Knowledge, attention, and psychomotor ability: A latent variable approach to understanding individual differences in simulated work performance

We compare the validity of personnel selection measures and novel tests of attention control for explaining individual differences in synthetic work performance, which required participants to monitor and complete multiple ongoing tasks. In Study 1, an online sample of young adults (N = 474, aged 18–35) based in the United States completed three-minute tests of attention control and two tests that primarily measure acquired knowledge, the Wonderlic and the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT). Structural equation modeling revealed that acquired knowledge tests did not predict simulated work performance beyond attention control, whereas attention control did predict simulated work performance controlling for other measures. In Study 2, an in-lab sample of young adults from Georgia Tech and the greater Atlanta community (N = 321, aged 18–35) completed tests of attention control, processing speed, working memory capacity, and versions of two U.S. Military selection tests, one assessing acquired knowledge (the AFQT) and one assessing psychomotor ability (the Performance-Based Measures assessment from the Aviation Selection Test Battery). Structural equation modeling revealed that attention control fully mediated the relationship between the Performance Based Measures and simulated work performance, but the AFQT and processing speed retained unique prediction. We also explore possible gender differences. Collectively, these results suggest that tests of attention control may be a useful supplement to existing personnel selection measures when complex cognitive tasks are the criterion variable of interest.