Factors Influencing Education Students’ Perception of Aggression at a University in South Africa

Author Information

CPH Myburgh, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Marie Poggenpoel, University of South Africa, South Africa
Marie Hastings-Tolsma, Baylor University, United States & University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Short description: A multivariate approach was applied focussing on perceptions of students’ self, relationships and aggression.Long description: The dynamics of learning at a university from undergraduate to post-graduate is complex. Aggression is part and parcel of everyday life and learning. Knowledge management within such a context poses challenges to those involved, i.e. for student-learners, professors and management. In this paper we address students’ perceptions of self, relationships and aggression.Objectives: To explore and describe the significance of differences between the perceptions of students of aggression of various groups perceiving higher versus lower intra- or interpersonal relationships and to formulate guidelines to manage perceived aggression. Method: A quantitative, exploratory and empirical research design that is multivariate inferential and descriptive was followed. A questionnaire was electronically distributed to all students in a faculty of education. It consisted of biographic, personality and aggression question items. Cronbach alpha, factor analyses, and multivariate comparisons (Hotelling T-square followed by t-tests) were used to investigate differences between groups concerning factors of aggression. The independent variables were self- love, interpersonal relationships and disconnectedness. Ethical clearance was obtained. Results: The findings reflected that when a person exhibits self-love there is a significant difference with respect to aggression. A student with self-love is less aggressive towards self and others compared to persons perceiving themselves as having less self-love. Conclusion: The challenge is to assist students to understand and manage their own perceptions of self, relationships and aggression to facilitate dynamic adult education

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• Category: IICEHawaii2018, Oral Presentation
• Tag: Higher Education,

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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