"The Moderating Role of Personality in the Relationship Between Cogniti" by Sarah Jacobsen

Graduation Term

Spring 2025

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Department of Psychology

Committee Chair

Dan Ispas

Committee Co-Chair

Alexandra Ilie

Abstract

Counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs) are negative behaviors that detract from an organization’s goals and cause harm to the organization and to those involved. The current study investigated cognitive ability and personality as predictors of CWB and explored a moderating role of personality on the cognitive ability-CWB relationship. The results found no significant relationships for cognitive ability and personality with self-reported CWBs. Additionally, personality did not moderate the cognitive ability-CWB relationship. An exploratory analysis revealed significant relationships between personality and supervisor-rated CWBs, but no significant relationship for cognitive ability nor significant cognitive ability-personality interactions were found. The current study challenged previous research and theory, highlighting issues within the antecedents of CWB engagement and within the measurement of CWB. The discussion provides new direction for CWB research, including re-examining the theoretical framework of the predictors of CWBs, adding situation to the CWB model, and ways to improve CWB measurement and validity.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

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