NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS - PARAMETERS OF BIODATA INVASIVENESS

In this research, biodata items were evaluated for their perceived inv asiveness by over 200 professionals (psychologists and social scientis ts), as well as three samples of nonprofessionals. In addition to item subject matter, perceived invasiveness of items was related to variou s biodata attributes, in that items that were more verifiable, more tr ansparent in purpose, and more impersonal were seen as less invasive. Subjects with more positive attitudes toward biodata and organizationa l selection measures viewed fewer items as invasive, as did those with more education. Dispositional variables and gender were related to in vasiveness perceptions in some samples. Four general motives or topics were determined to generate the greatest concern: fear of stigmatizat ion, concern about having applicants recall traumatic events, intimacy , and religion. The results may help develop consensus about defining ''invasive'' and contribute to ways of reducing perceptions of invasiv eness.