MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: In a young growing country such as the Republic of south Africa there is a growing need for higher productivity. The gifted person does not always perform according to his abilities, because he is not identified at an early age and is therefore not completely understood. Previously, gifted persons were only identified by their mental abilities, whereas it is known that there are more factors involved, such as personality, interests, study methods and attitudes. etc. Psychological aspects that play an important role in the better understanding of the gifted person are the following :- - academic performance, - influence of the gifted person on the family, - the influence of inheritance and environment on giftedness, - education of the gifted, - sex differences with the gifted. AIM OF THE RESEARCH: The general aim of this study was to compare the gifted and average groups of students according to their abilities, scholastic achievement, interests, personalities and study-orientation. This was done through the following specific aims to determine if:- i) the gifted and average groups (both sexes included) differed in their profiles of the cognitive variables (SAT and standard ten results). ii) the mean profiles of the gifted and average groups (both sexes included) comparing non-cognitive variables (19FII, PHSF, SSHA), differed. iii) the mean profiles of the gifted male and average male groups comparing the cognitive variables differed. iv) the mean profiles of the gifted male and average male groups comparing the non-cognitive variables proved to be significantly different. v) the mean profiles of the gifted female and average female groups comparing cognitive variables were significantly different. vi) the mean profiles of the gifted female and average female groups comparing non-cognitive variables were different. The second aim of this study was to determine by t-tests whether there is a statistically meaningful difference between the different groups on the various fields or components of the psychometric instruments. METHOD OF INVESTIGATION: In the first place, a study of the relevant literature was undertaken, concerning the concepts of average, gifted, interest, aptitude, personality and study methods and attitudes. The psychometric instruments used in this research are discussed thoroughly according to their development, contents, reliability and validity. The sample used in this research consisted of one hundred and forty average students (seventy male and seventy female) and seventy gifted students (thirty five male and thirty five female) which were selected after the 1984 mass testing of first year students of the PU for CHE. Statistical operations were done for these groups with the aid of a computer. This work included the drawing-up of mean profiles on each variable (cognitive and non-cognitive) for each group (i.e. the gifted and average groups, the gifted and average male groups; and the gifted and average female groups) as well as the statistical comparison of these profiles with each other. In the second place t-tests were completed to detect differences between these groups on different fields of interest, personality, abilities, etc. CONCLUSIONS With regard to the first aim of this study, the following can be concluded: i) The gifted and average groups' mean cognitive profiles (both sexes included) were not parallel. ii) The gifted and average groups' mean non-cognitive profiles were not parallel. iii) The gifted and average male groups' mean cognitive profiles were not parallel. iv) The gifted and average male groups' mean non-cognitive profiles were parallel. v) The gifted and average female groups' mean cognitive profile were not parallel. vi) The gifted and average female groups' mean non-cognitive profile were not parallel. With regard to the t-tests, the following can be concluded:- The gifted group (both sexes included) showed statistically better performance on the following fields or components compared to the average group. a) Subjects: Afrikaans (1st language), English (2nd language), German higher grade, Latin higher grade, Mathematics higher grade, Science higher grade, Biology higher grade, History higher grade, Geography higher grade & standard grade, Accountancy higher grade & standard grade, Domestic Science higher grade and standard grade, Wood & Metal work standard grade, Technical Drawings higher grade and Typing standard grade. b) Interests (19FII):- Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Creative Thought and Numerical. c) Personality: (PHSF):- Desirability scale. d) Study Methods and attitudes (SSHA) - The average students (both sexes included) showed a statistically higher performance on clerical interest and sociability (Groups). The gifted male group performed statistically better on the following fields:- a) Subjects:- Afrikaans (1st language), English (2nd language), Latin higher grade, Mathematics higher grade, Science higher & standard grade, Accountancy higher grade, Technical Drawings higher grade and Wood & Metal work standard grade. b) Interests:- Creative thought. c) Personality:- Desirability Scale. - The average male students performed higher on the following:- a) Interests:- Clerical b) Personality:- Sociability (G) The gifted female group showed the following statistically higher performances:- a) Subjects:- Afrikaans (1st language), English (2nd language), German higher grade, Mathematics higher grade, Science higher grade, History higher grade, Geography higher grade. Accountancy higher and standard grade. Biology higher grade, Domestic Science standard grade and Typing standard grade. b) Interests:- Fine arts, Creative Thought, Practical - Male, and Numerical. c) Personality:- None. It was also found that the gifted group as a whole, as well as the gifted female group, tend to be more actively inclined towards interests. RECOMMENDATIONS The results of this study show that the gifted student does differ in many ways from the average student. There is thus a need for early identification of the gifted person so that he could be understood and so that there could be catered for this student at school level. The following recommendations can be made in connection with future research studies:- a) More meaningful findings may be gathered on the personality of the average student by including a second personality questionnaire such as the Jung Personality Questionnaire. The results of this questionnaire could lead to better understanding of the PHSF results of this study. b) More instruments can be used to evaluate study orientation, such as personal questionnaires and interviews. c) It is also recommended that the size of the groups be increased in order to increase the reliability of such findings. / Thesis (MA)--PU vir CHO, 1988

MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: In a young growing country such as the Republic of south Africa there is a growing need for higher productivity. The gifted person does not always perform according to his abilities, because he is not identified at an early age and is therefore not completely understood. Previously, gifted persons were only identified by their mental abilities, whereas it is known that there are more factors involved, such as personality, interests, study methods and attitudes. etc. Psychological aspects that play an important role in the better understanding of the gifted person are the following :- - academic performance, - influence of the gifted person on the family, - the influence of inheritance and environment on giftedness, - education of the gifted, - sex differences with the gifted. AIM OF THE RESEARCH: The general aim of this study was to compare the gifted and average groups of students according to their abilities, scholastic achievement, interests, personalities and study-orientation. This was done through the following specific aims to determine if:- i) the gifted and average groups (both sexes included) differed in their profiles of the cognitive variables (SAT and standard ten results). ii) the mean profiles of the gifted and average groups (both sexes included) comparing non-cognitive variables (19FII, PHSF, SSHA), differed. iii) the mean profiles of the gifted male and average male groups comparing the cognitive variables differed. iv) the mean profiles of the gifted male and average male groups comparing the non-cognitive variables proved to be significantly different. v) the mean profiles of the gifted female and average female groups comparing cognitive variables were significantly different. vi) the mean profiles of the gifted female and average female groups comparing non-cognitive variables were different. The second aim of this study was to determine by t-tests whether there is a statistically meaningful difference between the different groups on the various fields or components of the psychometric instruments. METHOD OF INVESTIGATION: In the first place, a study of the relevant literature was undertaken, concerning the concepts of average, gifted, interest, aptitude, personality and study methods and attitudes. The psychometric instruments used in this research are discussed thoroughly according to their development, contents, reliability and validity. The sample used in this research consisted of one hundred and forty average students (seventy male and seventy female) and seventy gifted students (thirty five male and thirty five female) which were selected after the 1984 mass testing of first year students of the PU for CHE. Statistical operations were done for these groups with the aid of a computer. This work included the drawing-up of mean profiles on each variable (cognitive and non-cognitive) for each group (i.e. the gifted and average groups, the gifted and average male groups; and the gifted and average female groups) as well as the statistical comparison of these profiles with each other. In the second place t-tests were completed to detect differences between these groups on different fields of interest, personality, abilities, etc. CONCLUSIONS With regard to the first aim of this study, the following can be concluded: i) The gifted and average groups' mean cognitive profiles (both sexes included) were not parallel. ii) The gifted and average groups' mean non-cognitive profiles were not parallel. iii) The gifted and average male groups' mean cognitive profiles were not parallel. iv) The gifted and average male groups' mean non-cognitive profiles were parallel. v) The gifted and average female groups' mean cognitive profile were not parallel. vi) The gifted and average female groups' mean non-cognitive profile were not parallel. With regard to the t-tests, the following can be concluded:- The gifted group (both sexes included) showed statistically better performance on the following fields or components compared to the average group. a) Subjects: Afrikaans (1st language), English (2nd language), German higher grade, Latin higher grade, Mathematics higher grade, Science higher grade, Biology higher grade, History higher grade, Geography higher grade & standard grade, Accountancy higher grade & standard grade, Domestic Science higher grade and standard grade, Wood & Metal work standard grade, Technical Drawings higher grade and Typing standard grade. b) Interests (19FII):- Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Creative Thought and Numerical. c) Personality: (PHSF):- Desirability scale. d) Study Methods and attitudes (SSHA) - The average students (both sexes included) showed a statistically higher performance on clerical interest and sociability (Groups). The gifted male group performed statistically better on the following fields:- a) Subjects:- Afrikaans (1st language), English (2nd language), Latin higher grade, Mathematics higher grade, Science higher & standard grade, Accountancy higher grade, Technical Drawings higher grade and Wood & Metal work standard grade. b) Interests:- Creative thought. c) Personality:- Desirability Scale. - The average male students performed higher on the following:- a) Interests:- Clerical b) Personality:- Sociability (G) The gifted female group showed the following statistically higher performances:- a) Subjects:- Afrikaans (1st language), English (2nd language), German higher grade, Mathematics higher grade, Science higher grade, History higher grade, Geography higher grade. Accountancy higher and standard grade. Biology higher grade, Domestic Science standard grade and Typing standard grade. b) Interests:- Fine arts, Creative Thought, Practical - Male, and Numerical. c) Personality:- None. It was also found that the gifted group as a whole, as well as the gifted female group, tend to be more actively inclined towards interests. RECOMMENDATIONS The results of this study show that the gifted student does differ in many ways from the average student. There is thus a need for early identification of the gifted person so that he could be understood and so that there could be catered for this student at school level. The following recommendations can be made in connection with future research studies:- a) More meaningful findings may be gathered on the personality of the average student by including a second personality questionnaire such as the Jung Personality Questionnaire. The results of this questionnaire could lead to better understanding of the PHSF results of this study. b) More instruments can be used to evaluate study orientation, such as personal questionnaires and interviews. c) It is also recommended that the size of the groups be increased in order to increase the reliability of such findings. / Thesis (MA)--PU vir CHO, 1988

