AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF DESCRIPTIVE VERSUS PRESCRIPTIVE TASK PREVIEWS ON THE ADAPTATION AND PERFORMANCE OF WORKERS
Abstract
Previous research examining the use of Realistic Job Previews (RJPs) was reviewed chronologically. This review revealed a lack of systematic research on important issues of application such as method and timing of RJP presentation and source of RJP information. In examining proposed theoretical explanations for RJPs, the type of information included in the preview emerged as a particularly relevant question which previously had not been directly considered. A new look at an early study and some related areas of research pointed to the use of prescriptive information, aimed at helping workers adapt to the job, instead of the usual descriptive preview material. Based on the descriptive/prescriptive distinction, a composite RJP model and specific research hypotheses were formulated; predictions were made for the superiority of prescriptive over descriptive information on a variety of job criteria including affective reactions, actual performance, and turnover. As a preliminary effort in examining the distinctions between the two types of information, a laboratory experiment with a simplified work task was employed. In pilot work, 108 introductory psychology students performed the task and provided input for the descriptive and prescriptive previews. In the main experiment, the presence of each type of preview information was manipulated orthogonally in a 2 x 2 factorial design; 132 students worked on the task and responded to other criterion measures after being in one of the four preview conditions. Analysis of the data revealed the expected facilitating effects before task experience but only sparse and weak effects on criteria after task experience. Descriptive information proved to be more effective than prescriptive as evidenced by analysis of variance and correlational results. Although the traditional met expectations hypothesis was not supported by the data, task expectations played a role in transmitting the effects of a descriptive preview. The results of the study were discussed in terms of their implications for application of RJPs and further research on the topic.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Occupational psychology
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.