Implications of Personnel Psychology for Intern Selection

• Published in: Professional psychology, research and practice research and practice, 1989-08, Vol.20 (4), p.221-228
• Main Authors: Ross, Randall R, Altmaier, Elizabeth M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Psychology Internship; Health staff related problems. Vocational training; Human; Medical sciences; Personnel Evaluation; Personnel Selection; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Social psychiatry. Ethnopsychiatry
• ISSN: 0735-7028; 1939-1323
• DOI: 10.1037/0735-7028.20.4.221

We examine innovations in selection and performance appraisal described in the personnel psychology literature and detail how these innovations might be incorporated into the internship experience. Most of the current research literature on the professional psychology internship is anecdotal in nature. In addition, the limited empirical research on intern selection criteria reveals no basis on which to judge the validity of current performance predictors. Research in the areas of personnel psychology that apply to intern selection and evaluation is reviewed: the use of cognitive ability and academic record data to predict performance, letters of recommendation as a selection component, and the personal interview as a primary aspect of the selection process. Current practices in intern selection in each of these areas are not well supported by empirical research. Several promising innovations from personnel psychology, particularly behavioral interviewing, are described and evaluated. It is concluded that behavior-based interviews developed from a job analysis possess considerable promise to improve intern selection.