PREDICTIVE-VALIDITY OF SITUATIONAL CONSTRAINTS IN GENERAL VERSUS SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE DOMAINS

The stability, predictive validity, and construct validity of constrai nts were investigated in 3 studies. College students' situational cons traint scores pertaining to a more specific performance domain (specif ic classes) better predicted a similarly specific criterion measure (c lass grade) relative to constraint scores pertaining to an aggregate p erformance domain (all classes) and correlated with a global criterion measure (semester grade point average or GPA). In 2 other studies, it was found that self-reported constraints were independent of attribut ional style. Finally, data from a 3rd study indicated that goal diffic ulty mediated the constraint-performance relationship. These data sugg est that the criterion-related validity of self-report measures of con straints might be attenuated when accounting for global success criter ia relative to more specific component success criteria; constraints m ay be less prone to cognitive-style correlates than heretofore assumed ; and the constraint-performance relationship may be mediated by more proximal motivational constructs such as aspiration level.