Assignment instructions
The assignments consist of:
A The scenario context
B The questionnaire
C The mini manual
D Discussion meeting 1: Assignment 01
E Discussion meeting 2: Assignment 02
What to do:
For Assignment 01:
• Read the scenario context (A), the questionnaire (B) and the mini manual (C). These
sections contain information required for answering the discussion questions of the first
meeting. Do not complete the questionnaire (B) itself
• Answer the 25 questions of the first discussion meeting (D) and submit your answers as
Assignment 01
• Note that this assignment is a multiple choice question assignment. It is better to submit
the assignment online using myUnisa. Only use the printed mark reading sheet and the
postal service if you are unable to submit the assignment online.
For Assignment 02:
• Read the scenario context (A), the questionnaire (B) and the mini manual (C). These
sections contain information required for answering the discussion questions of the first
meeting. Do not complete the questionnaire (B) itself
• Answer the 25 questions of the second discussion meeting (E) and submit your answers
as Assignment 02
• Note that this assignment is a multiple choice question assignment. It is better to submit
the assignment online using myUnisa. Only use the printed mark reading sheet and the
postal service if you are unable to submit the assignment online.
, PYC2606/101
Scenario context A
You have recently been appointed as the psychologist at a school. The school board and the parent
association are becoming increasingly concerned about illegal drug use amongst learners at the school.
Your predecessor began a preventative program, but the programme was aimed mainly at disseminating
information. You realise that you also have to identify and target learners who are at risk for illegal drug
use. You decide that the easiest and most economical way of doing this is to use a questionnaire to
identify learners at risk. This will allow you to tailor prevention programmes to accommodate the needs
and circumstances of these learners.
You consult academic literature on the issue of drug abuse and the use of illegal drugs. In the literature
you come across an interesting fact, namely that there is a correlation between alcohol abuse and the
tendency to abuse other drugs or to use illegal drugs. Thus information about learners’ use of alcohol
could indicate whether they should be considered at risk for drug abuse in general. You also notice that
many of the publications refer to a particular theory that explains how behaviour can be predicted. You
think the theory could be important because it could help to predict whether somebody would actually
begin to abuse drugs or use illegal drugs. You search the literature for papers on this theory, and come
across two articles explaining what the authors refer to as ‘the theory of planned behaviour’.
According to the theory of planned behaviour there are psychological factors that predict whether or not
a person will execute a particular form of behaviour. Behaviour is preceded by the intention to execute
the behaviour. The stronger the intention to execute the behaviour the more likely a person is to actually
execute the behaviour in question. Three factors underlie the intention to execute behaviour. These
factors are the person’s attitude towards the behaviour, his/her subjective norm concerning the
behaviour and his/her perceived control with regard to the behaviour. Thus a person will form a strong
intention to act (execute a particular form of behaviour) if he/she feels positive about the behaviour
(positive attitude), thinks the behaviour is socially acceptable (positive subjective norm) and that nothing
stops him/her from executing the behaviour (positive control).
You contact several test publishers and finally come across a questionnaire called the Alcohol use
Intention Questionnaire (AIQ). You order the questionnaire from the test publisher. When the AIQ
arrives you decide to conduct a thorough analysis to determine whether the questionnaire is a
scientifically valid and reliable instrument. There are four psychology students undergoing practical
training at the school under your guidance. You ask them to study the questionnaire (B) and its mini
manual (C) and you schedule two meetings (D and E) to discuss the instrument.
15
, Questionnaire B
Alcohol use Intention Questionnaire (AIQ)
Instructions
Please read the following questions carefully and indicate your response to each question by ticking the
answer that best describes how you feel about the issues raised by these questions. Please answer all
questions. Do not spend too much time thinking about your answers. The questionnaire should not take
long to complete.
