A psychobiographical analysis of the personality traits of Steve jobs’s entrepreneurial life

There has been increasing interest in the attributes of successful entrepreneurs. Increasingly, too, research on entrepreneurship has focused on the identification of personality traits conducive to entrepreneurial success. The present study moves away from predicting entrepreneurial success and instead focuses on exploring and describing the personality traits of a successful entrepreneur, namely Steve Jobs. A psychobiographical case study design and qualitative approach were employed to explore the extent to which Steve Jobs displayed the personality traits identified by Rauch and Frese (2007). Data collection and analysis were guided by three linked sub-processes proposed by Miles and Huberman (2002), which include (a) data reduction, (b) data display and (c) conclusion drawing and verification. The findings of this study show that, over the course of the subject’s life, the personality traits identified by Rauch and Frese (2007) as conducive to successful engagement in entrepreneurial activities were displayed, namely need for achievement, risk-taking, innovativeness, autonomy, internal locus of control, and self-efficacy. In so far as it can be argued that these personality traits inherently predisposed Steve Jobs to achieve the success he displayed as an entrepreneur, the findings of this study affirm the relevance of the personality trait perspective in describing and understanding the life course of successful entrepreneurs

Early diagnosis and intervention for autism spectrum disorder in Africa: insights from a case study

Background: Globally the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become more apparent. Prevalence on the African continent remains unknown. There is a call for further research into ASD in Africa as well as means to make early diagnosis and intervention possible.Objectives: The study aimed to raise awareness about ASD in Africa and encourage dialogue on possible intervention strategies for ASD in low resource settings.Methods: This was a qualitative mixed method case study. Literature regarding ASD in Africa was reviewed in order to provide context for the research and facilitate data reduction of the case study of Temple Grandin. The case study was conducted through a psychobiographical approach using Erikson’s (1950/1973) theory of psychosocial development to interpret the life of Temple Grandin. The findings underwent further data reduction in order to focus on possible interventions for ASD.Results: Four primary interventions were found to be useful in facilitating development in an individual with ASD. Namely; speech therapy, creative endeavours, animals (human-animal interaction), and being mentored.Conclusion: Undiagnosed and untreated cases of ASD place undue psychosocial and economic burden on families and communities. Government support, by including ASD in health policies, is essential. Through creative adaptation of knowledge, communities may provide a valuable resource to ASD intervention strategies.Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, case study

INCREASING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS’ ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE, DIAGNOSE, AND INTERVENE IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER CASES IN AFRICA: EXAMPLES FROM SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES- A LONGITUDINAL CASE STUDY.

Background: As awareness surrounding autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Africa has increased, the high rate of non-verbal autism on the continent has come to the fore. Late diagnosis and access to viable interventions are continued concerns. Due to the greater focus on communicable diseases in healthcare curriculums, healthcare professionals frequently do not possess the required knowledge and experience to diagnose cases of neurodevelopmental disorders. Nurses are often the first healthcare professionals to encounter autistic individuals or their families because of being the first professionals whose advice is sought about worrisome symptoms, either by high-functioning individuals with autism or by a worried parent of a newborn or toddler. Methods: A narrative review of healthcare professionals’ knowledge of ASD in Africa provided context for the research and highlighted areas needing focus. A qualitative mixed-method case study was used to highlight symptoms and potential behaviors of autism that healthcare practitioners may face in practice. Findings: A lack of focus on neurodevelopmental disorders in healthcare curriculums has led to an inability to recognize, diagnose, and intervene in ASD cases across Africa, which places a greater burden on families, especially in low-resource settings. Nurses are central in both clinics and communities. Nurses’ ability to discern neurodevelopmental and autistic behavior from typical childhood development is crucial to timely diagnosis and intervention as well as accurate treatment of presenting communicable diseases or co-morbidities. Increasing health professionals’ awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorder should aid in the reduction of undiagnosed and untreated cases. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals’ ability to diagnose developmental disorders at a younger age, may increase the chances of intervention and autonomy in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and support for families. Recommendation: In order to facilitate early diagnoses and intervention of neurodevelopmental disorders, greater emphasis needs to be placed on non-communicable diseases in health care curriculums

