Identifier

etd-0711102-205436

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

The conscientiousness and neuroticism dimensions of the Five Factor Model (FFM) have been shown to be predictive of performance (Barrick & Mount, 1991; Paunonen & Ashton, 2001). This research examined three relatively unexplored issues, including (a) the impact of conscientiousness and neuroticism on motivational processes and performance; (b) the criterion-related validity of facet measures of conscientiousness and neuroticism as predictors of motivation and performance; and (c) whether conscientiousness, neuroticism, and their facets impact changes in motivational processes between performance episodes. Undergraduate psychology students (N = 220) completed measures of self-set goals and self-efficacy beliefs on two occasions, prior to the first and second examinations of the Fall semester in 2001. Separate testing sessions were conducted in which the participants completed a personality inventory and a cognitive ability test. Structural equation modeling was used to test all hypotheses. Results indicated that both conscientiousness and neuroticism predicted motivational processes and also accounted for unique variance in performance, with conscientiousness having stronger effects than neuroticism. Additionally, results provided evidence for the usefulness of facet-level operationalizations of personality constructs (e.g., achievement-striving, competence, and anxiety) as predictors of motivation and performance compared with global measures. Finally, changes in self-efficacy beliefs were predicted by conscientiousness-related constructs, but not by neuroticism-related constructs. Personality factors had no impact on goal revision. Implications and recommendations for future research in the personality and motivation domains are discussed.

Date

2002

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

James M. Diefendorff

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.2562

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Psychology Commons

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