The honeymoon effect in job performance: Temporal increases in the predictive power of achievement motivation

Abstract

Examined correlations between a job performance criterion and personality measures reflecting achievement motivation and an interpersonal orientation at 3 points in time after 268 airline reservation agents completed job training. Ss completed subscales from the Work and Family Orientation Questionnaire and from an extended version of the Personal Attributes Questionnaire. The performance criterion consisted of having Ss verify the availability of seats and enter passenger information. Although correlations between the personality predictors and performance were small and nonsignificant for the 3-mo period after beginning the job, by the end of 6 and 8 mo a number of significant relationships had emerged: Work orientation scores had the strongest positive correlation during the 2nd and 3rd periods, whereas Mastery scores showed a significant negative correlation. The variables reflecting interpersonal orientation also showed logical relationships with performance during the latter 2 periods, with Expressivity scores demonstrating a significant positive correlation and Verbal Aggressiveness and Submissiveness scores yielding significant negative correlations. These significant correlations were found after the "honeymoon" period with the work had ended. Implications for the utility of personality measures in selection and performance prediction are discussed. (19 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)