M.Ed. (Tertiary and Adult Education) / This empirical study forms part of a team research project which was spearheaded by the Bureau of University Education at the Rand Afrikaans University. The aim of this study was to establish whether significant differences between the aptitudes of succesfull and non-succesfull freshman engineering students could be determined. This study consists mainly of two parts. Firstly, a literature study discussing the concepts aptitude and aptitude testing was undertaken. Secondly, an empirical study to establish differences in various aptitudes of the above-mentioned student groups was undertaken. According to the literature study, aptitude can be seen as a combination of factors which enables an individual to achieve a certain level of performance or to develop a certain skill with the necessary training. From the literature study it is apparent that aptitude is inherited, and also influenced by environmental factors. In early childhood it varies considerably but stabilizes in later years. Although slight similarities between aptitude and intelligence exist, a very clear distinction can be drawn. Differences between the aptitude patterns of men and women also appear. In the empirical study a random sample (N=388) was taken from the 1989 - 1991 freshman engineering students of the Rand Afrikaans University. The results of the Senior Aptitude Test (SAT) of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) were used to indicate d ifferences between the above-mentioned student groups. Students t-test was used to establish significant differences between the two groups. The data which was already available, was processed by means of the BMDP-3D computer programme. Significant differences between the two groups were identified, proving/indicating that aptitude should be taken into account during the process of student selection for the engineering course.

D.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / The creatively gifted individual is generally regarded as a valuable natural resource. Some of the solutions to the threats that endanger the future of mankind, are possibly lodged in the abilities of the creatively gifted. These individuals, however, often experience social isolation because of their ability to question the status quo. The creatively gifted student at university is the focus of this investigation in which an attempt has been made to ascertain how the creatively gifted individual experiences university culture. This was done with a view to describing ideographically how students perceive their university culture. In Chapter I the problem and objectives were presented. The research question of this study pertains to the nature of creatively gifted students' experience of university culture. The rationale for the study is the fact that creatively gifted students often fail to be accommodated in an educational environment, both socially, personally and with regard to their academic activities. The objective of the study was to investigate the creatively gifted student's experience of the university environment. The latter refers to the social, personal and academic milieu. The aim of the investigation was to contribute to theory by highlighting the theoretical dimensions of the problem. It was also the objective of the study to use the interpreted data as a basis for recommendations to accommodate the creatively gifted student in the university environment. In Chapters 2, 3 and 4 a literature review was conducted. Chapter 2 dealt with the concept creativity and its interrelatedness with concepts such as giftedness and intelligence. Creativity is often confused with intelligence while they are both different aspects of giftedness. The concepts experience and university culture were also clarified. The creatively gifted personality was the focus of Chapter 3. The creatively gifted often display characteristics which may alienate them from society. In Chapter 4 the interaction between the creatively gifted individual and the environment was discussed. The environment can either encourage or demotivate the individual's creativity. Although the creatively gifted often resists the environment, they need assistance and support from the environment to actualize their creative potential. The design and method of research was formulated in Chapter 5. A case study design was selected for this study. The rationale for choosing this method of research was discussed. Issues such as validity, reliability and generalizability were also addressed. To identify the students with whom the case studies were conducted, certain procedures were followed. The study was structured in 4 phases in which quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were combined. In phase 1 the Torrance test of creative thinking (Figural, Form A) was administered to 400 first-year students at the Rand Afrikaans University. By means of a stratified sample 12 students were selected for phase 2 of this study. This group was constituted of 4 highly creative students, 4 students who obtained average scores for creativity and 4 students who performed poorly on the creativity test. In phase 3 a focus group interview was conducted with these students. The data obtained from this interview were analyzed according to qualitative research methodological procedures. The two creatively gifted students were identified with whom the double case study was conducted in phase 4 of the research. In Chapter 6 the data obtained from the double case study was reported and displayed. Examples were given from each procedural stage of the research process in order to establish a "chain of evidence". Patterns of each student's experience of the university environment were isolated. In Chapter 7 the final patterns obtained from the analysis of the data were interpreted against the theoretical background of previous chapters. The patterns for these students correlated well. The conclusion was reached that creatively gifted students could experience isolation within their environment which has a negative effect on their social and academic functioning. They might experience the isolation partly because of distinct characteristics of the creatively gifted individual and also because of the university structure in which they function. It was also concluded that the creatively gifted individuals in the study have the ability to adapt to the milieu although it demands much from them on an emotional level. Both testees have sound faith in their own abilities. Recommendations were made for the practical accommodation of these students as well as for possible further research. It is the wish of the author that this research should serve as an inspiration for researchers in this fundamental and crucial aspect of human functioning.

