Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
1-2012
Abstract
Little is known about how assessment center exercises might be designed to better elicit job-relevant behavior. This study uses trait activation theory as a theoretical lens for increasing the number of behaviors that can be observed in assessment centers. Two standardized exercise stimuli (specific exercise instructions and role-player prompts) are proposed, and their effects on the observability of candidate behavior are examined. Results showed a significant effect of role-player prompts in increasing both the general number of behavioral observations and the number of behavioral observations related to three out of four dimensions. Specific exercise instructions did not have effects on observability. Implications for trait activation theory and assessment center practice are discussed.
Discipline
Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Organizational Behavior and Theory
Research Areas
Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources
Publication
Human Performance
Volume
25
Issue
3
First Page
255
Last Page
271
ISSN
0895-9285
Identifier
10.1080/08959285.2012.683907
Publisher
Taylor & Francis (Routledge): STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles / Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Citation
SCHOLLAERT, Eveline and LIEVENS, Filip.
Building situational stimuli in assessment center exercises: Do specific exercise instructions and role-player prompts increase the observability of behavior?. (2012). Human Performance. 25, (3), 255-271.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/5518
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1080/08959285.2012.683907
Included in
Industrial and Organizational Psychology Commons, Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons