The belief that certain disorders will produce specific patterns of cognitive strengths and weaknesses on psychological testing is pervasive and entrenched in the area of clinical neuropsychology, both with respect to expectations regarding the behaviour of individuals and clinical groups. However, there is little support in the literature for such a belief. To the contrary, studies examining patterns of cognitive performance in different clinical samples without exception find more than one pattern of test scores. Lange (2000) in his comprehensive analysis of WAIS-R/WMS-R data for a large sample of mixed clinical cases found that three to five profiles described variations in test performances within clinical diagnoses. Lange went on to show that these profiles occurred with approximately equal frequency in all diagnostic groups. He additionally found four profiles in an exploratory analysis of WAIS-III/WMS-III data from a similar sample. The goals of the current dissertation were to: a) replicate Lange’s findings in a larger clinical sample; b) extend the scope of these findings to a wider array of psychological tests; and c) develop a method to classify individual cases in terms of their psychological test profile. The first study assessed 849 cases with a variety of neurological and psychiatric diagnoses using hierarchical cluster and K-Means analysis. Four WAIS-III/WMS-III profiles were identified that included approximately equal numbers of cases from the sample. Two of these profiles were uniquely related to two of Lange’s profiles, while the remaining two demonstrated relationships with more than one of Lange’s clusters. The second study expanded the neuropsychological test battery employed in the analysis to include the Trail Making Test, Boston Naming Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Word Lists from the WMS-III reducing the number of clinical cases to 420. In order to compensate for the impact of the reduced number of cases and increased number of variables on potential cluster stability, the number of test score variables was reduced using factor analysis. In this manner the 22 variables were reduced to six factor scores, which were then analysed with hierarchical cluster and K-Means analysis yielding five cognitive profiles. The third study examined the potential clinical utility of the five cognitive profiles by developing a single case methodology for allocating individual cases to cognitive profiles. This was achieved using a combination of a multivariate outlier statistic, the Mahalanobis Distance, and equations derived from a discriminant function analysis. This combination resulted in classification accuracies exceeding 88% when predicting the profile membership based upon the K-Means analysis. The potential utility of this method was illustrated with three age-, education-, gender-, and diagnostically-matched cases that demonstrated different cognitive test profiles. The implications of the small number of cognitive profiles that characterise test performance in a diverse sample of neurological and psychiatric cases as well as the clinical utility of an accurate classification method at the individual case level was discussed. The role of such a classification system in the design of individualised rehabilitation programmes was also highlighted. This research raises the intriguing possibility of developing a typology based on human behaviour rather than a medical nosology. In effect, replacing the medical diagnosis so ill-suited to encompassing the complexities of human behaviour, with a more appropriate “psychological diagnosis” based on cognitive test performance.

Thesis (M.P.H.M.)--Mahidol University, 1999.

O Teste d2 é um dos instrumentos de avaliação psicológica mais utilizados internacionalmente para mensuração da atenção concentrada e seu sucessor, o Teste d2-R, foi concebido para acrescentar melhorias fundamentais tanto no material, quanto nas instruções de aplicação e forma de avaliação. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo realizar estudos psicométricos de padronização deste teste referentes ao estabelecimento de normas, evidências de validade e precisão. A amostra de padronização foi composta por 910 sujeitos voluntários, sendo 74,29% do sexo feminino e 25,71% do sexo masculino, com idades entre 17 e 69 anos (M=28,96 e DP=8,74) e escolaridade variando do ensino fundamental completo ao superior completo, residentes na cidade de São Paulo. A precisão foi investigada por meio da consistência interna pelo alfa de Cronbach e método das metades, e a validade foi obtida pela correlação com os testes de atenção concentrada d2 e AC, e os Testes G-36, G-38 e Raven Avançado (série I e II) foram usados para