Identifier

etd-01262004-172257

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between motivational traits and counterproductive work behaviors. Little evidence exists supporting a link between individual differences and counterproductive work behaviors in previous literature. This study tested for a link between individual differences in motivation and workplace deviance by using broad operationalizations of both constructs. In addition, the investigation controlled for the effects of situational factors on counterproductive work behaviors providing a stronger test of the role of dispositional motivation. In general, this study set out to show that both approach and avoidance motivation tendencies are related to counterproductive work behaviors, as well as organizational citizenship behaviors and task performance. The results confirmed this notion in that although Achievement Approach Motivation was negatively related to counterproductive work behaviors, General Approach Motivation and Avoidance Motivation were both positively related to the deviant behaviors. In addition, while only the approach traits (mostly the “achievement” traits) showed consistent relationships with the more traditional work behaviors, both approach and avoidance traits were linked to counterproductive behaviors to some degree.

Date

2004

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

James Diefendorff

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.2974

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Psychology Commons

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