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10 June 2022 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Stephen Collett
Prof Paul Fouche
Prof Paul Fouché is a leading scholar within the field of psychobiography. He presented his inaugural lecture on the subject matter on 1 June 2022.

Anyone can become famous today with enough social media exposure, but then there are individuals who have transcended any regular level of ‘fame’ and have become celebrated icons. These people’s names are usually synonymous with the area in which they gained prominence. 

In his inaugural lecture titled Dissecting the eminent personality from a psychobiographical approach, Prof Paul Fouché, Lecturer of Applied Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Free State (UFS), aimed to unpack the overarching markers such as traits, features and life events which contribute to attaining a level of greatness. “Eminent personalities are viewed as famous, distinguished, illustrious, and sometimes controversial people who had a profound impact on society,” Prof Fouché said. 

His research interest lies in an interdisciplinary research area combining both history and psychology to create the niche research field of psychobiography.

Click to view document  Read summary of inaugural lecture by Prof Paul Fouché here.

Scoping research identified markers for attaining greatness 

People do not just become great, there are emerging patterns or markers that psychobiographers look at when dissecting eminent personalities, Prof Fouché said. “These markers are not definite; they still need to be tested further.” He referred to scoping research by Prof Dean Simonton – an expert in the fields of Intelligence, Excellence, Genes and Genius – which identified emerging patterns and markers that correspond to the psychological patterns of excellence.

Genetics is one of the emerging patterns dissected as a marker of excellence. “Genius seems to be clustered within certain family lines,” Prof Fouché said. “Inheriting creative genius from a parent provides you with a head start to achieve extraordinary achievements.” The famous Bach musical family is a prime example of inherited talent being passed on from parent to child. However, as Prof Fouché noted, these high-quality genes “require environmental stimulation such as quality education and experienced mentorship”. The other key emerging patterns include but are not limited to extreme sleeping patterns, grit and passion, and either type A or type B personality types. 

Defining eminent personalities 

Prof Fouché says greatness and eminence are relative and subjective because of our differing viewpoints, which is why it is important to define these two terms to make them more scientific. “What psychobiographers did worldwide was to define eminent personalities who are viewed as distinguished, illustrious, famous, and at times even controversial,” he said. These individuals also had a profound impact on their immediate environments and on creating change in the world. 

Psychobiographical studies and research class eminent personalities into three broad categories: “These categories are, however, not closed systems. Some great individuals can be found in more than one category,” Prof Fouché said. The three categories are the Explorers, the Leaders and the Visionaries. 

Explorers – including people such as Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Darwin and Mark Zuckerberg, who are innovators with new ideas – are driven by curiosity. Leaders are those who are driven by a desire for power and/or the empowerment of their society. Historical political figures such as Steve Biko, the current Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and Jan Smuts are classed in this category. “A common marker of those in the Leader category is that they tend to challenge the status quo,” Prof Fouché said. The last category is the Visionaries – people who are dreamers and storytellers. This includes people like poet Ingrid Jonker, author Roald Dahl and entertainment visionary Walt Disney. Also included in this category are performers such as John Lennon and Brenda Fassie.

Prof Fouche inaugural lecture From the left; Dr Edwin du Plessis, Head of Department of Psychology; Prof Heidi Hudson: Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities; Prof Paul Fouché, and Prof Corli Witthuhn. (Photo: Stephen Collett) 

A leading voice in psychobiography 

Prof Fouché is a C-rated National Research Foundation scholar and is a registered psychologist who lectures in the applied master’s progamme. He is widely published, with over 60 academic papers. His extensive research in psychobiography has led to the UFS being one of the leading universities in the area of psychobiography in the Global South.

As noted by Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research and Internationalisation, inaugural lectures are the pinnacle of academic achievement for any lecturing professor. “It is the official induction to full professorship,” she said. 

Watch recording video below:




News Archive

UFS student makes breakthrough in the application of nanorobots
2005-04-21

A student from the University of the Free State (UFS) has made a ground-breaking discovery in the field of microbiology by uncovering a series of new compounds that may in future be used to lubricate man-made nanorobots.

Mr Olihile Sebolai, a full-time student at the UFS’s Department of Microbial- Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, made this discovery while working on his M Sc-study on yeast.

With this discovery Mr Sebolai will also be awarded six prestigious prizes during this week’s autumn graduation ceremony at the UFS.  This university has recognised this exceptional achievement as a build-up to the celebration of national Science and Technology week next month.     

Mr Sebolai’s dissertation on the yeast genus Saccharomycopsis Schionning has been published in an accredited international journal of repute. 

“Words cannot describe how excited I am. I never expected to receive such recognition for my studies.  I am humbled by all of this,” said Mr Sebolai.

The Lipid Biotechnology Group at the UFS recently discovered that some yeasts produce their own water-propelled capsules in which they are transported.  These capsules have different shapes and resemble among others miniature flying saucers, hats with razor sharp brims etc.  “In order to function properly, parts of the capsules are oiled with prehistoric lubricants – lubricants that are produced by yeasts and that probably existed for many millions of years as yeasts developed,” said Mr Sebolai.  

According to Mr Sebolai these capsules are so small that approximately 300 can be fitted into the full-stop at the end of a sentence and are therefore invisible to the naked eye.

“With my studies I discovered many new compounds that resemble these prehistoric lubricants.  These lubricants may in future be used to lubricate man-made nanorobots and are similar in size compared to yeast capsules,” said Mr Sebolai.  The nanorobots are used to perform tasks in places that are invisible to the naked eye and could one day be used, among others, to clean up human arteries.

Mr Sebolai has been interested in the subject of Micro technology since he was at RT Mokgopa High School in Thaba ‘Nchu.  “I was specifically interested in the many possible applications the subject has – in the industry, as well as in medicine,” said Mr Sebolai. 

His next goal is to successfully complete his Ph D-degree.

The prizes that will be awarded to Mr Sebolai this week include:

Best Magister student at the UFS (Senate medal and prize);

Best Magister student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science and Dean’s medal at the same faculty;

The Andries Brink – Sasol-prize for the best M Sc dissertation in Microbiology;

The JP van der Walt prize for best M Sc dissertation in yeast science;

The Chris Small prize for an outstanding Master’s dissertation; and

Honorary colours awarded by the UFS Student Representative Council

Media release

Issued by:                     Lacea Loader

                                    Media Representative

                                    Tel:  (051) 401-2584

                                    Cell:  083 645 2454

                                    E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za

20 April 2005

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