The efficacy of personality and interest measures as a supplement to cognitive measures in the prediction of military training performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive validity of cognitive ability, personality, and vocational interest measures on two performance criteria within the Canadian Forces (CF): (1) Training Success/Failure, (2) Training Performance. It specifically looked at the incremental validity of a personality measure and an interest inventory (non-cognitive ability measures) over and above a cognitive ability measure in the prediction of both training course success, and level of training course performance of Non-Commissioned-Member (NCM) recruits.

NCM recruits (n = 138) completed the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT), the Measure of Personal Attributes (MPA) and the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI) at the beginning of the 8-week Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) and were included in the Training Performance criterion group. The Training Performance criterion consisted of supervisory ratings of each applicant's performance in areas such as Physical Training, Military Knowledge, and Basic Drill Inspections. The Training Success criterion (n = 264) was simply the applicant's success or failure in completing the training course. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)