OpenUCT :: Browsing by Author "Tredoux, Colin"

Browsing by Author "Tredoux, Colin"

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Accounting for lack of interracial mixing amongst South African university students
(SAGE, 2007) Finchilescu, Gillian; Tredoux, Colin; Mynhardt, Johan; Pillay, Jace; Muianga, Lucena
The persistence of informal segregation in post-apartheid South Africa is now well documented. As the articles in this journal issue attest, this segregation is rife in many public spaces, including university campuses. This article explores the reasons to which students attribute the lack of interracial mixing at their institutions. Students from four universities were surveyed using an internet-based questionnaire. The final sample consisted of 1 068 black African and 1 521 white students. Their agreement or disagreement with eight reasons for avoidance of contact was analysed and found to vary as a function of race. The relationship of their responses to levels of prejudice and amount of interracial contact was examined.
Open Access
An analysis of psychological and legal conceptions of the defence of non-pathological criminal incapacity
(2000) Africa, Adelene R; Tredoux, Colin
The defence of non-pathological capacity presents challenges for both law and psychology because it acknowledges that psychological factors other than mental illness, are grounds for complete exculpation. In this sense, South African law differs from its Anglo-American counterparts as it recognises that non-pathological factors playa role in negating criminal responsibility. Legal and mental health professionals are instrumental in the application of the defence, but both case law and literature reflect differences in the way in which the defence is understood and applied. Disagreement within and between disciplines adds to the controversial nature of the defence. This study examines the interpretation and practical application of the defence by mental health professionals and lawyers. It explores how participants' understanding of the defence informs its application in practice. A sample of ten participants including mental health professionals (comprising psychologists and psychiatrists) and lawyers (comprising advocates) was chosen, in order that a comparison be drawn between the two groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted so as to enable in-depth exploration of issues regarding conceptions of criminal responsibility, the role of expert testimony and the conceptual understanding and application of the defence.
Open Access
Approaching the language and processes for addressing and evaluating allegations of child sexual abuse in South Africa
(2004) Baker, Heather; Tredoux, Colin
The two studies conducted focus on the processes for addressing allegations of child sexual abuse (CSA) in South Africa. A comprehensive literature review revealed some of the pitfalls in South African systems for dealing with CSA allegations including a lack of guidelines for assessing allegations and insufficient research in the area. In the first study, mental health and legal/forensic professionals completed a questionnaire designed by the researcher to investigate the criteria they would use to establish the veracity of an allegation of sexual abuse. An indication of the degree of relevance of certain criteria (e.g. 'medical evidence of abuse') to assessment was established based on these results. In general, the responses of the two groups correlated but there were seven criteria on which they differed. Many of the participants also provided specific criteria in response to qualitative questions asking if there were any criteria they believe indicate that an allegation is definitely true or definitely false, indicating a belief that there are certain factors that conclusively point to sexual abuse and other factors that unambiguously indicate that an allegation is fictitious.
