The Effects of Test Validity Perceptions on Ethnic Group Differences in Cognitive Ability Test Performance

Ethnic group differences in cognitive ability test performance have led to the problem of adverse impact for many organizations. In attempting to understand the cause of such differences, this study investigates the relationships among general test attitudes, test experiences, race, test validity perceptions, test knowledge, and cognitive ability test performance. A sample of undergraduate psychology students completed a paper-and-pencil test of cognitive ability as well as surveys of their attitudes towards employment tests and prior testing experiences. Participants in an experimental group received information that explained the validity and usefulness of employment tests for making selection decisions. It was hypothesized that general attitudes, testing experiences, race, and experimental group would be related. It was also hypothesized that these variables (general attitudes, race, group, and test experiences) would influence validity perceptions which would in turn, influence test performance. Finally, it was hypothesized that among participants who receive the information regarding test validity, there would be small ethnic group differences in test performance and test validity perceptions. However, it was hypothesized that these differences would be greater among participants in a control group who did not receive the information.