Discourse and Agency: The Example of Personnel Psychology and 'Assessment Centres'

Abstract

This paper analyzes the discourse of personnel psychology through reference to the work of Michel Foucault. It particularly focuses on the personnel psy chology discursive practices known as assessment centres, since they represent one of the most advanced technologies of personnel psychology and form part of 'best practice' prescription, both for efficient personnel management, and as a means of protecting equal opportunities. The discursive development of assessment centres is examined through a detailed analysis of their develop ment and deployment as War Office Selection Boards (or 'WOSBs') during the Second World War. The paper argues that the deployment of WOSBs deviated from prescribed practice and from the logic and discipline of person nel psychology discourse. In consequence, they could not remain a reliable guarantor of efficient personnel management, or protect equal opportunity. This deviation is discussed in relation to limitations of applying Foucauldian analysis to the study of discourse and human agency.