Predictive Validity of Situational Constraints in General Versus Specific Performance Domains.

The stability, predictive validity, and construct validity of constraints were investigated in 3 studies. College students' situational constraint scores pertaining to a more specific performance domain (specific classes) better predicted a similarly specific criterion measure (class grade) relative to constraint scores pertaining to an aggregate performance domain (all classes) and correlated with a global criterion measure (semester grade point average or GPA). In 2 other studies, it was found that self-reported constraints were independent of attributional style. Finally, data from a 3rd study indicated that goal difficulty mediated the constraint-performance relationship. These data suggest that the criterion-related validity of self-report measures of constraints might be attenuated when accounting for global success criteria relative to more specific component success criteria; constraints may be less prone to cognitive-style correlates than heretofore assumed; and the constraint-performance relationship may be mediated by more proximal motivational constructs such as aspiration level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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