Taking Advice for Vocational Decisions: Regulatory Fit Effects

Kang Tinghu,Xi Peiling,Pang Qian,Wang Li

doi:10.1017/prp.2017.12

Kang Tinghu, Xi Peiling + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1017/prp.2017.12

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Abstract

This study examined whether taking advice is influenced by regulatory fit and whether this effect is reduced or disappears within certain attribution conditions during vocational decision making. Experiment 1 created a vocational decision setting to compare differences in decision makers’ weight of advice (WOA) between ‘eager strategy’ and ‘vigilant strategy’ advice conditions. Results showed no significant main effect of regulatory orientation or advice strategy, but there was a significant interaction. The WOA value, with fit between regulatory focus and advice strategy, was higher than with a fit violation. Experiment 2 examined whether the regulatory fit effect is reduced or disappears within attribution conditions during vocational decision making. Results showed job seekers more easily take others’ advice under the fit condition, and a significant interaction existed between regulatory fit and attribution. Thus, attribution could reduce the influence of the regulatory fit effect. Implications for vocational consultants, job seekers, and advisors are also discussed.

Highlights

This study examined whether taking advice is influenced by regulatory fit and whether this effect is reduced or disappears within certain attribution conditions during vocational decision making
A simple main effects analysis suggested that the weight of advice (WOA) was higher when using an eager as opposed to a vigilant strategy within the prevention orientation condition, F(1, 49) = 5.679, p < .05, η2 = 0.104
Mean WOA for the eager strategy was lower than the vigilant strategy within the prevention orientation condition, F(1, 49) = 4.126, p < .05, η2 = 0.078

Summary

Introduction

This study examined whether taking advice is influenced by regulatory fit and whether this effect is reduced or disappears within certain attribution conditions during vocational decision making. Experiment 2 examined whether the regulatory fit effect is reduced or disappears within attribution conditions during vocational decision making. Others’ advice is an important information source when facing a vocational decision. In the practice of career guidance, we found that job seekers may have expectations of choice during the vocational decision-making process before they consult the advice from others. Affective states can produce regulatory fit or conflict when receiving advice that promotes either standard orientation conditions or prevention orientation conditions, because job seekers with different target orientations for vocational choice may have different attitudes toward others’ advice. Experiment 1 will explore this assumption under the conditions that advice strategy is manipulated effectually

Methods

Results

Conclusion