Publication Type
Book Chapter
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
10-2008
Abstract
Assessment centers have always had a strong link with practice. This link is so strong that the theoretical basis of the workings of an assessment center is sometimes questioned. In this chapter, we posit that trait activation theory (Tett and Burnett 2003) might be fruitfully used to explain how job-relevant candidate behavior is elicited and rated in assessment centers. Trait activation theory is a recent theory that focuses on the person–situation interaction to explain behavior based on responses to trait-relevant cues found in situations. These observable responses serve as the basis for behavioral ratings on dimensions used in a variety of assessments such as performance appraisal, interviews, but also assessment centers.
Discipline
Human Resources Management | Organizational Behavior and Theory
Research Areas
Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources
Publication
Oxford Handbook of Personnel Psychology
Editor
CARTWRIGHT, Susan; COOPER, Cary L.
First Page
233
Last Page
245
ISBN
9780199655816
Identifier
10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199234738.003.0010
Publisher
Oxford University Press
City or Country
England, UK
Citation
LIEVENS, Filip; DE KOSTER, Liesbet; and SCHOLLAERT, Eveline.
Current theory and practice of assessment centers: The importance of trait activation. (2008). Oxford Handbook of Personnel Psychology. 233-245.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/5803
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/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199234738.003.0010