Situational judgment tests and their predictiveness of college students' success: The influence of faking

A

Verbal and nonverbal impression management tactics in behavior description and situational interviews

This study investigated how structured interview formats, instructions to convey favor-able impressions, and applicants ’ individual differences influenced the use and effective-ness of verbal and nonverbal impression management (IM). Results from 190 people who were screened for a training program demonstrated that interview format affected the kind of tactics used, which in turn positively influenced interviewer evaluations. Behavior description interviews triggered self-focused (and defensive) tactics, whereas situational interviews triggered other-focused tactics. Instructions to convey a desirable impression also enhanced the use of specific tactics (self-focused and other-focused verbal IM tactics) and moderated the effects of individual differences on IM use. IM instructions did not affect nonverbal IM tactics, indicating that nonverbal behavior might be less intentionally controllable in selection situations. I n personnel selection, the social interaction inherent inthe interview creates an ideal situation for applicants to put their best foot forward and to use impression manage-ment (IM) tactics. Hence, the use of IM in employment interviews has been increasingly studied (e.g., Baron, 1983

Impact of elaboration on responding to situational judgment test items

Although faking has been identified as a potential problem in situational judgment tests (SJTs), no studies have investigated proactive approaches for controlling faking in SJTs. Therefore, this study examined the impact of elaboration on responding to SJT items. Elaboration was operationalized as reason-giving. Two hundred and forty-seven master students were assigned to either an honest or a fake condition, and to a non-elaboration or an elaboration condition. Results showed that elaboration decreased the effect of faking for items with high familiarity. Elaboration on familiar items also decreased the percentage of fakers in the top of the distribution. Next, participants in the elaboration condition rated the SJT significantly higher in terms of allowing them to present themselves more realistically and to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Finally, there were no significant differences in participants' satisfaction with the SJT across the elaboration and non-elaboration condition

Interviewers' sensitivity to impression management tactics in structured interviews

This study examines interviewers' sensitivity to impression management in structured interviews by determining the relative importance that interviewers attach to ( verbal and nonverbal) impression management as compared to the relative importance that they attach to predetermined competencies. Two samples of interviewers ( 55 Master I/O psychology students and 18 professional interviewers) watched and evaluated videotaped interviewees who were instructed to put their best foot forward. Results of relative weight analyses showed that the importance of verbal and nonverbal impression management tactics was relatively small as compared to the importance attached to job-related competencies. The type of interview format had some effect on interviewers' sensitivity to impression management tactics. In particular, in behavior description interviews the interviewers in both samples attached most relative weight to self-focused verbal tactics. Interviewer experience was not related to interviewers' sensitivity to impression management tactics

Situational judgment tests: A review of recent research

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to give an empirically-based review of the strengths and weaknesses of situational judgment tests (SJTs). Design/methodology/approach - The features, history, and development of SJTs are discussed. Next, a computerized search (from 1990-2007) is conducted to retrieve empirical studies related to SJTs. The effectiveness of SJTs is discussed in terms of reliability, criterion-related validity, incremental validity, construct-related validity, utility, adverse impact, applicant perceptions, fakability, and susceptibility to practice and coaching effects. Findings - Strengths of SJTs are that they show criterion-related validity and incremental validity above cognitive ability and personality tests. SJTs have also less adverse impact towards minorities (especially if the cognitive loading of the SJT is low). Furthermore, applicant reactions towards SJTs are positive and SJTs enable to test large applicant groups at once (through the Internet). In terms of weaknesses, SJTs might be prone to faking, practice, and coaching effects. There is also debate about what constructs are measured by SJTs. Research limitations/implications - Five avenues for future research are discussed: construct-related validity of SJTs, utility of SJTs vis-a-vis other predictors, impact of SJT features on validity and adverse impact, examination of alternative stimulus and response formats, and cross-cultural transportability of SJTs. Practical implications - Practitioners receive evidence-based information about the features, development, and strengths and weaknesses of SJTs. Originality/value - Apart from the USA, SJTs have not made strong inroads in selection practice in Europe and other parts of the world. This evidence-based paper might highlight the value of SJTs

Identification of 12 new susceptibility loci for different histotypes of epithelial ovarian cancer.

To identify common alleles associated with different histotypes of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), we pooled data from multiple genome-wide genotyping projects totaling 25,509 EOC cases and 40,941 controls. We identified nine new susceptibility loci for different EOC histotypes: six for serous EOC histotypes (3q28, 4q32.3, 8q21.11, 10q24.33, 18q11.2 and 22q12.1), two for mucinous EOC (3q22.3 and 9q31.1) and one for endometrioid EOC (5q12.3). We then performed meta-analysis on the results for high-grade serous ovarian cancer with the results from analysis of 31,448 BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, including 3,887 mutation carriers with EOC. This identified three additional susceptibility loci at 2q13, 8q24.1 and 12q24.31. Integrated analyses of genes and regulatory biofeatures at each locus predicted candidate susceptibility genes, including OBFC1, a new candidate susceptibility gene for low-grade and borderline serous EOC