Implicit core self-evaluations and work outcomes: Validating an indirect measure

Core self-evaluations (CSE) represents the fundamental appraisals individuals make about their self-worth and capabilities. Although scholars characterize CSE as evaluations that are both conscious and subconscious, the implicit aspect of CSE has not yet been examined. Drawing on models of dual information processing, we develop and validate an indirect measure (Implicit Association Test) assessing implicit CSE. Therefore, we investigate how explicit, implicit, and acquaintance-rated CSE relate to task performance, organizational citizenship behaviours (OCB), and income. We argue that implicit CSE incrementally predicts these three outcomes beyond explicit and acquaintance-rated CSE. We found that implicit CSE incrementally predicted OCB and income above and beyond explicit CSE. Our effects for implicit CSE held even when controlling for acquaintance ratings of CSE. Also, acquaintance ratings revealed some incremental validity for predicting income and OCB beyond explicit CSE. We discuss implications for CSE measurement and research, and the practical implications of our findings.