An Evolving Technique for Appraising Interpersonal Effectiveness

Dynamic elements have been most conspicuously lacking in measurements of ability; yet, in the larger, practical abilities of life, dynamic elements of various kinds are of the greatest impor tance. Attempts to assess the dynamic aspects of ability—of large abilities in action in social settings—became promi nent during the last world war, notably in the selection program of OSS. For measurement or evaluation to succeed in the social field, dynamic aspects must become the center of attention.

The present article applies this con ception to the selection of certain gradu ate students. The same ideas, with ap propriate adaptations, might well be ap plied more widely to selection of work ers in all situations where interpersonal effectivness is a primary requirement. Dr. Wilson is the program adviser of the guidance training program for Queens College. Dr. Robbins teaches evaluation and research. The style which the authors hvae used permits the read er to feel he is almost an eye witness to this developing procedure.