Measuring fear of heights (Acrophibia) through implementing a psychological assessment in the South African mining industry

Abstract

This dissertation presents the findings of a quantitative study on the measurement of fear of heights (acrophobia) through implementing a psychological assessment in the South African mining industry. The study was conducted in the field of psychology and specific emphasis was placed on psychological assessment in South Africa. A positivist paradigm was used. This study was conducted during two phases: The data of Phase 1 were specifically collected in the mining industry, while the data of Phase 2 were collected from the general population. Convenience sampling was used in both phases. Descriptive statistics, correlational analysis, reliability coeffi cients, and comparative analysis were used to achieve the research objectives. It was found that ACRO psychological measurement can be considered as a viable option to be included in a test battery. However, performance on the ACRO test should at this stage not be used in isolation to make a final decision regarding an individual’s employment or career pathing.

Kakanyotherwa ye e hlagiša dipoelo tša nyakišišo bokaakang ya tekanyo ya poifo ya bogodimo (malekelekeng) ka go diriša tekolo ya saekholotši (monagano le maitshwaro) intastering ya meepo ya Afrika-Borwa. Nyakišišo ye e dirilwe ka lefapheng la saekholotši e gateletše kudu tekolo ya mogopolo le maitshwaro go la Afrika-Borwa. Go dirišitšwe sekao sa filosofi ya mmaruri. Nyakišišo ye e dirilwe ka magato a mabedi, tshedimošo ya legato la mathomo e kgobokantšwe go tšwa intastering ya meepo mola tshedimošo legatong la bobedi e tšwa setšhabeng ka kakaretšo. Sampole (ngwatho) ya nolofatšo e dirišitšwe magatong ka moka. Tlhalošo ya dipalopalo, phapanyo ya phetleko, kwekweano yeo e botegago le tlhophollo ya tekanyo di šomišitšwe go fihlelela maikemišetšo a nyakišišo. Go humanwe gore tekanyo ya saekholotši ya ACRO e ka akanywa bjalo ka kgetho yeo e šomago go akaretšwa tekong ya peteri (dikanono), efela, dipoelo tša teko ya ACRO ga tša swanelwa go dirišwa di le noši go tšea sephetho sa mafelelo mabapi le thwalo goba tseleng ya boiphedišo bja motho mošomong.

Hierdie verhandeling gee die bevindinge weer van ’n kwantitatiewe studie oor die meting van angs vir hoogtes (hoogtevrees) deur gebruikmaking van ’n sielkundige evaluering binne die Suid Afrikaanse mynbedryf. Die studie is uitgevoer binne die veld van die sielkunde, met spesifieke klem op sielkundige evaluering in Suid-Afrika. ’n Positivistiese paradigma is gevolg. Die studie bestaan uit twee fases: Fase 1 se data is spesifiek binne die mynbedryf versamel, terwyl Fase 2 se data van die algemene publiek verkry is. Gerieflikheidsteekproefneming is in albei fases gedoen. Beskrywende statistieke, ’n korrelasionele analise, betroubaarheidskoëffisiënte en ’n vergelyken de analise is gebruik om die navorsingsdoelwitte te bereik. Dit het geblyk dat die ACRO psigo metriese toetsing beskou kan word as ’n lewensvatbare keuse vir insluiting in ’n toets-battery. Prestasie gemeet deur die ACRO-toets moet egter nie op hierdie stadium in isolasie gebruik word om ’n finale besluit te maak aangaande ’n individu se werk of beroepsloopbaan nie.