Date of Award

Summer 1985

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Program/Concentration

Psychology

Committee Director

Anthony Dalessio

Committee Member

Terry L. Dickinson

Committee Member

Perry M. Duncan

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.P65C47

Abstract

The low reliability and validity of the interview has lead to research aimed at improving its effectiveness. One such strategy is the microanalytic approach developed by Mayfield (1964). This approach centers on the decision—making processes errors made by the interviewer. One type of error is the contrast effect. A contrast effect is that situation where the rating given to an applicant is contingent upon the quality of preceding applicants. This study used a 3 X 3 (Induced Set X Target Applicant) factorial design to assess how different amounts of response variability by an average applicant can influence contrast effects. Subjects were asked to rate a series of interview transcripts. The last transcript (target applicant) was always of average quality. An Induced Set main effect was found. Average applicants received higher ratings when they followed low quality applicants, and lower ratings when they followed high quality applicants. In addition, there was a significant Induced Set by Target Applicant interaction, though it was not in the hypothesized direction. The main implication of the results is that the probability that. an interviewee will be selected is in part determined by those applicants who precede him/her in the interviewing process. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/8p6y-1647

Download

Share

COinS