bio - biography

Stories of our life in the foreign

Jackson - Smith

May 27, 1981

PSYCHOLOGICAL APPRAISAL OF JAN VAN EDEN

Testing revealed that Mr. Van Eden's technical suitability to the project is unusually high. When compared to the normative group (WGM geologists presently stationed in Saudi Arabia), he appears above average on the following personal characteristics:

• Maturity

• Imagination

• Self-confidence

• Resourcefulness

• Efficiency

While his energy level is average, he seems more conservative in his orientation than most of the geologists that constitute the normative group. This latter factor has been found to reduce the likelihood of technical excellence on the project. Regarding those characteristics significant to his social adjustment to the project, Mr. Van Eden appears,again, well suited. He presents a low level of interpersonal
affect, or sensitivity to the feelings and concerns of others, and a low degree of conformity. Both these factors predict good social adjustment to the project. He also appears to be a relatively selfcontrolled person.

In summary, our prediction of his performance, on the three areas thought to be essential to successful performance on the project, is as follows:

TECHNICAL

SOCIAL

AUTONOMY

Above Average (12.0)
Above Average (12.7)
Above Average (11.6)

JACKSON'SMITH LTD. 56 SHEPPARD AVENUE W. TORONTO M2N !M2 CANADA (416) 222-8109

Since the Technical and Autonomy ratings are highly related, they were combined to yield one single rating
(Tec-Aut..). The attached graph indicates the relative standing on the Tec-Aut. and Social areas of all candidates that, so far, have been appraised. Since the upper-right quadrant of the graph indicates high Tec-Aut. and Social ratings, the best candidates will fall within this space.

As shown in the graph, Mr. Van Eden's relative standing (circled in red) appears on the upper-right quadrant. This indicates that, in terms of persona] characteristics that predict good performance on the project, he is particularly well endowed. Furthermore, he presents the best combined rating of all candidates.

Further examination of eighteen relevant family indicators and spouse's characteristics that relate to successful performance on the project, indicated that all these measures were within the average range. Consequently, they should not have a significant impact upon Mr. Van Eden's performance in the event that he be selected.

Although his ratings predict an excellent Technical- Autonomy performance, this could still be augmented by encouraging Mr. Van Eden to be more receptive and open to new ideas, and to adopt a more experimenting and free thinking general personal orientation.

J. David Jackson, Ph .D. Sergio Bacal Registered Psychologist Lic.Psychology