| Interviews have always been a necessary tool for recruitment. Nowadays, many assessors have found that some candidates who demonstrated good narrative intelligence in the interview haven't performed as well as expected in the job. In the review of various literatures and resources, we have found that the narrative content, style, and non-verbal behavior that candidates show during the interview influence their interview results. However, by far there have been few studies about narrative intelligence in selection and assessment area. This research addresses this area and initiates the structure, measure and effect of narrative intelligence on interview results.In this research, we proposed a structure model and developed a scale to test narrative intelligence as the first study. Then we conducted a simulative interview and two laboratory experiments to assess the reliability and validity of the scale and to validate the effect of narrative intelligence on interview results. The research consists of four parts:Part 1: Qualitative research about indicators of narrative intelligence. Through conversations with 23 assessors, we analyzed and concluded indicators of narrative intelligence during interviews and sorted the indicators into categories. Based on these indicators, we proposed a structure model of narrative intelligence.Part 2: Development of scale of narrative intelligence. Firstly, we abstracted critical incidents from 23 conversation records and 240 open-ended surveys. Secondly, we drafted items of scale based on critical incidents. Thirdly, we modified and deleted some items according to suggestions from professionals. Fourthly, we tested the construct validity and reliability of scale using a sample of 182 undergraduates. By conducting an exploratory factor analysis and item analysis, we selected and deleted items to perfect the scale construct. As a result we formed a 50-item measure.Part 3: Simulative interview. We manipulated narrative content by controlling resumes that were narrated by candidates. Three assessors and 31 candidates participated in the simulative interview. By observing the performance of candidates during an interview, we found eight typical combined manifestations of narrative intelligence as samples for laboratory experiment. We explored the relation of narrative intelligence and interview results using correlation and regression analysis. Results indicated that narrative content, style and non-verbal behavior were positively related to the interview results, and so were interaction of narrative content and style as well as the interaction of narrative content and non-verbal behavior.Part 4: Laboratory experiment. According to eight typical combined manifestations of narrative intelligence, we designed a 2 (high or low narrative content)×2 (high or low narrative style) factorial experiment, and a 2 (high or low narrative content) x 2 (high or low non-verbal behavior) one. 306 undergraduates participated in two experiments. Results validated that narrative content, style and non-verbal behavior were positively related to the interview results, but effects of interaction of narrative content and style as well as interaction of narrative content and non-verbal behavior were found to be statistically insignificant. Results indicated the impact of narrative style on narrative content for predicting hiring recommendation, and the impact of narrative content on non-verbal behavior. Narrative style and non-verbal behavior accounted for incremental variance in the interview results over narrative content.In conclusion, we proposed that narrative intelligence bears narrative content, style and non-verbal behavior manifestation. The scale we developed was proven to be reliable and valid. Narrative intelligence was found to be positively related to the interview results, which suggests that narrative style and non-verbal behavior can help better predict interview results over narrative content. According to the results of our study, people should pay more attention to narrative content, style and non-verbal behavior to improve their narrative intelligence. And assessors should beware of the effect of narrative intelligence on interview results to ensure the validity of interviews. |