Section 1: Personal experience
1.1 One of my parents was an alcoholic Yes / No
If ‘No’ go to Question 2.1
1.2 My parent’s’ alcoholism had a devastating effect on our family
(a) True […]
(b) False […]
1.3 I think my parent’s alcoholism may genetically predisposition me to become an alcoholic
(a) True […]
(b) False […]
1.4 I already see signs of alcoholism in my drinking behaviour
(a) True […]
(b) False […]
Section 2: Attitude towards alcohol consumption
Please indicate how you feel about the following statements:
Agree Disagree
Agree Unsure Disagree
strongly Strongly
2.1 I think drinking is relaxing [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.2 Getting drunk is undesirable [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.3 Drinking gives me confidence [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.4 Drinking keeps you from achieving
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
your goals in life
2.5 I think drinking is stressful and
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
destroys your health
2.6 I think drinking could destroy me [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
16
, PYC2606/101
2.7 If I drink too often I may become
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
dependent on it
2.8 I think drinking is a waste of time [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.9 I think beer should be banned and
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
only wine should be allowed
2.10 I prefer not to drink too much
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
because it gives me a hangover
2.11 I think drinking is bad [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.12 The world will be a better place if
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
everybody gets drunk every night
2.13 I think drinking is good [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.14 One should neither drink nor not
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
drink
2.15 You should not drink as drinking
keeps you from realising your [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
responsibilities
2.16 People can dehydrate if they do not
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
take enough fluids
2.17 People who drink too much are
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
disliked by others
2.18 My attitude towards drinking can be
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
described as positive or negative
Section 3: Subjective norm concerning the use of alcohol
Mark the answer that applies to you:
3.1 Most of my friends like to drink
(a) true [ ... ]
(b) false [ ... ]
3.2 If I drink I will have an active social life
(a) true [ ... ]
(b) almost [ ... ]
(c) false [ ... ]
3.3 You have to not drink to not earn the respect of your friends
(a) true [ ... ]
(b) false [ ... ]
3.4 Many people drink too much at social events. In your opinion, is excessive use of alcohol a
acceptable practice? Yes/No
3.5 Rate the importance of the following effects of alcohol consumption on a scale from 1 (least
serious) to 5 (most serious)
liver failure […]
heart disease […]
cognitive impairment […]
memory loss […]
17
The assignments consist of:
A The scenario context
B The questionnaire
C The mini manual
D Discussion meeting 1: Assignment 01
E Discussion meeting 2: Assignment 02
What to do:
For Assignment 01:
• Read the scenario context (A), the questionnaire (B) and the mini manual (C). These
sections contain information required for answering the discussion questions of the first
meeting. Do not complete the questionnaire (B) itself
• Answer the 25 questions of the first discussion meeting (D) and submit your answers as
Assignment 01
• Note that this assignment is a multiple choice question assignment. It is better to submit
the assignment online using myUnisa. Only use the printed mark reading sheet and the
postal service if you are unable to submit the assignment online.
For Assignment 02:
• Read the scenario context (A), the questionnaire (B) and the mini manual (C). These
sections contain information required for answering the discussion questions of the first
meeting. Do not complete the questionnaire (B) itself
• Answer the 25 questions of the second discussion meeting (E) and submit your answers
as Assignment 02
• Note that this assignment is a multiple choice question assignment. It is better to submit
the assignment online using myUnisa. Only use the printed mark reading sheet and the
postal service if you are unable to submit the assignment online.
, PYC2606/101
Scenario context A
You have recently been appointed as the psychologist at a school. The school board and the parent
association are becoming increasingly concerned about illegal drug use amongst learners at the school.
Your predecessor began a preventative program, but the programme was aimed mainly at disseminating
information. You realise that you also have to identify and target learners who are at risk for illegal drug
use. You decide that the easiest and most economical way of doing this is to use a questionnaire to
identify learners at risk. This will allow you to tailor prevention programmes to accommodate the needs
and circumstances of these learners.
You consult academic literature on the issue of drug abuse and the use of illegal drugs. In the literature
you come across an interesting fact, namely that there is a correlation between alcohol abuse and the
tendency to abuse other drugs or to use illegal drugs. Thus information about learners’ use of alcohol
could indicate whether they should be considered at risk for drug abuse in general. You also notice that
many of the publications refer to a particular theory that explains how behaviour can be predicted. You
think the theory could be important because it could help to predict whether somebody would actually
begin to abuse drugs or use illegal drugs. You search the literature for papers on this theory, and come
across two articles explaining what the authors refer to as ‘the theory of planned behaviour’.