Economic responsiveness in organisational psychology curricula

This study focused on a topic at the intersection of two contexts, namely curriculum responsiveness and industrial/organisational psychology (IOP). The rationale for this study is based on two considerations. Firstly, a review of the IOP curricula offered at ten prominent South African universities revealed little overlap. This suggests that academic departments are not guided by shared principles when they implement decisions about the content or sequencing of curriculum content. Secondly, the Department of Education urges academics to design curricula that are relevant and responsive to contemporary conditions. These two considerations motivated the investigation of the following research question: What key performance areas (KPAs) do employers specify when they advertise positions suitable for IOP graduates? The investigation had two aims, namely (a) to systematically analyse the KPAs specified in job advertisements and (b) to compile KPA templates that may be used by IOP departments who wish to revise or transform their curricula. The research design of this study has five characteristics, namely that it is: (a) qualitative, (b) naturalistic, (c), descriptive, (d) applied, and (e) strategic. The study employed a purposive sampling strategy that involved the collection of documentary data (job advertisements aimed at recruiting IOP graduates) over a 52-week period (N=1115). The data was content analysed by means of a six-step documentary analysis method. Specific strategies were employed to enhance the validity of the findings. These strategies focused on credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Similarly, the ethical standing of the investigation was promoted by addressing four considerations, namely autonomy and respect for dignity, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. The data analysis procedure produced comprehensive and detailed qualitative descriptions of (a) 21 occupational categories, (b) 4070 KPA themes and (c) 84 KPA clusters. In addition, the number of occupational categories, KPA themes and KPA clusters were recorded and interpreted. In addition, the data analysis procedure produced comprehensive KPA templates that IOP departments may find useful. The templates reflect the KPAs specified by advertisements aimed at recruiting IOP graduates for a range of occupational categories and were designed to be used as benchmarks against which the economic responsiveness of curricula can be compared

Psychobiographical perspectives on the development and manifestation of extraordinary human achievements

Psychobiographical research has several characteristic features. Firstly, it is an interdisciplinary approach that uses contributions and perspectives from several scientific disciplines (for example, business science, economics, psychology, political science) and the humanities (for example, history, philosophy, sociology, and religion/spirituality). Secondly, it typically approaches life stories from a longitudinal perspective. Thirdly, psychobiographical research comprises in-depth studies of extraordinary individuals in the contexts in which they made their contributions. Fourthly, psychobiographical research does not afford anonymity or 2 | P a g e confidentiality to participants. Instead, it requires that profiled leaders be identified by name. Fifthly, psychobiographical profiling employs indirect methods to analyse the development or characteristics of individuals. Usually, extensive use is made of biographical material available in the public domain and originally compiled by biographers, journalists, or researchers. This material is not collected primarily to solve a scientific problem, but rather to answer questions and describe phenomena that are inherently important, particularly from psychological and historical perspectives. Lastly, psychobiographical research often focuses on completed lives (Van Niekerk, 2007)

Psychobiographical perspectives on the development and manifestation of extraordinary human achievements

Psychobiographical research has several characteristic features. Firstly, it is an interdisciplinary approach that uses contributions and perspectives from several scientific disciplines (for example, business science, economics, psychology, political science) and the humanities (for example, history, philosophy, sociology, and religion/spirituality). Secondly, it typically approaches life stories from a longitudinal perspective. Thirdly, psychobiographical research comprises in-depth studies of extraordinary individuals in the contexts in which they made their contributions. Fourthly, psychobiographical research does not afford anonymity or 2 | P a g e confidentiality to participants. Instead, it requires that profiled leaders be identified by name. Fifthly, psychobiographical profiling employs indirect methods to analyse the development or characteristics of individuals. Usually, extensive use is made of biographical material available in the public domain and originally compiled by biographers, journalists, or researchers. This material is not collected primarily to solve a scientific problem, but rather to answer questions and describe phenomena that are inherently important, particularly from psychological and historical perspectives. Lastly, psychobiographical research often focuses on completed lives (Van Niekerk, 2007)

Levinsonian seasons in the life of Steve Jobs: A psychobiographical case study

Steve Jobs (1955-2011) was not only a businessman renowned for his legacy of technological innovation and entrepreneurship. His life history indicates eras or seasons as prankster, hippie, family man, and cancer fighter. This psychobiographical case study entailed a psychosocial-historical analysis of Jobs’s development interpreted through Levinson’s theory of the human life cycle, and was undertaken against the background of Merleau-Ponty’s ontological philosophy that elucidates a human science phenomenology where the individual cannot be separated from his/her social world. The primary objective of this study was to uncover the eras and transitions within Jobs’s life cycle. The secondary objective was to illustrate and test the relevance of Levinsonian theory as applied to Jobs’s life. Jobs’s life cycle was uncovered through an analysis of published and publically available materials, which included both primary and secondary data sources. Alexander’s psychobiographical model was employed to extract salient evidence for analysis. A conceptual psychosocial-historical matrix guided the analysis. Key findings indicate that the central components of Jobs’s life and social world (e.g., his occupation, family, friendships and terminal illness) had a significant influence on his psychosocial development. In conclusion, Jobs’s development generally conformed to Levinsonian theory as well as to Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenological ontology and illustrated the relevance of these conceptual models for understanding the individual’s connectedness to his/her social world

