Cross-level moderating effects of Conscientiousness on within-person relationships of self-efficacy to effort allocation. Issue 5 (19th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Shuhua; Chen, Huaizhong; Song, Zhaoli
• Is Part Of: Human performance. Volume 29:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 447
• Page End: 459
• Publication Date: 2016-10-19
• Subjects: Performance -- Periodicals; Psychology, Industrial -- Periodicals; 158.7
• DOI: 10.1080/08959285.2016.1245733
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9285

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Studies examining within-person level self-efficacy effects on effort allocation have produced mixed results, ranging from positive, to null, to negative. Drawing on individual differences literature, we propose that the within-person relationship between self-efficacy and effort allocation depends on Conscientiousness, a personality trait reflecting the will to achieve and capacity to self-discipline. Individuals with higher levels of Conscientiousness will respond to lower self-efficacy with increased effort, resulting in an inverse relationship between self-efficacy and effort expenditure. In contrast, individuals with lower levels of Conscientiousness will need higher self-efficacy to stay task focused and sustain effort allocation, leading to a positive effect of self-efficacy on effort expenditure. Findings from a 3-week daily diary study generally support the hypothesized moderating effects of Conscientiousness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.