Anxiety as a function of intrinsic-extrinsic job orientation: The presence or absence of observers, and task difficulty

Abstract

Divided 92 intrinsically and 96 extrinsically job-oriented male undergraduates into 4 comparable subgroups. 2 subgroups worked on simple anagrams, 1 alone and 1 observed by 2 individuals of higher status. The other 2 worked on difficult anagrams under the same 2 conditions. Felt anxiety and perception of task difficulty ratings were elicited along with reactions toward the experimental conditions. The intrinsically oriented expressed more uneasiness than the extrinsically oriented while being observed on the difficult anagrams. They also tended to perceive the task as more difficult when observed than when alone, while the opposite was true for the extrinsically oriented. The importance of job orientation in the reaction to the presence or absence of os is discussed. (20 ref.) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)