PYC4807
Assignment 3
PORTFOLIO
(QUALITY
ANSWERS) 2024
, SECTION 1: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IN REAL-LIFE CONTEXTS (18 marks) You need to select ONE of
the three contexts (developmental, educational, or organisational) in your everyday life in which
psychological testing is done. You will describe the testing done in this context by answering the
questions below. Please DO NOT just provide a theoretical discussion from the textbook - you need to
share your observations, experiences, and thoughts based on actual exposure to the context, be it in
person, through conversation with specialists in the context, etcetera. NOTE that you are not allowed to
administer tests. The maximum length is 3 pages. Three applied contexts of testing are covered in this
module, namely 1) developmental assessment and assessment of learning problems of infants, pre-
school and primary school children; 2) assessment in an educational context for career counselling; 3)
and assessment in organisational contexts. We want you to explore how psychological testing is done in
these contexts in everyday life. Below are some ideas. Note that you must have an in-depth theoretical
understanding of assessment in the context you explore before gaining exposure to this context. Your
sources of information should be able to provide valid information on psychological assessment,
Developmental Educational/Career counseling organizational, You, a friend, or a family member may
have a child in primary school. What happens in this context if a child has learning difficulties? Perhaps
the school makes use of the services of an educational psychologist. If the school and/or the parents do
not have the resources to do so, there might be efforts to have additional classes to assist the children
who are struggling with their schoolwork. This highlights the issue of the availability of assessment
services to South African communities. If you or someone you know has a child who must make subject
choices in Grade 9, the school may inform parents of the availability of psychologists who will provide
career counselling that involves psychological assessment. You may have contacted the student
counselling services at Unisa, or you may work with or know of an organisation that helps employees
with assessment for career counselling. Were you or someone you know tested when they applied for a
job? If so, what was this experience like? Perhaps you work in a context where testing is done for high-
risk jobs. Please note that your answers should focus on psychological assessment per se and reflect a
thorough understanding of the syllabus covered in this module. No formal research needs to be
undertaken. Nevertheless, you need to adhere to ethical practices, such as informing people that you
will be reporting information in your assignment, requesting consent to do so, and ensuring
confidentiality – no names of organisations, institutions, or individuals should be used in your
assignment. If you use pseudonyms, indicate that these are not the real names.
Question 1 (4 marks) a) Identify the context you selected and briefly describe the real-life situation you
explored (i.e., not just a theoretical description of the context).
b) Explain in detail how you gathered information about this context.
Question 2 (6 marks) a) According to Chapter 15 in the prescribed book and Theme 3 in Tutorial letter
102, what is the reason for testing in the your selected context?
b) Now consider the real-life situation that you explored. Who was tested? What was the reason for
testing in this situation? Who administered the test/s? How was feedback given?
