The relationship between intelligence (cognitive ability) and job performance:
Multiple Choice
Is weak, but gets stronger for more complex
Is strong, and gets stronger in less complex jobs
Is moderate, and is not affected by the complexity of the job
Is weak, but gets stronger for less complex jobs
Is strong, and gets stronger in more complex jobs
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
Is strong, and gets stronger in more complex jobs.
Explanation:
The relationship between intelligence (or cognitive ability) and job performance has been widely studied, and the general consensus is that cognitive ability plays a significant role in determining an individual’s job performance. However, the strength of this relationship varies depending on the complexity of the job.
For simple jobs, which involve routine tasks that require minimal decision-making or problem-solving skills, cognitive ability is less crucial. In such roles, even individuals with lower cognitive ability can perform well as long as they follow standard procedures. Consequently, the correlation between intelligence and job performance is relatively weak in these situations.
On the other hand, complex jobs typically require individuals to think critically, adapt to new information, solve problems, and make decisions that impact outcomes. These roles demand higher cognitive abilities, such as reasoning, problem-solving skills, and the ability to process complex information. As a result, the relationship between intelligence and job performance becomes stronger in more complex roles because individuals with higher cognitive ability are better equipped to handle the challenges and demands of these jobs.
Research shows that cognitive ability is one of the best predictors of performance, especially in more cognitively demanding jobs. In these settings, individuals with higher intelligence tend to perform more effectively, demonstrate better adaptability, and are more capable of learning new skills quickly, all of which contribute to superior job performance.
Thus, the relationship between intelligence and job performance is not static but instead increases with job complexity. This means that for jobs requiring higher levels of mental processing, intelligence becomes a more significant factor in determining success, whereas for simpler jobs, it is less critical.
In conclusion, the strength of the relationship between intelligence and job performance is contingent upon the complexity of the job, and it becomes more pronounced as the job complexity increases.