Positive affectivity as a moderator of the objective-task characteristics/perceived-task characteristics relationship

Data from a randomized experimental study were used to examine whether the dispositions of negative affectivity (NA) and positive affectivity (PA) moderated the relationships between task enrichment, task perceptions (job scope), and task satisfaction. Participants performed tasks that were low, moderate, or high in terms of enrichment. Results of regression analyses show that the task-enrichment manipulations explained a greater proportion of variance in job scope and task satisfaction than did the dispositions. Furthermore, PA, but not NA, moderated the relationship between task enrichment and job scope: Consistent with previous theory and research, our findings suggest that dispositions may play a role in individuals\u27 perceptions of situational characteristics, but only when such characteristics. are ambiguous