Open Access
Assessing the Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour to Water Usage During and Following a Water Crisis
(2023) Herr, Donna; Tredoux, Colin
The global frequency and severity of water scarcity events are increasing, making it necessary to reduce human demand for available water supplies. This mixed-methods research used the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to investigate determinants of water usage during and after a water crisis. 89 participants were surveyed in Cape Town, South Africa, during the 2018 water crisis, followed by 56 repeated participants 25 months later. The study found that perceived behavioural control was the only significant determinant of actual water usage. A validation sample of 156 participants was also collected at the second time point, and the potential impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the follow-up study was addressed. A TPB questionnaire was created, assessed for reliability and validity, and piloted before use before the first wave of study among a sample of the target population (N = 28). Structural Equation Modelling was used to test the predictive value of the TPB at both time points, and a comparison of the models was reported. This research adds to the existing literature on the TPB by addressing two suggested limitations of past research: (1) a lack of consideration of confounding research contexts and (2) issues of construct validity in current TPB research methods
Open Access
Closing the mathematics achievement gap: exploring the applicability of growth mindset in South Africa
(2022) Morse, Katherine; Tredoux, Colin
Growth mindset interventions have been shown to give small but significant boosts to mathematics performance. These interventions are both brief and cheap, making them attractive for boosting mathematics performance. Is it possible that South African students can benefit from a growth mindset intervention? Mindset assessments and interventions have predominantly been developed in the United States. There have been applications of the assessments and interventions to other cultural contexts, often with minimal adaptions. Adaptions are not reported in detail (or thoroughly evaluated) in existing research literature. In a series of four studies, I establish that South African high school students do have mathematics mindsets akin to the fixed and growth mindsets reported elsewhere. Using an iterative design process and item analysis, I modified a mathematics mindset assessment for use with disadvantaged students in South Africa. In two correlational studies I established validity and reliability for a mindset assessment I call “Thinking About Maths”. I examined the contribution of mathematics mindsets to mathematics performance, in comparison with mathematics anxiety, study attitude and study milieu (or environment). I found that whilst mindsets do contribute to performance, the contribution is minimal compared to other variables measured. Additionally, I found that in an impoverished study environment males have high mathematics anxiety which inhibits mathematics performance whereas females have high study attitude, boosting mathematics performance. With assistance from students and teachers, I developed a mindset intervention that is culturally appropriate and relevant. 305 Grade 9 students participated in a field-based quasi-experiment, which had a passive control group. The intervention was delivered on WhatsApp over four weeks. Each week contained a growth mindset message, a YouTube clip, advice on a learning strategy, and an integration activity. The groups were facilitated by young adult mentors. It was clear that WhatsApp groups were an effective mode of delivery and there was good evidence of participation from students. Mathematics performance at the intervention school improved significantly beyond that of the control school. The strength of the intervention seems to lie in the combination of mindset messaging and the teaching of effective strategies.
Open Access
Comparing featural and holistic composite systems with the aid of guided memory techniques
(2007) Sullivan, Taryn; Tredoux, Colin
This study compares the effectiveness of two computerised composite construction systems - a holistic, recognition-based system named ID and a featural system that is utilized internationally, namely FACES. The comparison aimed to test whether ID produces better quality composites to FACES, and whether these composites could be improved with the aid of context reinstatement tehcniques, in particular guided memory. Participants (n=64) attended a staged event where they witnessed a female 'numerologist' for 20 minutes. Five weeks later they were asked to return to create a composite of the woman using either FACES or ID. Reconstructions were made in view, from memory after a South African Police interview or from memory after a guided memory interview. In addition, experts for each system constructed composites of each perpetrator. Studies have reported enhanced identification when multiple composites are combined to create a morpho. Hence, the guided memory composites for each perpetrator were morphed to create three ID and three FACES morphs. The complete set of 76 composites was then evaluated by 503 independent judges using matching and rating tasks. The study hypothesised that ID would perform better, but results suggest that the two systems performed equivalently. Results also suggest that the guided memory interview did not have the desired effect of significantly improving participants' memories of the perpetrator, and that contrary to expectations, the morphed composites performed extremely poorly and were rated the worst and identified the least. Related findings and ideas for future research are discussed.
