Job Test May Screen Rage Potential

Thursday, December 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) â€” Averting office massacres like the one killing seven workers in Massachusetts this week may be a matter of screening job candidates for their aggression potential, say two researchers who have developed such a test.

``This guy is exactly who our test was designed to identify,'' said Michael McIntyre, an industrial psychologist at the University of Tennessee.

``I think all the indicators were there,'' said Larry James, also a professor at the school's business school who co-authored the 22-question test.

The test, available for $5 from The Psychological Corp. starting January, is designed to help guard businesses from making hiring choices they may later come to regret.

James and McIntyre, who spent eight years developing the survey, say they tested 2,000 workers at 12 companies nationwide. They found 8 to 12 percent of test takers regardless of race, gender or age scored high on aggression.

Protemp Staffing, a Knoxville company that fills temporary jobs, was so pleased with a trial that it has adopted the test, said Pat Beasley, company president.

``We had a gentleman who scored very high on it recently and we chose not to work him,'' Beasley said. ``But he kept calling back and became very aggressive on the phone.''

The man grew belligerent. ``I have to have a job. You've got to give me a job,'' Beasley said he demanded.

``So, it does help us,'' she said.

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On the Net:

The Psychological Corp.: http://www.psychcorp.com/

Protemp Staffing Services: http://www.protempstaffing.com/