Immigrant Groups and Cognitive Tests – Validity Issues in Relation to Vocational Training

Abstract

Psychologists at the Employment Service use cognitive tests to assess suitable work or training areas. The tests are standardized on a Swedish population and possible differences in cognitive constructs, prognostic properties and social consequences, when they are used for individuals with non-Swedish background, are not well known. The aim of this thesis is to investigate questions of validity in relation to cognitive test use with immigrant groups, in a setting of assessment for vocational training. Validity aspects are probed in three studies. Data are supplied from the Public Employment Service and Statistics Sweden. The methods used belong to the family of Structural Equation Modeling. In Study I aspects of the structure of cognitive functions are investigated and interpreted in relation to Cattell’s (1987) Investment Theory. The results give support to Cattell’s theory only when individuals have similar cultural backgrounds. Study I also indicates that the major difference between groups in mean levels of cognitive achievement is to be found in areas with strong cultural influence, such as language, while fluid intelligence shows small difference. Finally Study I shows that the pattern of influence from different cognitive factors on specific tests is similar over groups. Study II has focus on the way the psychologists interpret test results, and integrate them into a summary evaluation of suitability for an area of study. Psychologists are lenient in assessing suitability for lower levels of cognitive functioning in the verbal area, but fail to give full credit to fluid intelligence for the immigrant groups. In Study III cognitive test results, the psychologists’ assessments, and having been granted vocational education are investigated in relations to employment rates. The substantially lower employment rates of the immigrant groups can only to a very small part be explained by results on cognitive functions. The results from the studies are summed up in a discussion, which largely supports the validity of the use of cognitive tests for immigrant groups. Some suggestions for policy and for future research are given.