Professional school counselors frequently use career interest inventories as part of a comprehensive guidance program to help students create a post-secondary school plan. The present study evaluates the validity of three commonly used interest inventories, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Self-Directed Search, and Strong Interest Inventory on field of study choice for graduating high school seniors (N = 616) from a large, suburban high school in Texas. Students identified their intended postsecondary field of study category, were randomly assigned using stratification to three groups, and each group completed a different inventory. Group membership was evaluated to establish covariate balance on a wide variety of indicators. Data from each group was evaluated to determine the extent to which the inventory predicted the chosen field of study, as well as Other and Undeclared categories using logistic regression models. None of the inventory models suggest that the inventory accurately predicts Other or Undeclared outcomes. For students selecting intended postsecondary fields of study, the Self Directed Search predicts such outcomes better than other measures. Professional school and career counselors should consider the SDS in addition to narrative counseling strategies to add greater precision with career decision making among clients and students.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Instrumental Enrichment, an educational program developed by Reuven Feuerstein, which attempts to improve an individual's ability to reason. A meta-analysis was performed on studies that had been conducted between the years 1979 to 1996. Thirty-six studies were analyzed according to their results from measurements in the cognitive/visual-perceptual, academic achievement and affective domains. The results from the meta-analysis were mixed. There were significant combined effect sizes of 0.24 for non-verbal ability, 1.41 for verbal ability, and 0.60 for one combination of full-scale ability. Significant effect sizes for measures of visual perception and visual-motor ability were 0.42, 0.71 and 1.68. There were also significant effect sizes for general achievement and for one combination of math achievement at 0.26 and 0.29 respectively. The intellectual achievement locus of control effect size was significant at 0.33. (Cohen (1988) considers an effect size of 0.20 to be small, that of 0.50 to be of medium size, and that of 0.80 to be large.) All effect sizes for reading were non-significant as was that for the Learning Potential Assessment Device. All other measures, such as those for self-confidence, self-concept, motivation and attitudes, in the affective domain were non-significant. One effect size for motivation and attitudes was significantly negative, indicating that the control group outperformed the treatment group. The results are discussed in terms of near- and far-transfer of learning.

Thesis (MComm (Industrial Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The last two decades have witnessed an upsurge in the research and use of psychometric tests to aid in the prediction of managerial performance. Currently the most prevailing predictor constructs of managerial performance are cognitive ability, personality, and experience. However, researchers and practitioners are still looking for ways in which to maximise the prediction of managerial performance. In recent years, Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs) have become an increasingly popular selection tool. SJTs are multidimensional psychometric instruments designed to assess an individual’s judgement concerning work-related situations. Evidence to date indicates that SJTs are valid predictors of performance, especially for managerial positions in which interpersonal interactions are important. The main objective of this study was to examine whether SJTs significantly add to the prediction of managerial performance over other measures used for managerial selection, such as measures of cognitive ability and personality. Measures of specific cognitive abilities, personality and a SJT were administered to branch managers in a South African retail bank (N = 124) to investigate the ability of the measures to predict managerial performance. Managerial performance was measured using three measures; Performance Ranking, a Behavioural Observation Scale (BOS) and an Overall Performance Rating. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to investigate the relationship between the predictor composites and the managerial performance measures. Findings reveal different prediction patterns for the three criteria. A multiple correlation coefficient of .442 (p > .05) was obtained when predicting Performance Ranking measures, .308 (p < .05) was obtained for predicting the Behavioural Observation Scale (BOS) measure, and .318 (p > .05) was obtained when predicting the Overall Performance Rating measure. Therefore, only when predicting the BOS measure, the SJT provided incremental validity over cognitive ability and personality measures. Consequently, the average of the scores of the three criterion measures, i.e., the Managerial Performance Composite, was used to evaluate the a priori hypotheses. A multiple correlation of .366 (p > .05) was obtained for predicting the Managerial Performance Composite criterion. Results therefore indicate that the SJT did not exhibit meaningful or statistically significant incremental prediction over cognitive ability and personality to predict the composite managerial performance measure. