| Abstract: | Two major implications of the papers presented on understanding ability-performance relationships are presented: (a) The chances of finding statistically significant algebraic interactions of ability and other variables (race, sex, situation), in field settings are poor; and, (b) an explanation for why algebraic interaction terms are not generally found to be significant is required. A discussion of the bases for implication (a) is presented and an hypothesis is presented regarding implication (b). The hypothesis makes a distinction between natural and algebraic interaction and argues that situations are defined by natural interaction leaving little interaction remaining to be accounted for by an algebraic term. The conclusion is reached that ability and work condition, in linear combination, should be used by personnel selection researchers to increase both the prediction of performance and the understanding of work behavior. |
