PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Ross Hessler

Industrial/Organizational
August 1992
 

The Effect of Frame-of Reference Training on Evaluation Accuracy in a Simulated Selection Interview
 

    This study evaluated the effectiveness of providing frame-of-reference (FOR) training to subjects to improve their evaluation accuracy in a mock interview situation.  FOR training consists of information about the classification, the criteria for evaluation, a practice interview with feedback on rating accuracy, and the rationale for ratings given by expert raters.  Sixty subjects, 30 experienced and 30 inexperienced interviewers, were utilized.  One half of each group received FOR training while the others only received information about the classification and evaluation criteria.

Subjects evaluated the “candidates” in two videotaped mock interviews.  Accuracy was determined by comparing ratings to those of “expert” interviewers.
    It was hypothesized that subjects receiving FOR training would be more accurate than those who did not, and that subjects in the FOR condition who were inexperienced would show the greatest improvement.
    The results did not confirm either hypothesis.  Possible reasons for this are discussed.

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