The Trouble With Assumptions: A Reply to Jago and Ragan

Jago and Ragan (1986) conducted a computer simulation to model the assignment of leaders to the zones of situational control in the LEADER MATCH training program ( Fiedler & Chemers, 1984 ; Fiedler, Chemers, & Mahar, 1976 ). They found that in many cases, the zone of control to which a leader was assigned was different in the LEADER MATCH case than it would be using the dichotomization method of assignment used in Fiedler's (1967) early exposition of the model. The computer simulation was guided by a large number of incorrect assumptions, both theoretical and operational, that greatly reduce the meaningfulness of Jago and Ragan's findings.