4. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - Faculties submissions
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37773
Browse
2 results
Search Results
Item Personality profiles of the Namaqua rock mouse (Micaelamys namaquensis), the Mozambique thicket rat (Grammomys cometes) and the woodland dormouse (Graphiurus murinus)(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-09) Mampa, Nthabiseng; Linhsan, Emmanuel Do; Madikiza, KimPersonality is the variation in behaviour amongst individuals, which arises as a result of genetic differences and exposure to different environments. Although the term is usually associated with humans, multiple studies have found evidence for personality in other non-human taxa such as rodents, fish, reptiles, and primates, which ultimately showed that personality is ubiquitous. Personality determines how individuals react in different situations throughout their life, such as when they encounter stressors, interact with their conspecifics, prey and predators, how they select seeds and the distance to which they disperse, when displaying aggression, and when facing novel objects, their propensity to take risks, among other behaviours. Personality traits are most described using terms such as bold and shy, aggressive, docile, and avoidant. These terms relate to individual coping style, temperament, and correlated traits. Given the importance of personality, this study was aimed at studying personality in the woodland dormouse, Mozambique thicket rat and Namaqua rock mouse, in order to understand personality and how it varies among species and within species, i.e., between sexes. In consideration of the importance of genetic factors in the development of personality, it was expected that there would be differences among the three rodent species despite being exposed to similar environmental conditions. It was also expected that there would be differences between males and females within each species due to the influence of sex hormones on personality. Two standardised personality tests were conducted, namely the open-field and the novel object test to measure boldness, shyness, exploration, and avoidance when facing novelty by observing the frequency and duration of the behavioural responses exhibited during these tests. The study showed that rodents react to novelty by showing both shy and bold behavioural responses. However, the three species differ from each other in boldness and shyness. Males and females also showed differences in their behavioural responses to novelty. Overall, this study highlighted two strategies used for survival in nature. In consideration of this, it would be beneficial to preserve pristine forests to protect keystone structures that are crucial for preserving diversity in species and personality types. However, more studies on long-term trapping and correlation with personality tests could reveal more information on the personality profiles and their subsequent consequences.Item Entrepreneurial traits among university students in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Mhlanga, Sylvia ShingaidzoAt a time when South Africa critically needs businesses categorised as small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) to contribute meaningfully to the economy, there is a gap in research undertaken on the levels of personality trait among youths in South Africa, specifically focusing on their related impact on new venture formation and entrepreneurial success. Anchored on the Psychological Entrepreneurship Theory, the research was aimed at examining whether university students possess the personality traits that influence new venture formation, as well as one’s success as an entrepreneur. Through examining their entrepreneurial traits, the study evaluated whether entrepreneurship is a viable career option for undergraduate university students and identified if existing policy interventions are adequate in addressing any entrepreneurial personality gaps among university students. The literature review section was targeted at highlighting some of the existing key research work on the interrelatedness of personality traits and entrepreneurship, as well as how each of the personality traits in the Big Five Model influence entrepreneurship. Utilising a questionnaire design consistent with the Big Five Approach, data was collected from 62 undergraduate students at the University of Witwatersrand, to assess the levels of their entrepreneurial personality traits. The data was statistically analysed, using mean scores and frequency distributions, to assess the levels entrepreneurial traits among undergraduate students and the results presented, including all policy recommendations and conclusions. Results of the internal factor validity tests conducted on each of the entrepreneurial traits using the Cronbach’s alpha showed that although the factors used in the questionnaire were generally valid, the research instrument could be improved by replacing the factors that had lower scores. Results of the significance tests on the variables showed that there was strong evidence of relationships between the entrepreneurial traits and demographic variables among the undergraduate students. The results of the study also showed that although there is a high level of entrepreneurial traits among undergraduate university students, some personality traits were less developed and needed further strengthening