Chapter 1. 1. Introduction - The rapid growth and development in industrial and technological areas has created a growing need for trained manpower. Increasingly it is expected of the universities to supply the community in these needs. For this reason the position of university dropouts must be regarded in a serious light - the necessary potential is not being utilized and furthermore the dropout rate is a burden for both the country and the community. 2. Objectives - The researcher has set the following overall objectives: To determine: a) Whether there are any significant differences between the dropout and the successful student as regard, aptitude, interest and personality. b) Whether the dropout in the year course differs from the dropout in the semester course. c) What factors - as described in literature on this subject - play an important part in the cessation of studies. d) The causes of such study cessation at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. 3. Hypotheses - a) There are no significant differences between the successful student and the dropout as regards aptitude, personality and interest. b) There are no meaningful psychological differences between the dropout in the semester course and the dropout in the year course. Chapter 2: Survey of literature. The phenomenon - as described in literature on this subject - is reviewed in this chapter. In the definitions that have been stated definite differences have been drawn between the successful student, the unsuccessful student and the dropout. Furthermore the extent of the dropouts in certain overseas countries and the Republic of South Africa has been reviewed but specifically also as relating to the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. Attention has also been given to the relationship between '. sexes, faculty, residence and study cessation. The pattern during the year of such cessation as well as its reasons are also discussed. The following factors which may be relevant to such cessation of studies have been identified: a) Psychological factors such as social withdrawal, stress, lack of self-confidence, identity-crises and problems on an interpersonal level. b) Family background. c) Socio-economical factors. d) Social pressures. e) Aptitude. f) Interest. g) Motivation'. h) Academic accomplishments. i) Religion. Chapter 3: Method of investigation. At the inception of their studies first-year students undergo psychometric testing. The results of the psychometric testing of 1980, 1981 and 1982 have been used in this investigation. Certain criteria for success have been set and the successful students identified accordingly. Of this group a random sample has been drawn. The dropouts were seen as a universal group. The aptitude, interest and personality scores of the successful students have then been compared with those of the dropouts using certain statistical methods. The aptitude, interest and personality scores of the dropout in the semester course have been compared with those of the dropouts in the year course, but only by comparing their average scores. One standard deviation is regarded as a significant psychological difference. No further statistical methods were used in this part of the research. Chapter 4: Discussion of results. 1. Certain tendencies relevant to the dropout's aptitude, interest and personality have been identified. The various faculties however, indicate differing tendencies. 2. It would appear as if there is no material difference between the dropout in the year course and those in the semester course. Chapter 5: Conclusion. From the investigation indications are that although in the different faculties certain tendencies are found relevant to cessation of studies, individual differences cannot be disregarded. To attempt to identify dropouts purely on ground of psychological tests without considering predisposing factors would be Unrealistic. Cessation of studies as a psychological problem can be reduced but never entirely eliminated. / Skripsie (MA)-- PU vir CHO, 1984

Chapter 1. 1. Introduction - The rapid growth and development in industrial and technological areas has created a growing need for trained manpower. Increasingly it is expected of the universities to supply the community in these needs. For this reason the position of university dropouts must be regarded in a serious light - the necessary potential is not being utilized and furthermore the dropout rate is a burden for both the country and the community. 2. Objectives - The researcher has set the following overall objectives: To determine: a) Whether there are any significant differences between the dropout and the successful student as regard, aptitude, interest and personality. b) Whether the dropout in the year course differs from the dropout in the semester course. c) What factors - as described in literature on this subject - play an important part in the cessation of studies. d) The causes of such study cessation at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. 3. Hypotheses - a) There are no significant differences between the successful student and the dropout as regards aptitude, personality and interest. b) There are no meaningful psychological differences between the dropout in the semester course and the dropout in the year course. Chapter 2: Survey of literature. The phenomenon - as described in literature on this subject - is reviewed in this chapter. In the definitions that have been stated definite differences have been drawn between the successful student, the unsuccessful student and the dropout. Furthermore the extent of the dropouts in certain overseas countries and the Republic of South Africa has been reviewed but specifically also as relating to the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. Attention has also been given to the relationship between '. sexes, faculty, residence and study cessation. The pattern during the year of such cessation as well as its reasons are also discussed. The following factors which may be relevant to such cessation of studies have been identified: a) Psychological factors such as social withdrawal, stress, lack of self-confidence, identity-crises and problems on an interpersonal level. b) Family background. c) Socio-economical factors. d) Social pressures. e) Aptitude. f) Interest. g) Motivation'. h) Academic accomplishments. i) Religion. Chapter 3: Method of investigation. At the inception of their studies first-year students undergo psychometric testing. The results of the psychometric testing of 1980, 1981 and 1982 have been used in this investigation. Certain criteria for success have been set and the successful students identified accordingly. Of this group a random sample has been drawn. The dropouts were seen as a universal group. The aptitude, interest and personality scores of the successful students have then been compared with those of the dropouts using certain statistical methods. The aptitude, interest and personality scores of the dropout in the semester course have been compared with those of the dropouts in the year course, but only by comparing their average scores. One standard deviation is regarded as a significant psychological difference. No further statistical methods were used in this part of the research. Chapter 4: Discussion of results. 1. Certain tendencies relevant to the dropout's aptitude, interest and personality have been identified. The various faculties however, indicate differing tendencies. 2. It would appear as if there is no material difference between the dropout in the year course and those in the semester course. Chapter 5: Conclusion. From the investigation indications are that although in the different faculties certain tendencies are found relevant to cessation of studies, individual differences cannot be disregarded. To attempt to identify dropouts purely on ground of psychological tests without considering predisposing factors would be Unrealistic. Cessation of studies as a psychological problem can be reduced but never entirely eliminated. / Skripsie (MA)-- PU vir CHO, 1984