The Relationships of Selected Test Measures and New Cadet Barracks Performance to Attrition and Later Cadet Performance

摘要

This study investigated the relationships between certain personality attributes of entering United States Military Academy cadets and their subsequent performance during the New Cadet Barracks (NCB) summer training period and their first academic year. Two approaches used: (a) to determine the interrelations existing among personality tests and criteria of cadet performance; and (b) to discern differential patterns of personality and performance characteristics shown by groups of successful and unsuccessful cadets. Success was defined as retention during the first year at the Academy, while lack of success was defined as attrition from the Academy. The criteria of cadet performance were: (a) NCB and Aptitude for Service Ratings (adjustment to superiors and peers); (b) grades (adjustment to work); and (c) demerits (reactions to authority). A final criterion, frequency of NCB sick call visits, was used as an indicator of personal adjustment. Nine personality test measures were used. Three were derived from a test of stated reactions to frustrating situations, four were from ratings of relative esteem for self and co-workers, and one each from an Activities Preference Inventory and a Proverbial Attitudes test of non-conforming attitudes. Each test measure was chosen on the basis of expected relationships to the performance criteria.