The Impact of Personality upon the Response Behavior in Cognitive Ability Testing - An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Results of cognitive ability tests with abstract designs might be biased by variables such as the impact personality has upon the response behavior of the respondent. This exploration study (N=162) correlating the 30 personality facets NEOPIR assesses and the scores at GAMA, revealed two significant correlations. Openness to experience - Aesthetics significantly correlated negatively with scores for cognitive ability (r = -0.21, p<0.001). The negative correlation points that the more open one is towards the aesthetics (such as the abstract design of the test stimuli), the less prone he is to using the general algorithm to interpret and correlate visual stimuli, and therefore solve the test items as considered correct by the majority and obtain a higher score in the cognitive ability test. Using abstract design cognitive ability tests in high-steak decisions should be accompanied by a personality inventory that would assess the interest in aesthetics of the subjects.