Hamill, Katie (2022) Job Seeking Behaviour: Exploring the Role of Agreeableness and Cognitive Flexibility. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Rising job instability, competitiveness in the job market, and challenges with finding employment, have highlighted the importance for individuals to engage in adaptable, effective job search behaviour. Individuals who have a high self-belief in their job search abilities, known as job search self-efficacy (JSSE), have an increased chance of obtaining employment. Personality traits and cognitive abilities are significant influences on an individual’s self-belief. Cognitive flexibility is thought to be important for adapting and navigating the changed employment landscape, however not explored in the research with job search. Personality has been shown to predict JSSE, however little research has explored the compliant and friendly nature of this trait. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationships between JSSE, agreeableness, and cognitive flexibility, utilising the social cognitive career theory. A convenience sample of 91 Australian adults completed a 20-minute online-survey. Measurements included a demographic questionnaire, The Big Five Inventory-2-Extra-Short Form, the JSSE scale, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task. Findings indicated a small significant positive relationship between agreeableness and cognitive inflexibility, r(89) = .25, however no significant relationships were established with JSSE. The findings suggest agreeableness and cognitive flexibility are unrelated to JSSE, however further research is required given the limitations of the online data collection and the limited research to date. The findings contribute to a gap in the research on job search behaviour and contribute to current career literature that may aid in future vocational counselling.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Gavin Beccaria |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 30 May 2025 01:37 |
| Last Modified: | 30 May 2025 01:37 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | agreeableness; cognitive flexibility; job search self-efficacy; social cognitive career theory |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52377 |
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