Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: “Job interviews should measure personality characteristics of candidates.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Performance on the job depends on personality characteristics. II. Personality characteristics can be measured during interviews.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Both I and II are implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This recommendation concerns what interviews should assess. For the recommendation to be meaningful, two premises must hold: personality matters for job performance, and interviews are a suitable context for assessing it. Without either, the prescription fails.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Prescription: Measure personality in interviews.
  • Assumption I: Job success depends, at least partly, on personality.
  • Assumption II: Interviews can validly and reliably measure personality traits.


Concept / Approach:

  • “Should measure” implies relevance to performance (I) and feasibility of measurement (II).
  • If either fails, the “should” collapses—either it is irrelevant or impractical.


Step-by-Step Solution:

If I is false, assessing personality is pointless for hiring decisions; thus I is necessary.If II is false, interviews are the wrong tool; the recommendation lacks feasibility; thus II is necessary.


Verification / Alternative check:

Remove I or II: The policy becomes either irrelevant or unworkable, confirming both are needed.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Only I or only II, Either, Neither: Each misses a crucial leg (relevance or feasibility).


Common Pitfalls:

Assuming that because something is measurable elsewhere (e.g., psychometrics), interviews automatically suffice without stating feasibility.


Final Answer:

Both I and II are implicit

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