Open Access
Contribution of Role Recollection and Perpetrator Identification to the Accuracy of Multi-perpetrator Eyewitness Testimonies
(2021) Allen, Caroline; Tredoux, Colin; Nortje, Alicia
Eyewitness testimonies serve as heavily weighted evidence in criminal investigations. Despite this, research has demonstrated the fallibility of eyewitness memory, especially for crimes involving more than one perpetrator. The task for multi-perpetrator eyewitnesses is unique as they not only have to identify perpetrators, but describe the roles played in the crime and then assign an action to each perpetrator. This study examined factors affecting perpetrator identification, role recollection, and perpetrator-role pairing. Participants (N = 216) watched a staged video of a crime and then completed online tasks based on what they saw. At encoding, participants viewed one, two, or five perpetrators. Participants were either required to identify perpetrators from line-ups or were given images of each offender. In addition, they were either required to describe each perpetrator's role or were given this information. For methodological reasons, no perpetrator-absent line-ups were included in the current research as participants who viewed this kind of line-up had no potential for scoring along the perpetrator-role pairing measure. The results suggest that, as the number of perpetrators increases, participants made fewer correct identifications, role recollections, and pairings. However, there was no significant difference in identification accuracy between the one-and two-perpetrator conditions. The findings also show that while receiving experimenter-defined roles yields more accurate pairings, receiving photographs of the perpetrators does not. Future research is needed into the pairing process, the findings of which could be used to improve police procedure for interviewing multiperpetrator eyewitnesses.
Open Access
Culture, self, and cognition: adding Africa to the mix
(2017) Janse van Rensburg, Gerard; Tredoux, Colin
Cross-cultural differences in cognition have been well established across the world, and differences in Individualism (IND) and Collectivism (COL) are believed to underlie the majority of these cultural variations. IND-COL measures are frequently used to categorise nations as either IND or COL and these nations are subsequently used to draw IND or COL samples for comparison on various cognitive tasks. The multicultural nature of South Africa and inconsistent findings on IND-COL in SA makes such IND-COL categorisation problematic. African nations have also been conspicuously missing from international cross-cultural research on culture and cognition. This study set out to explore the utility of IND-COL measures in South Africa, with special regard to possible racial or linguistic differences. It also set out to remedy the absence of African nations in the international literature by replicating a previous study on culture and cognition within a South African sample. The shortened HVIC scale by Triandis and Gelfand (1998) was used to explore racial and linguistic differences in terms of IND-COL within a South African university population (N = 1380). Psychometric analyses showed good reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity. Regression analysis revealed race and language as poor predictors of IND. COL prediction was marginally better, accounting for 8.2% of variance, and with African Language as a significant predictor (beta = -.432, p < .01). To address the absence of Africa in the literature, replication of the eye-tracking and memory study by Chua et al. (2005) was attempted in a South African university population (N = 52). Due to the multicultural nature of South Africa, participants were recruited and sorted according to scores on a shortened version of the HVIC into an IND group (n = 25) and a COL group (n = 27). After correcting for outliers, no significant differences were found between the two groups regarding eye-movement patterns or memory. The two SA groups did, however, differ significantly from the American group but not the Chinese group in the original study by Chua et al. (2005). Discrepancies in IND-COL research in SA are likely due to a lack of comprehensiveness in terms of the cultural tasks included in the surveys. Increasing acculturation in post-Apartheid South Africa, especially among university students, may also play a large role. Further issues regarding IND-COL measurement in South Africa, as well as issues surrounding IND-COL measurement internationally were also discussed. Methodological issues in studying the links between IND-COL and cognition within a South African context were likely the reason behind the lack of differences found in this study in terms of eye-movement patterns and memory for the two SA groups.