investigar a relação entre a atenção e a inteligência. O d2-R fornece medidas para os totais de Objetos Alvos Processados (OAP), Desempenho de Concentração (DC), Erros de Omissão (EO), Erros de Troca (ET) e Porcentagem de Erros (E%). A Análise de Variância em função das variáveis sexo, faixa etária e nível de escolaridade para todas as medidas indicou diferenças entre as médias dos grupos apenas para OAP e DC em função da idade e escolaridade. Também foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) entre os sexos para EO, apenas na faixa etária de 29 a 38 anos. Foram estabelecidas as normas em percentis para a amostra total, por nível de escolaridade e por faixa etária, e para o EO na faixa etária indicada para os dois sexos. A precisão pelo método das metades entre blocos pares e ímpares, corrigida pela fórmula de Spearman-Brown, foi superior a 0,900 para todas as variáveis, exceto para o Erro de Troca, na faixa de 39 a 69 anos e para o ensino fundamental/médio e o superior completo, sendo suas correlações, respectivamente, 0,828; 0,848 e 0,883. Para amostra, total os coeficientes de Alfa de Cronbach variaram entre 0,901 e 0,966, relacionados ao OAP, DC, E%, EO, sendo considerados bastante elevados. Somente em relação ao ET os valores obtidos foram um pouco mais baixos, entre 0,816 e 0,970, mas ainda assim, indicando uma consistência elevada. Quanto à validade foram encontrados iv coeficientes estatisticamente significantes com o AC e o d2, confirmando a validade do d2-R. Foram encontradas correlações baixas, porém estatisticamente significantes ao nível de 0,01 entre os resultados do DC do d2-R e o Teste G-36, bem como entre OAP e DC do d2-R e os Testes G-38 e Raven Avançado Série II, indicando que a atenção é uma aptidão relacionada à inteligência, embora as duas capacidades sejam independentes. Os resultados confirmam as qualidades psicométricas do Teste d2-R para a amostra da cidade de São Paulo / The d2 Test is a psychological assessment tool widely used in most countries to measure concentrated attention. Its successor, the d2-R Test, was devised to carry out relevant improvements in the testing material, instructions for its administration and procedure for assessment. The current research aimed at doing psychometric studies for standardization of the d2-R, establishing norms, evidence of validity and reliability. The standardization sample was composed of 910 volunteers, 74.29% of whom were women and 25.71% were men. The age range was 17-69 years (M=28.96 and SD=8.74), their educational level varied from elementary school to college graduates and all participants lived in São Paulo city, Brazil. Cronbachs alpha and split-half method were used to investigate internal consistency reliability whereas validity was examined by correlating d2-R with concentrated attention tests d2 and AC. The relationship between attention and intelligence was investigated by means of Tests G-36, G-38 and Raven\'s Advanced Progressive Matrices (set I and set II). The d2-R Test provides measures for the total number of Target Object Processed (TOP), Concentration Performance (CP), Errors of Omission (EO), Errors of Commission (EC) and Error Percentage (E%). Analysis of Variance comprising gender, age range and education variables for all measures indicated differences in means among groups only for TOP and CP in relation to age and education. Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was also observed between sexes for EO, although only in the 29-38 age range. Percentile norms were established for total sample, in accordance with education and age range, and for EO in accordance with the age range applicable for both genders The odd-even split-half reliability, corrected by the Spearman-Brown formula, was above 0.900 for all variables, except for Errors of Commission in the 39-69 age range (0.828), and for middle school (0.848) and college (0.883). Cronbachs alpha coefficients for reliability varied from 0.901 to 0.966 in relation to PTO, CP, E%, EO, which is considered very high. Even though the Error of Commission coefficients were slightly lower (0.816 0.970), it still indicates a high vi internal consistency. As for validity, the coefficients were statistically significant when correlating with AC and d2, which confirms the validity of the d2-R. The correlation coefficients were low, although statistically significant at the 0.01 level in reference to CP in d2-R and Test G-36 and also PTO and CP from d2-R and Test G-38 and Raven (set II), which suggests that attention is a skill related to intelligence, even though both aptitudes are independent. Results confirm the psychometric qualities of the d2-R Test for the sample from São Paulo city

