Author Topic: The Importance of Vocational Testing : A Psychosocial Analysis  (Read 523 times)

Lorenzo

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by: Lorenzo
(this is the first couple pages of my upcoming paper)








Tests are commonly used to measure one’s special abilities and interests as they relate to occupations. Psychological tests are important because not only do they offer a comprehensive assessment to what is being tested , but can also be used to compare the skills and abilities of test takers themselves.

In regards to technical and vocational skills, clinicians are able to observe the test taker’s skills through these exams. Prior to this, the clinician has researched the construct that this particular test is supposed to measure and then examine how the test approaches the construct (Groth-Marnat, 2006).

Vocational testing can be used for a plethora of population groups such as young adults, adult who are contemplating a career change. Vocational tests allow the person to assess and examine which occupation best fit their abilities, interests as well as personality. Vocational testing is used by the employers to make sure that the potential employees are assigned in the positions best suited for them (McFadden, 2012).

Some vocational tests use what is called the Holland codes, which places emphasis on examining a person’s abilities. The Holland codes examines six different categories, which include Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. The realistic category examines whether or not a person has outdoors and hands-on interests), the investigative category observes if the person has any scientific professional potential, the artistic category measures any creative jobs, the social category examines if there are any counseling and teaching potential. Enterprising category searches for management and sales potential whereas the conventional category looks for any clerical or administrative potential (Groth-Marnat, 2006).

Like any testing program, there are some limitations to vocational and interest testing. There are times when the test taker will fail in the exam or if there are some underlying conditions that can negate the benefits of the vocational testing. Some limitations would include certain issues such as people with learning disabilities, cognitive deficits, or developmental disabilities. These are poignant considerations.

There are times when it is beneficial to measure various abilities via a multiple ability battery because it gives tests the tool to assess human abilities and aptitude. An example would be the Highlands Ability Battery (THAB), which offers an objective view and consists of nineteen work samples. One of the reasons why I believe multiple battery systems is effective because it covers the different strengths of an individual and thus, better assess the skills a person has to a possible career.  Interests are the result of what you do, what you learn and whom you know. The factors that govern interest changes dramatically throughout time. Skill is the result of inheritance and early development and for a most part are not changeable as interests are. A person may have interest in Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering but may not have the ability to pursue the regimented courses. One can gauge this through administration of interest tests and vocational tests. Care should be taken. Aiken and Groth-Marnat stated that tests have quite low validity coefficients, so one should not think that the results on these tests are the final say. The results might show a person to be more of a “teacher or counselor” , but in the end, that student could have become an Industrial Engineer (Groth-Marnat, 2006).



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Lorenzo

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Re: The Importance of Vocational Testing : A Psychosocial Analysis
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2012, 03:55:34 AM »
Feel free to add any comments, am looking for additional points of view and opinions. I would like any multifaceted viewpoint. Advanced thanks.

Best,
Lorenz

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