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Examining perception of competency through practicum competencies outline

Giovanna Esposito (University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy)
Maria Francesca Freda (University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy)
Valentina Bosco (University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy)

European Journal of Training and Development

ISSN: 2046-9012

Article publication date: 1 September 2015

1067

Abstract

Purpose

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.

Design/methodology/approach

This study administered an ad hoc survey comprising open-ended questions and used the Practicum Competencies Outline (Hatcher and Lassiter, 2007) as a framework for the content analysis.

Findings

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.

Research limitations/implications

The findings have implications for research on competence-based training, such as the necessity of self-assessment training evaluation.

Practical implications

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.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to analyze Italian college students’ subjective perceptions of psychological competencies expected or developed during practicum .

Keywords

Citation

Esposito, G., Freda, M.F. and Bosco, V. (2015), "Examining perception of competency through practicum competencies outline", European Journal of Training and Development, Vol. 39 No. 8, pp. 700-720. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-05-2015-0037

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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