UNIT 1:
THE MEANING OF WORK
BY DR DM MOKGOJWA
Chapter 0ne
THE POWERPOINTS IS ONLY KEY POINTS,
YOU NEED TO READ YOUR STUDY GUIDE
AND TEXTBOOK THOROUGHLY.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Know and understand the theoretical substructure and nature of
career psychology.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the various concepts as
applicable to career psychology.
INTRODUCTION
Meaning of work = significance of work in people’s lives
A means to sustain life
Different Meanings:
-
Make a living
-
Being Occupied
-
Developing and Utilising Skills
-
Fulfilling needs
-
Embracing a life-style
-
Fulfilling a life purpose
MEANING ASSOCIATED WITH WORK P. 5h
workEvolution of meaning
associated with work p. 5F
MEANING ASSOCIATED WITH WORK P. 5
Pre-Industrial
Work as instrumental to spiritual or
religious end
Industrial Era
Mechanistic, mass productions lead to
decline in will to work
Post-Industrial Era
Information technology and
globalisation lead to multi-cultural
viewpoints about meaning of world
21st century
Boundaryless, service-driven,
technology-intense work environments
WORK AS A CENTRAL LIFE INTEREST
This is the degree of importance that working has in the life of the
individuals
It refers to the value outcomes e.g. Rewards
WORK VALUES P. 6
 Values influencing the meaning of work
Workplace
Spirituality
Advancement
Autonomy
WORK
VALUES
Social values
Economic /material
rewards
ADVANCEMENT
ADVANCEMENT
 Power
The ability that a person has to influence the behaviour of other
people
it is acquired in organizations by being able to provide resources
which create dependency
Dominant groups transmit values and goals by means of power
ADVANCEMENT
Status
Categorized by people according to work-related factors
Work determines the status of a person
AUTONOMY
AUTONOMY
The degree of freedom that an individual has to organize their work
and life
SELF- ACTUALIZATION
SELF- ACTUALIZATION
Process of inner- directedness
Enriching oneself by psychological growth
Independence
Complexity
Appreciation
Openness to experience e.g. personal growth and complexity
Contributes to identity
Competency
Leisure
ECONOMIC OR MATERIAL REWARDS
ECONOMIC OR MATERIAL REWARDS
The need for job security, good salary and good working conditions
Based on self- concept on material outcomes
Reasons why people work hard despite living in affluent times:
•Working to have things
•Working to not be left behind
•Working to confirm self-worth
•Working to use technology
SOCIAL VALUES
SOCIAL VALUES
This is when an individual has a sense of belonging in society and workfamily enrichment
Sense of belonging in society is when a person provides social identity
and being useful in society
Work- family enrichment is the extent that a person experience a role
in improving the lives of others
WORKPLACE SPIRITUALITY
WORKPLACE SPIRITUALITY
It is the recognition that workers have on inner life
It is the meaning that an individual has on who they are and what they
are contributing to the organization
It is about seeking and living one’s life, finding purpose and working
on one’s career path
HOMEWORK
In your opinion, what are you expecting to find in the workplace, How
will you ensure your happiness in the organization?
This is a reflection and you do not have to submit. We will briefly
discuss this in our class session at the end of the study unit.