https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/72396 2026-04-15T21:28:59Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118438 Title: Fairytales : the influence on young women's perception of romantic love Abstract: The aim of this study is to explore how fairytales impinge on young women's perception of romantic love. Using a qualitative approach four focus groups were conducted with female participants aged between 16 and 24 who were either in relationships or single and this was analysed using thematic analysis. This research indicates that young women identify with the female characters in fairytales. It also indicates that fairytales effect young women's expectations of boyfriends and young women's expectations of relationships in general. The most useful thing that could emerge from this study is an awareness of how certain notions young women have may effect their expectations of romantic relationships. It also offers recommendations for how the findings of this research are useful outside the context of romantic love. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/100980 Title: Linking Malta's adolescents' risky behaviour to social and cultural influences Abstract: This research project was carried out with hopes to determine the levels, frequency, nature and prevalence of risky behaviour of adolescents on the Maltese Islands. This behaviour was then analyzed and linked to possible social and cultural factors such as; religion, socio-economic status, family type, childhood experience, and education and schooling. The study was carried out on 236 participants ranging in age from 15-25, all currently living in Malta. Data was collected by means of an anonymous, online questionnaire and ensured strict confidentiality amongst all participants. Building upon information found in numerous literature and relevant sources, the levels of treacherous activity currently occurring in Malta were compared with empirical findings. in other countries. The major hypothesis, does locality, religion, family background, education level and/or socio-economic status matter in the attitudes, behaviours and predispositions of today's adolescents, suggested an affirmative answer. Religion, family values, parental control and upbringing all suggest significance in adolescent behaviour. The experimental behaviours focused upon in this study include; smoking, drinking alcohol, dabbling with illicit drugs and promiscuous, unprotected sexual activity. The fact that all these behaviours were seen in abundance suggests that there are high levels of availability of illegal substances on the Maltese Islands, and that significant amounts of teenagers are participating in under-age binge drinking and sexual activity. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/97283 Title: Hesitation phenomena in Maltese political speakers Abstract: This study concentrated on language as a tool and the use of hesitation phenomena by Maltese political speakers. It was hypothesised that hesitation phenomena would be more frequent in speech situations which are spontaneous and less in contexts for which speech content is prepared; the distribution of hesitation phenomena would vary between speakers and that it would be influenced by the speech situation; the rate of speech would vary between speakers and that differences in speech rate would be found within those contexts requiring greater expression. Speech samples of four Maltese public figures were analysed and the subsequent results supported all three hypotheses. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/88179 Title: Female University students' perceptions of pornography Abstract: This research project highlights the main concepts regarding female university students and their perceptions of pornography. The research agenda involves investigating the cognitive and affective perspectives women hold towards pornography as well to hypothesise about pornography's influence on the sexual self. A review of the literature involves the exploration of four main concepts: young people in society today; media and identity; attitudes; and pornography. Focus groups were employed to gather data from female university students aged 18 to 25 and the data from these focus groups was analysed thematically. Thematic analysis revealed four overarching themes: the cognizance of pornography; affective connotations of pornography; sexuality; as well as the self and pornography. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z