Confirmatory analytic tests of three causal models relating job perceptions to job satisfaction.

Three alternative models of causal relations between job perceptions and job satisfaction were tested using confirmatory analytic techniques. The three causal models are: (a) a postcognitive-nonrecursive model in which job satisfaction occurs after job perceptions in the causal order, and job perceptions and job satisfaction are reciprocally related; (b) a precognitive-recursive model in which job perception occur after job satisfaction in the causal order and are effects but not causes of job satisfaction; and (c) a precognitive-nonrecursive model in which job satisfaction occurs prior to job perceptions, and job satisfaction and job perceptions are reciprocally related. Results of confirmatory analyses indicated disconfirmation of all but the postcognitive-nonrecursive model. (Author)