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Over the past few decades, researchers have firmly established that a wide range of nonhuman animals exhibit some form of numerical competence. The focus of this research was to define further the extent of numerical ability in rhesus monkeys, and specifically to determine whether the animals possess a symbolic understanding of Arabic numerals. This required examining the stimulus attributes (e.g., number vs. hedonic value) represented by the numerals, as well as the precision (e.g., absolute vs. relative) and generality of those representations. In chapters 2 and 3, monkeys were required to compare and order numerals and were rewarded with either proportional or probabilistic rewards. The results indicated that monkeys were relying on the ordinal or absolute numerical values associated with each numeral and not hedonic value or learned 2-choice discriminations. The studies in chapters 4 and 5 indicated that monkeys can use numerals to symbolize an approximate number of sequential motor responses. The study in Chapter 6 tested the generality of the monkeys’ symbolic number concept using transfer tests. The results indicated that some monkeys are able to abstract number across presentation mode, but this ability is only exhibited under limited conditions. Collectively, these studies provide evidence that rhesus monkeys view Arabic numerals as more than sign-stimuli associated with specific response-reward histories, but that numerals do not have the same precise symbolic meaning as they do for humans.

The purpose of the research was to determine whether measures of ability, personality and behaviour would significantly predict job performance of customer service agents in a South African commercial airline company. The Verbal Interpretation Test (VCC1), Numerical Reasoning Test (NP6.1), Basic Checking Test (CP7.1C), Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ32) and a competency based interview were completed by job applicants. Customer Contact Competency (CCC) scores and a Person Job Match (PJM) score were derived from the OPQ32 and ability measures to ensure job relevance during selection assessment. Job performance statistics in the form of training scores and supervisor ratings (from performance appraisals and criterion questionnaires) were obtained for the sample as criterion data. Correlations revealed statistically significant small to moderate correlations between the predictors and the criterion data / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com. (Industrial & Organisational Psychology)

The objective of this study was to investigate how well the academic performance of the Industrial and Organisational Psychology master’s students at a research institution can be predicted through psychometric measures. A non-experimental design was used in this empirical study. The sample consisted of one hundred and thirty-three IO Psychology master’s students over a five-year period. The secondary data for this research originated from the students completing the Graduate Verify Ability tests as well as the Occupational Personality Questionnaire, which are psychometric measures that form part of the selection. Both psychometric measures load onto the Person Job Match competencies. A theoretical relationship could be found between the Ability tests and academic success as well as the PJM competencies that included weighted scores from both psychometric measures. The empirical relationships, therefore, proved that the ability tests have the strongest predictive ability for academic success. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)