Chicago Selection Research: The Selection Process and the Selector

Selection is a process involving selectors as well as selectees. It is a constantly operative activity occurring at various micro-and macro-psycho-social levels. It is predicated on the aim of what is desired, the ability to distinguish between what is offered, and the prediction that what is finally chosen will fulfill the future needs, wishes, expectations, and hopes of the selectors. What are the factors that go into the selection of a candidate for psychoanalytic training? To know what is required so as to be able to look for it is not a simple task: one must carefully itemize the attributes, characteristics, or properties of the sought-for objective Once this has been accomplished, the selector must have an opportunity to directly assess the potential selectee. This involves not only perception, but also the recognition and awareness of what is observed as it relates to the initial criteria for selection and the realization that what may be present can potentially develop and change under certain circumstances so as to meet more satisfactorily the essential professional prerequisites. How clearly the selector has the essential requirements in mind, how skillfully he can pick up clues and cues and integrate them with memories of past successes and failures, and how carefully he can objectively evaluate his subjective responses to the prospective selectee and the selection situation will determine the validity of the choice. The degree of certainty of choice and the confidence with which the selector