AN ANALYSIS OF ASSERTIVENESS, LOCUS OF CONTROL, AND CAUSAL ATTRIBUTION OF SUCCESS IN PURDUE MANAGEMENT MEN AND WOMEN

ANN SAWYER DICKINSON KNUDSON, Purdue University

Abstract

This exploratory study examined the measured characteristics of assertiveness, locus of control, and causal attribution of success among certain Purdue Management men and women. Assessments were conducted to determine whether Purdue entry level managers differed on the dimensions of performance rating, satisfaction with job, and salary range, and to determine whether management students differed on the dimensions of satisfaction with major. Additional purposes of the study were to determine among students whether significant relationships existed between the measured characteristics of assertiveness, locus of control, causal attribution of success, and the demographic variables of age, gender, grade point index, and satisfaction with major; and among entry level managers whether significant relationships existed between the measured characteristics of assertiveness, locus of control, causal attribution of success, and the demographic variables of age, gender, grade point index, salary range, satisfaction with job and performance rating. The sample consisted of 791 male and female students selected randomly from sophomore, senior, masters students, 1977 graduates from the undergraduate School of Management, and 1976 and 1977 masters graduates. The findings of this study were based on 423 respondents. Men and women did not differ significantly on assertiveness or on locus of control but there was a training effect. More experienced managers reported significantly more assertive responses and more experienced managers believed that they had more control over events affecting them. During undergraduate years, women became significantly less likely to believe that locus of control resided within themselves and men became more likely to believe that locus of control resided within themselves. Women were significantly more likely than men to claim ability rather than luck or effort as responsible for a personal occupational success. Men and women did not differ significantly in their performance ratings, but masters graduates received higher performance ratings from their supervisors than did graduates from the undergraduate School of Management. There was no difference between Purdue entry level women's and men's satisfaction with job. But masters women graduates were more satisfied with their jobs than women graduates from the undergraduate School of Management, and masters men graduates were less satisfied with their jobs than men graduates from the undergraduate School of Management. With regard to salary range, masters men graduates earned more than masters women graduates. There was no significant effect on satisfaction with major for gender, level of management training, or for the interaction. Certain traits clustered together representing a skills cluster associated with an effective managerial style. It incorporated those students and entry level managers who performed well academically, were satisfied with their major or job, viewed themselves as acting assertively over a broad range of situations with a variety of people, responded assertively to the business situation, believed that a personal occupational success was due to ability rather than to luck or effort, believed that they had control over events that shaped their lives, did not believe that powerful others or chance forces exerted much influence over their lives. With entry level managers, these behaviors correlated with higher performance ratings and higher salaries. Based on these findings, recommendations were made to examine further gender differences in assertiveness, locus of control, and causal attribution of success, to explore assertive behavior in higher level managers, to include men as well as women in assertive training programs, and to make educators and students aware of the concept of locus of control and the possibilities of increasing one's power to control events that shape one's life.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Academic guidance counseling

COinS