General mental ability (GMA) has long been considered one of the best predictors of training success and considerably better than specific cognitive abilities (SCAs). Recently, however, researchers have provided evidence that SCAs may be of similar importance for training success, a finding supporting personnel selection based on job-related requirements. The present meta-analysis therefore seeks to assess validities of SCAs for training success in various occupations in a sample of German primary studies. Our meta-analysis (k = 72) revealed operational validities between ρ = .18 and ρ = .26 for different SCAs. Furthermore, results varied by occupational category, supporting a job-specific benefit of SCAs.
Goertz, W., Hülsheger, U. R., & Maier, G. W. (2014). The Validity of Specific Cognitive Abilities for the Prediction of Training Success in Germany. Journal of Personnel Psychology, 13(3), 123–133. doi:10.1027/1866-5888/a000110