Individual Differences
PSYC 3310 Spring 2019
Assignment #1 (70 points) (Due before class Tuesday, February 26th)
Job Analysis and Identification of Individual Differences
As IO psychologists, we believe that individuals possess various attributes to differing levels. We also believe that different jobs require different patterns of individual differences. By measuring these individual differences, we can select people who have the necessary attributes to succeed at a job. For this assignment, you will conduct a simple job analysis and use it to identify a set of individual differences that characterize people who are likely to be good performers on a job. For this assignment, I want you to research a job you’re interested in, maybe something you want to do after you graduate, or some other occupation you find interesting. The O*Net website www.online.onetcenter.org is a useful resource concerning job requirements, but you may also find job analyses conducted for a specific job on the internet. The paper should provide a relatively detailed description of the job. For instance, you should describe the tasks or work activities that a person commonly performs on the job (you can limit your focus to the most important tasks), the contexts in which one performs this job, and the most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are needed on this job. Based on your research, identify 3-5 individual differences (you may use your textbook, lecture notes, or other psychology courses to get ideas) that are necessary to perform this job. These can be any combination of cognitive abilities, personality traits, interests, values or physical abilities. You MUST articulate a theoretical rational for why these individual differences are needed for the job you chose. In other words, you need to clearly and explicitly explain why each individual difference determines job performance in the chosen job. The paper you turn in should be about 3-4 pages in length, typed in 12 point font, double-spaced with 1 inch margins. You must cite your research using APA style (http://www.apastyle.org/index.aspx; You may also use the following website as a resource: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/). Both in-text citations and a reference list are required. Assignments will also be graded for proper spelling, grammar, and adherence to the formatting requirements. Grading Rubric
Area Points Description of the job 10 pts. Description of individual differences/attributes need for the job 20 pts. Theory linking the individual differences to the job 20 pts. Proper citation of research 10 pts. Creativity, grammar, & style 10 pts.
Total 70 pts. Submission: You must submit your homework via turnitin on Blackboard. Please double-check to make sure you submitted your assignment. When you submit, you MUST to get a receipt of your submission. If there are any problems with your submission, your receipt will be proof that you submitted the document. Assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late, with five points lost for each day late. Papers turned in after the class period is over are considered a day late. Assignments will be accepted up until 6pm on Friday, February 29th. ** Extra-credit: You will receive a bonus up to 10 points if you conduct your own job analysis in addition to using information available from O*Net (or any other job analysis done by someone else). For example, you could observe, interview, or survey people who are actually on the job. You MUST include
http://www.online.onetcenter.org/
http://www.apastyle.org/index.aspx
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
PSYC 3310 Spring 2019
your job analysis materials (e.g., interview protocol, notes from observation, survey) as a separate Appendix AND incorporate your insights into your paper to received extra credit.