Based on empirical evidence from numerous studies involving the cognitive components of creativity training, the Cognitive Processes Associated with Creativity (CPAC) scale was developed to efficiently and directly address the processes of brainstorming, metaphorical and analogical thinking, perspective-taking, imagery, incubation, and flow. An online pilot study (n = 226) and laboratory follow-up study (n = 120) collected responses to the newly created CPAC scale and a variety of other creativity measures. Overall, the results of this research indicate that the CPAC scale has many sound psychometric qualities, and the scale assesses creativity as a process variable. The data from both studies provide evidence for the construct validity of the scale, with a relatively stable factor structure reflecting the underlying theoretical subscales. A lack of relationships between the CPAC scale, social desirability, and several demographic variables suggested some evidence for divergent validity. There is mixed evidence for concurrent validity, as scores on the CPAC were not significantly correlated with product-focused measures of creativity but were significantly correlated with other previously established self-report creativity instruments. Further investigation of these findings indicated that different conceptualizations and design issues may be the reason for the nonsignificant results, and additional research in this area is needed. A deeper exploration of the relationships between the various self-report subscales led to a more vivid description of each cognitive process included in the CPAC, laying the foundation for a theoretical understanding of the similarities and differences of these processes. / Department of Educational Psychology

Thesis (MA) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the applicability of a nomological model for the assessment of psychological measurement validity with reference to personnel selection. The model, which can be traced to Thorndike (1949), Campbell and Fiske (1959), Nunnally (1967, cited in Duvenage, 1990), Guion (1974, cited in Duvenage, 1990), Binning and Barrett (1989) and Duvenage (1990), provides the evidential bases for two empirically founded validation strategies, namely criterion- and constructrelated validity. Theoretically, the Nomological Model for Psychological Measurement Validity Assessment proved to be applicable for validating that a measure is able to predict job performance. An easily understandable empirical investigation was required to verify the scientific utility of the model for selection validation. The model was used to validate the procedure for selecting machine operators in a large food manufacturer. The investigation illustrated that by utilising Route 1 of the nomological model, evidence of criterion-related validity, as described by legal and professional standards, is generated. Furthermore, the study indicated that by utilising Route 2 of the model, evidential requirements of construct-related validity as set by legal and professional standards are met. The results of the study proved that the Nomological Model for Psychological Measurement Validity Assessment is theoretically, professionally, legally and practically applicable for the validation of personnel selection procedures. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die toepasbaarheid van 'n nomologiese model vir die bepaling van die geldigheid van sielkundige meting ten opsigte van personeelkeuring vas te stel. Die model, wat sy oorsprong in die werk van Thorndike (1949), Campbell en Fiske (1959), Nunnally (1967, aangehaal uit Duvenage, 1990), Guion (1974, aangehaal uit Duvenage, 1990), Binning en Barrett (1989) en Duvenage (1990) het, verskaf getuienis basisse vir twee ernpirles gefundeerde valideringsstrategiee, naamlik kriterlum- en konstruk-verwante geldigheid. Daar is teoretiese bewyse gevind vir die toepasbaarheid van die Nomologiese Model vir Sielkundige Meting Geldigheids Raming vir die validering van metingsvoorspelbaarheid van werksprestasie. 'n Maklik verstaanbare empmese ondersoek was nodig om die model se wetenskaplike nut vir keuringsgeldigheid te bepaal. Die model was gebruik vir die validering van keuringsprosedure-geldigheid van masjienoperateurs in 'n groot voedselverwerkingsmaatskappy. Die ondersoek het ge"illustreer dat deur die toepassing van Roete 1 van die nomologiese model, bewyse gegenereer is vir kriterium-verwante geldigheid, 5005 voorgeskryf deur relevante wetgewing en professionele standaarde. Verder, deur die toepassing van Roete 2 van hierdie model, word voldoende bewyse vir konstruk-verwante geldigheid, 5005 voorgeskryf deur wetlike en professionele standaarde, verkry. Die resultate van die studie bewys dat die Nomologiese Model vir Sielkundige Meting Geldigheids Raming teoreties, professioneel, wettig en prakties toepasbaar is vir die validering van personeel keu ri ngsprosed ures.

