An investigation of the effects of employment testing on self-concept, attitudes towards testing, job involvement organizational commitment and life satifaction

This study examined the relationship between the outcome of a pre-employment test and an individual's self-concept, attitudes towards testing, job involvement, organizational commitment and life satisfaction. Previous research had not investigated the effects of the employment decision based upon the results of a pre-employment test. One objective of this study was to apply a model of educational testing to an industrial setting. Another aim of this study was to investigate the effects of time since testing on the relationships mentioned above. Racial and gender differences were also investigated.

Participants were 143 employees of a national apparel manufacturer. Data were collected via a survey questionnaire which measured self-concept, attitudes towards testing, job involvement, organizational commitment, and life satisfaction. It also assessed the participants' expectancies about their test performance, their perceived instrumentalities concerning the promotion and their perceived valence of the rewards associated with getting a promotion.

Analysis of variance, multiple regression and structural equations techniques were used to test the hypotheses. Results indicated significant relationships between test outcome and attitudes towards testing. No other significant relationships were found. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.