PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTACHMENT - RELATIONSHIPS WITH JOB CHARACTERISTICS, ATTITUDES, AND PREFERENCES FOR NEWCOMER DEVELOPMENT

The present study extends the research on organizational commitment by examining (a) the dimensionality of O'Reilly and Chatman's (1986) psy chological attachment instrument, (b) the relationships between psycho logical attachment and correlates of traditional organizational commit ment measures, and (c) the relationships between psychological attachm ent and preferences regarding the early developmental experiences of n ewly hired, ''high-potential'' employees. Psychological attachment is demonstrated to be a multidimensional construct that is reasonably wel l-assessed with O'Reilly and Chatman's instrument. The dimensions of p sychological attachment are found to relate in predictable ways to job characteristics, attitudes, and preferences for changes in an entry-l evel development program. Implications for management scholars and pra ctitioners are discussed.