Time Factor in Psychological Profiling of Information Technology Specialists for Future Career Success

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Special Issue on Environment, Management and Economy, Pages: 1041-1045

J. Environ. Treat. Tech.

ISSN: 2309-1185

Journal web link: http://www.jett.dormaj.com

Time Factor in Psychological Profiling of

Information Technology Specialists for Future

Career Success

Iryna Savenkova*, Mykola Didukh, Iryna Lytvinenko, Inna Chuhueva

Department of Psychology, Sukhomlynskyi Mykolaiv National University, Nikolaev, Ukraine

Received: 13/09/2019

Accepted: 22/11/2019

Published: 20/12/2019

Abstract

The article contains results of the research of chronological and psychological prediction of inclinations to computer activity

during occupational choice based on innate inclinations of young people. Purpose: To determine the impact of the time factor on the

career success of IT professionals. The research involved 40 Computer Science (Informatics) students with a Master's degree, 21-24

years of age, with their own voluntary consent, and 20 teachers with an academic degree. Research methods: experimental method of

chronometric sampling using an electronic chronoscope; questionnaires, mathematical statistics methods (descriptive statistics,

percentile statistics, variance analysis of mean-square error), reliability of differences in sample averages was based on Student's t-

test values at permissible significance 5% (p <0.05). Qualified IT specialists’ effectiveness under time-scarcity is determined by the

subjective time reckoning principle and depends on the individual unit duration ("τ-type"). The analysis of the profiles revealed that

talented IT specialists-to-be belong to the stable group, and are characterized by the most differentiated and clear attitude to time;

they consider time as their property, as the reality given, they manage it effectively, basing on high logical thinking and well-

developed intuition.

Keywords: Information technology, Innate abilities, Chronological and psychological prediction, Chronoscope

Such internal perception or non-perception depends on their

Introduction

right- or left-brain dominance (9). Relation between

inclinations and abilities seems to be in contradiction between

necessity and sufficiency. Innate inclinations are surely

required in order to acquire certain abilities, but an ability

level is determined by inclinations and means forming the

ability. Modern psychologists’ researches (1) prove that

development affects an individual’s abilities. Therefore, to

meet a carrier of developing methods (teacher, mentor,

coach) seems to be very important to acquire abilities. Those

who disclose someone’s natural abilities of the first tests can

develop a way to form them and bring to perfection (6). At

the same time, it should be noted that special abilities cannot

be fully developed without general mental (intellectual)

abilities. In other words, all and any activities are adapted to

general inclinations and abilities (16). Special inclinations

and abilities can be mentioned as well, which, in particular,

work as personal factors of success or unsuccess in young

specialist’s future career (19). Thus, a really innate trait in the

individual’s personality is believed to determine the success

of cognition and understanding.

According to various researchers, effective studying for

students is based upon such important factors, as motivation

to study (2), functional lability of nervous processes (3),

physical fitness and physical activity and sports (20), self-

regulation ability (10), including self-regulated learning (10),

optimism, educational ingenuity (11). The concept of

ability" is mentioned in discussions on particular personal

professional preferences. Because of insufficient researches

on influence of abilities on success career, first we will

analyze the consistency between differentiation of individual

psychological attributes of the student's personality and

learning success, as well as predictability and determination

of students' abilities considering their typological groups.

Let’s start an analysis with differentiation of special

abilities, which correspondence to the chosen specialty

determines successful learning and future professional life.

Facing differentiation of academic disciplines in higher

education, students demonstrate their preferences or dislikes,

caused by their comprehension or incomprehension (15).

If students fail to perceive and understand educational

material, any successful activity cannot be expected. These

inborn trait is confirmed by high correlation (r = +0.9) of

reliability of IQ tests. Such high correlation confirms that the

Corresponding author: Iryna Savenkova, Department of

Psychology, Sukhomlynskyi Mykolaiv National University,

Nikolaev, Ukraine. E-mail: savenkova-1966@ukr.net.

041

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Special Issue on Environment, Management and Economy, Pages: 1041-1045

individual's cognition and understanding are based on so-

called general intelligence, or g factor (4). Reasoning from

high reliability, the g factor can be stated to be an individual’s

stable component, not changed with age or affected by the

environment. This important component has long been

noticed and mentioned for example, in the proverb: "If the

God has not given a mind, it cannot be acquired." The issue

of intelligence seems to be complicated enough. On the one

hand, innate intelligence ("g factor") is undoubted, but on the

other, according to P. Fress (1961) (8), this mysterious

component is hard to be determined. Researches conducted

within "Psychology of time" subject (5) answer the question.

