What rule does the Civil Rights Act of 1964 impose regarding personality tests?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 addresses employment discrimination and emphasizes that selection procedures, including personality tests, must not disproportionately affect any particular demographic group based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

The correct answer refers specifically to the "80 percent rule," often known as the four-fifths rule. According to this guideline, if the selection rate for a protected group is less than 80 percent of the rate for the group with the highest selection rate, it may be considered evidence of adverse impact. This rule is significant because it helps employers assess whether their testing or selection methods may be discriminatory and encourages them to ensure that such assessments are fair and equitable.

Understanding this rule is crucial for compliance with the Civil Rights Act, as it provides a benchmark for evaluating whether testing practices are having a negative impact on minority groups in the hiring process. This ensures that personality tests and other assessments are administered and interpreted in a way that promotes equal opportunity.