Early diagnosis and intervention for autism spectrum disorder in Africa: insights from a case study

Background: Globally the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become more apparent. Prevalence on the African continent remains unknown. There is a call for further research into ASD in Africa as well as means to make early diagnosis and intervention possible. Objectives: The study aimed to raise awareness about ASD in Africa and encourage dialogue on possible intervention strategies for ASD in low resource settings. Methods: This was a qualitative mixed method case study. Literature regarding ASD in Africa was reviewed in order to provide context for the research and facilitate data reduction of the case study of Temple Grandin. The case study was conducted through a psychobiographical approach using Erikson\u2019s (1950/1973) theory of psychosocial development to interpret the life of Temple Grandin. The findings underwent further data reduction in order to focus on possible interventions for ASD. Results: Four primary interventions were found to be useful in facilitating development in an individual with ASD. Namely; speech therapy, creative endeavours, animals (human-animal interaction), and being mentored. Conclusion: Undiagnosed and untreated cases of ASD place undue psychosocial and economic burden on families and communities. Government support, by including ASD in health policies, is essential. Through creative adaptation of knowledge, communities may provide a valuable resource to ASD intervention strategies

Emily Hobhouse’s Psychosocial Developmental Trajectory as Anti-War Campaigner: A Levinsonian Psychobiography

The aim of this psychobiography was to uncover, reconstruct and illustrate significant trajectories of psychosocial development and historical events over the lifespan of Emily Hobhouse (1860-1926). The British-born Hobhouse later became an anti-war campaigner and social activist who exposed the appalling conditions of the British concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), as evidenced by primary and secondary historical data. Purposive sampling was used to select Hobhouse as a significant and exemplary subject. Levinson’s four eras or seasons of lifespan development served as the theoretical psychological approach. The study was undertaken against the background of Merleau-Ponty’s ontological philosophy that elucidates a human science phenomenology where the individual cannot be separated from her social world. Alexander’s model of identifying salient biographical themes was utilized and a conceptual psycho-historical framework, based on both the life cycle theory of Levinson and significant historical periods throughout Hobhouse’s life, was employed to assist with data gathering, categorisation, and analyses. The findings highlight significant psychosocial and historical events in the life of Hobhouse that shaped her development as an anti-war campaigner. These include: The role of her strong-willed and determined mother; the denial of an opportunity to study and pursue a formal education; her management of painful feelings of abandonment and grief; the care of her father during his illness and his eventual death; the abrupt ending of her failed romantic relationship; her networking capacity; and her open-mindedness and capacity for independent humanitarian thought. Against the philosophical background of Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenological ontology, Levinson’s theory and eras proved valuable in identifying these particular psychosocial life experiences and historical events as having shaped Emily Hobhouse into an antiwar campaigner

Job satisfaction and workplace stress of public service staff in the Eastern and Western Cape of South Africa

The aim of the study was to measure and explore the job satisfaction and workplace stress levels of public service staff within the Eastern and Western Cape of South Africa, as well as to establish the extent of the relationship between the areas of job satisfaction and workplace stress. The measure was predominantly administered to staff that the researcher came into contact with as a result of psychometric assessments that their employer required them to complete. The researcher facilitated the role of a service provider to the public service entities and utilised this opportunity to encourage staff to complete the measure. The measure covered five job satisfaction and seven workplace stress variables. 230 staff members completed the measure of which 170 was deemed to be useable. A quantitative study thereby enabling the investigation into the potential sources of job dissatisfaction and workplace stress was conducted. Eight hypotheses had been formulated in order to facilitate the comparisons and had been informed by prior research. The quantitative analysis established that both of the sections in the measure (job satisfaction and workplace stress) averaged Cronbach’s alphas in excess of .60 for the 12 variables measured, this, therefore, exceeded the minimum benchmark that had been set for the study. As such, the measures were considered to be appropriate measures of their respective constructs. Staff were most satisfied with the hours that they worked and least satisfied with their opportunities for promotion. Staff experienced the least amount of stress related to bullying at work and experienced the most stress related to the intensity with which they were expected to work. A moderate relationship between workplace stress and job satisfaction was identified along with strong relationships between the factors of, managerial support and work relationships; managerial support and work activities; and between role and work activities. Moderate support was found for hypothesis six which referred to the relationships between job satisfaction and age. The study aided in enhancing insight into the causes of workplace stress and job dissatisfaction within public service in South Africa and can serve as a basis for future studies into the public service industry