VALIDITY OF SELF-ASSESSMENT: A FIELD EVALUATION

This study evaluated the validity of self-assessment in a natural setting. It also addressed the possibility of improving the utility of self-assessment by cautioning subjects that their responses could be compared with other existing data on them. Subjects were 357 males, aged 18–19 years, who were being screened for a prestigious military course. During the screening, they participated in small groups for nine days of tests, class exercises, and field simulations supervised by veteran commanders. On the ninth day, ratings were collected from commanders, peer group members, and the subjects themselves on dimensions related to eventual success in the training course. The experimental group was told their reports would be compared with those from other sources; the control group was not. Predictive and convergent validities were examined on three criteria: course success, commander ratings, and peer evaluations. Self-assessments from both experimental and control group were valid; however, those of the experimental group did not yield consistently higher validities. Findings are discussed in regard to their practical ramifications.     

ADAPTING TO ADAPTIVE TESTING

Computer adaptive testing (CAT) is a relatively recent innovation in large scale testing programs, but has had very limited application in private industry. This paper describes the development of a CAT for use by a large insurance company in selecting computer programmer trainees. Incumbents provided the calibration and evaluation data. The CAT led to increased item security, but did not decrease required testing time. Further, the CAT was found to be similar to a conventional, fixed-item test in reliability and validity. In addition to actual test results, computer simulated test data were used in a more detailed evaluation of the CAT's effectiveness. The concluding discussion notes the advantages and disadvantages observed from the use of adaptive testing.     

How Do Fundamental Christians Deal With Depression?

Drawing from published sources and my own experience as a pastoral counselor with more recent specialization in spousal abuse and anger management, this article gives an explanation of developmental dynamics in the experience of fundamental Christians that provoke reactive depression. Depressant retardant defenses against depression that have been observed in the Christian fundamentalist subculture are described. Four interventions conclude this article.     

Group Job Search Workshops: A Concept Whose Time Is Here

The quest for more efficient and cost-effective ways to provide employment opportunities to those seeking jobs has been of concern to the Job Service and other providers for many years. It has only been during the last 10 years that the concept self-placement has come to the fore and from that, the concept group job search has developed, gaining considerable emphasis and interest in the process. This article analyzes the group job search process, briefly describes the basic models, and presents another approach that has been developed and utilized in Nevada.     

If you never chance for fear of losing …

This article examines the non-achievement syndrome. It attempts to illuminate and capture the struggles that one individual experienced as he learned to take initiative in determining the direction of his life. This process of change is conveyed in a series of poems that the client wrote over the course of a counseling experience.