GROUP-DIFFERENCES AND PERSONNEL DECISIONS - VALIDITY, FAIRNESS, AND AFFIRMATIVE-ACTION

Recent developments in research and theory pertaining to fair employme nt concerns are reviewed for the period 1991-1992 with particular emph asis on Black/White issues. The period was marked by the passage of th e Civil Rights Act of 1991, the publication of lire Bell Curve, renewe d debate over the meaning of general cognitive ability, publication of the revised four-volume Handbook of lndustrial and Organizational Psy chology and intense political and scientific interest in affirmative a ction. Fundamental issues were raised with regard to the substantive n ature of g, the interpretation of group differences in cognitive abili ty, the effect of group differences on personnel decision making, and the efficacy of affirmative action. Each of these issues is examined i n an attempt to identify the main points of consensus and disagreement and to identify how they are interrelated. Suggestions for additional research are incorporated within the text. (C) 1996 Academic Press, l nc.