Document Type
Thesis
Publication Date
2000
Disciplines
Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Advisor
Steve Stelzner, Psychology
Abstract
The effects of task interdependence (competition, cooperation, and individualism) on job satisfaction and performance were investigated. Students from two Catholic, liberal arts colleges completed a creative thinking task in one of four conditions: group competition, cooperation, individual competition, and individual. Rather than supporting the hypotheses, the results indicated that students in the competitive conditions had superior performance to students in non-competitive conditions, and job satisfaction was generally unaffected by the condition students participated in. Trait competitiveness of the participants was also measured in order to determine whether it had a relationship with performance and job satisfaction. A strong relationship between trait competitiveness and performance/job satisfaction was not shown, indicating that the levels of competitiveness of the participants did not affect the results. Several potential explanations, such as validity of the job satisfaction scale, the type of task used, and the testing environment were discussed as elements to consider for further research.
Copyright Statement
Available by permission of the author. Reproduction or retransmission of this material in any form is prohibited without expressed written permission of the author.
Recommended Citation
Steinbach Welters, Erin Marie, "Competitive, Cooperative, and Individualistic Group Environments: Effects on Job Satisfaction and Performance" (2000). Honors Theses, 1963-2015. 685.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/honors_theses/685