PERSONAL CONTROL - EFFECTS OF REWARD CONTINGENCY AND LOCUS OF CONTROL

Numerous factors influence employees' perceptions of control. The pres ent study simultaneously considered the effects of reward contingency and locus of control on personal control. Results indicated that the i nteraction of the two variables significantly predicted individuals' d esired control. When rewards were contingent on performance, internals desired more control over the procedures and types of the tasks than externals. On the other hand, externals desired more control over the type of tasks than internals in the noncontingent reward condition. Su bjects who perceived they possessed more control over the procedures a nd types of tasks were also found to perform better. implications of t he findings for organizational interventions are discussed.