Applicant Decision Making Lab

Applicant Decision Making Lab Applicant Decision-Making Lab investigates the process trough which an employment relationship begins from the applicants' perspective. Specifically, we examine issues surrounding applicants in job search, employment testing, job offer stages of pre-employment including, but not limited to, their reactions to organizational practices and how they evaluate job offers.

Mission

The mission of Applicant Decision-Making Lab is to research and interpret issues surrounding the process through which individuals look for jobs and evaluate job offers from a psychology perspective. Members of the lab work together as a team, combining their diversified experiences and knowledge, to extend our understanding of business psychology and apply these new insights to the process through which an employment relationship begins. Within the Lab's field of study, the emphasis is on researching various issues relating to job applicants' perspectives and their decision-making process. Our objective is providing companies with a better understanding of their applicants to further their knowledge regarding future candidates.

Past Team Members

2017 - 2018

Connor Treyball, Assistant Director
Daniel Sumner, Lab Member
Elise Haylett, Lab Member
Jarod Fyler, Lab Member
Caitlyn Nearhood, Lab Member

2018 - 2019

Devon Hickman, Assistant Director
Aaron Durand, Team Member
Ashley Williams, Team Member
Erich Iverson, Team Member
Qiqi Wang, Team Member
Zhen Graham, Team Member

Meet past members

Current Team Members

2019 - 2020

Catherine Meyer, Assistant Director
Brianna Crowson, Team Member
Bryce Davis, Team Member
Zhen Graham, Team Member
Ashleigh Knight, Team Member
Jacob Leslie, Team Member
Daniela Miranda-Hernandez, Team Member

Meet the team!

Current Study

Examining the Relationship between Applicant Reactions and Selection Test Performance: Is the Relationship Curvilinear?

In our current study, we are exploring the relationship between applicant selection test anxiety and performance on a selection test. Specifically, we have hypothesized that the relationship between selection test anxiety and selection test performance is curvilinear, such that very low anxiety and very high anxiety during a selection test will lead to poor performance, while moderate levels provide the most optimal performance. We are utilizing a true experimental design, which is rarely used in anxiety research, in order to provide a more robust test of the relationship between selection test anxiety and performance.

Past Research

Job Choice Decision Making Strategies - This study focuses on job choice decision making strategies used by potential applicants. Specifically, in order to understand how job seekers make decisions, we are investigating what cognitive processes and evaluation techniques are used when making an evaluation in a multi-attribute decision situation (such as a job offer). Learn more

Photo Galleries

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Testimonials

"I have been so fortunate to have built cross-functional expertise even beyond my time at ASU. That vast experience would not have been possible without the strong foundation I received through ASU's IOHRM program."

Cynthia Miller ‘01

"What I gained from my time in the App State IOHRM program from 2001-2003 goes beyond the technical curriculum knowledge that I learned; "softer" skills of critical thinking, debate preparation and engagement, leadership, and more have proved just as valuable post-graduation. This comprehensive program has proven to be a lifelong investment as I continually apply lessons and knowledge gained from those fulfilling 3 years."

Nicholas Graham '03

"The masters program in IOHRM at Appalachian State University provided me with both the theoretical foundation and applied experience to excel in my career. Not only did the program prepare me for doctoral studies, it also equipped me to be an effective practitioner upon graduation. The distinct program format provides non-business degree majors with a unique opportunity to bridge the social sciences with business education. I give the IOHRM Program my very highest recommendation for the program – it changed my life!"

William Sparks, Ph.D '96

"What we have on our resume is not specific classes we take, it is the degree we have. Therefore, when applying for an HR position, having the HRM part on the resume will make it more relevant for a person who doesn't know what courses are taken in a given program."

Yalcin Acikgoz ‘13

"The IOHRM program at ASU has exposed me to different ways of thinking and analyzing behavior within the workplace, which has benefited me in becoming well-rounded HR professional."

Carlton Brunson '11

"Appalachian's IOHRM program more than prepared me for my career. The consulting experiences I had with leaders of large organizations, and the knowledge I gained through the rigorous coursework allowed me to enter my position prepared for what I needed to accomplish."

