PYC4807 Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO (QUALITY ANSWERS) 2024

This document contains workings, explanations and solutions to the PYC4807 Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO (QUALITY ANSWERS) 2024. For assistance whats-app us on 0.6.8..8.1.2..0.9.3.4... 1 SECTION 1: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IN REAL-LIFE CONTEXTS (18 marks) You need to select ONE of the three contexts (developmental, educational, or organisational) in your everyday life in which psychological testing is done. You will describe the testing done in this context by answering the questions below. Please DO NOT just provide a theoretical discussion from the textbook - you need to share your observations, experiences, and thoughts based on actual exposure to the context, be it in person, through conversation with specialists in the context, etcetera. NOTE that you are not allowed to administer tests. The maximum length is 3 pages. Three applied contexts of testing are covered in this module, namely 1) developmental assessment and assessment of learning problems of infants, pre-school and primary school children; 2) assessment in an educational context for career counselling; 3) and assessment in organisational contexts. We want you to explore how psychological testing is done in these contexts in everyday life. Below are some ideas. Note that you must have an in-depth theoretical understanding of assessment in the context you explore before gaining exposure to this context. Your sources of information should be able to provide valid information on psychological assessment. PYC4807/103/0/2024 5 Developmental Educational/Career counselling Organisational You, a friend, or a family member may have a child in primary school. What happens in this context if a child has learning difficulties? Perhaps the school makes use of the services of an educational psychologist. If the school and/or the parents do not have the resources to do so, there might be efforts to have additional classes to assist the children who are struggling with their schoolwork. This highlights the issue of the availability of assessment services to South African communities. If you or someone you know has a child who must make subject choices in Grade 9, the school may inform parents of the availability of psychologists who will provide career counselling that involves psychological assessment. You may have contacted the student counselling services at Unisa, or you may work with or know of an organisation that helps employees with assessment for career counselling. Were you or someone you know tested when they applied for a job? If so, what was this experience like? Perhaps you work in a context where testing is done for high-risk jobs. Please note that your answers should focus on psychological assessment per se and reflect a thorough understanding of the syllabus covered in this module. No formal research needs to be undertaken. Nevertheless, you need to adhere to ethical practices, such as informing people that you will be reporting information in your assignment, requesting consent to do so, and ensuring confidentiality – no names of organisations, institutions, or individuals should be used in your assignment. If you use pseudonyms, indicate that these are not the real names. Question 1 (4 marks) a) Identify the context you selected and briefly describe the real-life situation you explored (i.e., not just a theoretical description of the context). (2) b) Explain in detail how you gathered information about this context. (2) Question 2 (6 marks) a) According to Chapter 15 in the prescribed book and Theme 3 in Tutorial letter 102, what is the reason for testing in the your selected context? (2) b) Now consider the real-life situation that you explored. Who was tested? What was the reason for testing in this situation? Who administered the test/s? How was feedback given? (4) Question 3 (4 marks) a) Name two types of tests that are administered in the context you selected. Refer to Theme 2 in Tutorial Letter 102 to see how tests are classified. (2) b) Give an example of each of these two types of tests. Give the full name of the test, not just the abbreviation. (2) 6 Question 4 (4 marks) a) List the psychology professions that may administer psychological assessment measures. In addition to their degree, what other requirements must these professionals meet before registration? (2) b) Who administered the test/s in the real-life situation you discussed? Are they qualified to administer tests? (2) 2 SECTION 2: CASE STUDY (22 marks) Write an essay on the assessment process in the following case study. The maximum length is 6 pages. Structure and content of the essay You are expected to develop sound judgement on the relevance or irrelevance of information and the appropriate level of abstraction at which the information is to be presented. In other words, you must decide whether, within the framework of a given task, a certain sub-section should be highly detailed or of a more general nature. The page limit is 6 pages. Your discussion should address what was asked, and you should avoid detail not directly related to this. • Arrange your material systematically and logically by using the headings given below and your own sub-headings (where appropriate). • Start your discussion with an introduction ─ putting the reader “in the picture”. Present your information in a logical way so that the direction in which you are going is clear to the reader. Everything you discuss should be relevant to the assessment process. End the discussion with a conclusion. There should be a direct relationship between your introduction and the conclusion. • Be concise and relevant. Focus on information that is directly relevant to the topic. • You should demonstrate the ability to select appropriate information and indicate that you understand the subject by using your own words. • You must use the prescribed book and additional sources (articles, dissertations, etc.). • Cite your sources in the essay and include the sources in the reference list in Section 4. • Please proofread your work for typing errors before submitting your portfolio. The case study Financial Frontiers, a small South African financial firm dealing with business bookkeeping and tax-related issues, has a vacancy for an accountant. The job entails gathering information from clients, organising this information, performing the necessary calculations to determine their taxes, and providing annual financial reports. The firm’s Human Resources manager, an organisational psychologist, is responsible for recruiting and selecting a suitable candidate. Applicants must meet certain criteria in