Abstract
M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
The aim of this study is to establish whether there is significant
differences between the aptitudes of succesful freshmen in the
B.A. (Law)-, B.Com. (Accountancy)- and B.Sc. (Biological Sciences)
fields of study, as well as between succesful freshman male and female
students.
This study consists mainly out of two parts. Firstly a literature
study discussing the concepts aptitude and aptitude testing.
Futhermore aptitude and vocational guidance are discussed from an
Educational Psychological perspective. Secondly an empirical study
was done to establish differences in various aptitudes of the above
mentioned fields of study and between male and female students.
According to the literature study aptitude can be seen as a combination
of factors which enables an individual to achieve a certain level of
performance or to develop a certain skill with the necessary training.
It is apparent from the literature study that aptitude is inherited;
as well as influenced by environmental factors. In early childhood
it varies considerably but stabilizes in later years. Slight
similarities are present between aptitude and intelligence but a very
clear distinction can be drawn. Aptitudes and interests influence
each other but according to research, correlations very seldom exist.
Differences appear between the aptitude patterns of males and females.
The process of vocational guidance consists of three components,
namely diagnosis, process and outcome. Vocational guidance is an
educational matter which places a responsibility on each educator.
Self-knowledge and career-knowledge are a prerequisite for a meaningful
choice of a career.
In the empirical study a random sample (n = 357) was taken from the
successful freshmen at the Rand Afrikaans University for the years
1985, 1986, 1987 from the B.A. (Law)-, B.Com. (Accountancy), and
B.Sc. (Biological Sciences) fields of study...