Can Suppressor Variables Enhance Criterion-Related Validity in the Personality Domain?

Abstract

The practical value to organizations and to society of even small increments to validity from suppressor effects may be substantial. This study empirically examined the potential importance of suppressor variables in the personality domain. Of the five suppressor variables tentatively identified in the initial validation sample, four were found to hold up in an independent cross-validation sample. The suppressor variables increased the cross-validated multiple r from .61 to .68 (an 11% increase). The authors argue that, in addition to potential increments to prediction, suppressor variables in the personality domain may also contribute to substantive knowledge and theory development. The authors recommend that examination of potential suppressors be a more frequent component of research and analysis in the personality domain.