University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

An examination of the dynamic validities of cognitive ability and personality measures with performance

Thomas, Lisa L.

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Thomas_Lisa.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/18398

Description

Title
An examination of the dynamic validities of cognitive ability and personality measures with performance
Author(s)
Thomas, Lisa L.
Issue Date
2011-01-14T22:49:07Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Drasgow, Fritz
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Drasgow, Fritz
Committee Member(s)
  • Wunder, Steve
  • Roberts, Brent W.
  • Hulin, Charles L.
  • Anderson, Carolyn J.
  • Kuncel, Nathan
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2011-01-14T22:49:07Z
Keyword(s)
  • Dynamic criteria
  • Dynamic performance
  • Personality
  • Longitudinal data
  • Validity over time
Abstract
Prior research shows that both cognitive ability (Schmidt & Hunter, 1998) and personality measures (Poropat, 2009; Hough & Furnham, 2003) are valid predictors of job performance. The dynamic nature of the relationships between cognitive ability and personality measures with performance over time spent on the job is less understood and thus this paper explores their relationships. Although there is much research to suggest that the predictive relationship between cognitive ability and performance decreases over years of tenure (e.g., Hulin, Henry, & Noon, 1990), other research suggests that the relationship between cognitive ability and performance will increase over time (Kolz, McFarland, & Silverman, 1988). In regard to personality, this study provides a critical test of two competing theories. The first position holds that the validity of personality degrades over time. Support for this position comes from the “ubiquitous” nature of the simplex pattern in individual differences (Humphreys, 1985). It follows that personality validities should perform like cognitive ability in this respect, and thus decline over time. In contrast to this viewpoint, the alternative position contends that the predictive relationship between personality variables and performance increases over time, with the correlation becoming larger in magnitude and more positive in direction over years of tenure. The results of this study support the latter position; personality validities predicted long term performance outcomes.
Graduation Semester
2010-12
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/18398
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2010 Lisa Lynn Thomas

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