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Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
Published on: September 11, 2021
Get smarty pants: cognitive ability, personality, and victimization.
1Department of Human Resources and Industrial Relations, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. kimx0897@umn.edu
Individuals with higher cognitive ability may face increased workplace victimization. Personality traits like agency and communion can moderate this risk, influencing the relationship between intelligence and workplace victim experiences.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The victim precipitation model suggests certain individual characteristics may increase vulnerability to victimization.
- Understanding the interplay between cognitive ability, personality, and workplace victimization is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically investigate the relationship between cognitive ability and workplace victimization.
- To examine the direct and moderating effects of agency and communion personality traits on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- The study employed empirical methods to analyze the link between cognitive ability and victimization.
- Personality traits (agency and communion) were assessed to understand their moderating influence.
Main Results:
- A direct positive relationship was found between higher cognitive ability and increased workplace victimization.
- Agency personality traits were found to strengthen the cognitive ability-victimization link.
- Communion personality traits were found to weaken the cognitive ability-victimization link.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive ability is a risk factor for workplace victimization.
- Personality traits significantly moderate the impact of cognitive ability on victimization.
- Interventions should consider both cognitive ability and personality when addressing workplace victimization.
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