College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

Summer 8-17-2012

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Douglas F. Cellar, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Alice Stuhlmacher, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Jane Halpert, Ph.D.

Abstract

Goal orientation and work avoidance dimensions and profiles were studied in relationship to performance, satisfaction, self-efficacy, commitment and tenure. It was found that dimensions were the only significant predictors of satisfaction and self-efficacy. Still, there was evidence that the profiles were related to outcomes and, specifically, profiles were a stronger predictor of tenure. In addition, the dimension of work avoidance appears to provide additional information to the emerging profile types. These results provide important evidence of the emerging common goal orientation profile types. These groups were found to have different outcomes, most notably in performance and tenure. This research provides evidence that there is value in examining goal orientation dimensions, adding in the work avoidance construct, and predicting various outcomes.

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