Psychology

Psychology

Question one

A rating scale helps in eliciting both qualitative and quantitative information about certain attributes. It helps in determining the level of satisfaction or dissatisfaction in a given area. State wide educational assessments help to find out whether the learning environment is conducive to foster positive learning. The assessment helps in generating information on students and teachers needs and achievements and gauges the success of a school (Howard, 1998, p. 6). In a school environment, teachers’ attitude help in promoting or deterring effects learning hence need for the rating. The rating scale measure for the teacher’s attitude will encompass the following questions:

How often to do diagnose students weakness
Do you monitor your student progress in class?
Do you motivate your students to work hard
Do you plan your teaching schedules
Do you think that statewide education assessments provide tangible information on the really of what goes in schools. Point= 5
Would you recommend state wide education assessments to other countries where this rating scale is not adopted
Are these rating scales reliable? Points=8
How often should the rating be done?
How can you describe your relationship with parents?

Even though, the method of measuring the level of attitude may not provide honest data, there are a number of factors that may contribute/influence teachers to rate honestly. One of the factors is the perceived effectiveness of the assessment. If teacher perceive that the ratings findings are important in providing appropriate recommendations on the best teachings approaches, they will be able to provide honest information as opposed to negative perception. Second, is the intention of the rating, if they perceive that the ratings are going to affect them in a negative way, they will twist their answers hence providing false answers. Third, is teachers full understanding of reasons why these ratings are done. Teachers who understand why these ratings are done will be more open and therefore honesty.

Compared to other kinds of rating such as performance, multiple choices, this rating has some advantages as well as disadvantage. One advantage is that it is easy to administer and analyze (Darling, 1991, p.220). It also helps to provide honest information. Disadvantage of the method is that some respondents may provide false information hence leading to false findings, which may affect the recommendations.

Based on my scale, many teachers felt that the scale is reliable scoring 10 points while only on provision of tangible information scored 5 points. Those who favored the rating tended to have positive attitude and were confident with what they did; students achieved well while their relationship with parents was also good and vice versa.

Question two

The big five-personality test and the Keirsy temperament sorter second edition help in measuring personality types and interests of individuals. In the big five personality, individuals choose a statement that concerns his/her perception in different situations. The strength of statement is provided on the scale with I denoting strong disagreement while 5 denoting strong agreement., 2 denotes disagree, 3 denotes neither disagree nor agree while 4 denotes agree (The Big Personality Tests, 2012, para. 2). While Keirsy consists of 70 questions that help individuals identify their personalities (Keirsey.com, 2012, para. 1).

Using the big five personality traits, I see myself as a person who loves socializing. I am hardworking and have liberal political views. On the other hand, using Keirsy temperament sorter model, I view myself as a person who is able to manage tempers and a person who is open minded.

Such personalities are important at workplace. There are various scenarios where these personalities may be applicable. For example, employers would most often employee workers who demonstrate certain personality traits and therefore, they may base on this on their selection. For example, a salesperson job would require a person who is talkative and who is able to create relationship while a banking job may not require a person with good verbal skills.

Each test has some weakness as well as strength. The strength with the big five-personality test is that it is easy to find out the personality and interests of a person because it is not complex. On the other hand, it has some weaknesses, as it may not provide realistic information because of its subjectivity. A person may not be able to judge him/herself hence providing false information. Keirsy temperament sober model provides all possible information on an individual hence has some degree of truth. Its weakness is that it is to long and therefore, a person may not be able to tell what exactly is his /her individual trait.

When examining the results of self-inventories, there is need to put in mind the situation under which the process is taking place. When such as process is being done with a person who is traumatized, it may affect the answers hence leading to false representation.

Advantage of using computerized test over paper pencil formats is that it processes information quickly and that is able to produce objective results. The advantage of using computerized test is that, they may not be effective in circumstances where, the answers required needs to be qualitative hence hampering data analysis. Furthermore, computer tests require knowledge in computer usage, which many people may not posses.

Even though, these methods are appropriate and provide valid data when used to assess the individual personalities. They also have some flaws especially when the user does not understand how they operate. Furthermore, the analysis of information may not provide objective information on the traits of a person since statements may range from scale 1 to 5 when using big five personality tests while Keirsy temperamental sober model may be too long for making appropriate inferences. However, the two methods are popular and have fund approval by many people on their effectiveness and in determining individual traits.

References

Darling, H. L. (1991). The implications of testing policy for quality and equality. Phi Delta Kappan, 73, 220-225.

Howard, R.G. (1998). Vocational education teachers’ perceptions of their use of assessment methods: Journal of vocational and technical education, 15(1).

Keirsey.com (2012). Keirsy temperament sorter (KTS-11). Retrieved from http://www.keirsey.com/sorter/instruments2.aspx?partid=0

The Big Personality Tests, (2012). Retrieved from http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/