Possibilities and limitations of automated psychological profiling

Psychological profiling is a necessary tool of modern human resource management, important for recruiting, placement and career planning. In extremely demanding jobs, like military service, the emerging problem is validity of psychological profile under stress-the problem is not only placement of people on adequate positions but also the limits of stress under which they remain efficient. We proposed an outline of an expert system, binding these two functions. First the assumptions of input psychological data were defined, next an algorithm of selection and placement was proposed. The second part was an assessment of current human possibilities in extreme fatigue and stress conditions-based on psychological tests and physiological measures. Construction of such an expert system demands a flexible level of automation in data integration and decision making. The first module (recruitment and placement) needs a medium level of automation. An expert system should support (but not replace) psychologists in personal decisions. The second module (actual fitness to duty evaluation) would support a superior in action, so the information should be referred to a simple suggestion. In conclusion, a flexible approach to automation of personal decisions (both strategic and actual) was recommended based on psychological tests.