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Accession Number:
ADA564311
Title:
Dissecting Situational Strength: Theoretical Analysis and Empirical Tests
Descriptive Note:
Final rept. Aug 2009-Aug 2010
Corporate Author:
GEORGE MASON UNIV FAIRFAX VA
Report Date:
2012-09-01
Pagination or Media Count:
68.0
Abstract:
It has been argued that the most important characteristic of situations is their strength--and that dispositional forces predict behavior in weak, but not strong, situations. Until recently, however, there was little consensus regarding how to measure this construct. As a consequence, several behavioral predictions are less accurate than they could be. The current research presents a theoretically unified conceptualization of this construct consisting of the four facets of clarity, consistency, constraints, and consequences, provides tests of its primary postulates, and assesses the effects of misfit between preferred and perceived levels of strength on the job. We found that situational strength influenced the impact of personality conscientiousness and agreeableness on citizenship and counterproductive deviant behavior at work. We also found that the deleterious impact of misfit between preferred and perceived levels of situational strength was worse for certain types of misfit than for others. We suggest fruitful avenues for future research as well as practical implications. Because recent changes in the Armys nature and structure have weakened the situations Soldiers commonly experience, the current research has considerable implications for Army research in Soldier selection, classification, and retention. Overall, the current research sheds considerable light on the phenomenon of situational strength.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