This research study was performed in an attempt to fill an apparent void regarding the relative utility and comprehensiveness of three published, theoretically-based, idiographic, initial assessment inventories: Integral Intake (II), Life-Style Introductory Interview (LI), and Multimodal Life History Inventory (MI). “Experts” -- defined as professors of counseling or psychology and licensed practitioners who have been practicing as counselors or psychologists for at least five years - read through the inventories and then evaluated them by responding to both (qualitative) open-ended questions as well (quantitative) rankings and ratings. The researcher posed three primary research questions: 1) how do participants' evaluations differ regarding the overall helpfulness of the three inventories; 2) how do participants' evaluations differ regarding the comprehensiveness -- both relative to each of the eight dimensions of the client (thoughts, emotions, behaviors, physical aspects of the client, physical aspects of the client's environment, culture, spirituality, and what is most meaningful to the client) and overall -- of the three inventories; and 3) how do participants' evaluations differ regarding the efficiency with which the three inventories assessed the eight dimensions. Results indicated that participants consistently evaluated the II and MI as more helpful, comprehensive, and efficient than the LI - both overall and relative to the eight specific dimensions. The LI was consistently evaluated as the worst of the three inventories -- on all dimensions. The MI was evaluated as the best inventory on four dimensions: the client's thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical aspects. The II was evaluated as the best inventory on seven dimensions: physical aspects of the client's environment, client's culture, client's spirituality, what is most meaningful to the client, and, notably, on overall comprehensiveness, overall efficiency, and overall helpfulness. Another goal of this research was to obtain feedback from the participants relative to how to improve the II. This goal was also accomplished and the researcher will implement this feedback into subsequent versions of the Integral Intake.

Mental health recovery is a complex phenomenon involving clinical, functional, physical, and social dimensions. The social dimension is understood to involve meaningful relationships and integration with supportive individuals and a wider community. While the recovery model developed from a movement led by consumers and survivors of the mental health system to promote hope, self-determination, and social inclusion, the clinical aspects of recovery have dominated mental health research and practice. The under-investigated area of social recovery calls for psychometrically sound measurement instruments. The purpose of the current study was to develop and validate the Social Recovery Measure (SRM). The study was grounded in disability and mad theories which locate disability at the intersection of the person and the environment. The SRM is a 19-item self-administered instrument scored on a 5-point Likert scale that consists of two domains: Self and Community. Items for the SRM were developed through focus groups and interviews with 41 individuals in recovery from mental health challenges and the preliminary measure was administered to a purposive, nonprobability sample of 228 individuals in recovery. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and a re-specified model resulted in good model fit. The SRM exhibited excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach's coefficient alpha of .951 and demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, content validity, and construct validity. Social recovery is highly relevant for social work given the discipline's commitment to disenfranchised populations and investment in creating enabling environments. The SRM has utility for use in evidence based practice and evaluation. The SRM can be used to further research in social recovery, test underlying theory bases, and explore the differential effects of the multiple dimensions of recovery. There is a need to better understand social recovery which this measure can facilitate.

M.A. (Research Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

No description available.

The problem of this study addresses a preliminary Rasch rating scale analysis of the Brief Symptom Inventory in relation to reliability and validity. Also, this investigator will utilize information provided by the latent trait psychometric model.

M.A. / The Myers Briggs Type® Indicator is a personality assessment instrument, which is based on the ideas of the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung, and was developed by a mother-daughter team. Isabel Briggs Myers and Katherine Briggs dedicated their lives to type watching and perfecting their instrument. The notion of type became a focal point in the lives of these two women but especially Isabel Briggs Myers whose wish was that people recognise and understand their own, as well as others' uniqueness. By appreciating each other's "gifts", it was her deepest desire that people would be happy and effective in what they did. The MBTI® is used extensively throughout the world in many fields such as education, career guidance, family therapy, conflict resolutions in the business world, team-building etc. In South Africa the MBTI® is relatively new but has secured a very strong position amongst therapists, counselors, educationalists and business. With the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa in 1994, opportunities were open to all race groups. The South African society is both complex and diverse, bringing with it difficulties in adaptation, making sound career choices and developing mature career identities. The loss of opportunity and exposure during the apartheid era has created contradictions and uncertainty for many young black adolescents who must make career choices. In completing the MBTI® and the SDS questionnaires it is hoped that the young adolescent will have a better understanding of him or herself and that he or she would be guided in making sound career choices that will lead to a fuller and satisfying life. The purpose of this study is to validate the MBTI® in the context of career guidance against the Self-Directed Search; an instrument developed by John Holland as a means of operationalising his theory of Careers. There were 125 subjects in this research sample who were chosen from a group of predominantly black school children who came from a disadvantaged background and who were recognised as having the potential for tertiary education, specifically at university level. The study discusses the findings of the MBTI® types and SDS. The results are elaborated in terms of the influence of other possible variables.

