,# 2007 University of South Africa
Revised edition 2011
All rights reserved
Printed and published by the
University of South Africa
Muckleneuk, Pretoria
IOP2604/1/2012Ð2018
98765450
Copyright: Ziel C Bergh and Unisa
All rights are reserved. No part or contents of this study guide may be copied or used without the written permission of the author and
Unisa.
Although all precautions have been taken in the preparation of this book, the author and publisher do not assume any responsibility or
liability for errors or omissions or for any damages or loss of profit resulting from the use of this book's contents.
The author has made every effort not to infringe any copyright and to recognise the copyrights of any person or institution if such contents
are used in this study guide. Should any such infringement occur, the author and publisher apologise to the relevant parties and undertake
to amend the omission in the event of a reprint or at any other available opportunity.
Printed and published by the University of South Africa & Ziel C Bergh
Muckleneuk, Pretoria
South Africa
Fourth edition (2011)
, Contents
Preface and orientation xiii
Welcome xii
Purpose of this module xiv
Importance of IOP2604 to your study and other courses xiv
Unisa's outcomes-based learning rationale xvi
Module learning outcomes xviii
How will my learning be evaluated? xviii
The purpose of this study guide xix
Learning content for this module xx
Table 1: Outcomes covered by various study units xx
Learning resources for this module xxii
Tutorial letters xxii
The study guide xxii
Additional sources xxiii
Study guidelines for this module xxiii
Expectations of us, the lecturers and of you, the students xxvi
How and why you will benefit from this module xxvi
Conclusion xxvii
TOPIC 1: THE WORK CONTEXT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL
WELLBEING 1
Introduction and aim 1
Contents of topic 1 2
Learning outcomes for topic 1 2
STUDY UNIT 1: Influence and role of work in employee and
organisational health 3
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Aim of study unit 1 3
1.3 Learning outcomes for study unit 1 4
1.4 Contents of study unit 1 4
1.5 Key concepts and synopsis of study unit 1 5
1.6 Work as a central life interest 7
1.6.1 Work is a central influence on human life and
wellbeing 10
1.6.2 Specific views on work values 13
1.6.2.1 Work values and the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE) 15
1.6.2.2 Other views on work 19
iii
, CONTENTS
1.6.3 Functions and value of work 24
1.6.3.1 Work values and job satisfaction 24
1.6.3.2 Unemployment illustrates the value of work! 27
1.6.3.3 Work affects psychological adjustment and
maladjustment 28
1.7 Changes and discontinuity in the work environ-
ment 30
1.7.1 Multiple factors determine the work context 33
1.7.2 Consequences of discontinuity and changes 34
1.7.3 A redefinition of interactions and careers 36
1.8 The incidence and extent of maladjustment 37
1.8.1 Incidence and cost of employee maladjustment 37
1.8.2 General trends and in industry 37
1.9 The legacy of occupational maladjustment 41
1.10 Conclusion 43
1.11 Review questions and tasks 43
TOPIC 2: MEANINGS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL
ADJUSTMENT AND MALADJUSTMENT 45
Introduction and aim 45
Contents of topic 2 46
Learning outcomes for topic 2 46
STUDY UNIT 2: Theoretical explanations of psychological
adjustment 47
2.1 Introduction 47
2.2 Aims of study unit 2 48
2.3 Learning outcomes for study unit 2 48
2.4 Contents of study unit 2 48
2.5 Key concepts and synopsis of study unit 2 49
2.6 Approaches to the study of psychological
maladjustment 50
2.6.1 Approaches related to the presentation of the
study field 50
2.6.2 Descriptive approaches 51
2.6.3 Contextual explanatory models 53
2.6.3.1 Systems-interaction approach to employee and
organisational health 53
2.6.3.2 Person-environment or organisational fit model 69
2.6.3.3 Sociocultural approaches 74
2.6.4 Classical psychological explanatory approaches 77
2.6.4.1 Medical (biological or organic) model 78
2.6.4.2 Psychoanalytical model 79
2.6.4.3 Behaviouristic model 79
2.6.4.4 Existential/humanistic/phenomenological
approaches 80
2.6.4.5 Developmental model 81
2.6.4.6 Interpersonal, interactional and communication
approaches 82
iv
Revised edition 2011
All rights reserved
Printed and published by the
University of South Africa
Muckleneuk, Pretoria
IOP2604/1/2012Ð2018
98765450
Copyright: Ziel C Bergh and Unisa
All rights are reserved. No part or contents of this study guide may be copied or used without the written permission of the author and
Unisa.
