Managers' perception of the stability of workers' positive and negative behaviors

Abstract

91 Israeli managers (25–45 yrs old) in industry, in civil service, and in the military sectors rated the stability of characteristic positive and negative worker behaviors. Rating questionnaires included 106 specific behavioral items, selected from evaluation forms used by Israeli organizations. Repeated positive behaviors were judged to be more stable than repeated negative ones, even when the two were simply opposites of the same act. Findings are discussed in light of (1) the suggestion that managers' perceptions are rooted in a valid perception of organizational reality, (2) F. Heider's (1958) naive action model, and (3) M. E. Gordon's (see PA, Vol 44:21682 and 47:11885) differential accuracy phenomenon. (14 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)