Using Psychomotor Ability for Selecting TOW Gunners.
Abstract
The research examined the incremental validity of a psychomotor tracking test when added to traditional Army measures of cognitive ability. In addition, the actual gunnery performance of 911 TOW Gunners assigned with current procedures from a pool of 10,852 Infantrymen was compared to the predicted performance of 911 TOW Gunners hypothetically assigned on the basis of general cognitive ability (g) and tracking ability. Increments in validity resulting from the use of the tracking test were found, although the magnitude of the increases were smaller than expected. However, the increments resulting from hypothetical assignment using tracking test were substantial. Whether TOW Gunner performance prediction was based on g. tracking score or both top down hypothetical assignment of Infantrymen as TOW Gunners resulted in a significant improvement in predicted TOW Gunner gunnery performance and successful completion of training. If assignment as a TOW Gunner was based on tracking ability and was made from the full applicant pool rather than from those first assigned as Infantrymen. It is likely that TOW Gunner performance could be improved with no loss in performance in other military occupations. This is true even if gunner performance in other Infantry occupations also depends on tracking ability. Implications for classification and job clustering are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA328697
Entities
People
- Jay M. Silva
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences