Examining perception of competency through practicum competencies outline. Issue 8 (1st September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Esposito, Giovanna; Freda, Maria Francesca; Bosco, Valentina
• Is Part Of: European journal of training and development. Volume 39:Issue 8(2015)
• Page Start: 700
• Page End: 720
• Publication Date: 2015-09-01
• Subjects: Employees -- Training of -- Europe -- Periodicals; Employees -- Training of -- Periodicals; Manpower planning -- Europe -- Periodicals; Manpower planning -- Periodicals; Career development -- Periodicals; 331.259205
• DOI: 10.1108/EJTD-05-2015-0037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-9012

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title> <p> – This study aims to examine the self-perceived competencies of 231 Italian students enrolled in a psychological degree program and involved in a practicum. It analyzes the subjective perception of the competences that students expect to develop, acknowledge as developed and that might be inferred from tasks performed during the practicum; the level of expertise (novice, intermediate or advanced) of these competences; and the relation between the practicum facility and the competences. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title> <p> – This study administered an <italic>ad hoc</italic> survey comprising open-ended questions and used the Practicum Competencies Outline (Hatcher and Lassiter, 2007) as a framework for the content analysis. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title> <p> – The results revealed poor perception of some competency domains, such as Diversity: Individual and Cultural Differences; Development of Leadership; Application of Research and Ethics; and a frequent acknowledgment of Psychological Assessment and Professional Development. Before the practicum, the students expected to develop competence mainly at a novice level of expertise; after the practicum, the intermediate level of competences acknowledged as developed and inferred from performed tasks increased. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Research limitations/implications</title> <p> – The findings have implications for research on competence-based training, such as the necessity of self-assessment training evaluation. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Practical implications</title> <p> – Undergraduate psychology students must reflect on the value of psychological competences during their formative training to re-orient their learning process and build a competent professional role. Moreover, psychological facilities and university must share common objectives in training undergraduate students. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title> <p> – This study is the first attempt to analyze Italian college students' subjective perceptions of psychological competencies expected or developed during practicum .</p> </sec> </abstract>