Abstract
M.A. (Industrial Psychology)
In reviewing current literature on the evaluation of people, it
is clear that the effect of test anxiety accompanying the evaluation
process may be detrimental to the individual's performance.
In fact, this under achievement of apprentices doing trade tests
have significant financial implications for both the individual
and the organization concerned. Accordingly, to counteract this
adverse effect, it has been recommended that the technique
"Stress Inoculation Training" (SIT) be implemented - the end result
being an improvement in the individuals' performance.
Theoretical persepectives and alternative conceptual understandings
of test anxiety are reviewed. In this respect an important
development in the field of test anxiety treatment is research
dealing with the reinforcement of the individual's ability to
cope with stressful and problematic situations, for when test anxiety
is reduced the person experiences a corresponding increase
in self-efficacy.
Self-efficacy plays an important role in a person's belief that
he or she can perform to achieve a desired result. In addition, a
high degree of self-efficacy has a strong motivational effect. It
is suggested therefore, that learning experiences be so designed
as to improve self-efficacy, perseverance and performance. This
performance can be achieved by the skills taught in SIT.
It is also stressed that SIT is a comprehensive approach for the
control of stress-related problems.