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

Thomas, Lisa L.

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

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

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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