Desenvolveu-se uma escala para medir atitudes de enfermeiros frente ao álcool, ao alcoolismo e ao alcoolista (EAFAAA). Trata-se de uma escala do tipo likert que teve como fundamentação teórica os pressupostos de Pasqualli (1999). Para a elaboração dos itens da escala numa etapa inicial, realizou-se entrevista semi-estruturada com 30 enfermeiros, e da análise destas entrevistas foi extraído um total de 225 itens. O total dos itens foi submetido a análise de seis juízes especialistas no assunto. Após a análise somente 165 permaneceram. A escala composta por 165 itens foi submetida a um estudo-piloto com o objetivo de verificar as características estatísticas da mesma, para isso o instrumento foi testado numa população de 144 estudantes de enfermagem do último ano, de duas faculdades privadas. De posse dos instrumentos respondidos pelos 144 sujeitos, criou-se um banco de dados no programa SPSS (Satatistical Package for the Social Sciences v.8 for Windows), através do qual procedeu-se à análise estatística do instrumento. A análise fatorial originou uma escala composta por 96 itens divididos em cinco fatores: Fator 1: O Alcoolista, o trabalhar e o relacionar-se com o mesmo; Fator 2: Etiologia; Fator 3: Doença; Fator 4: Repercussões decorrentes do uso/abuso do álcool e Fator 5: A Bebida alcoólica. A consistência interna foi de 0,9068 (alfa). As correlações item-escore total variaram entre 0,35 e 0,65 com média de 0,50. Os dados de confiabilidade acima citados permitem concluir que se obteve um instrumento adequado para a finalidade e que pode ser útil para o conhecimento das atitudes de enfermeiros frente às questões referentes ao álcool, ao alcoolismo e ao alcoolista. Uma vez confirmada a confiabilidade da EAFAAA, a mesma foi testado numa população de 148 enfermeiros. A análise dos dados revelou que tanto enfermeiros quanto estudantes de enfermagem aceitam o alcoolismo enquanto doença, demonstrando atitudes positivas frente à mesma, porém encontrou-se uma parcela significativa de sujeitos com atitudes moralistas e condenatórias no que se refere a pessoa do alcoolista, concebendo-o inclusive como culpado por seus problemas de saúde. Sugere-se que outros estudos envolvendo a escala construída sejam realizados, no sentido de aprimorar sua qualidade estatística. Aponta-se ainda a necessidade de maior atenção à temática nos currículos de enfermagem, bem como a necessidade de novos métodos para a mudança de atitudes profissionais frente ao álcool, ao alcoolismo e ao alcoolista. / A scale of nurses’ attitudes towards alcohol, alcoholism and the alcoholic (EAFAAA) was developed. It is a Likert type scale based on Pasqualli’s (1999) theoretical framework. In order to elaborate the scale items, the author used a semi-structured interview with 30 nurses and these interviews’ analysis resulted in a total of 225 items. The items were evaluated by six peer reviewers specialized on the subject. After the analysis, 165 items were maintained. The scale with the 165 items was submitted to a pilot study with the purpose to verify some statistical characteristics. Thus, the instrument was tested in a population of 144 nursing students from two private Universities enrolled in the last year of their program. With the 144 instruments responded, the author created a data bank using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v.8 for Windows), and began the statistical analysis. The factorial analysis originated a scale with 96 items divided in five factors: Factor 1: The Alcoholic, the work and the relationship between them; Factor 2: Etiology; Factor 3: Disease; Factor 4: Repercussions of alcohol use and abuse and Factor 5: The Alcohol. The internal consistency was of 0.9068 (alpha). The item-score correlations varied from 0.35 and 0.65 with an average of 0.50. Data regarding reliability enabled the conclusion that the instrument is adequate to its aim and can be useful to learn more about nurses’ attitudes towards alcohol, alcoholism and the alcoholic. After the reliability confirmation, the scale was tested in a population of 148 nurses. Data analysis showed that nurses and nursing students accept alcoholism as a disease, demonstrating positive attitudes towards it. However, there was a significant number of subjects with moral and condemning attitudes regarding the alcoholic, considering them guilty in respect to their health problems. The author suggests the development of other studies involving the constructed scale with the aim of improving its statistical quality. He also points out the need for greater attention to the theme in the curriculum of the nursing undergraduate programs as well as the need for new methods to change the professional attitudes towards alcohol, the alcoholism and the alcoholic.

