Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the nature of the relationship between the Big Five personality factors and practical and theoretical training performance in adult Basic education and training (ABET). The existing literature on the subject was surveyed; this is followed by a report on the results of the empirical investigation. The experimental group consisted of 82 learners who followed an ABET level-4 course. Personality was determined by means of the Five-Factor Non-Verbal Personality Questionnaire (FF-NPQ), while cognitive skills were measured with Raven's Standard Progressive Matrix. By using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis and factor analysis, it was established that, apart from IQ, there was a significant positive correlation between agreeableness and practical training performance. Although there was also a significant, but small, positive correlation between neuroticism and practical training performance, the influence of the former factor on practical training performance could not be confirmed by a regression analysis. Only IQ and to a lesser extent neuroticism, conscientiousness and extroversion showed a relation with theoretical training performance. Once again, the influence of the latter three factors on theoretical training performance could not be confirmed by a regression analysis. The conclusion is thus drawn in this study that only IQ has a significant influence on theoretical training performance. Results also indicate that characteristics such as trust, helpful behaviour and co-operative behaviour, which indicate agreeableness, help to promote receptiveness in training in practical work, especially with respect to skills training. It appears that the role of personality factors with respect to training performance depends on: a) the nature of the training programme being followed, b) the degree of difficulty of the training programme, and c) the work or task objectives for which the training is being undertaken. The conclusion was drawn that the findings of studies on the relationship between training performance and personality should be interpreted with circumspection and that a great deal of research is required in this area. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om ondersoek in te stel na die aard van die verband tussen die Groot Vyf-persoonlikheidsfaktore en praktiese en teoretiese opleidingsprestasie by volwasse basiese opvoeding en opleiding-leerders. 'n Oorsig van die bestaande literatuur oor die onderwerp is gelewer, gevolg deur die rapportering van die resultate van die empiriese ondersoek. Die eksperimentele groep het bestaan uit 82 leerders wat 'n VBOO-vlak 4 kursus gevolg het. Persoonlikheid is deur middel van die Vyf Faktor - Nieverbale-Persoonlikheidsvraelys (FF-NPQ) bepaal en kognitiewe vaardighede is met behulp van Raven se Standaard-Progressiewe Matriks gemeet. Met behulp van die Pearson-produkmoment-korrelasiekoëffisiënt, meervoudige regressieontleding asook faktor-ontleding, is vasgestel dat, benewens IK, daar ook 'n beduidend positiewe verband tussen welgevalligheid en praktiese opleidingsprestasie voorgekom het. Hoewel 'n beduidende, maar klein, positiewe korrelasie ook tussen neorotisisme en praktiese opleidingsprestasie voorgekom het, kon die invloed van die laasgenoemde faktor op praktiese opleidingsprestasie nie deur die regressieontleding ondersteun word nie. Slegs IK en tot 'n mindere mate neorotisisme, konsensieusheid en ekstroversie het 'n verband met teoretiese opleidingsprestasie getoon. Weereens kon die invloed van laasgenoemde drie faktore op teoretiese opleidingsprestasie nie bevestig word deur die regressieontleding nie. Ten opsigte van die huidige ondersoek, word die gevolgrekking dus gemaak dat slegs IK 'n beduidende invloed op teoretiese opleidingsprestasie het. Resultate dui daarop dat eienskappe soos vertroue, hulpverlende gedrag en samewerkende gedrag, wat dui op welgevalligheid, bevorderlik is vir opleiding in praktiese verband veral ten opsigte van vaardigheidsopleiding. Dit blyk ook asof die rol van persoonlikheidsfaktore ten opsigte van opleidingsprestasie, afhang van die a) aard van die opleidingsprogram wat gevolg word, b) die moeilikheidsgraad van die opleidingsprogram, asook c) vir watter werks- oftaakdoeleindes die opleiding plaasgevind het. Daar word tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die bevindinge van studies rakende die verband tussen opleidingsprestasie en persoonlikheid met omsigtigheid geïnterpreteer moet word en dat heelwat navorsing op hierdie gebied nodig is.

The effectiveness with which people learn in modem organizations is increasingly emphasized in today's information and knowledge driven economy. The effectiveness of learning and the increase of expertise in a rapidly and dramatically changing economic, political and social environment is regarded as being extremely important for the success and survival of organizations. The way an individual views the process of learning influences the learner's approach to a learning opportunity and the effectiveness of the learning process concerned. An individual's awareness of his/her own learning approach and opportunities for critical and realistic reflection on his/her own behaviour is important for the development of effective learning. Opportunities for critical and realistic reflection on his/her own learning behaviour promotes a learner's ability to handle new and complex situations. The need for a reliable and valid measure for learning approaches as a means to facilitate critical and realistic reflection by a learner must be emphasized in this regard. Related to this is the need for a systems model which promotes a holistic approach to the interpretation of learning approaches and the facilitation of effective learning within organizations. The primary aim of the study was to develop a questionnaire with acceptable psychometric properties which could be used to determine the learning approaches of adults. The secondary aim of the study was to develop a systems model which indicates the relationship between learning approaches, macro- and micro-learning environment factors, personal factors and learning outcomes for organizations. A literature analysis was undertaken to develop a systems model (secondary aim) which could serve as a theoretical framework for the development of a learning approaches questionnaire. Different approaches as described in existing literature were identified, delimited and defined. The factors which influence individuals' learning approaches were investigated. A systems model of learning was developed on the basis of the literature study. This model is used to indicate the relations between learning approaches, learning environment factors, personal factors and learning outcomes. A clear and identifiable input component, a process component and an outcomes component which are interdependent and interact with one another, were identified on the basis of the literature. The study concluded that a systems model of learning provides a useful holistic framework to assist the understanding, interpretation and influencing of learning approaches and the factors which influence learning approaches. The empirical part of the study focuses on the development of a learning approaches questionnaire for adults. The learning approaches questionnaire (LAQ) which was developed consists of two sections, a learning approaches in terms of the learning content section (LAQc) and a learning approaches in terms of social orientation section (LAQs). The LAQc section consists of a deep, surface and achievement learning motive dimension and a related deep, surface and achievement strategy dimension, as well as a self-efficacy and fear-of-failure dimension. The LAQs consists of a dependent, independent, co-operative and competitive learning approach dimension. The research results demonstrated that the LAQ displays content, factor and construct validity. The factor structures of the LAQ are stable for business and tertiary learning contexts. The research results also showed that the LAQ is a reliable and unbiased measure for various language groups. The results of the empirical investigation strongly supported the systems model of learning. The grouping of learning approaches according to particular views of what learning encompasses, the mutual relations between learning approaches, as well as the situational nature of learning approaches as depicted in the systems model, were confirmed. By using the systems model of learning, the LAQ can make an important contribution to the facilitation of effective learning in organizations. / Thesis (D Com (Human Resources Management))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted