| Abstract: | Tested expectancy-valence models of work motivation which postulate an interactive relationship between valence of outcomes and performance-outcome instrumentality. Ss were 60 college-age respondents to an ad for part-time clerical work. Valence of job outcomes was set at 2 levels (high and low) by establishing 2 different pay rates; performance-outcome instrumentality was determined by paying wages hourly (low instrumentality) or by the piece (high instrumentality). It was hypothesized that these variables would combine interactively to affect task performance and effort. While main effects for both performance-outcome instrumentality and valence of job outcomes were observed, the predicted interaction did not appear. Results suggest that the typical conceptualization of valence as the importance an individual attaches to an outcome may be inappropriate. (19 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
