Interaction effects of personality and situational strength on goal-setting

Chaoming Liu, Purdue University

Abstract

Three studies were designed to examine the interaction effects of personality and situational strength on goal setting variables. Each study examined different dependent variables (i.e., self-reported effort levels and whether people set goals in Study One, self-set goal levels in Study Two, and goal persistence in Study Three). Situational strength was manipulated by modeling films. Results indicated a mixed set of findings. On the negative side, no effects were found for Type A propensity or for predictions of effort and whether people set goals. On the positive side, consistent interaction effects were found in prediction of goal levels. The positive findings are consistent with Mischel's (1973) theoretical proposition, which states that personality effects are stronger in weak situations, but weaker in strong situations. These findings also have two methodological implications: (1) situational strength can be successfully manipulated with fewer (or even one) situational characteristics, and (2) inhibition of a particular response is also an effective way to manipulate a strong situation. To explain the negative findings, the author discussed two major design problems in Study One and the low predictive power of Type A propensity. The author also discussed artificial effects of the situation manipulations and limitations of the present research, and suggested directions of future research. Finally, the author discussed implication to I/O research and organizational practice.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Weiss, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Occupational psychology

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