The five-factor model and personnel selection: Frame of reference effects

The purpose of this study was to explore the use of personality measures in personnel selection decisions. Specifically, scores on personality tests are influenced by non-personality factors related to the response set adopted by the applicant. The effect of job knowledge on scale scores of the NEO-PI-R was examined using a 2 x 2 between groups design, by manipulating the respondent's frame of reference. In the present study frame of reference was defined as job knowledge and was controlled by providing the subjects with one of two job descriptions (accountant and occupational therapist) as well as by controlling the level of detail for each description (detailed and general).;Subjects were 120 introductory psychology and introductory social psychology students from Rutgers University, Camden campus. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment conditions and each completed the NEO-PI-R and a Job Knowledge Checklist after reading the job description and instructions.;The results demonstrate that the manipulation was successful. Subjects who read the detailed job description knew more about accounting or occupational therapy than those who had read the general description. The results failed to demonstrate the expected differences among subjects' profile scores on the NEO-PI-R. A significant interaction effect was expected, demonstrating differences between the accountant and occupational therapist conditions moderated by the description level. Main effects for job and description conditions were expected, but not found. Additionally, differences were predicted between the accountant and occupational therapist conditions on specific NEO-PI-R scales, but again were not found.;Possible explanations for failing to find the expected results are a lack of adequate power to find a small or moderate effect, subjects' failure to understand the instructions, and a lack of an interview "reality" in the experimental context. Future research should focus on increasing power, clarifying the effect size, and it's practical importance. Future research should also focus on increasing the "reality" of the testing context.