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Personality variables related to integrity test scores: The role of conscientiousness

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Abstract

Using a broad-based measure of normal personality, we tested the hypothesis that the trait “conscientiousness” is the best single predictor of scores on two well-researched integrity tests. Data from 180 traditional and nontraditional college students provided clear support for this hypothesis, but also indicated that a number of traits other than conscientiousness were likely to be related to integrity test scores. Scores on all six of the primary scales, and 33 of the 45 homogeneous item clusters (HICs) of the Hogan Personality Inventory were related to scores on the PDI Employment Inventory and/or the Personnel Selection Inventory. Personality variables were better predictors of scores on the PDI Employment inventory, which is a veiled-purpose (also referred to as “personality based”) test, than of scores on the Personnel Selection Inventory, which measures honesty-related attitudes and includes items calling for direct admissions of misdeeds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 80523, Fort Collins, CO

    Kevin R. Murphy & Sandra L. Lee

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  1. Kevin R. Murphy
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  2. Sandra L. Lee
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Additional information

We are grateful for the assistance and cooperation of London House Inc., Personnel Decisions Inc., and Hogan Assessment Systems, Inc., and especially to Scott Martin, George Paajanen, and Joyce Hogan.

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Murphy, K.R., Lee, S.L. Personality variables related to integrity test scores: The role of conscientiousness. J Bus Psychol 8, 413–424 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02230957

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