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The aim of the study was preliminary evaluation of psychometric characteristics of the Gordon personal profile - Inventorium (GPP-I) and exploration of the impact of the response format on measurement results. The original version of the test consists of 38 quartets of descriptive statements. Respondent is instructed to choose one of the four statements, which describes him/her the best and one that describes him/her the least. The author of the questionnaire assumed that the forced choice format is less sensitive to social desirability bias and leads to higher reliability of the measurement. However, this response format has disadvantage in mutual dependence between responses to items and also in prolonged questionnaire completion time. We compared original version of the method with version based on 5-point Likert scales. Both versions were administered to the sample of university students (N=86) with two months interval between testing sessions. Correlations between corresponding scales from two versions were within the range 0.48 to 0.82 (median 0.72); the level of interval consistency was slightly higher in version with Likert response format. We also analyzed the pattern of correlations between two versions of Gordon Personal Profile and NEO-PI-R. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testing of spatial reasoning has a long history, which is often closely related to intelligence testing. Its methodology utilizes standard psychometric procedures and principles, which are based on traditional performance items format. In our study we bring functional prototype of innovative approach to the spatial ability testing supported by the advantages of computerized testing. We present three items with shared principle based on video presentation of a car ride through urbanized area and following identification of schematic depiction of its route. On a pilot sample of ten respondents (three women) we verified basic functionality of the item format and proposed the research design of a follow-up study focusing on identification of constructs influencing performance, including modified variant of items with interactive response interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the presented study we analyzed data from Test of learning potential (years 2011 and 2012), more specifically from the Spatial ability subtest. The total number of twenty item principles was evaluated using different approaches. Common psychometrical analysis was based on a large dataset with more than a thousand persons for each test form in both years. Further we performed a qualitative analysis of inquiry from 15 persons focused on solving strategies (with respect to the share of verbal-analytic and visual-analogue processes). The outcome from quantitative and qualitative item analyses is a selection of most relevant item principles which will constitute a base ground for practice-relevant test of spatial ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial ability belongs among the most important mental capabilities that plays a major role in everyday life of a (wo)man. Traditional tests of spatial ability often reduce this skill into more or less simplified tasks. The interpretation of test scores thus can lack ecological validity. The innovative principle with the use of advanced computer media enables us to establish item types that can better measure complex manifestations of spatial ability. In the present study we suggest specific designs of innovative items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to explore subjectively perceived changes in life of siblings of pediatric oncology patients. Subjects were 48 siblings age 7 to 16 (average age 10,7 years, 25 girls) Open questions at Sibling Perception Questionnaire were used for content analysis. The results showed that siblings report fear of future, of possible death of sick child and possible development of their own oncology disease. They are sad because they miss their siblings and are aware of their suffering. Children reported anger because of changes in their life, changed behavior of parents and siblings and unfairness, that their siblings have oncology disease. Regarding coping strategies, children most frequently use withdrawal and distraction strategies. Children are relatively well informed about the diagnosis of the disease, but results also showed presence of myths about the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study deals with the psychological and environmental predictors and correlates of career orientation in middle adulthood. The sample consisted of 74 participants (32 men and 42 woman aged from 41 to 44 years) who participate in the longitudinal study running from 1961. Atmosphere in the family of origin, intelligence and school success at 12 years predict only educational level in adulthood, but not career orientation indexed by stability of career line and long-term unemployment. Concurrently, educational level in adulthood is slightly related to career orientation. The stability of career line, is influenced also by personality characteristics measured in middle adolescence, especially by extraversion. Highly extraverted adolescents had variable (but not unstable) career line in their middle adulthood. In the adulthood, career orientation was associated with risk behavior and with sense of coherence: risk behavior was connected to long-term unemployment and sense of coherence to stability of career line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]