As noted above, innate inclinations depend on structural and

functional features of the individual brain. According to B.Y.

Tsukanov’s (2000) researches, an individual brain works as a

clock mechanism and measures the individual’s

psychological time (21). The time unit is a subjective "step"

2.2 The research Arrangement

The study was conducted in two stages. At the first stage,

an individual's time unit was determined – for students with

high and low professional engagement.

At the second stage, the individual’s clock quality was

determined by calculating the deviation in the proposed time

intervals. A t-type was determined in each subject with

chronometrical sampling (19), using the classical method of

intervals of τ = 2, 3, 4, 5 s, set by the investigator and

simulated by the subject with an electron chronoscope with

the accuracy of 0.001 s (22). Thus each subject was asked to

define the duration experienced and limited by two signals -

"start" and "end" as a beep of the chronoscope when switched

on and off. The subject simulated the intervals set on this

chronoscope. The individual τ-type indicator was calculated

by the formula:

(

ῖ), which lasts differently in different people (18). Within

Σ t

τ = — ,

Σ t

four typological groups, this "step" at different durations of

subjective time says about the quality of internal biological

clocks. Based on quality, good and poor clocks can be

determined. Comparing quadratic deviations ϭ (individual

clock quality index) in the representative sample subjects to

their psychometric intelligence (IQ), B.Y. Tsukanov (2000)

got simple dependence: the smaller ϭ, the higher IQ (21).

Both quality of the individual's clock and the clock itself are

innate, so the quality index (ϭ) should be considered as one of

the indicators of the individual’s base intellectual potential

0 s

where t is duration specified by the investigator and t is

duration simulated by the subject. Each time interval was

repeated five times, and then the statistically average value of

each individual's time unit was calculated. This value, as

proved in the researches by B.Y. Tsukanov (2000) and I.I.

Savenkova (2019) (17), does not change during an

individual’s life being a constant.

(

"g factor"). Thus, the contingent of highly intelligent and

However, on the procedural side of the method, a very

gifted students is determined by the quality of their internal

clocks, equal to ϭ ≤ 0.03 s (16).

important feature is hidden: the specified duration (t

simulation duration (t ) represent different time segments on

an arrow of the individual’s subjective time. Since t consists

of integer τ0, then, considering the successive t row on an

) and

Considering individual traits in dynamics of time

experience and individuals’ generalized profiles, we have

tried to determine criteria of typology of abilities for

students’ future professional engagement (7). For this

purpose we have to answer the question: is there a

consistency between ῖ-type localization in the typological

spectrum and student's inclination to certain professions?

Therefore, the purpose of the research is to determine specific

inclinations and abilities to work with computer technology

which determines future success in the IT business,

considering the individual's internal biological clock (13).

The research is based upon assumption that cognitive

efficiency depends on the individual’s approach to one of five

pure temperament types in the τ-type continuous spectrum

and to good circadian clocks. Hypothesis. A future IT

specialist’s profile is assumed to be successful if localized

near a particular typological group, thus the closer one

approaches that group, the more successful one becomes.

arrow of the individual’s subjective time, an analogy with the

procedure of checking the the good clock quality is seen in

simulation. The clock means a mechanism that maintains

high stability at different time intervals with minimal options

(21). Deviation τ can be regarded as variations in the work of

an individual's internal clock. These quite natural deviations

from the mean in any psychological experiment are usually

characterized by the mean-square deviation σ (21). The

smaller the deviation, the more stable the τ indicator at

different time intervals, the higher the individual’s

intelligence.

An analogue of good clocks (with high intelligence)

should meet two conditions: 1) τ = const; 2) σ is about 0. An

ideal variant of good clocks is the condition σ = 0. But it is

not complied because of minimum ability equal to 0.01 s in

the individual’s mind (5). Besides, systematic errors are

expected in measuring equipment used. Therefore, the second

condition (low variability τ) should be considered as an

individual measure showing real approximation to the good

clock analogue (within the limit σ = 0.01 s). Statistical

analysis. Mathematical statistics methods (descriptive

statistics, percentile statistics, variance analysis of mean-

square error). The reliability of differences in the sample

averages was based on Student's t-test at 5% significance

level (p <0.05).