According to the theory of planned behaviour there are psychological factors that predict whether or not
a person will execute a particular form of behaviour. Behaviour is preceded by the intention to execute
the behaviour. The stronger the intention to execute the behaviour the more likely a person is to actually
execute the behaviour in question. Three factors underlie the intention to execute behaviour. These
factors are the person’s attitude towards the behaviour, his/her subjective norm concerning the
behaviour and his/her perceived control with regard to the behaviour. Thus a person will form a strong
intention to act (execute a particular form of behaviour) if he/she feels positive about the behaviour
(positive attitude), thinks the behaviour is socially acceptable (positive subjective norm) and that nothing
stops him/her from executing the behaviour (positive control).
You contact several test publishers and finally come across a questionnaire called the Alcohol use
Intention Questionnaire (AIQ). You order the questionnaire from the test publisher. When the AIQ
arrives you decide to conduct a thorough analysis to determine whether the questionnaire is a
scientifically valid and reliable instrument. There are four psychology students undergoing practical
training at the school under your guidance. You ask them to study the questionnaire (B) and its mini
manual (C) and you schedule two meetings (D and E) to discuss the instrument.
15
, Questionnaire B
Alcohol use Intention Questionnaire (AIQ)
Instructions
Please read the following questions carefully and indicate your response to each question by ticking the
answer that best describes how you feel about the issues raised by these questions. Please answer all
questions. Do not spend too much time thinking about your answers. The questionnaire should not take
long to complete.
Section 1: Personal experience
1.1 One of my parents was an alcoholic Yes / No
If ‘No’ go to Question 2.1
1.2 My parent’s’ alcoholism had a devastating effect on our family
(a) True […]
(b) False […]
1.3 I think my parent’s alcoholism may genetically predisposition me to become an alcoholic
(a) True […]
(b) False […]
1.4 I already see signs of alcoholism in my drinking behaviour
(a) True […]
(b) False […]
Section 2: Attitude towards alcohol consumption
Please indicate how you feel about the following statements:
Agree Disagree
Agree Unsure Disagree
strongly Strongly
2.1 I think drinking is relaxing [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.2 Getting drunk is undesirable [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.3 Drinking gives me confidence [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.4 Drinking keeps you from achieving
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
your goals in life
2.5 I think drinking is stressful and
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
destroys your health
2.6 I think drinking could destroy me [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
16
, PYC2606/101
2.7 If I drink too often I may become
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
dependent on it
2.8 I think drinking is a waste of time [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.9 I think beer should be banned and
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
only wine should be allowed
2.10 I prefer not to drink too much
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
because it gives me a hangover
2.11 I think drinking is bad [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.12 The world will be a better place if
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
everybody gets drunk every night
2.13 I think drinking is good [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
2.14 One should neither drink nor not
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
drink
2.15 You should not drink as drinking
keeps you from realising your [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
responsibilities
2.16 People can dehydrate if they do not
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
take enough fluids
2.17 People who drink too much are
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
disliked by others
2.18 My attitude towards drinking can be
[ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ] [ ... ]
described as positive or negative
Section 3: Subjective norm concerning the use of alcohol
Mark the answer that applies to you:
3.1 Most of my friends like to drink
(a) true [ ... ]
(b) false [ ... ]
3.2 If I drink I will have an active social life
(a) true [ ... ]
(b) almost [ ... ]
(c) false [ ... ]
3.3 You have to not drink to not earn the respect of your friends
(a) true [ ... ]
(b) false [ ... ]
3.4 Many people drink too much at social events. In your opinion, is excessive use of alcohol a
acceptable practice? Yes/No
3.5 Rate the importance of the following effects of alcohol consumption on a scale from 1 (least
serious) to 5 (most serious)
liver failure […]
heart disease […]
cognitive impairment […]
memory loss […]
17
