Date of Graduation

Fall 2016

Degree

Master of Science in Psychology

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Donald L. Fischer

Abstract

Previous research in personality-based Implicit Association Tests (IATs) found little predictive power and obtained limited psychometric properties. This study was designed to improve the psychometric properties of personality-based Implicit Association Tests designed to assess attributes related to integrity and character. The predictive validity of the IATs for behavior related to character failure (e.g. dishonesty and rule violations) was also investigated. The personality-based IATs target attitudes and behavior related to what is referred to as the dark side of personality (i.e. traits related to Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism). To obtain criterion behavior related to these traits a temptation manipulation provided subjects an opportunity to follow or break a rule, lie or tell the truth, and blow the whistle on a thief or remain silent. Subjects completed both explicit (self-report) measures and implicit (IAT) measures of the dark side personality attributes. Results provide evidence that the IATs are psychometrically sound (they have adequate reliability) but only modestly improve the prediction of criterion behavior over previous personality-based Implicit Association Tests.

Keywords

implicit association test, character failure, psychopathy, dark triad, integrity, personality, counterproductive work behavior, organizational citizenship behavior

Subject Categories

Psychology

Copyright

© David Doedli Willis

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