Modeling student cohesiveness by waving the sociometric test with the picture apperception value test

Abstract

One of the main problems why students and also other categories of stakeholders within various organizations are not productive and satisfied with their jobs and organizations is because there is a lack of group cohesiveness. Since the latter influence directly the performance and job satisfaction, then there are strong reasons to find effective and efficient ways to stimulate social and task cohesion. The aim of this study is to model student cohesiveness by using simultaneously the Sociometric Test (ST) for group formation and Picture Apperception Value Test (PAVT) for consonance or social cohesion. The study is based on the method of literature review, theory development, and simulation modeling of students’ behavior. Findings of the study shows the way how can be integrated a sociometric test with a psychometric test for a common purpose (i.e. student cohesiveness referring to their values system). During simulation modeling a relevant point to be emphasized is the role of images during PAVT that serve as a substitute mechanism of questions to be answered. They activate emotions through the brain visual cortex and in them are anchored values. Therefore, through the mention procedure it is possible to understand social cohesion of different small groups of students. Regarding originality, value, and practical applications, this framework is novel and is supposed to increase students’ productivity/performance in terms of perception, learning, and task execution. Furthermore, it is supposed also to increase student satisfaction during project works.