O Teste d2 é um dos instrumentos de avaliação psicológica mais utilizados internacionalmente para mensuração da atenção concentrada e seu sucessor, o Teste d2-R, foi concebido para acrescentar melhorias fundamentais tanto no material, quanto nas instruções de aplicação e forma de avaliação. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo realizar estudos psicométricos de padronização deste teste referentes ao estabelecimento de normas, evidências de validade e precisão. A amostra de padronização foi composta por 910 sujeitos voluntários, sendo 74,29% do sexo feminino e 25,71% do sexo masculino, com idades entre 17 e 69 anos (M=28,96 e DP=8,74) e escolaridade variando do ensino fundamental completo ao superior completo, residentes na cidade de São Paulo. A precisão foi investigada por meio da consistência interna pelo alfa de Cronbach e método das metades, e a validade foi obtida pela correlação com os testes de atenção concentrada d2 e AC, e os Testes G-36, G-38 e Raven Avançado (série I e II) foram usados para investigar a relação entre a atenção e a inteligência. O d2-R fornece medidas para os totais de Objetos Alvos Processados (OAP), Desempenho de Concentração (DC), Erros de Omissão (EO), Erros de Troca (ET) e Porcentagem de Erros (E%). A Análise de Variância em função das variáveis sexo, faixa etária e nível de escolaridade para todas as medidas indicou diferenças entre as médias dos grupos apenas para OAP e DC em função da idade e escolaridade. Também foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) entre os sexos para EO, apenas na faixa etária de 29 a 38 anos. Foram estabelecidas as normas em percentis para a amostra total, por nível de escolaridade e por faixa etária, e para o EO na faixa etária indicada para os dois sexos. A precisão pelo método das metades entre blocos pares e ímpares, corrigida pela fórmula de Spearman-Brown, foi superior a 0,900 para todas as variáveis, exceto para o Erro de Troca, na faixa de 39 a 69 anos e para o ensino fundamental/médio e o superior completo, sendo suas correlações, respectivamente, 0,828; 0,848 e 0,883. Para amostra, total os coeficientes de Alfa de Cronbach variaram entre 0,901 e 0,966, relacionados ao OAP, DC, E%, EO, sendo considerados bastante elevados. Somente em relação ao ET os valores obtidos foram um pouco mais baixos, entre 0,816 e 0,970, mas ainda assim, indicando uma consistência elevada. Quanto à validade foram encontrados iv coeficientes estatisticamente significantes com o AC e o d2, confirmando a validade do d2-R. Foram encontradas correlações baixas, porém estatisticamente significantes ao nível de 0,01 entre os resultados do DC do d2-R e o Teste G-36, bem como entre OAP e DC do d2-R e os Testes G-38 e Raven Avançado Série II, indicando que a atenção é uma aptidão relacionada à inteligência, embora as duas capacidades sejam independentes. Os resultados confirmam as qualidades psicométricas do Teste d2-R para a amostra da cidade de São Paulo / The d2 Test is a psychological assessment tool widely used in most countries to measure concentrated attention. Its successor, the d2-R Test, was devised to carry out relevant improvements in the testing material, instructions for its administration and procedure for assessment. The current research aimed at doing psychometric studies for standardization of the d2-R, establishing norms, evidence of validity and reliability. The standardization sample was composed of 910 volunteers, 74.29% of whom were women and 25.71% were men. The age range was 17-69 years (M=28.96 and SD=8.74), their educational level varied from elementary school to college graduates and all participants lived in São Paulo city, Brazil. Cronbachs alpha and split-half method were used to investigate internal consistency reliability whereas validity was examined by correlating d2-R with concentrated attention tests d2 and AC. The relationship between attention and intelligence was investigated by means of Tests G-36, G-38 and Raven\'s Advanced Progressive Matrices (set I and set II). The d2-R Test provides measures for the total number of Target Object Processed (TOP), Concentration Performance (CP), Errors of Omission (EO), Errors of Commission (EC) and Error Percentage (E%). Analysis of Variance comprising gender, age range and education variables for all measures indicated differences in means among groups only for TOP and CP in relation to age and education. Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was also observed between sexes for EO, although only in the 29-38 age range. Percentile norms were established for total sample, in accordance with education and age range, and for EO in accordance with the age range applicable for both genders The odd-even split-half reliability, corrected by the Spearman-Brown formula, was above 0.900 for all variables, except for Errors of Commission in the 39-69 age range (0.828), and for middle school (0.848) and college (0.883). Cronbachs alpha coefficients for reliability varied from 0.901 to 0.966 in relation to PTO, CP, E%, EO, which is considered very high. Even though the Error of Commission coefficients were slightly lower (0.816 0.970), it still indicates a high vi internal consistency. As for validity, the coefficients were statistically significant when correlating with AC and d2, which confirms the validity of the d2-R. The correlation coefficients were low, although statistically significant at the 0.01 level in reference to CP in d2-R and Test G-36 and also PTO and CP from d2-R and Test G-38 and Raven (set II), which suggests that attention is a skill related to intelligence, even though both aptitudes are independent. Results confirm the psychometric qualities of the d2-R Test for the sample from São Paulo city

