The effects of implicit theories of leadership ability and superleadership on follower motivation and performance attributions.
Item
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Title
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The effects of implicit theories of leadership ability and superleadership on follower motivation and performance attributions.
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Identifier
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AAI9720139
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identifier
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9720139
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Creator
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Schwager, Elisa Hillary.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Edwin P. Hollander
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Date
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1997
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Industrial | Psychology, Social | Psychology, Personality
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Abstract
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A contemporary social-cognitive model of motivation and personality, the Implicit Theories Model, was examined for its generalizability to the leadership domain. In the model, individual differences in cognition-affect-behavior patterns stem from domain-specific assumptions about the malleability of attributes, referred to as entity (i.e., static views) and incremental (i.e., malleable views) implicit theories. These assumptions influence goal orientation, attributions about oneself and others, and behavior.;In the present study, implicit theories of leadership ability held by a sample of 200 cadets (175 male, 23 female, & 2 unidentified) attending the U.S. Military Academy were investigated along with self-efficacy and the qualities of "Superleadership" displayed by their superiors (n = 15). Superleadership is a self-management approach that supplies followers with cognitive and behavioral strategies to overcome obstacles. These variables were examined in relation to a learning versus performance goal orientation and attributions for leadership performance.;It was predicted that cadets' implicit theories would be aligned with particular goals, i.e., an entity theory with performance goals and an incremental theory with learning goals. However, proponents of both theoretical orientations were undifferentiated regarding the two types of goals. In addition, self-efficacy played an important role in goal orientation independently of theory. Additional research directions are proposed to study these contradictory findings. A lack of Superleadership was not found to result in a performance goal orientation. Also, contrary to expectations, some Superleadership scales showed a relationship, suggesting that leadership behavior may be subject to differing subordinate interpretations.;Hypotheses regarding attributions could not be tested as planned because the two hypothesized scales, i.e., dispositional and non-dispositional, were highly unreliable. Therefore, the exhibited patterns for successful and unsuccessful performance were explored. In general, the results were not consistent with prior attribution research.;Finally, implicit theories of superiors were examined in conjunction with their views of cadet leadership ability as predictors of Superleadership. Although it was hypothesized that perceived ability would be positively related to Superleadership, it was expected to be a more important predictor for entity theorists than incrementalists. Contrariwise, entity theorists displayed more Superleadership behavior overall. This relationship, considering the small sample size, may be due to a belief by these entity leaders that all cadets have leadership ability. These results pose questions regarding the conditions under which an entity theory is associated with effective leadership behavior.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