Although all precautions have been taken in the preparation of this book, the author and publisher do not assume any responsibility or
liability for errors or omissions or for any damages or loss of profit resulting from the use of this book's contents.
The author has made every effort not to infringe any copyright and to recognise the copyrights of any person or institution if such contents
are used in this study guide. Should any such infringement occur, the author and publisher apologise to the relevant parties and undertake
to amend the omission in the event of a reprint or at any other available opportunity.
Printed and published by the University of South Africa & Ziel C Bergh
Muckleneuk, Pretoria
South Africa
Fourth edition (2011)
, Contents
Preface and orientation xiii
Welcome xii
Purpose of this module xiv
Importance of IOP2604 to your study and other courses xiv
Unisa's outcomes-based learning rationale xvi
Module learning outcomes xviii
How will my learning be evaluated? xviii
The purpose of this study guide xix
Learning content for this module xx
Table 1: Outcomes covered by various study units xx
Learning resources for this module xxii
Tutorial letters xxii
The study guide xxii
Additional sources xxiii
Study guidelines for this module xxiii
Expectations of us, the lecturers and of you, the students xxvi
How and why you will benefit from this module xxvi
Conclusion xxvii
TOPIC 1: THE WORK CONTEXT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL
WELLBEING 1
Introduction and aim 1
Contents of topic 1 2
Learning outcomes for topic 1 2
STUDY UNIT 1: Influence and role of work in employee and
organisational health 3
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Aim of study unit 1 3
1.3 Learning outcomes for study unit 1 4
1.4 Contents of study unit 1 4
1.5 Key concepts and synopsis of study unit 1 5
1.6 Work as a central life interest 7
1.6.1 Work is a central influence on human life and
wellbeing 10
1.6.2 Specific views on work values 13
1.6.2.1 Work values and the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE) 15
1.6.2.2 Other views on work 19
iii
, CONTENTS
1.6.3 Functions and value of work 24
1.6.3.1 Work values and job satisfaction 24
1.6.3.2 Unemployment illustrates the value of work! 27
1.6.3.3 Work affects psychological adjustment and
maladjustment 28
1.7 Changes and discontinuity in the work environ-
ment 30
1.7.1 Multiple factors determine the work context 33
1.7.2 Consequences of discontinuity and changes 34
1.7.3 A redefinition of interactions and careers 36
1.8 The incidence and extent of maladjustment 37
1.8.1 Incidence and cost of employee maladjustment 37
1.8.2 General trends and in industry 37
1.9 The legacy of occupational maladjustment 41
1.10 Conclusion 43
1.11 Review questions and tasks 43
TOPIC 2: MEANINGS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL
ADJUSTMENT AND MALADJUSTMENT 45
Introduction and aim 45
Contents of topic 2 46
Learning outcomes for topic 2 46
STUDY UNIT 2: Theoretical explanations of psychological
adjustment 47
2.1 Introduction 47
2.2 Aims of study unit 2 48
2.3 Learning outcomes for study unit 2 48
2.4 Contents of study unit 2 48
2.5 Key concepts and synopsis of study unit 2 49
2.6 Approaches to the study of psychological
maladjustment 50
2.6.1 Approaches related to the presentation of the
study field 50
2.6.2 Descriptive approaches 51
2.6.3 Contextual explanatory models 53
2.6.3.1 Systems-interaction approach to employee and
organisational health 53
2.6.3.2 Person-environment or organisational fit model 69
2.6.3.3 Sociocultural approaches 74
2.6.4 Classical psychological explanatory approaches 77
2.6.4.1 Medical (biological or organic) model 78
2.6.4.2 Psychoanalytical model 79
2.6.4.3 Behaviouristic model 79
2.6.4.4 Existential/humanistic/phenomenological
approaches 80
2.6.4.5 Developmental model 81
2.6.4.6 Interpersonal, interactional and communication
approaches 82
iv