Desenvolveu-se uma escala para medir atitudes de enfermeiros frente ao álcool, ao alcoolismo e ao alcoolista (EAFAAA). Trata-se de uma escala do tipo likert que teve como fundamentação teórica os pressupostos de Pasqualli (1999). Para a elaboração dos itens da escala numa etapa inicial, realizou-se entrevista semi-estruturada com 30 enfermeiros, e da análise destas entrevistas foi extraído um total de 225 itens. O total dos itens foi submetido a análise de seis juízes especialistas no assunto. Após a análise somente 165 permaneceram. A escala composta por 165 itens foi submetida a um estudo-piloto com o objetivo de verificar as características estatísticas da mesma, para isso o instrumento foi testado numa população de 144 estudantes de enfermagem do último ano, de duas faculdades privadas. De posse dos instrumentos respondidos pelos 144 sujeitos, criou-se um banco de dados no programa SPSS (Satatistical Package for the Social Sciences v.8 for Windows), através do qual procedeu-se à análise estatística do instrumento. A análise fatorial originou uma escala composta por 96 itens divididos em cinco fatores: Fator 1: O Alcoolista, o trabalhar e o relacionar-se com o mesmo; Fator 2: Etiologia; Fator 3: Doença; Fator 4: Repercussões decorrentes do uso/abuso do álcool e Fator 5: A Bebida alcoólica. A consistência interna foi de 0,9068 (alfa). As correlações item-escore total variaram entre 0,35 e 0,65 com média de 0,50. Os dados de confiabilidade acima citados permitem concluir que se obteve um instrumento adequado para a finalidade e que pode ser útil para o conhecimento das atitudes de enfermeiros frente às questões referentes ao álcool, ao alcoolismo e ao alcoolista. Uma vez confirmada a confiabilidade da EAFAAA, a mesma foi testado numa população de 148 enfermeiros. A análise dos dados revelou que tanto enfermeiros quanto estudantes de enfermagem aceitam o alcoolismo enquanto doença, demonstrando atitudes positivas frente à mesma, porém encontrou-se uma parcela significativa de sujeitos com atitudes moralistas e condenatórias no que se refere a pessoa do alcoolista, concebendo-o inclusive como culpado por seus problemas de saúde. Sugere-se que outros estudos envolvendo a escala construída sejam realizados, no sentido de aprimorar sua qualidade estatística. Aponta-se ainda a necessidade de maior atenção à temática nos currículos de enfermagem, bem como a necessidade de novos métodos para a mudança de atitudes profissionais frente ao álcool, ao alcoolismo e ao alcoolista. / A scale of nurses’ attitudes towards alcohol, alcoholism and the alcoholic (EAFAAA) was developed. It is a Likert type scale based on Pasqualli’s (1999) theoretical framework. In order to elaborate the scale items, the author used a semi-structured interview with 30 nurses and these interviews’ analysis resulted in a total of 225 items. The items were evaluated by six peer reviewers specialized on the subject. After the analysis, 165 items were maintained. The scale with the 165 items was submitted to a pilot study with the purpose to verify some statistical characteristics. Thus, the instrument was tested in a population of 144 nursing students from two private Universities enrolled in the last year of their program. With the 144 instruments responded, the author created a data bank using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v.8 for Windows), and began the statistical analysis. The factorial analysis originated a scale with 96 items divided in five factors: Factor 1: The Alcoholic, the work and the relationship between them; Factor 2: Etiology; Factor 3: Disease; Factor 4: Repercussions of alcohol use and abuse and Factor 5: The Alcohol. The internal consistency was of 0.9068 (alpha). The item-score correlations varied from 0.35 and 0.65 with an average of 0.50. Data regarding reliability enabled the conclusion that the instrument is adequate to its aim and can be useful to learn more about nurses’ attitudes towards alcohol, alcoholism and the alcoholic. After the reliability confirmation, the scale was tested in a population of 148 nurses. Data analysis showed that nurses and nursing students accept alcoholism as a disease, demonstrating positive attitudes towards it. However, there was a significant number of subjects with moral and condemning attitudes regarding the alcoholic, considering them guilty in respect to their health problems. The author suggests the development of other studies involving the constructed scale with the aim of improving its statistical quality. He also points out the need for greater attention to the theme in the curriculum of the nursing undergraduate programs as well as the need for new methods to change the professional attitudes towards alcohol, the alcoholism and the alcoholic.

