Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

3-2017

Abstract

This article reviews 100 years of research on individual differences and their measurement, with a focus on research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology. We focus on 3 major individual differences domains: (a) knowledge, skill, and ability, including both the cognitive and physical domains; (b) personality, including integrity, emotional intelligence, stable motivational attributes (e.g., achievement motivation, core self-evaluations), and creativity; and (c) vocational interests. For each domain, we describe the evolution of the domain across the years and highlight major theoretical, empirical, and methodological developments, including relationships between individual differences and variables such as job performance, job satisfaction, and career development. We conclude by discussing future directions for individual differences research. Trends in the literature include a growing focus on substantive issues rather than on the measurement of individual differences, a differentiation between constructs and measurement methods, and the use of innovative ways of assessing individual differences, such as simulations, other-reports, and implicit measures.

Keywords

Individual differences, ability, personality, interests, motivation

Discipline

Human Resources Management | Organizational Behavior and Theory

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

Publication

Journal of Applied Psychology

Volume

102

Issue

3

First Page

254

Last Page

273

ISSN

0021-9010

Identifier

10.1037/apl0000151

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional Files
ID-measurement-SM.pdf (292 kB)

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000151

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