PYC4807
Assignment 3
PORTFOLIO
Unique No: 185521
Due 25 September 2025
,PYC4807
Assignment 3: 185521
PORTFOLIO
DUE 25 September 2025
Psychological Assessment
SECTION 1: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IN REAL-LIFE CONTEXTS
Question 1
a) Identify the context you selected. (1)
The context selected is organisational psychological assessment.
b) Briefly describe the real-life situation you explored. (2)
The real-life situation examined involves the recruitment process for an accountant
position at a small South African financial services firm. To gain insight, I consulted a
professional acquaintance—an industrial psychologist specialising in personnel
selection. They explained that psychological testing forms a critical part of the hiring
process, assessing candidates’ suitability for tasks such as financial calculations, report
preparation, and client interactions. Given South Africa’s multicultural work
environments, testing plays a pivotal role in ensuring both accuracy in technical work
and interpersonal effectiveness, qualities regarded as essential for successful
professional integration.
, Question 2
a) List the books, articles, webpages, etc. that you used to get information on
psychological assessment in this context. (2)
The following sources informed my understanding of psychological assessment in
organisational contexts:
• Laher, S., & Cockcroft, K. (Eds.). (2013). Psychological assessment in South
Africa: Research and applications. Wits University Press. This text provides
comprehensive discussions of test use in organisational settings, including
cultural fairness and selection practices.
• Theron, C. C. (2009). Public school teachers' perceptions of the psychological
services rendered by educational psychologists. South African Journal of
Education, 29(4), 475–488. While primarily educational, it contains transferable
insights on assessment practices relevant to organisational contexts.
• Paterson, H., & Uys, K. (2005). Critical issues in psychological test use in the
South African workplace. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 31(3), 12–16. This
article focuses directly on ethical and practical issues in workplace testing.
b) Describe other sources of information. (2)
In addition to published material, I conducted a virtual interview in August 2025 with
an industrial psychologist (pseudonym: Professional A) who has over ten years of
experience administering organisational assessments in South Africa. Professional A
shared anonymised examples from recruitment processes in financial firms, particularly
on test administration and structured feedback practices. I also reviewed job
postings on South African career websites, noting frequent references to psychological
testing in recruitment advertisements, though without disclosure of specific test names
or employers.
Assignment 3
PORTFOLIO
Unique No: 185521
Due 25 September 2025
,PYC4807
Assignment 3: 185521
PORTFOLIO
DUE 25 September 2025
Psychological Assessment
SECTION 1: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IN REAL-LIFE CONTEXTS
Question 1
a) Identify the context you selected. (1)
The context selected is organisational psychological assessment.
b) Briefly describe the real-life situation you explored. (2)
The real-life situation examined involves the recruitment process for an accountant
position at a small South African financial services firm. To gain insight, I consulted a
professional acquaintance—an industrial psychologist specialising in personnel
selection. They explained that psychological testing forms a critical part of the hiring
process, assessing candidates’ suitability for tasks such as financial calculations, report
preparation, and client interactions. Given South Africa’s multicultural work
environments, testing plays a pivotal role in ensuring both accuracy in technical work
and interpersonal effectiveness, qualities regarded as essential for successful
professional integration.
, Question 2
a) List the books, articles, webpages, etc. that you used to get information on
psychological assessment in this context. (2)
The following sources informed my understanding of psychological assessment in
organisational contexts:
• Laher, S., & Cockcroft, K. (Eds.). (2013). Psychological assessment in South
Africa: Research and applications. Wits University Press. This text provides
comprehensive discussions of test use in organisational settings, including
cultural fairness and selection practices.
• Theron, C. C. (2009). Public school teachers' perceptions of the psychological
services rendered by educational psychologists. South African Journal of
Education, 29(4), 475–488. While primarily educational, it contains transferable
insights on assessment practices relevant to organisational contexts.
• Paterson, H., & Uys, K. (2005). Critical issues in psychological test use in the
South African workplace. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 31(3), 12–16. This
article focuses directly on ethical and practical issues in workplace testing.
b) Describe other sources of information. (2)
In addition to published material, I conducted a virtual interview in August 2025 with
an industrial psychologist (pseudonym: Professional A) who has over ten years of
experience administering organisational assessments in South Africa. Professional A
shared anonymised examples from recruitment processes in financial firms, particularly
on test administration and structured feedback practices. I also reviewed job
postings on South African career websites, noting frequent references to psychological
testing in recruitment advertisements, though without disclosure of specific test names
or employers.
