Cognitive, noncognitive, and environmental correlates of mechanical ingenuity

Abstract

Presents a 1964 follow-up study of 1500 engineering students originally administered 4 tests of mechanical creativity during 1955. Analyses were devoted to the criterion validity of the original battery, the job environment, and life history correlates of outstanding performance, and the possibility of a Type of Person * Optimal Environment interaction. Results suggest (1) a validity coefficient of .40 for the 1955 tests, (2) factors of academic underachievement and research orientation of supervision as important personal and environmental correlates of performance; and (3) no Type of Person * Optimal Environment interaction. (15 ref.) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)