The structure of this report is as follows: First, specific aptitude theory and general ability theory, the two theories of the relation between ability and job performance, are presented and differentiated. Second, there is a discussion of problems in the current use of the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) and of problems in the use of…

Gender differences were found in the performance of 103 school administrators (74 men and 29 women) participating in the University of Tulsa's Management Development Program assessment center's evaluations. Exercises included an in-basket, two interviews, an oral presentation, and two leaderless group discussions. Women scored higher on the…

Reports study of 288 graduate psychology majors to determine what variables correlated with grade point averages in psychology. Reports three clusters of significant variables: (1) high school grades in verbal areas; (2) achievement in college general studies courses; and (3) mathematics aptitude and achievement in college. (CFR)

Describes a study that examined the relationship between academic ability or aptitude, as measured by grade point average and American College Test scores, and achievement with and without computer-assisted instruction. (15 references) (CLB)

The relationships between a diverse set of individual difference, demographic, and aptitude variables; and a set of student attitudes and behaviors pertinent to experiences in large lecture classes were examined. The sample was 4300 students enrolled in 33 lecture classes at a large university. The relationship between the set of individual…

Describes a study of the effectiveness of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), high school graduation class percentile, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), as predictors of short- and long-term academic achievement among a sample of 58 high-risk college freshmen who participated in 1-year special studies program. (PAA)

This study was undertaken to determine whether a significant correlation exists between the student's performance on the Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Examination and three factors: (1) mathematics scores on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT); (2) a mathematics index score reflecting mathematics courses taken by the student…

Discusses problems with formative evaluation of educational materials and examines the slope test when used in a pretest/posttest multiple group (PPMG) design to adjust posttest scores treatment interaction studies. An example is given of the utility of the slope test and analysis of covariance procedure using an educational film about AIDS. (five…

To ascertain changes in cognitive correlates of learning as students advance through hierarchical instruction, 24 individual difference measures were obtained from 166 Navy trainees who had completed a computer-managed course in electricity and electronics. Principal component analysis and varimax rotation were computed for cognitive…

Addresses the validity of the Cognitive-Affective Response Test-Music by clarifying the theoretical assertions on which the construct validity of the instrument rests. Presents nine specific assertions and data from two studies. Concludes that the test is valid for college-bound high school students. (CFR)

The management development program (MDP) at the University of Tulsa provides an opportunity for identification and development of managerial skills among administrators in the elementary and secondary schools of northeastern Oklahoma. The validity of assessment center exercises for predicting performance as a school principal was examined by a…

This study investigated the relationship of several affective variables as predictors of academic performance in mathematics. The predictor variables studied were: (1) attitude toward success in mathematics; (2) confidence in learning mathematics; (3) perceptions of teacher attitude; (4) mathematics anxiety; and (5) locus of control. The sample of…

A method for drawing inferences from complex samples is based on Rubin's approach to missing data in survey research. Standard procedures for drawing such inferences do not apply when the variables of interest are not observed directly, but must be inferred from secondary random variables which depend on the variables of interest stochastically.…

This paper reviews the now massive general literature showing that psychological tests are fair to minorities. This literature shows that there is no single group validity, there is no differential validity, and tests overpredict rather than underpredict minority job performance. Further evidence in regard to blacks is introduced from 51…

Discusses attribution theory and its effect on teachers' attitudes toward students and describes a study of 155 elementary teachers in Costa Rica that investigated the consequences of the teachers attributing student performance to low ability and to insufficient effort. Cultural values that may affect the outcomes are also discussed. (28…