Contingency model of leadership effectiveness: Some experimental results

Abstract

Conducted 2 parallel experiments with 78 and 96 undergraduates to replicate and further study the contingency model of leadership effectiveness proposed by F. Fiedler. Ss were assigned to 3-man groups and completed a high and a low structured task after selecting a leader. Ss completed a measure of leadership style, the Least Preferred Co-worker (LPC) scale, a group atmosphere scale, and a leader behavior scale. None of the observed correlations for either study reached significance, and in Exp. II, only 2 of the 7 correlations were in the hypothesized direction. Results along with those of other studies are discussed as casting doubt on the plausibility of the contingency model. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)