Open Access
Depression, self-esteem and narcissism and its association with Facebook use
(2016) Tisaker, Nurain; Tredoux, Colin
Based on extensive research from the USA, Europe and Asia into mental health symptoms, it has been suggested that mental health might be influenced by social networking use, and specifically Facebook. It is evident that there is a gap in studies and local research into mental health and social networking. From a South African perspective, there appears to be no known research conducted in this field, and therefore the rationale for the present study was based on the observation that, as a large proportion of South African internet users also use Facebook, it would be fruitful to focus on whether mental health symptoms were influenced by Facebook use in a South African setting. The study adopted a quantitative approach to explore different hypotheses. The hypotheses included whether more Facebook activity might correlate with an increase in feelings of depression (Hypothesis 1); whether there was a correlation between individuals with low self-esteem and their level of Facebook activity (Hypothesis 2); and whether high narcissism scores in individuals indicated a correlation with increased or high levels of Facebook activity (Hypothesis 3). A total of 336 participants who were students from the University of Cape Town (UCT) completed the survey, which comprised several questionnaires. The first questionnaire required participants to provide their demographic information. The second measure addressed their Facebook online activity, requiring that participants indicate how many times they check their Facebook page each day, the time spent on Facebook per session, and how they accessed Facebook. Other questionnaires assessed the psychological constructs of depression, self-esteem and narcissism, using existing scales. These included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II); the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D); the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES); and the Narcissism Personality Inventory (NPI-16). The data were analysed across several steps, including descriptive statistics, to explore demographics (i.e. age, sex and race); then participants' scores on the psychological constructs (BDI-II, CES-D, RSES, and NPI-16) were explored to gain an overall impression of the sample and a basic understanding of how participants scored on the various psychological constructs. Thereafter Pearson correlations were calculated to assess whether participants' scores on the psychological constructs correlated with their Facebook activity, as measured by their time spent, the number of times they checked Facebook, and their method of access. The results indicated that there was no significant relationship between Facebook activity and the psychological constructs explored. This finding contradicts various studies discussed in the literature review, some of which suggest that Facebook use could have a negative effect on depressive symptoms, self-esteem and narcissistic traits, and some which suggest that Facebook use could have a positive effect on mental health.
Open Access
Determinants of estimated face composite quality
(2010) Schmidt, Heike Christine; Tredoux, Colin
This thesis addresses the evaluation of an investigative tool commonly used by police forces around the world, namely a face composite or facial likeness. The process of constructing a composite involves a number of cognitive elements, all of which contribute to the final composite quality. This thesis examines elements of the construction process and assessment of the final composite quality in research and practice. There are three main aspects to the empirical work reported here. The first, consisting of two experimental studies, investigates the possibility of reinstating context as a way of improving composite quality. The second examines composite construction and use within the South African Police Service. The third examined the measurement of composite quality itself.
Open Access
Does the Post-Identification Feedback Effect Persist in Eyewitnesses Viewing Multiple Perpetrator Line-ups?
(2023) Methola, Bokang; Tredoux, Colin; Nortje Alicia
Eyewitness testimonies are integral pieces of evidence in criminal justice investigations. This is because justified conviction and appropriate sentencing can flow from eyewitness testimony. However, research has demonstrated that eyewitness testimony is often unreliable, even more so, the testimony of eyewitnesses who have witnessed multiple perpetrator crimes. This is because eyewitnesses to multiple perpetrator crimes have the challenging tasks of recalling the crime scene, correctly identifying the perpetrators involved in the crime, and assigning the correct role to each perpetrator. Eyewitnesses in the current study viewed a mock crime video comprising one, two, or five perpetrators and were instructed to answer a number of crime-related questions and identify the perpetrator/s from the line-up. The line-ups were presented sequentially (with one perpetrator in each line-up) for eyewitnesses who viewed the multiple perpetrator crimes. Additionally, these eyewitnesses were required to pair each perpetrator to the role they played in the crime. Analysis of the sample (N = 226) revealed that the accuracy of eyewitnesses decreased as the number of perpetrators increased. The ‘post-identification feedback' effect has not yet been studied in multiple perpetrator crimes. Single perpetrator research demonstrates that any suggestion that the eyewitness chose the correct person from the line-up inflates eyewitness confidence. We hypothesized that the effect would also persist in eyewitnesses who viewed multiple perpetrator crimes. We analysed 1991 of the 226 eyewitnesses and found that postidentification feedback did not significantly affect eyewitness identification and role confidence
Open Access
The effect of stress on memory : eyewitness performance in juveniles and young adults
(2009) Ball, Marianne; Tredoux, Colin
An experimental design was used to investigate the relationship between stress and eyewitness memory in adolescents (Experiment 1) and young adults (Experiment 2). Psychosocial stress was induced using a public speaking task. As eyewitness outcome measures, participants were asked to provide a physical description and to make a lineup identification of a) a research assistant with whom they had interacted under stressful circumstances (prior to public speaking), and b) a research assistant with whom they had interacted under neutral circumstances. Participants also responded to questions that tested their memory for central and peripheral details of the interactions.
