Frame-of-reference effects on personality scale scores and criterion-related validity
Article Abstract:
Increased use of personality inventories in employee selection has led to concerns regarding factors that influence the validity of such measures. A series of studies was conducted to examine the influence of frame of reference on responses to a personality inventory. Study 1 involved both within-subject and between-groups designs to assess the effects of testing situation (general instructions vs. applicant instructions) and item type (work specific vs. noncontextual) on responses to the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (P.T. Costa & R.R. McCrae, 1989). Results indicated that a work-related testing context and work-related items led to more positive responses. A second study found differences in the validity of a measure of conscientiousness, depending on the frame of reference of respondents. Specifically, context-specific items were found to have greater validity. Implications for personnel selection are discussed. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)
Publication Name: Journal of Applied Psychology
Subject: Social sciences
ISSN: 0021-9010
Year: 1995
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Test-taking dispositions: a missing link?
Article Abstract:
Test-taking dispositions and motivation have been proposed as moderators of employment test validity. In a simulated, multiorganization employment system, scores on the Test Attitude Survey (TAS) were found to moderate the validities of both an ability and a personality test used to predict a performance criterion. The criterion-related validity of the personality test was found to be higher for a subsample with less positive test-taking motivation than for a subsample with higher test-taking motivation. An opposite effect was found among the subgroups for the ability test. Range restriction and the predictability of individuals with high and low test-taking dispositions were examined as explanations for the findings. Practice and negative feedback effects on test-taking motivation and dispositions were assessed. Implications for examining predictive versus concurrent validation designs are discussed. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)
Publication Name: Journal of Applied Psychology
Subject: Social sciences
ISSN: 0021-9010
Year: 1992
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Additional validity evidence for a measure of morningness
Article Abstract:
Morningness refers to a preference for morning versus evening activities. This study assessed the predictive validity of an instrument developed by C.S. Smith, C. Reilly, and K. Midkiff (1989) to measure the morningness construct. Morningness data were collected from university students (N=454) at the beginning of a semester to examine the relationship between morningness and student behavior (i.e., sleeping, studying, and class scheduling) and performance. Results indicate that morningness was predictive of patterns of sleeping, studying, and class scheduling. Morningness also interacted with the time at which classes met to affect performance. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)
Publication Name: Journal of Applied Psychology
Subject: Social sciences
ISSN: 0021-9010
Year: 1995
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- Abstracts: The international conferences on the social sciences and medicine 1968-1996. An abridged history. Health economics: an important contribution to social science and medicine
- Abstracts: Determinants of salaries earned: comparisons of black and white healthcare managers. Goal setting and competition as determinants of task performance