The changing nature of work and its competitive characteristics are global phenomena and are mainly fuelled by ongoing technological advancement. This creates unique challenges for talent attraction and the retention of high performing individuals. In addition, the global workforce is becoming more diverse due to demographic, societal and cultural changes and companies are placing greater demands on employee competency and performance. Managing the human factor as a strategic asset in organisations remains a primary challenge in securing a competitive advantage. The road construction industry in South Africa is no different. There is growing competition between civil engineering contractors to secure tenders and to maximise profitability. This is only possible with a sufficient and sustainable labour force. Valid selection processes are therefore required to ensure that the most productive individuals are selected for the most suitable jobs. Reliable and valid performance predictors will assist employers in making appropriate selection decisions. Selecting high performing individuals will support and enhance overall organisational performance. ix In this study the investigation focused on whether psychomotor ability and learning potential are statistically significant predictors of work performance - with specific reference to drivers and machine operators in a road construction company. A quantitative approach was followed to investigate the relationships between variables, or then the prediction of one dependent variable (driver and machine operator performance) by means of two independent variables (psychomotor ability and learning potential). Results from the study did not indicate any statistically significant relationships between the variables. Only scientifically validated assessment instruments were used in the study - which means the findings led to a renewed focus on the importance of performance measurement and the psychometric quality (reliability and validity) of performance data. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The changing nature of work and its competitive characteristics are global phenomena and are mainly fuelled by ongoing technological advancement. This creates unique challenges for talent attraction and the retention of high performing individuals. In addition, the global workforce is becoming more diverse due to demographic, societal and cultural changes and companies are placing greater demands on employee competency and performance. Managing the human factor as a strategic asset in organisations remains a primary challenge in securing a competitive advantage. The road construction industry in South Africa is no different. There is growing competition between civil engineering contractors to secure tenders and to maximise profitability. This is only possible with a sufficient and sustainable labour force. Valid selection processes are therefore required to ensure that the most productive individuals are selected for the most suitable jobs. Reliable and valid performance predictors will assist employers in making appropriate selection decisions. Selecting high performing individuals will support and enhance overall organisational performance. ix In this study the investigation focused on whether psychomotor ability and learning potential are statistically significant predictors of work performance - with specific reference to drivers and machine operators in a road construction company. A quantitative approach was followed to investigate the relationships between variables, or then the prediction of one dependent variable (driver and machine operator performance) by means of two independent variables (psychomotor ability and learning potential). Results from the study did not indicate any statistically significant relationships between the variables. Only scientifically validated assessment instruments were used in the study - which means the findings led to a renewed focus on the importance of performance measurement and the psychometric quality (reliability and validity) of performance data. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Purpose: To verify that the psychodiagnostics Vienna Test System (VTS) can be used to test the critical level performance characteristics, abilities and skills which are necessary to drive a car, or which are affecting it, on long-term marijuana users. Methods: Two semi-structured interviews, questionnaire, administration of the test battery VTS. Conclusion: It is possible to construct a test battery to be used on long-term marijuana users, which can determine whether the subject is theoretically able to drive even under the influence of THC. However, this test battery must be subjected to a quantitative verification. Keywords: computerized diagnostic, VTS (Vienna Test System), driving car, long-term marihuana users

Thesis (M. Comm.)--University of South Africa, 2002.

Thesis (M. Comm.)--University of South Africa, 2002.

The theoretical part of this thesis addresses key concepts related to the individual tendency to take risks - it introduces how this trait is embedded in the concept of personality, establishes essential theoretical issues related to risk and risk-tendency, as well as related important terms, research and authors in the field in question. The key issues, too, are methods of risk behaviour detection with emphasis on current trends in psychodiagnostics, thus in the following part the fields of computerized psychodiagnostics and of objective personality tests are discussed. The paper's empirical section is focused on the utilization of Vienna Test System (VTS) in this area. Objective personality tests used for detection of risk-tendency were analysed and validised using the SPARO method and data gained during interviews. Empirically produced results suggest that the validity of the methods used is equivocal. One of the main conclusions of this thesis, therefore, is that VTS methods' potential to determine risk behaviour seems to be rather limited and its further research should be conducted in the future. Keywords: risk, risk-tendency, personality, objective personality tests, computerized testing, Vienna Test System

Title: Differences in reaction rate in children with ADHD and the general population of the same age. Problem definition: ADHD is a neuropsychological disorder occurring in part of the pediatric population (5-8%). The scientific public mentions the existence of the so-called hyperfocus, ie the ability to significantly concentrate in children diagnosed with ADHD, especially in the case of these children being interested in the task. Methodologically correctly compiled and performed testing of the reaction rate of these children could confirm or refute this assumption. Aims: The aim of the work is to find out whether and possibly what effect the diagnosis of ADHD in children has on the reaction rate. Hypotheses: H1: The reaction rate in individuals with ADHD will be on average the same or higher than in individuals of the same age of the healthy population. H2: The difference between the individual experiments will be greater in children with ADHD than in individuals of the same age of the healthy population. H3: The individual with fastest reaction ability with ADHD will have the same or better result as the individual with the fastest reaction of the same aged healthy population. Methods: Testing for the purposes of this diploma thesis took place in the ROSA center. 12 probands in the tested group...

The purpose of the present study was to determine the concurrent validity of learning potential and psychomotor ability measures for the prediction of haul truck operator (N=128) performance in an open-pit mine. Specific aims were to determine the nature of the relationship between learning potential and psychomotor ability; whether there are higher order cognitive or psychomotor factors present in the combined use of the TRAM 1 and Vienna Test System measures; and the relative contribution of learning potential and psychomotor ability in the prediction of haul truck operator performance. The validity of learning potential and psychomotor ability measures was partially supported. A positive correlation between general (cognitive) ability (g) and psychomotor ability was reported. Factor analysis provided relatively consistent evidence for a general (cognitive) ability factor (g) underlying performance on all measures. The relative contribution of learning potential and psychomotor ability in the prediction of performance could not be established. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The purpose of the present study was to determine the concurrent validity of learning potential and psychomotor ability measures for the prediction of haul truck operator (N=128) performance in an open-pit mine. Specific aims were to determine the nature of the relationship between learning potential and psychomotor ability; whether there are higher order cognitive or psychomotor factors present in the combined use of the TRAM 1 and Vienna Test System measures; and the relative contribution of learning potential and psychomotor ability in the prediction of haul truck operator performance. The validity of learning potential and psychomotor ability measures was partially supported. A positive correlation between general (cognitive) ability (g) and psychomotor ability was reported. Factor analysis provided relatively consistent evidence for a general (cognitive) ability factor (g) underlying performance on all measures. The relative contribution of learning potential and psychomotor ability in the prediction of performance could not be established. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Vehicle accidents by means of Public transport annually leads to a large number of passenger deaths and life long disablement. AsDu Toit, Martina Petronella a result, there is a need for preventative measures by identifying the psychomotor abilities of bus drivers during the recruitment and selection process of employment. The study was conducted among 398 bus drivers employed by a large bus company. The Vienna Test Battery was administered. It was found that distance estimation, ability to recognize forms and figures, concentration ability, eye-hand feet coordination and two-hand coordination predicted the effectiveness of bus drivers successfully. It is suggested that further research should focus on client services, attitude of bus drivers and learning potential, as factors that influence the effectiveness of bus drivers. / Industrial psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)