Open Access
The effects of the relationship between racial identity and the nature and frequency of interracial contact on racial prejudice and social distance
(2006) Muianga, Lucena; Tredoux, Colin; Finchilescu, Gillian
In the light of social identity theory and contact theory, this study looked at the effects of racial identity on contact and prejudice. The sample consisted of 826 UCT students who belonged to the White and African population groups. Their mean age was 20.50 and they were 52.54% females and 47.46% males. A pilot study using 42 participants answered questions concerning the face validity of the scales and questions aimed at testing the on-line system for data collection. The data was gathered by means of a questionnaire accessed by the participants on-line. The interval scales measuring racial identity, nature and frequency of contact and prejudice/social distance were all found to have Cronbach's coefficient alphas bigger than .73. Another variable measured the proportion of cross-race friendships as a percentage. Two statistical techniques were used to analyse the data: path analysis and simultaneous multiple regressions. Some information was added by the theme analysis of the comments of the participants concerning the study. The results of the study revealed total mean values above the mid-point for all variables that are: in-group identity, nature and frequency of contact, positive feelings of the participants towards each other and desire for interracial contact. Two things are salient in the results of the present study: a) interracial contact did not allow cross-race friendships forming at a moderate or high percentage and; b) in the African population group racial identity (social identity) did not have statistically significant effects on prejudice and social distance. It did have them when the group was split by gender. Two research hypotheses were confirmed and the other two were partially confirmed. Racial identity had a direct negative causal effect on nature of contact for the entire sample and for the White population group. It also had an indirect negative causal effect on prejudice and social distance via nature of contact for the entire sample and the White population group. For this group, racial identity also had direct negative causal effects on prejudice/social distance. Racial identity had direct causal effects on prejudice for the African males and females separately. Nature of contact had the strongest direct positive causal effects on prejudice/social distance. The variance in prejudice/social distance is explained by racial identity, nature and frequency of contact acting together, with the nature of contact being the strongest contributor. The results show positive effects of inter-racial contact on prejudice/social distance on UCT campus. This trend was also found by some previous studies. Some limitations linked to the research methodology inhibited the generalisation of the results.
Open Access
An evaluation of the profile of characteristics of the population of State patients admitted to Valkenberg Hospital's Forensic Unit from December 1964 to May 1997
(1999) Benjamin, Arlene; Tredoux, Colin
Forensic psychiatry is the mental health profession that deals with patients and problems related to both psychiatric and legal services. Due to the dual systems involved, it is not always clear who is serving what sector of the criminal population. Changes in provision of resources calls for ongoing evaluation of the patients being served. Before one can consider the kinds of changes that need to be made in terms of resources one needs to know what the population is. This study provides a profile of the characteristics of State Patients admitted to Valkenberg Hospital's Forensic Unit. The aim is to provide alternatives for the care and treatment of individuals with mental illness who are involved in criminal activity. However, it would appear necessary to explore some of the associated characteristics which have brought these individuals into psychiatric services in the first place. This research, therefore, also explores the relationship that exists between mental disorder and crime in the patients at Valkenberg's forensic unit. The study examines patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals, and for what reasons, as well as what factors contribute to their length of stay or discharge. This relates to the concepts of risk assessment and dangerousness. Patients selected for the research spanned an admission period from 1964 to 1997. The data for the period May 1997-May 1999 was gathered and analysed. Patients admitted to the forensic unit after May 1997 did not qualify for this study as they needed to be in the hospital for at least two years. The patient sample would have been observed and treated for a two-year period. Data was gathered from information recorded in the hospital files. The data was collected using the archival research method. This study gives an account of some of the demographic characteristics of patients admitted to Valkenberg's forensic unit. It was found that a high percentage of patients were charged with physically violent offences and diagnosed as schizophrenic. A high percentage of patients have been detained in hospital for 5 or more years which brings into questions the length of detention of mentally disordered offenders in hospital. A substantial number of patients were found to be apsychotic and mentally stable. However, violent behaviour amongst the patients was prominent. High levels of physical violence in hospital were identified and can be one of the main causes for the ongoing detention of patients in hospital. It remains controversial as to who should be made responsible for managing violent behaviour amongst mentally disordered offenders. It was found that high numbers of patients had been experiencing vacational leave, thereby advancing towards potential for discharge. However, factors such as violent behaviour; problem behaviours e.g. aggression, sexual disinhibition and absconding; substance abuse; and family circumstance may influence the patient's potential for discharge from hospital.
