Human activity is determined by the level of development of its basic mental properties. Attention is one of the main decisive characteristics. The success level of a person’s concentration on a task and his ability to maintain it for a certain amount of time depends on the level of development of voluntary attention.
A person with a violation of voluntary attention is more difficult to train, and some tasks are simply beyond his strength. It is for this reason, when selecting candidates for work or applicants for studying complex sciences, it is important to understand how much they can master the necessary skills. The process of work or training largely depends on the motivation of the person, but in violation of mental processes, the achievement of tasks is simply impossible. Serious violations make people inferior members of society and are corrected thanks to carved psychotherapeutic methods.
Subject of study
To assess the level of development of voluntary attention, special methods are used within the framework of the norm. One of them is the method of arranging numbers. This technique characterizes, in addition to randomness, the volume, switching and distribution of attention of the subject. The author of the method of arranging numbers in the psychological literature is not indicated, although the method is included in all encyclopedias and collections of psychological diagnostics.
Methodology
To conduct the study, you must have special blank tables and a stopwatch. No other tools required.
This technique is a set of numbers arranged randomly in a table with three rows. Below the given table is exactly the same, but empty, where the subject should write the numbers from the upper table in ascending order. Any markings in the original table with numbers are strictly prohibited. The test time is limited to two minutes.
The form for the methodology includes the following information:
- name of the technique;
- date and time of the study;
- surname, name and patronymic of the subject.
Interpretation of the methodology for arranging numbers is quite simple. A normal level of attention development is considered the result of 22 correctly set numbers.
Error handling
When instructing the subjects, the option is necessarily pronounced when errors are independently noticed. An example of an error is a missing number. In this situation, nothing can be fixed. Each patch will be considered a bug. If you find a missing number, you just need to move on and carefully study the remaining set of numbers in order to prevent new errors.
Key
The average “normal” result is 22 numbers entered correctly out of 25. At the same time, bringing the result to a 10-point scale of the effectiveness of the task, the key to the methodology has been developed. The key of the method of arranging numbers takes into account the following characteristics of the result of the experiment:
- number of mistakes;
- performance;
- error rate in relation to the total number of numbers.
Performance in this case is the number of the missed number. The coefficient is calculated as the ratio of productivity to the time spent in seconds.
By the number of correctly indicated numbers, the following key is developed. The unit corresponds to 9 correctly specified answers, two points are assigned to the range from 9 to 12, three points are given for 13 correctly entered numbers. By analogy with the above interpretation, further decryption in accordance with the key is as follows:
4 points - 14-15 numbers;
5 points - 16-17 numbers;
6 points - 18-19 numbers;
7 points - 20 numbers;
8 points - 21 numbers;
9 points - 22 numbers;
10 points - more than 22 numbers.
Based on the results of the event, a protocol is filled out indicating the details of the experiment, the results and analytical comments of the expert, based on the results obtained and information about the subject. The analyzed information includes the characteristics of life and profession, the details of the educational process in adolescents, etc.
Fields of application
The numbering technique is used in the selection of personnel for vacancies requiring increased attention. The technique is also used when working with adolescents as one of the stages of a comprehensive diagnosis.
When working with adolescents, this method is used as a filter to determine the possibility of more complex methods. In the case of a positive result, it is concluded that the adolescent is in a fairly calm and concentrated state in which complex and lengthy studies can be applied. In the case of a negative result, it is concluded that at this time it is better to postpone further tests and transfer the studies to another time. This is done due to the fact that the psychological and physical condition at the time of the study greatly affects the test results.
The method of arranging numbers is convenient to use when working with a group of subjects, and not just in individual meetings. During the group examination, an extensive instruction is given, at the stage of preparation, forms are signed and, upon command, all subjects begin work.