In this study the original Rorschach test was administered to ten black South African adolescents, all fourteen years of age. Originally, the Rorschach’s test norms have been determined for an American sample. Using a qualitative research design in this study, the standard Rorschach test was administered in two phases, namely the pre-test and the post-test. Ten case studies were used as a format for research. During the pre-test the standard RCS procedures were strictly adhered to. The participants were never exposed to psychological tests before and reacted differently when presented with the Rorschach Inkblot cards for the first time. For instance, some of them were uncertain, nervous and reacted with shock. According to Exner&Weiner (1995:33) when less than 14 answers are given in response to the Rorschach test, the results cannot be interpreted. The participants were therefore required to give 14 or more answers. During the pre-test phase five out of 10 gave 14 and more responses whereas five gave less than 14 responses. The total responses of the 10 participants were 127 with an average of 12,7. The factors that inhibited the participants from giving 14 or more responses were identified and analysed. Adjusted or modified RCS procedures were then designed with the explicit aim of accommodating the participants’ culture, beliefs and background. The participants were re-tested with the adjusted RCS (ARCS) during the post-test phase. In this phase, eight participants gave 14 or more responses and only two participants gave less than 14 responses. The number of responses increased when the ARCS was administered. The total responses of the 10 participants were 161 with an average of 16,1. The results indicate an increase of 34 responses with an average increase of 3,4 responses for each participant. The research findings indicate that the ARCS was a more appropriate and effective administering test procedure when testing black South African adolescents as compared to the standard RCS. It is recommended that when administering the Rorschach Comprehensive System among non-western participants, that the factors that could prevent them from giving sufficient responses should be identified and analysed in order to modify the test procedures. The examiners could in this way minimise biases when administering psychological tests. / Thesis (PhD (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

[pt] Habilidades socioemocionais são compreendidas como habilidades referentes à regulação de pensamentos, emoções e comportamentos, dizendo respeito a como indivíduos gerenciam suas emoções, percebem-se e se relacionam com outros, influenciando assim uma ampla gama de aspectos pessoais e sociais ao longo da vida. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi construir uma escala de heterorrelato para avaliar habilidades socioemocionais em crianças entre 6 e 12 anos de idade, destinada aos pais, mães ou responsáveis. Como objetivo específico, foram investigadas evidências iniciais de validade baseada no conteúdo. Os itens do questionário foram desenvolvidos com base nas categorias de definições operacionais de sentimentos e comportamentos encontrados na literatura a respeito do construto, organizados a partir da taxonomia do modelo Big five. A escala de respostas é do tipo likert de sete pontos (concordância). Após sua construção, os itens foram avaliados por três pesquisadores com expertise com a estrutura trabalhada. Foram utilizados o Índice de Validade de Conteúdo para avaliar a qualidade e representatividade dos itens e o índice Kappa para avaliar a concordância entre os especialistas sobre os fatores dos itens. Além disso, foi realizada ainda a análise semântica dos itens com o público-alvo (dois pais, uma mãe e uma avó). Os resultados apontam uma adequada compreensão dos itens, indicando evidências de validade de conteúdo. Novos estudos deverão ser conduzidos para avaliar as propriedades psicométricas do instrumento com o objetivo de obter evidências de validade robustas. / [en] Socio-emotional skills are known as skills related to the regulation of thoughts, emotions and behaviors, concerning how individuals manage their emotions, perceive themselves and relate to others, thus influencing a wide range of personal and social aspects throughout a person s life. The objective of this study was to build a hetero-report scale to assess social-emotional skills in children aged from 6 to 12 years, aimed at fathers, mothers or guardians. As a specific objective, initial evidence of content-based validity was investigated. The questionnaire items were developed based on the categories of operational definitions of feelings and behaviors found in the literature regarding the construct, organized from the taxonomy of the Big five model. The response scale is a seven-point Likert scale (agreement). After its construction, the items were evaluated by three researchers who were familiar with the structure being worked on. The Content Validity Index was used to assess the quality and representativeness of the items and the Kappa index to assess the agreement between experts on the items factors. In addition, a semantic analysis of the items with the target audience (2 parents, 1 mother and 1 grandmother) was performed. The results point to an adequate under-standing of the items, indicating evidence of content validity. Further studies should be conducted to assess the instrument s psychometric properties in order to obtain robust validity evidence.

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 & Organisational Psychology / M.Com (Industrial & Organisational Psychology)

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)