IOP2604_Comprehensive Notes.

LEARNING UNIT 1 Explain Psychological adjustment and Maladjustment: Psychological adjustment: - Psychological adjustment is one part of well-being. - In general, psychological adjustment or normality refers to: 1. Thinking 2. Emotions 3. Behaviours The abovementioned indicate that people cope adequately with tasks and demands in various life roles and manage situations where they can be expected to manage, in certain circumstances and at certain stages of life. Psychological Maladjustment: - Maladjustment or abnormality refers to impairments in: 1. Thinking 2. Emotions 3. Perceptions 4. Social & physical behaviours The above render people unable to function effectively in tasks or situations they can be expected to cope with, in certain circumstances at certain stages of life and in various life roles. - Maladjusted behaviours are mostly recognised by their intensity and frequency and the detrimental effects they have for the person or other people in various life roles, such as private relationships at work. - Many are able at times or in certain circumstances (e.g. medication) to function adequately, at work maybe, and to maintain relationships with others. The definition and importance of well-being Definition of well-being: - Well-being implies a proactive stance towards achieving optimal: 1. Physical 2. Mental 3. And emotional well-being The importance of well-being: - Due to world-wide recessions, there are fewer people doing, more work, feeling more insecure and being managed more harshly in most work places. - Managers are becoming less positive about their organisations and they often feel that their organisations do not care about their well-being. Illness levels have increased, but managers are less inclined to take time off from their work. The types of illness that are increasing most, such as feeling unable to cope, avoiding people and having difficulty in making decisions, tend to undermine managerial effectiveness. These changes affect people’s wellbeing in organisations. Discuss the meaning of employment and unemployment - The meaning of work can be best understood by considering the serious consequences for the individual when a long or meaningful interaction and involvement with work or a work situation is severed. - Unemployment affects an individual’s sense of self, sense of worth and sense of belonging. It produces high levels of stress, which can be difficult to regulate if the individual experiences a loss of control over their ability to create a meaningful life and provide for their families. - The impact on an individual’s psychological well-being can be devastating and can lead to psychological disorders such as: 1. Depression 2. Anxiety 3. Drug and substance abuse Advantages work holds for employees: 1. It is a context from which one draws social support and community feelings. 2. It is a source of material rewards necessary for satisfying physical and social needs. 3. It may provide a sense of mastery or self-efficiency. 4. It is a way of making life predictable. 5. It may provide a sense of self-worth through occupational prestige and fulfilment of a culturally valued “breadwinner” role. 6. It is a source of social identity, a sense of belonging in the social structure. 7. It imparts more meaning to a person's life activities’ 8. It contributes to the development of problem solving abilities and general coping powers that increase the ability to adjust successfully to the environment and to life's demands. Disadvantages/Negative influences that may contribute to psychological maladjustment: 1. Unfavourable working circumstances may overwhelm a person, thereby undermining his or her sense of mastery and self-worth 2. The work may be demeaning if, for example, the person under achieves or lacks training or competencies, thereby undermining his or her sense of self-worth and development. 3. Overloading may prevent people from completing tasks and from developing problem solving abilities and coping powers. 4. Demanding obedience to unfair authority and amorality (e.g. dishonesty in business) may undermine a person's sense of authority and identity. 5. Exhausting work may leave people with little energy to pursue psychological rewards after work.