Psychologist compares use of psychometric tests to Victorian superstition

The use of psychological tests to hire senior business executives has come under fire after it emerged that disgraced bank chief Paul Flowers got his job partly on the basis of a 'psychometric' questionnaire.

The former chairman of the Co-op Bank, known as the 'Crystal Methodist' after he was accused of taking drugs and using rent boys, had almost no banking experience when he was given the £132,000-a-year role.

This week, his former deputies told MPs that interviews for the post did not include any questions about finance, and highlighted the role that psychometric testing played in the recruitment process.

However, a leading expert compared the tests to Victorian superstition, while even a business psychologist admitted that they are often 'misused as a smoke-screen' to justify the hiring of certain people.

The best-known psychometric test is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which was based on the theories of influential psychiatrist Carl Jung.

The test sorts everyone into one of 16 personality types, based on four different indicators - for example, they might be ENTP (extroverted, intuitive, thoughtful, perceptive) or ISFJ (introverted, sensitive, feeling, judgemental).

A psychological industry has sprung up around the tests, with businesses purporting to identify the most suitable candidates for particular jobs according to their personality types.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2549976/Are-psychometric-tests-complete-waste-time-Crystal-Methodist-banker-Paul-Flowers-landed-job-excelling-exam-failed-lack-experience.html#ixzz2s6jC9Nus

Psychologist compares use of psychometric tests to Victorian superstition

Psychologist compares use of psychometric tests to Victorian superstition

Anarcho-Capitalist Categorical Imperatives

AnCaps & Psychology, Edumbcation, Even IndoctriNation