Open Access
Exploring language production, comprehension and naming in adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
(2011) Corbett, Claire; Tredoux, Colin; Adnams, Colleen
The aims of this study were i) to evaluate the domains of language production, comprehension and naming in children with moderate or heavy prenatal exposure to alcohol, and ii) to determine if these domains are a specific weakness in these children. The study compared 25 children with FASD to 25 typically developing non-alcohol exposed controls on four language measures; (1) the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals Revised; (2) the Test of Reception of Grammar- Version II; (3) the Cookie Jar Theft Picture test and; (4) the Boston Naming test.
Open Access
Face off : automatic versus controlled processing: does a shift in processing affect facial recognition?
(2011) Nortje, Alicia; Tredoux, Colin
Working from the transfer-inappropriate processing shift (Schooler, 2002), this project aimed to investigate whether a shift from automatic to controlled processing would impair face recognition rates, much like the manipulated Navon letters do (Perfect, Weston, Dennis, & Snell, 2008), thus providing an alternative explanation for the mechanism underlying the verbal overshadowing effect (Schooler & Engstler-Schooler, 1990).
Open Access
Insight in problem solving : developing a neural network theoretical account of the processes involved in attaining insight
(1997) Roberts, Karen Ann; Tredoux, Colin
Insight has enjoyed the reputation of an elusive phenomenon in psychology and insight problems are very difficult to solve. Only very specific hints concerning their solution have been found to significantly increase the number of problem solvers who are able to solve insight problems. The result of this has been to suggest that insight does not exist, that it is a mysterious phenomenon, or that it is an aspect of problem solving which we have so far failed to understand. Insight in problem solving is investigated from the perspective that the phenomenon needs explanation and it is argued that, while insight has been operationally defined and a clear set of key empirical findings have been established, the conceptual explanation of insight has been largely ignored. It is suggested that a conceptual account of insight is needed so that this aspect of cognitive processing can be incorporated into the main body of cognitive research on problem solving. The current tension in cognitive science and cognitive psychology is examined and it is argued that writing a conceptual account of insight in neural network theoretical terms will not only advance our understanding of insight, but will also reflect on the debate in cognitive theory. This is a result of its status as an aspect of problem solving and as a phenomenon which symbolic theory has so far failed to offer a clear explanation for. A conceptual account of insight in neural network terms is advanced which offers a comprehensive account of the key empirical findings on insight. It is suggested that insight can be understood as the recognition of a pattern to insight problems. Predictions derived from the theory suggest that overcoming the effects of past learning, employing conceptual transfer, and fostering expertise at insight problem solving will significantly facilitate insightful problem solution.
