Leiden University Student Repository

Koomen, Iris (2022)

Dynamic testing with Syrian refugee youth in the Netherlands

Master thesis | Psychology (MSc)

Dynamic testing is a tool to measure learning potential in individuals. Previous research has found that dynamic testing of analogical reasoning abilities can provide relevant information about the manner in which children of various abilities and backgrounds learn. The response of a sample of young Syrian refugees (ages 10-18) on a dynamic test of analogical reasoning was tested in a test-training-test design with two conditions (training and practice). The Child PTSD Symptom Scale was used to measure the presence of posttraumatic stress symptoms in the participants. The participants in the training group showed more progress from pre-test to post-test, however this difference was not significant. Contrary to what was hypothesized, no relation between posttraumatic stress symptoms was found and age did not seem to play a significant role in this. These findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. Further research with larger samples could confirm or...Show moreDynamic testing is a tool to measure learning potential in individuals. Previous research has found that dynamic testing of analogical reasoning abilities can provide relevant information about the manner in which children of various abilities and backgrounds learn. The response of a sample of young Syrian refugees (ages 10-18) on a dynamic test of analogical reasoning was tested in a test-training-test design with two conditions (training and practice). The Child PTSD Symptom Scale was used to measure the presence of posttraumatic stress symptoms in the participants. The participants in the training group showed more progress from pre-test to post-test, however this difference was not significant. Contrary to what was hypothesized, no relation between posttraumatic stress symptoms was found and age did not seem to play a significant role in this. These findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. Further research with larger samples could confirm or reject the idea that posttraumatic stress symptoms do not seem to influence performance on a dynamic test of analogical reasoning.Show less

dynamic testing, analogical reasoning, trauma, posttraumatic stress, Syria, refugee youth, cognitive ability, learning potential

Author

Koomen, Iris

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

school psychology

Supervisors

Vogelaar, B.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en