terms of their qualifications and previous work experience, and they must also submit a letter of recommendation attesting to their integrity. The organisation furthermore interviews the applicants. In addition, three psychological tests are administered to determine if the applicants meet pre-determined requirements in terms of aptitude, interest and personality. The tests used are the Differential Aptitude Tests Form L (DAT Form L), the South African Career Interest Inventory (SACII) (original or short form) and the Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ32). The following matrix is used for the accountant position. PYC4807/103/0/2024 7 Measurement constructs* Requirement Cognitive ability Aptitude Personality Integrity Emotional intelligence Behaviour Interest 1. Numerical aptitude X 2. Analytical and strategic thinking X X 3. Detail conscious X 4. Verbal aptitude X 5. Interpersonal skills X 6. Conscientiousness X 7. Emotional stability X 8. Conventional X *The test-related constructs are marked with a cross. The other constructs are covered by background information and interviews. Instructions Write a six-page essay on the assessment process that the psychologist would follow. Follow the guidelines for the outline and content of this essay as given below. You need to find relevant literature to address all the topics. Cite your sources in the essay and include the sources in the reference list in Section 4. 1. Introduction Provide a summary of what you will discuss in your essay. 2. Reason/rationale for testing in an organisational context (4 marks) Refer to your study material and explain the input-based approach to testing that is used in the case of personnel selection. Briefly describe the four steps in the selection process. 3. Context of the assessment (3 marks) Consider the requirement matrix and discuss why these aptitudes, personality traits and interests are important for an accountant’s job. 4. Compiling a test battery (9 marks) Critically discuss the appropriateness of each of the three measures administered by the organisational psychologist (i.e., the DAT Form L, the SACII (original or short form), and the OPQ32) in this context. Please note that you must search for sources in addition to the prescribed book to be able to address the following issues comprehensively. As a Unisa student, you have access to subject journals, dissertations, theses, etcetera on the library site • State the aim of the measure and indicate which constructs it measures. Do not, for example, just say aptitude/s but indicate which aptitude/s. Does this correspond with the requirements in the matrix? • Discuss the norm group of the measure (i.e., for whom the test has been standardised). Is the test suitable for use in this context given the characteristics of the norm group (e.g., age, language, culture)? • Describe the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of each test. 8 • Mention any research available on the use of the test in a multicultural context such as South Africa. 5. Administration, ethical considerations, and interpretation of results (6 marks) • In this context, the tests may be administered to an individual or to a group. List the processes that must be followed during the assessment administration. • Discuss the ethical principles of informed consent, confidentiality and accountability with reference to the context described in this case study. • The test results will not be used in isolation when selecting a candidate for the post. What other sources of information are used in this context? 6. Conclusion End the discussion with a brief conclusion on the essay you have written. 3 SECTION 3: QUESTIONS ON THEORETICAL AND APPLIED KNOWLEDGE (52 marks) You will use the information in the essay on the case study you completed (Section 2) to answer some of the following questions. The maximum length is 1 page per question. Question 1 (6 marks) a) Define reliability. (1) b) Define validity. (1) c) Reliability does not imply validity, but an unreliable test cannot be valid. Briefly explain what this statement means. (4) Question 2 (8 marks) Critically discuss the reliability of the South African Career Interest Inventory (SACII). a) Identify the type of reliability that was calculated for the SACII and briefly describe this type of reliability and how it is usually determined. (3) b) Discuss the findings of the research on the reliability of the SACII. Refer to the values of the reliability coefficients and whether these values are acceptable given that it is an interest questionnaire. What are the conclusions based on these findings? (4) c) Comment on the cross-cultural reliability of the test. (1) You need to show that you can apply the theory (i.e., not just copy facts). You are expected to search for relevant articles to answer the question. No marks will be given if you do not provide in-text references for your sources of information and include them in the reference list. Question 3 (8 marks) Critically discuss the validity of the South African Career Interest Inventory (SACII). a) Identify the type of validity that was calculated for the SACII and briefly describe this type of validity and how it is usually determined. (3) b) Discuss the findings of the research on the validity of the SACII. Refer to the acceptability of the model fit in terms of the theory. What are the conclusions based on these findings? (4) PYC4807/103/0/2024 9 c) Comment on the cross-cultural validity of the test. (1) You need to show that you can apply the theory (i.e., not just copy facts). You are expected to search for relevant articles to answer the question. No marks will be given if you do not provide in-text references for your sources of information and include them in the reference list. Question 4 (15 marks) a) What are the training requirements for a psychometrist (independent practice)? (3) b) Critically compare the scope of practice of a psychologist and a psychometrist (independent practice) in terms of the use of psychological assessment measures. Refer to the similarities and differences. (12) Question 5 (15 marks) Vygotsky’s theory of Dynamic Assessment can be used when developing a learning potential test. This theory can be categorised as a social/contextual approach to intelligence. a) Identify and briefly discuss the core differences between the social/contextual and the psychometric approaches to intelligence. (10) b) What is meant by dynamic assessment, and why is this approach suitable for the assessment of learning potential? (2) c) What are the advantages of using a test of learning potential such as the Learning Potential Computerised Adaptive Test (LPCAT) in the South African context? (3)