PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Leanne Chapman
Industrial/Organizational
August 1998

An Examination of Mean Score Gender Differences and Adverse Impact for Two Tests of Mechanical Aptitude

    The lack of literature addressing gender differences in mechanical aptitude test scores and the recognition of the increasing numbers of women seeking to enter mechanical and technical positions suggest the need to examine the possible sources of gender differences in mechanical aptitude test scores.  A new test of mechanical aptitude, the Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude (WTMA), was designed to address traditional gender differences in mechanical aptitude by minimizing the impact of previous experience on test performance.  Two hundred two employees of a California utility company were given the WTMA and the Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test (BMCT).

    Findings indicated a significant gender difference in test performance on both mechanical aptitude tests, where males outperformed females.  In addition, both tests showed a similar pattern of adverse impact, although adverse impact ratios were smaller with the WTMA than with the BMCT.  Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

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