https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/1045 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:57:28 GMT 2026-04-18T12:57:28Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6193 Title: A gate to a mate? S.E.S. and mate selection in Malta : a quantitative study Abstract: Research has shown that males prefer signs of fertility in a partner, while females tend to be inclined more towards males who show signs of dominance and control. While this finding has been replicated in various countries with different economic and educational prospects, studies have shown that people from different socioeconomic backgrounds tend to have different patterns of health, crime and other areas of life. The main goal of this research is was to find out whether people of different S.E.S. actually have different mate preferences towards the socioeconomic and physical attributes of a desired partner and the relationship goals preferred. The research conducted on 101 respondents coming from the University of Malta, disconfirmed the hypotheses put forward. Results were simply consistent with evolutionary research. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6193 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6189 Title: Outlooks on the godless : attitudes towards atheists among students at the University of Malta Abstract: Atheists are a particular subset of the population who do not believe in the existence of god and prejudice towards them abounds. The present research studied the attitudes of University of Malta students towards atheists. Participants came from different faculties and included 76 undergraduate students – mostly female (n = 53) – with a mean age of 24.36 years. A quantitative methodology was employed and data was collected using an online survey which assessed for demographics, post-critical beliefs, religious fundamentalism, right-wing authoritarianism, negative attitudes towards atheists, belief in god and religious affiliation. Bivariate statistics showed relationships between several variables and negative attitudes towards atheists. Furthermore, belief in god accounted for the effects of religious affiliation on attitudes towards atheists and this was taken as evidence for the evolutionary role of supernatural monitoring concerns in anti-atheist prejudice. However, ANCOVA ultimately revealed that only religious fundamentalism and right-wing authoritarianism correlate significantly with anti-atheist prejudice. The results point to the significance of individual difference variables over labelling effects in anti-atheist prejudice, contrasting with previous research. The local implications of these findings are discussed. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6189 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6188 Title: Extra curricular activities : the perception of graduates of how student engagement affects career development : a quantitative study Abstract: This study questioned a number of local graduates on their perception towards the benefits reaped through participation in extra curricular activities. The focus was on employability skills and career development. The skills under study included communication skills, leadership skills, time management skills, creativity skills and self-promotion skills. The statements presented in the questionnaire focused on the possession of the aforementioned skills, the development of the mentioned skills through participation, together with the perception of skills related to career development with regards to recruitment and career progression. By means of a questionnaire posted online through social media websites, 150 respondents participated and expressed their beliefs through agreeing or disagreeing with the statements presented before them. The level of significance for the tests run was of 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval was used. Results show significant differences in the gender sample groups, but the majority of the significant differences observed between the sample groups were between the groups with different hours of participation in extra curricular activities. Graduates claimed that leadership benefited most from involvement in extra curricular activities. Communicaiton and selfpromotional skills benefited moderately. Unlike other employment skills, the time management skills of students hardly benefited, if at all from participation in extra curricular activities. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6188 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2527 Title: A pain in the brain : the psychological effect of football injuries : a qualitative study Abstract: In 1993, Heil reported that approximately seventeen million American athletes sustained an injury each year. The aim of this qualitative study is to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experience of football players who have suffered football injuries. Six male athletes, aged between twenty and twenty-four, who had suffered a major injury participated in semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Six super-ordinate themes emerged: (a) technology, (b) stress, (c) semi-professional (d) social support, (e) mental preparation, (f) identity and emotions. Participants’ stories largely showed that since Maltese athletes are semi-professional, stress would be higher due to work and training demands, as it becomes more difficult to continue playing with years. Furthermore, lack of mental preparation both for the athletes and coaches is leaving a negative impact on performance and rehabilitative process, thereby increasing the risk of an injury. An important factor was the lack of readiness to go back on the pitch after recovery from an injury. In spite of the support offered by the family and friends athletes rarely found any help from the club personnel, thus increasing their level of stress. Lastly, athlete identity was affected and negative emotions were experienced throughout the injury phase. This study can help to inform coaches and athletes, as well as the Malta Football Association, to re-evaluate existing support structures with the aim of providing better mental help during the athletic career and the recovery process when the athlete sustains an injury. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2527 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z