Proefskrif--PU vir CHO

Proefskrif--PU vir CHO

Proefskrif--PU vir CHO

This study was an attempt to determine whether there are factors related to student dating which can be associated with the level of students’ academic performance, and, if any exist, to establish the nature of these factors and to determine and explain this association or relationship. The sample was drawn from students in the final (third) year of their B.A. course. The sample included both men and women. It was drawn from the Potchefstroom University for C.H.E. and the University of Pretoria. The results indicated a definite relationship between certain aspects of students' dating and their academic success. The most important observation concerned the dating pattern: Students who classified themselves as having a steady date (going steady) almost without exception obtained higher marks than could have been expected from their academic aptitude. (Matriculation results were used as an indication of this sample's academic aptitude, having been statistically proved to bear the highest correlation with their actual academic performance.) The academic performance of students who did date but who did not have a steady date was, in almost every case, found to be poorer than could have been expected from their academic aptitude. Many indications were found that these two groups of students do not only differ regarding the level of their academic performance but also as regards a number of other characteristics, the development of which, of course, may very well have been further stimulated by the nature of their specific dating patterns. The academic performance of students who did not date at all was found to be, in some cases, slightly poorer, and, in other instances, slightly better than could have been expected; no definite pattern emerged. Some other aspects of student dating proved, in some cases, to have a significant relationship with students’ academic performance. These were: the length of the period (number of years) for which they had been going steady and the time (average in hours per week) spent on dating activities. Where students of the two universities were concerned, certain differences in the relationship between their dating behaviour and academic performance were observed. Only very slight differences were observed between the two sexes as far as the relationship between these two variables are concerned. The study shed more light on the problem of factors associated with students' academic success by presenting an analysis of the influence of certain aspects of dating behaviour on the level of students’ academic performance. Furthermore it served to elucidate the role of dating as a significant part of student life, and the influence of certain dating patterns and other variables associated with dating on many aspects of their university life, including their academic performance. / Thesis (MA)--PU vir CHO

L2 teaching has been subjected to •significant changes over the last few years. These changes can mainly be attributed to the fact that more attention has been given to the needs and aims of L2 learners. Agreement has been reached that language is essentially a tool for communication and that the most important need of L2 learners is the need to use the L2 for communicative purposes. Since the implementation of the communicative syllabus for English L2 for std 5, 6 and 7 pupils in 1986, the focus has been on communication. An indisputable link exists between teaching and testing. This implies that, should the overriding aim of a L2 syllabus be communicative competence, then the natural result of this should be the periodic testing of the communicative abilities of the pupils. Communicative teaching has already been explored to a considerable extent. One can assume that the amount of literature available on communicative teaching has resulted in a (positive) change in L2 classrooms. Communicative testing has not been explored sufficiently, however. In fact, there is enough reason to believe that the co-ordination that should exist between L2 teaching and L2 testing is lacking. In this mini-dissertation an attempt has been made to give guidance to L2 teachers in the bridging of the gap that exists between L2 teaching and L2 testing. Test construction has become a specialized field, and L2 teachers should get sufficient training in this field, so as to enable them to measure the progress of their pupils scientifically. In this mini-dissertation the following aspects of testing are discussed: validity, reliability, subjectivity/objectivity, the characteristics of communicative testing, the use of different scales for the evaluation of communicative competence, and techniques that can be applied in the testing of communicative competence. Knowledge of the above-mentioned aspects could lead to more scientific approach to L2 testing and this may help to eliminate the disharmony currently existing between L2.~eaching and L2 testing. It is concluded that communicative language testing in the junior secondary phase is indeed possible if the techniques proposed in this mini-dissertation are followed. / Skripsie (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1990

