Individual and Situational Contributions to Work Role Perceptions

摘要

The influence of individual differences and task variables on variance in perceived task attributes was explored in the controlled setting of an assessment center. One-hundred twenty-seven state civil servants who were participants in an assessment center run by the state rated the importance for successful performance of eight task attributes in each of four exercises. The results showed systematic differences in the attributes perceived to be important for success on the task. The differences were a function of the tasks and of the individuals. Further analyses showed that individuals clustered on the basis of the similarity of their task perceptions also performed differently. In addition, the proportion of their performance variance associated with motivation as defined by Expectancy theory also varied according to group membership based upon similar perceptions.