Performance Equals Ability and What.
Abstract
Results of several research studies designed to evaluate different theories of work motivation are presented. Graen (1967) hired high school girls to do a clerical task and showed that ability measures accounted for far more performance variance than motivational variables such as Expectancy and Instrumentality. Similar results were obtained in investigations by Arvey (1970) and Loehr (1970). In the most comprehensive investigation, Pritchard, Dunnette, and Jorgenson (1972) confirmed deductions from both Equity theory and Expectancy theory, but their results also showed that different conditions of work incentive may facilitate or disrupt the expression of ability differences in work performance. It is argued from results of these several studies that simpler measures rather than more complicated ones need to be investigated as psychologists continue to try to account for the non-ability part of human work performance. Less should be said about 'motivation' per se and more done to learn about the dimensional makeup of the WHAT term in the equation: performance equals ability and what. (Author Modified Abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0757079
Entities
People
- Marvin D. Dunnette
Organizations
- University of Minnesota