Personality traits and job performance. When attempting to predict job performance using personality traits, researchers typically assume that the relationship is linear. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology (Jan. 2011) investigated a curvilinear relationship between job task performance and a specific personality trait—conscientiousness. Using data collected for 602 employees of a large public organization, task performance was measured on a 30-point scale (where higher scores indicate better performance) and conscientiousness was measured on a scale of -3 to +3 (where higher scores indicate a higher level of conscientiousness).

a. The coefficient of correlation relating task performance score to conscientiousness score was reported as r = .18. Explain why the researchers should not use this statistic to investigate the curvilinear relationship between task performance and conscientiousness.

b. Give the equation of a curvilinear (quadratic) model relating task performance score 1y2 to conscientiousness score 1x2.

c. The researchers theorized that task performance increases as level of conscientiousness increases, but at a decreasing rate. Draw a sketch of this relationship.

d. If the theory in part c is supported, what is the expected sign of b2 in the model, part b?

e. The researchers reported bn 2 = -.32 with an associated p-value of less than .05. Use this information to test the researchers’ theory at a = .05.