Open Access
Intergroup Contact and Housing Selection of United States Study Abroad Students
(2021) Frekot, Elizabeth; Tredoux, Colin
Since its introduction by Allport (1954; Nature of Prejudice), the contact hypothesis has expanded beyond understanding the relationship between intergroup contact and prejudice reduction (Zuma, 2014). The contact hypothesis has also been used to understand the relationship between intergroup contact and intercultural attitudes and cross-group friendships (Tawagi & Mak, 2014). This research aimed to understand the impact of housing as a catalyst for intergroup contact as it relates to negative intercultural attitudes and intergroup anxiety for United States Semester Study Abroad students at the University of Cape Town (UCT). A longitudinal quasi-experimental design was used to examine the impact of housing type on factors of intergroup contact, like quantity and quality of contact with SA students, negative and positive contact, intergroup anxiety and negative intercultural attitudes, over the US study abroad semester and when they return home. Two surveys were administered while US students were in-country and one administered when they returned home. Mixed linear models and longitudinal path models were used to analyze relationships between the variables over time. The current study showed an impact of program housing on the quantity and quality of contact with SA students and negative intercultural attitudes over time. US study abroad students living in UCT Residence and Campus Key reported more quantity of contact with SA students, especially Black SA students. The housing type of the US student impacted negative intercultural attitudes and quality of contact, moderated by time. This research expands the growing literature about the impact of intercultural and international contact on longitudinal effects of study abroad. Future research could expand on the current research by exploring the kind of contact US students have with SA students based on housing and expand on the preliminary results on where intergroup contact occurs with White and Black SA students.
Open Access
Internalised shame and racialised identity in South Africa, with specific reference to 'coloured' identity : a quantitative study at two Western Cape universities
(2004) Julius, Hayley; Tredoux, Colin
Drawing on Social Identity Theory, with particular reference to racialisation in South Africa, this study looked at the significance of shame for a group of people who identify with the racially ascribed group of 'coloured'. It was also the purpose of the study to determine whether there were significant differences in shame amongst three groups of respondents who identified themselves as 'black', 'white', and 'coloured', as an indication of institutional apartheid's bastardisation of certain identities and the consequences thereof in self-conscious emotions. The sample consisted of 444 students at the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape, with a 'racial' demographic breakdown of 131 'black' respondents, 136 'white' respondents, 132 'coloured' respondents, 11 'Indian' respondents, and 15 respondents who chose the option of 'other'. As the three major groups of interest was 'black', 'white', and 'coloured', and sample sizes of other groups were small, information for these latter groups were discarded. The independent variable, strength of 'racial' identification across the 'race' categories of 'black', 'white', and 'coloured', was measured by a 24-item instrument comprising a 16-item Collective Self-Esteem Scale (Luhtanen and Crocker, 1992) that had been supplemented by 8 items from Bornman's (1988) racial identification scale. The dependent variable was shame and the Internalized Shame Scale (Cook, 2001) was used as a measure of this. A demographic questionnaire was compiled and respondents were asked to voluntarily respond to these three self-report measures in one sitting, administered in their lecture theatre during usual lecture times.
Open Access
Investigating the role of motivation in cross-race facial recognition using a social exclusion paradigm
(2022) Derbyshire, Daniel; Tredoux, Colin
The cross-race effect (CRE) refers to the finding that participants in face recognition tasks show better memory for same-race faces than cross-race faces. The social cognitive perspective suggests that motivation to encode and remember different faces can affect the CRE. Social exclusion presents one way to explore the role of motivation through its influence on the processing social information. The primary aim of the present research was to examine the influence of social exclusion on the CRE. Social exclusion was simulated by using Cyberball, a game where participants are excluded by virtual players. The Cyberball games also formed the encoding phase of a face recognition task, where different race faces were used as the avatars of the virtual players. The final sample included 754 black, coloured and white participants assigned to one of five conditions where they were included or excluded by same-race or cross-race members. The analyses showed that black participants did not show any significant CRE, white participants showed a CRE for both black and coloured targets and coloured participants showed a CRE for black targets only. The effects of exclusion were not consistent and, generally, predictions about the role of motivation were not supported. These results point to a need to explore inconsistencies in producing the CRE, such as why participants demonstrate a CRE for certain cross-race groups but not others. Considering the lack of support for a motivational account, the present research suggest that a combination of perceptual, social and contextual factors should be considered in future research on the CRE.

Browsing by Author "Tredoux, Colin"

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