Frame-of-Reference Effects on Personality Scale Scores and Criterion-Related Validity

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-su...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied psychology 1995-10, Vol.80 (5), p.607-620
Main Authors: Schmit, Mark J, Ryan, Ann Marie, Stierwalt, Sandra L, Powell, Amy B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Employees
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Influences
Interviews
Inventories
Occupational psychology
Organizational structure
Personality
Personality Measures
Personality tests
Personnel Selection
Psychological aspects
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychometrics
Questionnaires
Scores
Self image
Statistical analysis
Test Items
Test Validity
Validity
Working Conditions
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0021-9010
1939-1854
DOI:10.1037/0021-9010.80.5.607