Proefskrif--PU vir CHO

This study was an attempt to determine whether there are factors related to student dating which can be associated with the level of students’ academic performance, and, if any exist, to establish the nature of these factors and to determine and explain this association or relationship. The sample was drawn from students in the final (third) year of their B.A. course. The sample included both men and women. It was drawn from the Potchefstroom University for C.H.E. and the University of Pretoria. The results indicated a definite relationship between certain aspects of students' dating and their academic success. The most important observation concerned the dating pattern: Students who classified themselves as having a steady date (going steady) almost without exception obtained higher marks than could have been expected from their academic aptitude. (Matriculation results were used as an indication of this sample's academic aptitude, having been statistically proved to bear the highest correlation with their actual academic performance.) The academic performance of students who did date but who did not have a steady date was, in almost every case, found to be poorer than could have been expected from their academic aptitude. Many indications were found that these two groups of students do not only differ regarding the level of their academic performance but also as regards a number of other characteristics, the development of which, of course, may very well have been further stimulated by the nature of their specific dating patterns. The academic performance of students who did not date at all was found to be, in some cases, slightly poorer, and, in other instances, slightly better than could have been expected; no definite pattern emerged. Some other aspects of student dating proved, in some cases, to have a significant relationship with students’ academic performance. These were: the length of the period (number of years) for which they had been going steady and the time (average in hours per week) spent on dating activities. Where students of the two universities were concerned, certain differences in the relationship between their dating behaviour and academic performance were observed. Only very slight differences were observed between the two sexes as far as the relationship between these two variables are concerned. The study shed more light on the problem of factors associated with students' academic success by presenting an analysis of the influence of certain aspects of dating behaviour on the level of students’ academic performance. Furthermore it served to elucidate the role of dating as a significant part of student life, and the influence of certain dating patterns and other variables associated with dating on many aspects of their university life, including their academic performance. / Thesis (MA)--PU vir CHO

L2 teaching has been subjected to •significant changes over the last few years. These changes can mainly be attributed to the fact that more attention has been given to the needs and aims of L2 learners. Agreement has been reached that language is essentially a tool for communication and that the most important need of L2 learners is the need to use the L2 for communicative purposes. Since the implementation of the communicative syllabus for English L2 for std 5, 6 and 7 pupils in 1986, the focus has been on communication. An indisputable link exists between teaching and testing. This implies that, should the overriding aim of a L2 syllabus be communicative competence, then the natural result of this should be the periodic testing of the communicative abilities of the pupils. Communicative teaching has already been explored to a considerable extent. One can assume that the amount of literature available on communicative teaching has resulted in a (positive) change in L2 classrooms. Communicative testing has not been explored sufficiently, however. In fact, there is enough reason to believe that the co-ordination that should exist between L2 teaching and L2 testing is lacking. In this mini-dissertation an attempt has been made to give guidance to L2 teachers in the bridging of the gap that exists between L2 teaching and L2 testing. Test construction has become a specialized field, and L2 teachers should get sufficient training in this field, so as to enable them to measure the progress of their pupils scientifically. In this mini-dissertation the following aspects of testing are discussed: validity, reliability, subjectivity/objectivity, the characteristics of communicative testing, the use of different scales for the evaluation of communicative competence, and techniques that can be applied in the testing of communicative competence. Knowledge of the above-mentioned aspects could lead to more scientific approach to L2 testing and this may help to eliminate the disharmony currently existing between L2.~eaching and L2 testing. It is concluded that communicative language testing in the junior secondary phase is indeed possible if the techniques proposed in this mini-dissertation are followed. / Skripsie (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1990