Field Independence, Achievement Values and the Evaluation of a Competency Related Dimension on the Least Preferred Co-Worker (LPC) Measure

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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate personality correlates of Fiedler's Least Preferred Co-worker Scale (LPC), which has been found to be predictive of leadership effectiveness. The independent variables were several measures of psychological differentiation (field dependence-independence) and a measure of achievement versus affiliation orientation. The dependent variables were the LPC total score and several subscales derived from principal components analysis. As predicted, the results showed that for a sample of 55 male undergraduates those Ss who evaluated their least preferred co-worker relatively unfavorably on the Competence subscale of the LPC were field independent, masculine (the moderator variable), and achievement- rather than socio-emotionally oriented. As predicted, no relationships appeared for measures of field independence and the socio-emotional subscales of the LPC. The authors discuss the significance of the measures of field independence for leadership research.