Individual differences in work attitudes

Abstract

Subjects completed a number of self-report questionnaires on both individual differences and work-related attitudes. Clear gender and age differences in work attitudes were observed in the sample of 310 Ss (women were less competitive and less money-oriented in their work than men; older Ss tended to be more interested in money and concerned about savings). Furthermore, personality variables, particularly toughmindedness and neuroticism, appeared to be related to work-related attitudes. These trait-work attitude relationships continued after partialling out the effects of age, sex and social dissimulation. Toughmindedness (psychoticism) was negatively correlated with an array of scales such as work ethic, attitudes to savings, money beliefs, achievement motivation, competitiveness and achievement through conformity. Emotional lability (neuroticism) was significantly negatively correlated with four of the work attitudes scales—mastery, savings and both achievement scales—which is consistent with previous findings. Finally, extraversion was related to mastery. The importance of looking for trait correlates of work-related beliefs and behaviours is discussed.