The Relationship Between Assessment Centre Outcomes and Personality Traits

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the nomological validity of the Assessment Centre (AC). More specifically, the authors investigated the relationship between theoretically related personality variables and AC ratings in a personnel selection procedure. Previous studies have reported contradictory findings regarding the nomological validity of the Assessment Centre. We identified shortcomings in the previous studies and demonstrated the nomological validity of the AC in a relatively large sample of line manager candidates (N = 314). Our results are in harmony with trait activation theory, and this confirms the nomological validity of Assessment Centres. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.