The attribution of motives to organizational citizenship behaviors : the influence of personality, gender and ethnicity

A major area of research in the realm of Industrial/Organizational Psychology is the exploration of specific job performance behaviors such as organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). However, there is a dearth of research examining how peers react to OCBs and the performers of such behaviors. Bolino noted that determining how people attribute motives to these OCBs is an important yet unanswered question in industrial/organizational psychology. The present study attempted to provide insight on what observer (or rater) traits affect the motives attributed to organizational citizenship behaviors. In particular, the effects of personality traits such as the Big Five personality factors, self-monitoring, individualism-collectivism, negative affectivity and identity factors such as cultural mistrust, ethnic orientation, and perceived similarity were examined. A within-subjects survey design was used to collect data on six hypothetical organizational citizenship behaviors from a sample of 369 participants. The gender and ethnicity of the individuals performing the hypothetical organizational citizenship behaviors were manipulated (i.e., male or female; African-American, Hispanic, or White). Results indicated that both similarity (t(368)=5.13; p .01) and personality factors (R2 =.06 for genuine motives and R2 = .05 for self-serving motives) had an effect on which motive (genuine or self-serving) was attributed to organizational citizenship behaviors. Support was found for an interaction between similarity and the observer's personality trait of conscientiousness when attributing genuine motives to organizational citizenship behaviors. Finally, specific organizational citizenship behaviors such as altruism were linked to genuine motives while OCBs like conscientiousness, sportsmanship, and civic virtue were associated with self-serving motives.

Lincoln Institute Board of Curators Meeting Minutes, 1921 to 1923

Board of Curators Meeting Minutes for Lincoln Institute (later Lincoln University) from August 4, 1921 to August 10, 1923.

Lincoln Institute Board of Curators Meeting Minutes, 1913 to May 1921

Board of Curators Meeting Minutes for Lincoln Institute (later Lincoln University) from 1913 to May, 1921.

Lincoln Institute Board of Curators Meeting Minutes, 1910 to 1912

Board of Curators Meeting Minutes for Lincoln Institute (later Lincoln University) from January 24, 1910 to December 30, 1912.

Lincoln Institute Board of Curators Meeting Minutes, 1907-1909

Board of Curators Meeting Minutes for Lincoln Institute (later Lincoln University) from April 22, 1907 to December 20, 1909.

Lincoln Institute Board of Curators Meeting Minutes, 1903 to 1906

Board of Curators Meeting Minutes for Lincoln Institute (later Lincoln University) from June 13, 1903 to December 20, 1906.

Flo Kennedy at NOW conference, Atlantic City

General note: Title and date provided by Bettye Lane.

Union meeting

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Fencing at the Colgate Women's Sports Exhibition

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Margaret Sloan, co-founder of National Black Feminist Organization

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Women of the year award recipients, from left to right: Cicely Tyson, Pearl Bailey, and Maya Angelou

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Child at Women's March to Battery Park

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Union meeting at Cornell University

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"Sexism in the Schools" conference at P.S. 41 about the changing roles of women in Africa and America

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Author Michele Wallace

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