NCJ Number
99157
Journal
Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology Volume: 1 Dated: (March 1985) Pages: 60-68
Date Published
1985
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Data were gathered from 470 job applicants to determine the relationship between the attitudes of a prospective employee toward theft, violence, and illegal drug use and the admission of such acts in a preemployment polygraph examination.
Abstract
The subjects came from all age, race, sex, and occupational groups. They were seeking positions of trust involving access to money, merchandise, and other company property. They all completed the Personnel Selection Inventory, a two-part instrument covering both personal information similar to that found on standard job application forms and 108 attitude questions regarding theft, violence, and drug abuse. The subjects next took a polygraph examination covering past actions in these three subject areas. Strong relationships were found between attitudes and behavior regarding theft, violence, and drug abuse. Job applicants who made few admissions of acts of theft, violence, or drug use in the polygraph examination were more likely to have attitudes intolerant of such behaviors. Similarly, those who admitted serious acts were more likely to have favorable attitudes toward these behaviors. The Personnel Selection Inventory had no adverse impact on protected race or sex groups. This and other studies suggest the usefulness of attitudinal tests like the one used here as a screening, placement, or counseling tool. Tables, figures, and 24 references are supplied.