Re-examining the positive conscientiousness-performance relationship: The role of neuroticism and stress

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Dunn, A. (2014). Re-examining the positive conscientiousness-performance relationship: The role of neuroticism and stress. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

This study adds to the growing body of research on the interactive effects of personality traits. The researcher hypothesized that the relationship between conscientiousness and task performance would be weaker for individuals high in neuroticism. Consistent with trait activation theory, the achievement-oriented, anxiety-provoking condition contained task-relevant cues that enhanced stress to ensure that conscientiousness and neuroticism were activated. The three-way interaction between conscientiousness, neuroticism, and condition (achievement-oriented, anxiety-provoking versus achievement-oriented situation) was examined. The researcher hypothesized that the relationship between conscientiousness and task performance would be lowest when highly neurotic individuals were in an achievement-oriented, anxiety-provoking situation. Although the interaction was in the hypothesized direction, the results did not statistically support this hypothesis. However, the three-way interaction between conscientiousness, neuroticism, and the amount of perceived stress supported the hypothesis. Results from this interaction showed that performance was lowest when the individual was high on both conscientiousness and neuroticism and self-reported that they perceived stressed during the experiment. This study supports the idea of expanding personality research to consider the implications of trait interactions and provides evidence supporting trait activation theory. It was unique in using an experimental design to manipulate task-relevant cues to activate conscientiousness and neuroticism.

Details
Author

Dunn, Alexandra

Title

Re-examining the positive conscientiousness-performance relationship: The role of neuroticism and stress

Physical Description

1 online resource (86 pages) : PDF

Date

2014

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

This study adds to the growing body of research on the interactive effects of personality traits. The researcher hypothesized that the relationship between conscientiousness and task performance would be weaker for individuals high in neuroticism. Consistent with trait activation theory, the achievement-oriented, anxiety-provoking condition contained task-relevant cues that enhanced stress to ensure that conscientiousness and neuroticism were activated. The three-way interaction between conscientiousness, neuroticism, and condition (achievement-oriented, anxiety-provoking versus achievement-oriented situation) was examined. The researcher hypothesized that the relationship between conscientiousness and task performance would be lowest when highly neurotic individuals were in an achievement-oriented, anxiety-provoking situation. Although the interaction was in the hypothesized direction, the results did not statistically support this hypothesis. However, the three-way interaction between conscientiousness, neuroticism, and the amount of perceived stress supported the hypothesis. Results from this interaction showed that performance was lowest when the individual was high on both conscientiousness and neuroticism and self-reported that they perceived stressed during the experiment. This study supports the idea of expanding personality research to consider the implications of trait interactions and provides evidence supporting trait activation theory. It was unique in using an experimental design to manipulate task-relevant cues to activate conscientiousness and neuroticism.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Organizational behavior
Psychology
Personality

Degree

M.A.

Keywords

Conscientiousness
Neuroticism
Personality Trait Activation
Personality Trait Interaction
Stress

Subject Area

Psychology Industrial/Organizational

Advisor(s)

Shanock, Linda

Committee Members

Heggestad, Eric
Walker, Lisa

Degree Note

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2014.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Dunn_uncc_0694N_10653

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:850