International comparison of group differences in general mental ability for immigrants versus non‐immigrants

Abstract

Globalization has led to increased migration and labor mobility over the past several decades and immigrants generally seek jobs in their new countries. Tests of general mental ability (GMA) are common in personnel selection systems throughout the world. Unfortunately, GMA test scores often display differences between majority groups and ethnic subgroups that may represent a barrier to employment for immigrants. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in GMA based on immigrant status in 29 countries (or jurisdictions of countries) throughout the world using an existing database that employs high‐quality measurement and sampling methodologies with large sample sizes. The primary findings were that across countries, non‐immigrants (n = 139,464) scored approximately half of a standard deviation (d = .53) higher than first‐generation immigrants (n = 22,162) but only one‐tenth of a standard deviation (d = .12) higher than second‐generation immigrants (n = 6,428). Considerable variability in effect sizes was found across countries as Nordic European and Germanic European countries evidenced the highest non‐immigrant/first‐generation immigrant mean differences and Anglo countries the smallest. Countries with the lowest income inequality tended to evidence the highest differences in GMA between non‐immigrants and first‐generation immigrants. Implications for GMA testing as a potential barrier to immigrant employment success and the field's current understanding of group differences in GMA test scores will be discussed.

Understanding subgroup differences with general mental ability tests in employment selection: Exploring socio‐cultural factors across inter‐generational groups

“…The higher GMA test scores for second‐generation immigrants over first generation (Robie et al, ) suggests that there is something about living in the country that is relevant beyond education and language skills. On average, wages improve for second‐generation immigrants as compared to their parents (Borjas, , p. 116; Monitor, ).…”

“…These variables fit within the ecological and socio‐political contexts described by Berry () to explain cognitive abilities cross‐culturally. These models apply equally well to understanding higher GMA test scores for non‐immigrants (i.e., individuals and their parents born within the country of testing) over immigrants with the difference being smaller for second‐generation immigrants (Robie et al, ).…”

“…Although there is a considerable amount of research on immigrant and non‐immigrant children’s academic performance (see Martin, Liem, Mok, & Xu, ) and IQ (see Rinderman and Thompson, ), there are only a few studies focusing on GMA test scores between immigrant and non‐immigrant adults or job applicants. Using the Survey of Adult Skills (OECD, ) and very large sample sizes, Robie et al () compared non‐immigrant test scores with those of first‐ and second‐generation immigrants across 29 destination countries. Although non‐immigrants ( n = 139,464) scored quite a bit higher ( d = 0.53) than first‐generation immigrants ( n = 22,162) this gap was reduced considerably for second‐generation applicants ( d = 0.12, n = 6,428).…”

“…In summary, the research on immigrant performance in school as well as on tests of GMA suggests that immigration status (non‐immigrant, first‐ or second‐generation and parents’ birth country), years of education (total and in Canada), and test language fluency should all be related to GMA test scores. Based on the research on immigrant test score differences (de Meijer et al, ; Robie et al, ; te Nijenhuis & van der Flier, ; te Nijenhuis et al, ), the following hypothesis is offered:

H2a: First‐generation immigrant applicants will score significantly lower than non‐immigrant applicants on the GMA test. H2b: First‐generation immigrant applicants will score significantly lower than second‐generation applicants on the GMA test.

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“…Therefore, although immigration is not limited to any type of racial or ethnic group, 70% of recent immigrants were from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania, and the Caribbean (United Nations, ) that have large percentages of visible minorities. By integrating the research on immigrants with that on adverse impact (i.e., language fluency: de Meijer et al, ; generational status: Aydemir & Sweetman, ; Robie et al, ; te Nijenhuis & van der Flier, ; and education: Neisser et al, ; Strenze, ), the following hypothesis is proposed:

H4: Racial/ethnic differences in GMA test scores will be reduced after controlling for age and gender, years of education (total and years in Canada), English language fluency (self‐reported measure and English use at home), and generational status (parents’ birth location, first‐ and second‐generational status, and number of years resident in Canada).

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