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Cognitive Reflection and General Mental Ability as Predictors of Job Performance

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  • Jesús F. Salgado

    (Department of Political Science and Sociology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

  • Inmaculada Otero

    (Department of Political Science and Sociology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

  • Silvia Moscoso

    (Department of Political Science and Sociology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Abstract

This paper presents a study with four independent samples on the validity of cognitive reflection (CR) for predicting job performance and academic outcomes. The results showed that CR was a valid predictor of academic outcomes (i.e., grades and exam marks) and job performance (i.e., assessment center ratings). The magnitude of the CR validity was similar to the validity of GMA. Moreover, we found that CR and GMA were moderately correlated, and multiple regression analyses showed that CR added a small amount of validity over GMA validity for predicting both types of performance. Finally, we discuss the implications of the findings for the theory and practice of predicting performance and organizational sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Jesús F. Salgado & Inmaculada Otero & Silvia Moscoso, 2019. "Cognitive Reflection and General Mental Ability as Predictors of Job Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:22:p:6498-:d:288323
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    1. Inmaculada Otero & Pamela Alonso, 2023. "Cognitive reflection test: The effects of the items sequence on scores and response time," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(1), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Otero, Inmaculada & Salgado, Jesús F. & Moscoso, Silvia, 2022. "Cognitive reflection, cognitive intelligence, and cognitive abilities: A meta-analysis," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    3. Alexandra Martínez & Silvia Moscoso & Mario Lado, 2021. "Effects of Faking on the Predictive Validity of a Quasi-Ipsative Forced-Choice Personality Inventory: Implications for Sustainable Personnel Selection," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Michele Samuele Borgia & Francesca Di Virgilio & Maura La Torre & Muhammad Adnan Khan, 2022. "Relationship between Work-Life Balance and Job Performance Moderated by Knowledge Risks: Are Bank Employees Ready?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, April.
    5. Pedro J. Ramos-Villagrasa & Elena Fernández-del-Río & Juan Ramón Barrada, 2020. "Does Evil Prevail? The “Bright” and “Dark” Sides of Personality as Predictors of Adaptive Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-13, January.

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