, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE TO ANSWER YOUR ASSIGNMENT
SECTION 1: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IN REAL-LIFE CONTEXTS
Question 1
a) Identify the context you selected.
Educational/Career Counselling
b) Briefly describe the real-life situation you explored
I explored the use of psychological testing for career counselling in a high school setting, particularly
during the subject choice process for Grade 9 students. Many schools offer career guidance and
testing to help students choose subjects that align with their strengths and future career aspirations. A
close friend of mine had their child undergo career counselling with an educational psychologist. The
psychologist administered a series of tests that evaluated the child’s cognitive abilities, interests, and
personality traits, which helped in suggesting potential career paths and appropriate subject choices.
This process was meant to provide clarity and support for the student in making informed decisions
about their academic future.
Question 2
a) List the books, articles, webpages, etc. that you used to get information on psychological
assessment in this context. Provide sufficient identifying detail (e.g., title and authors of a book
or article). Note that this is not the same as your reference list (Section 4), but a source may be
included in both.
Book:
Title: Psychological Testing and Assessment: An Introduction to Tests and Measurement
Authors: Susan A. Nolan and Todd F. Heatherton
Publisher: Worth Publishers, 2017.
This book provides foundational knowledge on psychological assessment methods, including
career counselling tests.
Article:
Title: Career Assessment and Guidance: Approaches and Techniques
Authors: John L. Holland, Mark Savickas
Journal: Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2015.
This article discusses various career assessment methods, including interest inventories and
personality assessments commonly used in career counselling.
Webpage:
Title: Psychological Assessments in Schools: A Guide for Educators
Author: American Psychological Association (APA)
URL: https://www.apa.org/education/psychological-assessment-schools
This webpage offers practical information on the role of psychologists in schools, focusing on
the testing and assessment tools used for educational and career guidance.
, b) Describe other sources of information (e.g., observation, interviews with professionals). Be
specific, but do not use identifying information.
Observation:
I observed the career counselling process in a local high school where a professional psychologist
conducted individual sessions with students. The psychologist explained the testing process and
shared how results were used to guide subject selection, including insights into how students'
cognitive abilities and career interests were assessed through standardized tools.
Interview with a Professional:
I had a conversation with a school-based educational psychologist who provided an overview of the
types of tests administered to students. The psychologist explained the significance of using career
interest inventories (like the Strong Interest Inventory) and aptitude tests to help students make
informed decisions about their future careers. No identifying details about the school or psychologist
were shared during this conversation.
Question 3
a) Who was tested and what was the reason for testing in this situation?
In this situation, a Grade 9 student was tested. The reason for testing was to assist with career
counselling and subject choice selection. As part of the process, the educational psychologist
administered tests to evaluate the student’s cognitive abilities, interests, and personality traits. This
testing was intended to provide the student and their family with guidance on which subjects would
best suit the student's skills and future career goals.
b) Who administered the test/s and are they qualified to do so? Justify your answer.
The tests were administered by a qualified educational psychologist. Educational psychologists are
trained professionals with specific expertise in administering and interpreting psychological
assessments, particularly those related to learning, career guidance, and personal development. The
psychologist in this case holds a Master's degree in Educational Psychology and is registered with
the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), which is a requirement for practicing as a
professional psychologist in South Africa. The psychologist's qualifications ensure that they are
capable of choosing appropriate assessments, interpreting results accurately, and providing
professional feedback.
c) How and to whom was feedback given?
Feedback was given in an individual session with the student and their parent(s). During the
feedback session, the psychologist explained the results of the tests, including the student’s strengths,
areas for development, and career interests. The psychologist also provided guidance on which
subjects would align with the student's abilities and aspirations. The feedback was delivered in an
accessible and supportive manner to ensure that both the student and their parent(s) fully understood
the results and the implications for subject selection.
SECTION 1: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IN REAL-LIFE CONTEXTS
Question 1
a) Identify the context you selected.
Educational/Career Counselling
b) Briefly describe the real-life situation you explored
I explored the use of psychological testing for career counselling in a high school setting, particularly
during the subject choice process for Grade 9 students. Many schools offer career guidance and
testing to help students choose subjects that align with their strengths and future career aspirations. A
close friend of mine had their child undergo career counselling with an educational psychologist. The
psychologist administered a series of tests that evaluated the child’s cognitive abilities, interests, and
personality traits, which helped in suggesting potential career paths and appropriate subject choices.
This process was meant to provide clarity and support for the student in making informed decisions
about their academic future.
Question 2
a) List the books, articles, webpages, etc. that you used to get information on psychological
assessment in this context. Provide sufficient identifying detail (e.g., title and authors of a book
or article). Note that this is not the same as your reference list (Section 4), but a source may be
included in both.
Book:
Title: Psychological Testing and Assessment: An Introduction to Tests and Measurement
Authors: Susan A. Nolan and Todd F. Heatherton
Publisher: Worth Publishers, 2017.
This book provides foundational knowledge on psychological assessment methods, including
career counselling tests.
Article:
Title: Career Assessment and Guidance: Approaches and Techniques
Authors: John L. Holland, Mark Savickas
Journal: Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2015.
This article discusses various career assessment methods, including interest inventories and
personality assessments commonly used in career counselling.
Webpage:
Title: Psychological Assessments in Schools: A Guide for Educators
Author: American Psychological Association (APA)
URL: https://www.apa.org/education/psychological-assessment-schools
This webpage offers practical information on the role of psychologists in schools, focusing on
the testing and assessment tools used for educational and career guidance.
, b) Describe other sources of information (e.g., observation, interviews with professionals). Be
specific, but do not use identifying information.
Observation:
I observed the career counselling process in a local high school where a professional psychologist
conducted individual sessions with students. The psychologist explained the testing process and
shared how results were used to guide subject selection, including insights into how students'
cognitive abilities and career interests were assessed through standardized tools.
Interview with a Professional:
I had a conversation with a school-based educational psychologist who provided an overview of the
types of tests administered to students. The psychologist explained the significance of using career
interest inventories (like the Strong Interest Inventory) and aptitude tests to help students make
informed decisions about their future careers. No identifying details about the school or psychologist
were shared during this conversation.
Question 3
a) Who was tested and what was the reason for testing in this situation?
In this situation, a Grade 9 student was tested. The reason for testing was to assist with career
counselling and subject choice selection. As part of the process, the educational psychologist
administered tests to evaluate the student’s cognitive abilities, interests, and personality traits. This
testing was intended to provide the student and their family with guidance on which subjects would
best suit the student's skills and future career goals.
b) Who administered the test/s and are they qualified to do so? Justify your answer.
The tests were administered by a qualified educational psychologist. Educational psychologists are
trained professionals with specific expertise in administering and interpreting psychological
assessments, particularly those related to learning, career guidance, and personal development. The
psychologist in this case holds a Master's degree in Educational Psychology and is registered with
the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), which is a requirement for practicing as a
professional psychologist in South Africa. The psychologist's qualifications ensure that they are
capable of choosing appropriate assessments, interpreting results accurately, and providing
professional feedback.
c) How and to whom was feedback given?
Feedback was given in an individual session with the student and their parent(s). During the
feedback session, the psychologist explained the results of the tests, including the student’s strengths,
areas for development, and career interests. The psychologist also provided guidance on which
subjects would align with the student's abilities and aspirations. The feedback was delivered in an
accessible and supportive manner to ensure that both the student and their parent(s) fully understood
the results and the implications for subject selection.
