Expectations, Job Perceptions and Disconfirmation Among Air Force Academy Graduates,

Abstract

This study examined the expectations of Air Force Academy cadets, their later job perceptions as officers, and the discrepancy between these expectations and perceptions (disconfirmation). Using Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model as a conceptual base, this research examined expectations about five job characteristics (autonomy, feedback, skill variety, task significance, and task identity). Subjects were 110 male and female 1980 graduates of the Air Force Academy (the first class that graduated women). Data on expectations were collected before the subject's graduation from the Academy: two years later, job perceptions were assessed by means of mailed questionnaires. Results showed that job perceptions differed from expectations only with respect to autonomy--which was higher than expected. Since previous research suggests that males and females--and those in flying versus support positions--may differ in their expectations and job perceptions, these sub-groups were also examined. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADP003259

Entities

People

  • S. C. Conley

Organizations

  • United States Air Force Academy

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Autonomy
  • Colorado
  • Department Of Defense
  • Feedback
  • Identities
  • Perception
  • Psychology
  • Questionnaires
  • United States Air Force Academy

Fields of Study

  • Education
  • Psychology

Readers

  • Organizational Psychology.