Extraversion, locus of control, and individual differences in conditionability in organizations.

Abstract

This study dealt with the issue of whether there are identifiable personality dimensions which moderate the impact of operant conditioning methods on the shaping of organizational behavior and performance. Specifically, Eysenck's hypothesis that Introverts condition more easily than Extraverts was tested by using a specific organizational molar response contingency. Rotter's Locus of Control measure―which reflects a person's stable, general belief system concerning how decisive his own behavior is in determining his outcomes―was also tested for its power to predict conditionability. Students in two sections of a graduate business school course were given bonus additions to examination averages for performance on random short quizzes testing preparation on daily reading assignments (there was no penalty for poor performance on these quizzes). As predicted, Introversion and Internal Locus of Control correlated positively with bonus points earned, with Introversion being the better predictor in each section....