Methods of the Research

.1 Material

The research involved 40 students in Computer Science

(

Informatics) with master's degree, aged 21-24 years, with

voluntary consent (the study lasted for three years - 1 year of

master's degree and 2 years of their professional life), from

the Sukhomlynskyi Mykolaiv National University.

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Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Special Issue on Environment, Management and Economy, Pages: 1041-1045

terms of business attitude to time, they prepare for important

tasks beforehand, properly distribute time while working with

software programs, and strength while executing responsible

tasks, being adjustable to the situation. Compared to the other

groups, they feel deeper the time instant.

Comparing the results of non-successful students to

successful ones shows: the subject’s cognitive activity is

determined by relation to one of five pure types, and by own

innate clock - human brain (see Table 2). The results of

observation over non-successful students (see Table 2) show

that those with various innate clocks can be related to

subjects with low intelligence: 0.1 s ≤ σ ≤ 0.2 s.

Results

The first group consisted of Computer Science

(

Informatics) students with a 90 grade point average at least,

and successful in practical and academic activity in their

specialty within two years after graduation (see Table 1). The

second group consisted of Computer Science (Informatics)

students with lower grade point average, under 62, and

unable to achieve career goals within two years after

graduation (see Table 2). Regardless of the time unit value in

the sample of successful students, the constant condition is

met at all durations. The difference between quadratic

deviations is no more than 0.02 s ≤ σ ≤ 0.06 s. According to

the results of observation over successful students in the τ-

type spectrum from 0.7 s ≤ τ 1.1 s (see Table 1), graphical

profiles of the groups of gifted students were created:

choleric (5% (p <0.05)), sanguine (20% (p <0.001)), stable

4 Discussion

The research has shown that future IT specialists’

effectiveness under time-scarcity is determined by the

subjective time reckoning principle and depends on own unit

duration ("τ-type"). We confirm the findings by P. Montel

(1910) that "a well formed brain is more valuable than a well

filled one" (12). We are not far from the truth saying that a

brain built like clockwork with high organization and

orderliness (minimum of own variations) has qualities to

produce any highly organized and orderly mental function.

Therefore, in general, it is possible that such intelligence

features as lightness, subtlety, fragility, originality involved

in solving complex problems, are related to characteristics of

good biological clocks. Thus, the obtained results of the

relative error of the duration reproduction in the experimental

group of successful students equal to the results of the

relative error of the duration reproduction in the experimental

group of unsuccessful students and are unambiguously

interpreted, confirming the research results by H. Ehrenwald

(2014). H. Ehrenwald's (2014) thesis about connection of the

individual's clock accuracy with talent and intelligence seems

to be significant.

(

70% (p <0.001)), melancholic (5% (p <0.05)). Based on

these profiles, a portrait of successful IT specialists-to-be was

built. A specific area of localization of individuals belonging

to talented future IT specialists was determined. Using

mathematical expectation and variance, we obtained the

standard or mean-square deviation: σ = 0.04 s. Thus, our

successful average student has τ = 0.9 s and the localization

zone is within: 0.86 s ≤ τ <0.94 s, which corresponds to the

stable group in the τ-type continuous spectrum. According to

the data obtained, the group with high intellectual inclinations

includes those individuals with σ <0.05 s.

The analysis of the created profiles revealed that

individuals from the stable group, in comparison with the

others, are characterized by the most differentiated and clear

attitude to time. They consider time as their property, as the

reality given, they can wait, but feel slight time scarcity in

life. The stable students are present-oriented: they focus on

the present not on the past or future, most live under the

"right here, right now" and "my life is my present" principles.

They feel calm about their future and respect their past. In

Table 1: Quality of internal clocks in high professional engagement of subjects (students)

Research Faculty 2s 3s 4s 5s

Informatics 0.88 0.85 0.86 0.88

0.86

0.78

0.83

0.88

0.84

0.86

0.91

0.92

0.91

0.9

0.94

0.95

0.97

1.01

1.0

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.02

0.05

0.04

0.03

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.04

0.05

0.04

0.05

0.04

Informatics

0.81

0.82

0.86

0.84

0.86

0.91

0.92

0.93

0.92

0.94

0.93

0.96

0.98

1.01

0.99

1.0

0.77

0.81

0.87

0.84

0.87

0.91

0.92

0.88

0.91

0.94

0.93

0.96

1.0

1.02

0.99

1.02

1.1

1.13

0.91

0.77

0.82

0.88

0.86

0.85

0.89

0.92

0.89

0.9

0.92

0.95

0.94

0.97

1.0

1.01

0.98

1.03

1.13

1.12

0.9

0.8

0.83

0.89

0.85

0.86

0.91

0.94

0.9

0.88

0.93

0.96

0.95

0.99

1.0

0.98

1.06

1.12

1.11

0.91

1.0

1.02

1.1

0.9

0.99

1.08

1.11

0.94

Mean

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Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Special Issue on Environment, Management and Economy, Pages: 1041-1045

