Aptitude- Psychology, Cognitive processes

Cognitive Processes in Psychology. Prepared as per the curriculum of B.Sc Nursing. Useful for UG and PG Nursing Students

1. APTITUDE Mr.Visanth V S

2. Meaning The word aptitude is derived from the word “ ap tos” which means fitted for. Aptitudes are special skills, knowledge, and interests. An aptitude is not an inborn ability. It is a combination of in-born capacities and acquired abilities and skills etc.

3. Definition Aptitude is the real potential to develop ability with training and experience. It is the capacity of a person to achieve a specific skill . Aptitude is a present condition which is indicative of an individual’s potentialities for the future. - Traxler

4. Characteristics of Aptitude An aptitude is a unique combination of abilities and personality characteristics An aptitude is not a unitary trait of human personality. An aptitude is largely acquired though in many cases. It is inborn in nature. Aptitude is a result of both heredity and environment. It is of a specific nature, as it is not common to all the situations where a particular ability is used. It is symptomatic or suggestive of one’s ability for a particular work or job. It is a present condition with a future reference to person’s potential ability to do something.

5. Classification/types of aptitudes Sensory Aptitude It includes those activities related to the sensory capacities and abilities. Here the individual may have aptitude in the tasks involving the use of sense of hearing, use of the sight, smell, taste or touch. Mechanical Aptitude In this type the individual have the specific abilities related to the mechanical abilities. Such persons may be a good mechanic, carpenter etc.

6. Artistic Aptitudes This may include special abilities towards music, dance, graphic art, photography, poetry, acting, debating, designing etc. Professional Aptitudes This category includes the activities of various professions. Examples for such aptitudes include clerical abilities, legal aptitude, teaching, pilot, banking, nursing etc. Scholastic Aptitude This type includes specific abilities related to the academic nature. It includes scientific aptitude, engineering aptitude, sports aptitude, medical aptitude etc.

7. Measurement of Aptitude/ Aptitude tests The various tests to measure aptitude are explained below . Mechanical aptitude tests Musical aptitude tests. Art judgment tests Professional aptitude tests Scholastic aptitude tests

8. Mechanical Aptitude Tests These tests measure the capacity of the person a particular type of mechanical work - they measure a person’s capacity for spatial visualization, perceptual speed, manual dexterity, visual motor co-ordination or integration, visual insights etc . Some of the commonly using mechanical aptitude tests are; Minnesota mechanical assembly tests Minnesota spatial relations tests. Stenquist mechanical aptitude tests L.J.O. Rourke’s mechanical aptitude tests Bennet tests of mechanical comprehension S.R.A. mechanical aptitude tests. A battery of mechanical aptitude tests (Hindi )

9. Musical Aptitude Tests These tests have been devised for discovering musical talents. One of the important musical tests is Sea shore measure of musical talents. It considers musical components such as Discrimination of pitch. Discrimination of loudness. Discrimination of time interval. Judgment of rhythm. Judgment of timbre. Tonal memory

10. Art Judgment Tests These tests are devised to discover the talent for geographic art. Example The Meier art judgment test and Horne art aptitude inventory, It requires the examinee to choose the better picture of each pair, one an acknowledged master piece and other a slight distortion of the masterpiece.

11. Professional Aptitude Tests These are tests to measure the aptitude for professions like teaching, clerical duties, medicine, law, engineering, salesmanship, research etc. Some of these aptitude tests are; Ferguson and Stoddard’s law aptitude examination. Tale legal aptitude test. Pre- engineering ability tests. Minnesota engineering analogical testing. Teaching aptitude test by Jai Prakash and R.P Shrivastav

12. Scholastic Aptitude Tests These tests are to measure the aptitude different courses of instruction. If we are trying to predict success in academic training, we speak of Scholastic aptitude tests. Some of the scholastic aptitude tests are; Stanford scientific aptitude test Science aptitude tests Moss scholastic aptitude tests for medical students

13. General Aptitude Tests The General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) and the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT) are two examples of such tests. The GATB has proved to be one of the most successful multiple aptitude batteries particularly for the purposes of job classification. The DAT developed by the US Psychological cooperation, has been adapted in Hindi for use in India by SM. Ojha; by 2 forms. It includes tests for verbal reasoning, numerical ability, abstract reasoning spatial relation, mechanical reasoning, clerical speed and accuracy and two tests for language, one for spelling and other for grammar.

14. USES OF APTITUDE TESTS Aptitude tests are the back-bone of the guidance services. The results of these tests may predict in the field of activity in which an individual would be most likely to be successful. The tests are found to be very useful for vocational and educational selection, They help in the systemic selection of suitable candidates for the various educational and professional courses as well as for specialized job. Aptitude tests are thus properly anticipate the future potentials of individual Tests help us in selecting individuals who are likely to benefit most from the pre-professional training or experiences.

15. LIMITATIONS OF APTITUDE TESTS Aptitude tests that is reasonably valid for one job may not valid for another. Most tests of aptitude do not measure all factors important for success Tests evaluating a person use different criteria for success on a given job. Importance or weight attached to different factors may differ with each investigator. Many aptitude tests have not been sufficiently validated.