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die laaste twee dekades het ‘n toename in die gebruik van psigometriese toetse in die voorspelling van bestuurdersprestasie waargeneem. Tans is kognitiewe vermoë, persoonlikheid en ervaring die mees algemene voorspellingskonstrukte vir bestuurdersprestasie. Navorsers en praktisyns is egter op soek na maniere om die voorspelling van bestuurdersprestasie te verbeter. ‘n Onlangse verwikkeling is dat “Situational Judgement Tests” (SJTs) toeneem in gewildheid as seleksie-metode. SJTs is multi-dimensionele psigometriese toetse wat ontwerp is om ‘n individu se oordeelsvermoë ten opsigte van werksverwante situasies te assesseer. Navorsing tot op hede wys dat SJTs geldige voorspellers van prestasie is, veral vir bestuursposisies waarin interpersoonlike interaksies belangrik is. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om te ondersoek of SJTs betekenisvolle waarde toevoeg tot die voorspelling van bestuurdersprestasie bo die gebruik van ander meetinstrumente wat vir bestuurskeuring gebruik word, soos metings van kognitiewe vermoë en persoonlikheid. Vir hierdie doel, is takbestuurders in ‘n Suid Afrikaanse bank (N = 124) se kognitiewe vermoëns, persoonlikheid en situasionele beoordelingsvermoë getoets om die vermoë van die meetinstrumente om bestuurdersprestasie te voorspel, te ondersoek. Bestuurdersprestasie was deur middel van drie meetinstrumente bepaal; prestasie-rangordening (“Performance Ranking”), ‘n gedragsobservasieskaal (“Behavioural Observation Scale”) en ‘n algehele prestasiebeoordelingsmeting (“Overall Performance Rating”). Hiërargiese meervoudige regressie-ontleding was gebruik om die verhouding tussen die voorspellers en die bestuurdersprestasiemetings te ondersoek. Verskillende voorspellingspatrone is vir die drie meetinstrumente gevind. ‘n Meervoudige korrelasie koeffisiënt van .308 (p < .05) is vir die voorspelling van die BOS meting verkry, terwyl .442 (p > .05) en .308 (p < .05) onderskeidelik vir die voorspelling van die prestasie-rangordening en algehele prestasiebeoordelingsmeting verkry is. Gevolglik het slegs die BOS meting inkrementele geldigheid getoon. Die gemiddeld van hierdie drie metings se tellings is gebruik om ‘n bestuurdersprestasie-kombinasietelling “Managerial Performance Composite” te skep wat gebruik is om die finale besluit rakende die a priori hipoteses te maak. ‘n Meervoudige korrelasie van .366 (p >.05) was gevind ten einde die bestuurdersprestasie-kombinasietelling te voorspel aan die hand van die voorspellers.

D.Phil. (Education) / The study-group in this study focus on the education students of the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) from 1988-1990. All these students completed the diagnostic testing program of RAU as well as the practical course in didactics. The practical mark in didactics were used to distribute the students into three research sub-groups. This mark reflected the students' didactical skills in a simulated classroom situation. The diagnostic data which was utilised to compile a profile of the study-group consisted of tests for intelligence, aptitude, adaptation, personality and study habits, as well as relevant biographical data. The students' academic achievement in matric was determined by the M-score. The three sub-groups were determined by calculating the average of the groups' practical mark and cut-off points of half a standard deviation on either side of the average. This presupposed a less superior didactical group (Group A) versus a superior didactical group (Group B), utilized for statistical purposes. The calculations did not include the middle group. The entire discussion of the career process selection was based on Super's career choice model. This was done to determine the main contributory factors in selecting teaching as a career. A literature study was made of the teacher and teaching as a career, followed by a discussion of the Importance of the attributes of the excellent teacher, which included more than just good academic achievement. Teaching as a career was also discussed, emphasizing a temporary difference between the practical and theoretical aspects of t118 didactics course, in order to identify which specific attributes contributed to the success in the practical component of the course. A discussion based on literature was done to determine the various psychological tests and questionnaires which were utilized in this study, namely NSGT, SAT, 16-PF, PHSF, 19-FII, SSHAas well as supportive biographical data. The aim of this study was to determine certain psychological aspects which contributed to the success in the practical components of a course in didactics. A career choice is usually made during the late adolescence. In discussing a career choice model, Super (1990) explains various determinants which influence career choice including the geographical origin, personality and contributory aspects of an individual's personality...

