Definition:  Autobiographical information typically gathered on school and work application forms.

           Description.  Biodata refers to data applicants to school and work settings must provide as part of the application form.  Biodata requests the applicant to describe their age, marital status, past accomplishments (e.g., how much did applicants earn at their last job), and current activities (e.g., how leisure time is spent).  Studies indicate that biodata can predict length of tenure on the job, success in training, and supervisor ratings.  Biodata are often used with employment interviews and cognitive ability tests for employment decisions.

Mael and Ashforth (1995) investigated the extent to which biodata predicted attrition in Army recruits.  They found four important biodata factors in a study of 2,535 recruits:  (a) activities with outdoor work, (b) a dependable, nondelinquent lifestyle, (c) preference for group attachments, and (d) involvement in intellectual activities.  They found that biodata predicted attrition 6 to 24 months after recruits began work in the Army.

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