Curiosity Adapted the Cat: The Role of Trait Curiosity in Newcomer Adaptation

Using longitudinal data from 123 newcomers across 12 telemarketing organizations, we examined the role of 2 forms of trait curiosity (specific and diversive) as antecedents of proximal adaptation behaviors (information seeking and positive framing) and more distal, in-role and extra-role behaviors (...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied psychology 2011-01, Vol.96 (1), p.211-220
Main Authors: Harrison, Spencer H, Sluss, David M, Ashforth, Blake E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
Adaptation, Psychological
Adjustment
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Correlation analysis
Curiosity
Employee attitude
Employee Performance Appraisal
Employees
Employment
Employment - psychology
Exploratory Behavior
Female
Framing
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Humans
Individual differences
Information
Information Seeking
Information Seeking Behavior
Job performance
Male
Marketing - manpower
Motivation. Job satisfaction. Attitude
Newcomers
Occupational psychology
Organizational Behavior
Organizational behaviour
Personality
Personality traits
Personnel
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Socialization
Studies
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Summary:Using longitudinal data from 123 newcomers across 12 telemarketing organizations, we examined the role of 2 forms of trait curiosity (specific and diversive) as antecedents of proximal adaptation behaviors (information seeking and positive framing) and more distal, in-role and extra-role behaviors (job performance and taking charge). Results suggest that specific curiosity predicts information seeking behaviors, whereas diversive curiosity promotes positive framing. Results also support the relationship between positive framing and performance and the extra-role behavior of taking charge. Overall, the study validates the role of curiosity as a multifaceted individual difference that serves as an antecedent to newcomer adaptation.
ISSN:0021-9010
1939-1854
DOI:10.1037/a0021647