Table 2: Quality of internal clocks in low professional engagement of subjects (students)

Research

Faculty

1.02

1.0

0.81

0.8

0.88

0.9

Informatics

1.04

0.96

0.73

1.12

1.2

1.16

1.21

0.86

0.96

0.99

0.94

0.9

0.96

0.98

1.01

0.99

1.0

0.99

1.08

1.11

0.94

0.75

0.82

0.88

0.86

0.77

0.97

0.64

0.93

0.85

0.93

0.76

0.95

0.77

0.78

0.74

1.06

0.86

1.11

0.91

0.13

0.19

0.12

2.8

0.72

1.02

1.18

1.09

1.12

0.79

1.03

0.88

0.98

0.94

0.83

0.86

1.02

0.78

1.02

0.76

1.13

0.82

0.77

0.96

0.91

1.01

1.11

0.65

0.91

0.86

0.87

0.85

0.74

0.77

1.0

0.87

0.98

0.72

1.13

0.82

0.78

0.77

0.88

1.02

1.06

1.16

0.84

0.95

0.94

0.93

0.84

0.85

0.77

1.01

1.0

0.27

0.23

0.26

0.19

0.12

0.19

0.14

0.18

0.25

0.24

0.25

0.16

0.24

0.18

0.25

0.24

0.18

0.88

0.76

1.1

0.7

0.8

Mean

The novelty of our research results is that, for the first

different typological groups is also met here. Since the group

of students has enrolled individuals with academic 4.5 points

(very good), the range of values of quadratic deviations is in

the range of 0.04 s <σ <0.08 s. These results indicate that the

performance of the subject's cognitive activity is determined

not by belonging to one of the five "pure" types, but by the

quality of its own clock. Considering the data presented in all

groups, you can say the following.

The highest ability to learn computer engineering and to

master the surrounding reality, other things being equal, is

observed in those individuals whose subjective time course

corresponds to good clocks. According to the data obtained,

the group with high intellectual inclinations enrolled those

time, according to the proposed model, the accuracy and

quality of the information display of the cognitive system,

key to discovering students’ intelligence and abilities, means

innate clock accurateness. Thus, the duration simulation can

be considered objective in predicting the success of future IT

professionals.

Based on the above data, it is evident there are

individuals with different clockwork: from good to poor. We

do not intend to reduce the intelligence issue to a clockwork.

The analysis of good clocks should be considered as one of

the preconditions for high intelligence. If an individual is

born with good clock, then he or she has the potential to

exhibit both high understanding, wide knowledge, and global

ability to "think properly" in the chosen area of activity.

individuals with

σ <0.05 s. These makings can be

transformed in life into certain intellectual abilities. Besides,

a person's relation to a typological group is his innate

characteristic, and the τ-type is a constant not changed over

time. And if the type of a successful IT specialist is localized

on the τ type scale, then we can agree with those researchers

claiming that IT specialists can become talented, but also can

be born. Certainly, this does not diminish the importance of

training and education of future specialists, because in

addition to innate components, a person should have adequate

motivation and knowledge and skills. At the same time, the

research proves the crucial role of the time factor in the

successful professionals’ activities and reveals new

opportunities for preparation of talented IT professionals.

However it does not claim to be a definitive solution to the

problem.

Conclusions

The analysis of the created profiles revealed that

individuals from the stable group, comparing to the others,

are characterized by the most differentiated and clear attitude

to their own time. They consider time as their property, as the

reality given, they can wait, but feel slight time scarcity in

life. They feel calm about their future and respect their past.

In terms of business attitude to time, they prepare for

important tasks beforehand, properly distribute time and

strength during complex tasks, being adjustable to the

situation. Compared to other groups, they feel deeper the time

instant.

But at the same time, they are able to manage time

efficiently for making decisions, mobilization and effective

job. We can conclude that our assumption is true and that the

profile of a future successful IT specialist is localized near the

stable group, and the closer one approaches to it, the more

successful he is.

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