Date of Award
1997
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Speech Communication
First Advisor
James M. Honeycutt
Abstract
This study examined compliance seeking from the perspective of recipients of direct requests with respect to types of responses, goals, liking, and locus of control. A total of 211 employed adults completed a survey that included responses to hypothetical request scenarios involving liked and disliked co-workers, measures of goals factors, and a measure of locus of control. Six types of responses were identified: simple agreement, elaborated agreement, simple refusal, refusal with reasons, request more information, and postpone decision. Participants reported a tendency to agree with requests, regardless of liking. Factor analyses revealed three-factor models for the liked and disliked conditions. Resource goals included items concerning personal resources, such as time, effort, and stress. Identity goals were associated with personal standards and values. Interaction or politeness goals dealt with social appropriateness. Goals did not predict agreement or refusal responses. Internal locus of control was related to resource, identity, and politeness goals. Implications concerning goals, agreement and refusal responses, liking, and locus of control are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Woods, Barbara L., "The Compliance-Seeking Process From the Perspective of the Respondent: The Role of Goals in Responses to Requests." (1997). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 6610.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/6610
ISBN
9780591724301
Pages
152
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.6610