Predicting and explaining assessment center judgments: A cross‐validated behavioral approach to performance judgments in interpersonal assessment center exercises

Grunenberg, E., Stachl, C., Breil, S. M., Schäpers, P., & Back, M. D.

Forschungsartikel (Zeitschrift) | Peer reviewed

Zusammenfassung

Although Assessment Center (AC) role-play assessments have received ample attention in past research, their reliance on actual behavioral information is still unclear. Uncovering the behavioral basis of AC role-play assessments is, however, a prerequisite for the optimization of existing and the development of novel automated AC procedures. This work provides a first data-driven benchmark for the behavioral prediction and explanation of AC performance judgments. We used machine learning models trained on behavioral cues (C = 36) to predict performance judgments in three interpersonal AC exercises from a real-life high-stakes AC (selection of medical students, N = 199). Three main findings emerged: First, behavioral prediction models showed substantial predictive performance and outperformed prediction models representing potential judgment biases. Comparisons with in-sample results revealed overfitting of traditional approaches, highlighting the importance of out-of-sample evaluations. Second, we demonstrate that linear combinations of behavioral cues can be strong predictors of assessors' judgments. Third, we identified consistent exercise-specific patterns of individual cues and cross-exercise consistent behavioral patterns of behavioral dimensions and interpersonal strategies that were especially predictive of the assessors' judgments. We discuss implications for future research and practice.

Details zur Publikation

FachzeitschriftHuman Resource Management
Jahrgang / Bandnr. / Volume64
Ausgabe / Heftnr. / Issue2
Seitenbereich423-445
StatusVeröffentlicht
Veröffentlichungsjahr2025
DOI10.1002/hrm.22252
Link zum Volltexthttps://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.22252
Stichwörterassessment center; cue integration; cue utilization; interpersonal behavior; machine learning; performance judgments

Autor*innen der Universität Münster

Back, Mitja
Professur für Psychologische Diagnostik und Persönlichkeitspsychologie (Prof. Back)
Breil, Simon
Professur für Psychologische Diagnostik und Persönlichkeitspsychologie (Prof. Back)
Grunenberg, Eric
Professur für Psychologische Diagnostik und Persönlichkeitspsychologie (Prof. Back)
Schäpers, Philipp
Juniorprofessur für Psychology of Entrepreneurship (Prof. Schäpers)