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Instrumental Enrichment, an educational program developed by Reuven Feuerstein, which attempts to improve an individual's ability to reason. A meta-analysis was performed on studies that had been conducted between the years 1979 to 1996. Thirty-six studies were analyzed according to their results from measurements in the cognitive/visual-perceptual, academic achievement and affective domains. The results from the meta-analysis were mixed. There were significant combined effect sizes of 0.24 for non-verbal ability, 1.41 for verbal ability, and 0.60 for one combination of full-scale ability. Significant effect sizes for measures of visual perception and visual-motor ability were 0.42, 0.71 and 1.68. There were also significant effect sizes for general achievement and for one combination of math achievement at 0.26 and 0.29 respectively. The intellectual achievement locus of control effect size was significant at 0.33. (Cohen (1988) considers an effect size of 0.20 to be small, that of 0.50 to be of medium size, and that of 0.80 to be large.) All effect sizes for reading were non-significant as was that for the Learning Potential Assessment Device. All other measures, such as those for self-confidence, self-concept, motivation and attitudes, in the affective domain were non-significant. One effect size for motivation and attitudes was significantly negative, indicating that the control group outperformed the treatment group. The results are discussed in terms of near- and far-transfer of learning. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

The concept of biodata is defined as an assessment and evaluation of demonstrated to be related to personality structure, personal adjustment, or success in social, educational, or occupational pursuits.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Atherosclerotic lesions of human beings are common diagnosed in regions of arte- rial branching and curvature. The prevalence of atherosclerosis is usually associated with hardening and ballooning of aortic wall surfaces because of narrowing of flow path by the deposition of fatty materials, platelets and influx of plasma through in- timal wall of Aorta. High Wall Shear Stress (WSS) is proved to be the main cause behind all these aortic diseases by physicians and researchers. Due to the fact that the atherosclerotic regions are associated with complex blood flow patterns, it has believed that hemodynamics and fluid-structure interaction play important roles in regulating atherogenesis. As one of the most complex flow situations found in cardio- vascular system due to the strong curvature effects, irregular geometry, tapering and branching, and twisting, theoretical prediction and in vivo quantitative experimental data regarding to the complex blood flow dynamics are substantial paucity. In recent years, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has emerged as a popular research tool to study the characteristics of aortic flow and aim to enhance the understanding of the underlying physics behind arteriosclerosis. In this research, we study the hemo- dynamics and flow-vessel interaction in patient specific normal (healthy) and dilated (diseased) aortas using Ansys-Fluent and Ansys-Workbench. The computation con- sists of three parts: segmentation of arterial geometry for the CFD simulation from computed tomography (CT) scanning data using MIMICS; finite volume simulation of hemodynamics of steady and pulsatile flow using Ansys-Fluent; an attempt to perform the Fluid Structure Simulation of the normal aorta using Ansys-Workbench. Instead of neglecting the branching or smoothing out the wall for simplification as a lot of similar computation in literature, we use the exact aortic geometry. Segmen- tation from real time CT images from two patients, one young and another old to represent healthy and diseased aorta respectively, is on MIMICS. The MIMICS seg- mentation operation includes: first cropping the required part of aorta from CT dicom data of the whole chest, masking of the aorta from coronal, axial and saggital views of the same to extract the exact 3D geometry of the aorta. Next step was to perform surface improvement using MIMICS 3-matic module to repair for holes, noise shells and overlapping triangles to create a good quality surface of the geometry. A hexahe- dral volume mesh was created in T-Grid. Since T-grid cannot recognize the geometry format created by MIMICS 3-matic; the required step geometry file was created in Pro-Engineer. After the meshing operation is performed, the mesh is exported to Ansys Fluent to perform the required fluid simulation imposing adequate boundary conditions accordingly. Two types of study are performed for hemodynamics. First is a steady flow driven by specified parabolic velocity at inlet. We captured the flow feature such as skewness of velocity around the aortic arch regions and vortices pairs, which are in good agreement with open data in literature. Second is a pulsatile flow. Two pulsatile velocity profiles are imposed at the inlet of healthy and diseased aorta respectively. The pulsatile analysis was accomplished for peak systolic, mid systolic and diastolic phase of the entire cardiac cycle. During peak systole and mid-systole, high WSS was found at the aortic branch roots and arch regions and diastole resulted in flow reversals and low WSS values due to small aortic inflow. In brief, areas of sudden geometry change, i.e. the branch roots and irregular surfaces of the geom- etry experience more WSS. Also it was found that dilated aorta has more sporadic nature of WSS in different regions than normal aorta which displays a more uniform WSS distribution all over the aorta surface. Fluid-Structure Interaction simulation is performed on Ansys-WorkBench through the coupling of fluid dynamics and solid mechanics. Focus is on the maximum displacement and equivalent stress to find out the future failure regions for the peak velocity of the cardiac cycle.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education