Major contribution
Cognitive ability, cognitive aptitudes, job knowledge, and job performance

https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-8791(86)90013-8Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper reviews the hundreds of studies showing that general cognitive ability predicts job performance in all jobs. The first section shows that general cognitive ability predicts supervisor ratings and training success. The second section shows that general cognitive ability predicts objective, rigorously content valid work sample performance with even higher validity. Path analysis shows that much of this predictive power stems from the fact that general cognitive ability predicts job knowledge (r = .80 for civilian jobs) and job knowledge predicts job performance (r = .80). However, cognitive ability predicts performance beyond this value (r = .75 versus r = [.80][.80] = .64) verifying job analyses showing that most major cognitive skills are used in everyday work. The third section of the paper briefly reviews evidence showing that it is general cognitive ability and not specific cognitive aptitudes that predict performance.

References (36)

  • J.E Hunter

    The dimensionality of the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) and the dominance of general factors over specific factors in the prediction of job performance

    (1980)
  • J.E Hunter

    Test validation for 12,000 jobs: An application of synthetic validity and validity generalization to the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB)

    (1980)
  • J.E Hunter

    The economic benefits of personnel selection using ability tests: A state-of-the art review including a detailed analysis of the dollar benefit of U.S. Employment Service placements and a critique of the low-cutoff method of test use

    (1981)
  • J.E Hunter

    Fairness of the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB): Ability differences and their impact on minority hiring rates

    (1981)
  • J.E Hunter

    A causal analysis of cognitive ability, job knowledge, job performance, and supervisor ratings

  • J.E Hunter
  • J.E Hunter

    Validity generalization of the ASVAB: Higher validity for factor analytic composites

    (1983)
  • J.E Hunter

    The prediction of job performance in the civilian sector using the ASVAB

    (1984)
  • Cited by (0)

    View full text