Date of Award
Spring 5-14-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (PhD)
Department
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
First Advisor/Committee Member
Joey A. Collins, Psy.D.
Second Advisor/Committee Member
Kevin Mullaney, Ph.D.
Third Advisor/Committee Member
Mark A. North, Ph.D.
Keywords
Transtheoretical Model, Dispositional States, Performance Trajectories, Growth Mixture Modeling, Self-Concept Clarity, Feedback Orientation, Goal Orientation
Abstract
Organizations that operate under fixed-entry systems—where the option to replace personnel is limited—must rely heavily on internal development to enable upward mobility. While prior research has examined individual trait predictors of longitudinal performance, less is known about how malleable psychological states jointly shape performance trajectories over time. Drawing on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) as a framework for developmental change, this longitudinal study investigated how three modifiable states—self-concept clarity, feedback orientation, and goal orientation—interacted to influence continuous improvement across multiple developmental cycles. Using a cohort of college students at a U.S. military academy observed over three and a half years, the study examined how these states align with TTM processes and stages to support sustained performance growth. By integrating constructs traditionally studied in isolation and situating them within a cyclical model of change, this research advances understanding of how developmental states function together to shape long-term trajectories. The findings aim to inform theory by extending the TTM into the domain of positive performance development and to inform practice by identifying combinations of states that may be most responsive to targeted developmental interventions. Such insights may help fixed-entry organizations design more effective strategies for helping their people grow and develop to fill and excel at the most challenging roles.
Recommended Citation
Kakiel, Aaron V., "A Continuous Improvement State of Mind: An Exploration of the Roles of Individual Mindsets in Generating Positive Performance Trajectories" (2026). Industrial-Organizational Psychology Dissertations. 62.
https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/iop_etd/62