themes were then correlated and compared with the corresponding features and descriptions of improvisational music therapy and intensive interaction. The findings suggest there is a relationship between the concepts used intensive interaction and the improvisational music therapy practices of the music therapy student; they both share features of the naturalistic processes of ‘infant-caregiver interactions’ within the elements of music, with both parties fine-tuning to one another’s rhythmic, melodic, textural and temporal nuances. However, improvisational or creative music therapy combines more complex usage of the elements of music including musical form, structure and texture to provide an interpersonal experience through a therapeutic relationship. That relationship is reliant on the music therapist’s sophisticated skills to combine emotion and music within the improvisational process. The strengths and limitations of the study are stated along with implications for training and further research in the field of music therapy and special education.Item Enabling face-name recognition after brain injury using mobile technology : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 2013) Howard, Philip MartinAcquired brain injury (ABI) is a term that encompasses a wide range of mechanisms that cause damage to the brain, however in New Zealand the most common causes of ABI are traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke. One of the most commonly reported and enduring difficulties from TBI and stroke is in memory function, however research also indicates that these brain injuries also negatively impact affective functioning, as well as social and interpersonal relationships. Although recovery from brain injury can to some degree be predicted from measures of injury severity, the course of recovery can be aided by cognitive rehabilitation. One of the most effective types of cognitive rehabilitation for prospective memory difficulties is the use of external compensatory strategies using electronic devices such as mobile phones. However, no studies could be found which have investigated the use of mobile phones in supporting those who have face-name memory difficulties following ABI. These face-naming difficulties have been associated with increased social isolation and reduced wellbeing in survivors; therefore finding an effective intervention is an important goal. The present study included the development of an iPhone application to act as an external compensatory device to support face-naming. Three hypotheses were tested through a single-case research design: (1) that the device would be effective in improving participants’ face-naming, (2) that improved face-naming ability would result in improved social interactions, and (3) improved face-naming would result in improved wellbeing. The results clearly indicated that the face-name application produced improvement in functional face naming across all participants, and participants also reported that they found the application helpful. Approximately half of the participants showed improvement in aspects of social interaction thought due to the intervention, but fewer than half showed improvements on measures of wellbeing. A significant correlation was found between how often the application was used, and changes in wellbeing. Recommendations for future research are discussed, as are implications for practice.Item On the theory and methodology of role : a contribution towards an interactive paradigm : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University(Massey University, 1976) Bates, Richard JeremyThis thesis (i) presents a critique of structural and socialisation perspectives in role theory, (ii) argues for a philosophical and theoretical position of transindividualism in the explanation of behaviour, (iii) examines the compatibility of current psychological and sociological theories with such a position, (iv) reviews discontinuities between theory methodology and interpretation in studies of role, (v) develops a comprehensive theoretical model for the analysis of individual and social system interactions via the mediating concept of role, (vi) presents a methodology appropriate to the examination of the general model in respect to a small scale social system, (vii) reports the results of the empirical investigation, and (viii) summarises and discusses the relevance of these findings to the proposed theoretical and methodological issues. It is concluded that both theory and methodology, having been supported by the empirical investigation of a small scale social system, might usefully be further applied to larger and more complex social systems.Item Social support in later life : the influence of retirement and marital status : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2009) Crowe, Laura MajellaThe study explored the relationship between retirement and marital status and objective and subjective measures of social support. A secondary analysis was conducted on a sample of 6,662 men and women aged 55-70 years of age. Results of a series of 2-way ANOVAs revealed greater interaction with friends amongst retired individuals than those who were employed. Marital status was shown to be associated with interaction with family and levels of perceived social support. An interaction between retirement and marital status was also shown to influence levels of perceived social support. The results reveal that retirement and marital status have an individual and interaction effect on various measures of social support and indicate the importance of considering marital status when researching, educating and working with issues regarding retirement and social support.