Effects of an early interruption and note taking on listening accuracy and decision making in the interview

Abstract

Employment interviewers (N = 102) and managers (N = 128) viewed a videotaped interview of an MBA applicant for a management position. Participants were assigned to the cells of a 2 by 2 by 2 factorial design with two levels of participants (interviewer, manager), two levels of concurrent note taking (required, forbidden), and two levels of interruption early in the interview (interrupted, control). The dependent variables were the score on a 25-item listening accuracy test based on the transcript of the interview, and the overall suitability evaluation of the applicant by the professionals. Results indicated no significant difference between participant groups and no significant effects on overall suitability judgments. Both the interruption and note taking had a significant impact on listening accuracy. The highest rate of accuracy (79%) was for the required note taking and no-interruption condition. © 1978, The Psychonmic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.