Ability

power

or capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, financially; competence in an activity or occupation because of one's skill, training, or other qualification; and abilities, talents; special skills or aptitudes
An individuals capacity to perform the various tasks in a job. It is a current assessment of what one can do.

Intellectual Ability
The capacity to do mental activities such as thinking, reasoning, and problem solving.

Mental activities can be measured by intelligent quotient (IQ) tests that are designed to find out ones general mental abilities.

Dimensions of Intellectual Ability

Dimension
Number aptitude Verbal comprehension Perceptual speed Inductive reasoning Deductive reasoning Spatial visualization

Description
Ability to do speedy and accurate calculations

Job Example Accountant Plant manager

Fire investigator Market researcher Supervisor Interior decorator

Memory

Ability to understand what is read or heard and the relationship of words to each other Ability to identify visual similarities and differences quickly and accurately Ability to identify a logical sequence in a problem and then solve the problem Ability to use logic and assess the implications of an argument Ability to imagine how an object would look if its position is space were changed Ability to retain and recall past experiences

Salesperson

Physical Abilities
The capacity to do tasks demanding stamina, dexterity(physical skill), strength, and similar characteristics.

The ADVANTEGES of determining an individuals Physical Ability

can identify individuals who are physically unable to perform the essential functions of a job without risking injury to themselves or others can result in decreased costs related to disability/medical claims, insurance, and workers compensation decreased absenteeism

The DISADVANTEGES of determining an individuals Physical Ability

costly to deal with

requirements must be shown to be job related through a job analysis

may have age based unequal impact against older applicants

Nine Physical Abilities

Strength Factors
1. Dynamic strength 2. Trunk strength 3. Static strength 4. Explosive strength

Flexibility Factors
5. Extent flexibility 6. Dynamic flexibility

Other Factors
7. Body coordination 8. Balance 9. Stamina

Nine Basic Physical Abilities

Strength Factors 1. Dynamic strength 2. Trunk strength 3. Static strength 4. Explosive strength Flexibility Factors 5. Extent flexibility 6. Dynamic flexibility Other Factors 7. Body coordination 8. Balance Ability to coordinate the simultaneous actions of different parts of the body Ability to maintain equilibrium regardless of forces pulling off balance Ability to move the trunk and back muscles as far as possible Ability to make quick, repeated flexing movements Ability to exert muscular force repeatedly or continuously over time Ability to exert muscle strength using the trunk (particularly abdominal) muscles Ability to exert force against external objects Ability to use up a maximum of energy in one or a series of explosive acts

9. Stamina

Ability to continue maximum effort requiring extended effort over time

The Ability-Job Fit

Employees Abilities

Ability-Job Fit

Jobs Ability Requirements

The ability - job fit

- jobs make differing demands on people and that people differ in their abilities - employee performance is enhanced when there is a high ability-job fit

- poor ability-job fit, employees will likely to fail