Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Date of Award

Spring 3-29-2021

Document Type

Honors Paper

Degree Name

Psychology-BS

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Dr. Michele Acker

First Committee Member

Dr. Michele Acker

Second Committee Member

Dr. Cynthia Laurie-Rose

Third Committee Member

Dr. Louise Captein

Keywords

Feedback, Input, Appraisals, Goal-Setting, Satisfaction, Motivation

Subject Categories

Higher Education | Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Psychology

Abstract

In this study, I examine the effects of feedback and input on job satisfaction and motivation in a simulated online task. 106 Participants completed a puzzle in groups of 2-4 with feedback (positive/negative/none) and goal-setting (present/absent) manipulated. I predicted positive feedback would produce higher scores for satisfaction, and motivation, and lower scores for perceived workload. Similarly, I predicted that goal-setting would produce higher scores on selected scales for satisfaction, motivation, and perceived workload. These predictions were partially correct with positive feedback producing significantly higher satisfaction than negative feedback, a similar but non-significant trend for motivation, and significantly lower perceived workload than negative feedback. Regarding goal setting, participants experienced higher workload as predicted, but the satisfaction and motivation’s data were opposite to those predictions, as not setting goals produced significantly higher satisfaction and marginally higher motivation. Overall, the data for satisfaction and perceived workload partially supported my hypotheses, which indicates feedback affects online employees and is valuable for the virtual and in-person workplace.

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