Level of Satisfaction and Commitment to a Decisional Choice as Mediated by Locus of Control

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between an increase in decisional choices and an individual's subsequent level of satisfaction and commitment with their choice. An individual's locus of control was also investigated as a mediating variable between decisional choice and satisfaction. Participants read a brief biographical scenario which described an individual's attempt to get accepted into graduate school. The scenario portrayed the individual getting accepted into either one, three, or five graduate programs from a list of ten. Participants were required to complete two measures of satisfaction (Job in General scale & Kunin's Faces Scale) and one measure of commitment (Organizational Commitment Questionnaire) to indicate their perceptions of the scenario outcome. Rotter's Locus of Control scale was also administered. It was hypothesized that there would be an interaction between locus of control and degree of decisional choice. It was also hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between degree of choice and level of commitment. Lastly, it was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between level of satisfaction and level of commitment to a decisional choice. Results of the present study failed to support hypothesis one. Internals were more satisfied with an increase in choice as predicted. But, externals were also more satisfied with an increase in decisional choice. Results provide support for hypotheses two. Individuals reported that they would be more committed to a decisional choice if it was selected from a greater number of alternatives. Results also provided support for hypothesis three. It was found that there was a significant relationship between an individual's level of satisfaction and commitment with choice. Exploratory post hoc analysis revealed a small, but significant effect for locus of control. These latter results suggest a small effect where internals and externals react differently to an increase in choice with regard to their level of satisfaction and commitment. Suggested areas for future research to further investigate these results are encouraged and outlined.