Ability refers to an individual’s capacity to perform the various tasks in a job. it is current assessment of what one can do. An Individual's overall abilities are essentially made up of two sets of factors : Intellectual and physical.
Intellectual Ability are those needed to perform mental activities--for thinking, reasoning and problem solving.
Dimensions of Intellectual Ability :
- Number aptitude : Ability to do speedy and accurate arithmetic. Job example : Accountant, computing the sales tax on a set of items.
- Verbal comprehension : Ability to understand what is read or heard and the relationship of words to each other. Job example : Plant Manager, following corporate policies on hiring.
- Perceptual speed : Ability to identifiy visual similarities and differences quickly and accurately. Job example : Fire Investigator, indentify clues to support a charge of arson
- Inductive reasoning : Ability to identify logical sequence in a problem and then solve problem. Job example : Market researcher, Forecasting demand for a product in the next time period.
- Deductive reasoning : Ability to use logic and assess the implications of an argument. Job example : Supervisor , choosing between two suggestions offered by employees.
- Spatial visualization : Ability to image how an object would look if its position in space were changed. Job example : Interior decorator, redecorating an office.
- Memory : Ability to retain and recall past experience. Job example : Salesperson, Remembering the names of customers.
(Robbins, 2007)