Kristin Berglund '07

"Being part of the IOHRM program at Appalachian State was a remarkable experience. I received terrific guidance and mentoring from my professors in both the psychology and business areas of my coursework. The coursework was challenging but enriching, and I grew in both my appreciation and understanding for the I/O discipline within psychology. All my classes gave me opportunity to 'test' what I was learning, be it in doing deep research or in actually applying my learning real time in local businesses. The thesis and internship process were both enriching in that I was able to see how my training would apply in a real job, and also see if doing academic research would be a career I'd want to pursue. And as I've stayed connected to my peers and the program, I've seen that the alumni network from the IOHRM program is out there doing awesome work. I feel fortunate to say that I was a part of this tremendous program."

Andrew Smith '08

"The IOHRM degree from ASU has been extremely beneficial to my career in human resources. The dual concentration in business and psychology opened doors I didn't realize could be opened in our field. The business classes provided a strong foundation to work as an HR business partner, and the psychology focus has enabled me to provide a perspective that is unique in an organization's corporate structure. The program also facilitated a great opportunity to connect with other students, professors, and colleagues, as well as exposure to several great organizations. Many of the HR Executives that I have had personal interaction with in the Denver area either have an advanced degree in I/O Psychology, or recognize it's worth."

Elizabeth Schmidt '04

"The cross-disciplinary aspect of the program was the primary reason that I looked at attending App for my graduate studies. I absolutely loved my HRM courses and deeply valued each of them."

Kerry Talbert '12

"I am thankful for my time there. The exceptional faculty, environment, curricula, and fellow students of the ASU IOHRM Program prepared me for adding evidence-based value to a variety of talent initiatives. I have yet to experience a day of work that is not positively impacted by the learning and development delivered through the ASU IOHRM Program. As we learn more about the ever-changing workplace of today and prepare for the exciting (and challenging!) future, I remain convinced that committed IOHRM professionals of all disciplines are equipped for delivering significant contributions to the most critical of individual and organizational outcomes."

Ryan Felty '12

"No other Master's program (that I know of) has such a unique composition of curriculum. When I obtain a diploma from ASU's IOHRM program, employers will immediately have a good idea what kind of training I received."

Jason Copeland ‘13

"Being able to integrate my existing business experience into a psychology degree through the dual-teaching of I/O Psych with HRM was the number one reason I elected ASU for furthering my graduate education."

Kate Thompson ‘14

"This unique program prepares you for success in a number of different positions including as a generalist across all the fields of HR and OD or as a specialist. The foundation you receive in measurement and analytics as well as making sound decisions based on the data is applicable to any practitioner regardless of discipline."

Amber (Boyles) Harrison '09

"The HRM component of my degree was extremely important when I entered the job market. The psychology courses I took within the program helped me solidify my research skills and perspectives on human behavior but the HRM courses really got down to what businesses want from HR/IO employees."

Dagmara Pawlowska '11

"ASU’s I/O program provided me with access to peers, teachers and resources from two different colleges. The result was more developmental opportunities and a breadth of perspective that I may have missed had I attended a more traditional I/O program."

Brett Cooksey

"This hybrid I-O program, which seeks to bridge the scientist-practitioner divide, had the perfect appeal to me. Indeed, this was the only such program I applied for, because there were no other I-O programs that excited me like ASU’s."

Ricky Carroll '13

"I am so thankful for my time at Appalachian State, and for the opportunities that the IOHRM program afforded me. The faculty are top notch and treat students as colleagues. Through my coursework, I gained an appreciation for the significance of my profession. The application of this knowledge during my internship and practicum experiences helped to prepare me for my current role and beyond."

Amanda Eberhardt '14

"The coursework and experience with client-facing, applied projects equipped me with a solid foundation for succeeding in a corporate setting."

Danielle Kretschmer '15

"The HRM part of the degree has been critical to my success. It is what got me in the door for several interviews. It is absolutely essential to my current job and career path. Having the HR foundation allows the I/O to have context."

Ariel Grosshuesch ‘10

"It only took seeing the curriculum and meeting the program director for me to know that ASU's IOHRM program would fully prepare me to begin a career with all of the tools I will need to be successful."

Kate Thompson ‘14

"I was among the first graduates in I/O Psychology. The program provided a wonderful blend of Psychology, Business and Human Resources courses. The degree has been helpful in landing career positions and I have used what I learned in every job I have had since I graduated."

Laverne (Hales) Hibbett '84

"The two years I spent in this program led to friendships that will last a lifetime and memories that will never fade. The success I've experienced so far in my career, I owe to the program and the faculty that prepared me for the real world!"

Elma Dostovic '12