This research is an investigation into the Apil B as a culture fair assessment tool for the purpose of recruitment and selection. The Employment Equity Act stipulates that "psychological testing and other similar assessments are prohibited unless the test or assessment being used :-a) has been shown to be valid and reliable b) can be fairly applied to all employees and c) is not biased against any employee" (Employment Equity Act, 1998). The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the Apil B with regard to validity. reliability, cultural fairness, and bias via a consideration of the attitudes, opinions, and feelings of psychometric test administrators in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region. The secondary objective is to ascertain whether the Employment Equity legislation has influenced the attitudes of test administrators toward psychometric testing, and the implications for psychometric testing in South Africa following the Act. The sample in this research consists of 20 qualified test administrators of the Apil B. The administrators are affiliated with the following companies : Beacon, Durban Electricity, Profiled Appointments, Mondi, McCann and Associates, Saunders and Associates, Tetrapak, lthaJa, and Mangosuthu Technikon. Qualitative and quantitative methods are used. A self-administered questionnaire is used to investigate the attitudes, opinions, and feelings of the respondents toward the Apil B as a culture fair assessment, specifically in relation to validity, reliability, cultural fairness, and bias. Although most of the questions are qualitative, quantitative questions are also included. Therefore, this research requires numerical data as well . The quantitative questions include yes and no responses, as well as rating scales. The quantitative data supplements the qualitative data and therefore facilitates a more concrete data base. The results indicate that all respondents feel that the Apil B is valid, reliable, culture fair and fairly applied . Respondents feel more positively toward the new updated psychometric tests. They expressed greater confidence in terms of knowing which tests are inappropriate and which tests are relevant to specific jobs. It is also evident that the Employment Equity Act has strongly influenced the attitudes of respondents, in a very positive light, toward the use of psychometric testing. The respondents do however mention some concerns with regard to language based tests, and the ethical use of tests. According to the research conducted, the Apil B is regarded as a valid, reliable, and culture fair assessment tool in the opinion of the respondents utilised in this study. It is therefore recommended that the Apil B is used in organisations as a test that does not discriminate against any culture or subculture. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

There is a dire need for psychological tests to be standardized for the African child and for appropriate norms to be developed. This study is part of two larger studies that began in 2008, namely the National Early Learning Standards Age Validation Study (NELDS) (Kvalsvig, Govender & Taylor; 2008) (Principal Investigator – Dr. S. Kauchali), and the INSTAPA Work Package 6 Study (Kvalsvig, Govender & Taylor; 2008) (Principle Investigator – Dr. J.D. Kvalsvig). This study considers aspects of the Kilifi Development Inventory (KDI) as a measurement tool used to provide a structured and standardized procedure for monitoring the cognitive development of children from the age of 6 to 35 months. It is situated in the positivist paradigm and has adopted the classical test theory in attempting to establish the reliability of the Kilifi Developmental Inventory. Stratified purposive sampling techniques were used to select the South African sample, which comprised 120 participants categorized by gender (males and females), age (6 – 18 months and 18 – 35 months) and area (urban and peri urban/rural). The internal reliability of the KDI was investigated. Results from the data analysis (using SPSS 18.0) suggest that the measurement tool as a whole had inadequate internal reliability and therefore, further investigations and modifications have to be undertaken in certain subtests of the measurement tool before the assessment tool can be standardized for the South African population. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.