Psychological Testing in Personnel Selection: Contemporary Issues in Cognitive Ability and Personality Testing

Abstract

This paper examines the development of personnel selection testing from the late 19th century to the present, emphasizing general cognitive ability and personality testing. The development of methods and standards in employment testing is examined with particular emphasis on selection validity and utility. The issues of fairness and discrimination in cognitive ability selection testing are explored. The transformation of older models of personality into the current Big-Five personality paradigm is discussed. The utility and fairness of personality testing for modern organizations is explored, particularly when used as part of a composite selection process with cognitive ability testing.