Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
Published on: April 18, 2017
Relationship of core self-evaluations to goal setting, motivation, and performance
1Department of Management, Warrington College of Business Administration, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, USA. ereza@ufl.edu
Abstract:
A newly developed personality taxonomy suggests that self-esteem, locus of control, generalized self-efficacy, and neuroticism form a broad personality trait termed core self-evaluations. The authors hypothesized that this broad trait is related to motivation and performance. To test this hypothesis, 3 studies were conducted. Study 1 showed that the 4 dispositions loaded on 1 higher order factor. Study 2 demonstrated that the higher order trait was related to task motivation and performance in a laboratory setting. Study 3 showed that the core trait was related to task activity, productivity as measured by sales volume, and the rated performance of insurance agents. Results also revealed that the core self-evaluations trait was related to goal-setting behavior. In addition, when the 4 core traits were investigated as 1 nomological network, they proved to be more consistent predictors of job behaviors than when used in isolation.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Self-Concept
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
Social Foundations of Self III: Self-Evaluation
Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
Sources of Self-Esteem II: Performance Feedback
Self-Efficacy
