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PYC 4810 – Psychology of Work
Define the concept of Job Satisfaction and discuss the dispositional model of job satisfaction. Also,
explain the consequence of job dissatisfaction and ways to promote job satisfaction.
Define the concept of Job Satisfaction
One of the most widely studied topic with regards to workplace attitudes, is that of job satisfaction;
which refers to positive or negative attitudes held by an individual towards their job. A study
conducted in 2009 which evaluated the job satisfaction of thousands of American workers, found that
less than half of the respondents reported that they were satisfied with their job, and this number has
only decreased in recent years. This dissatisfaction can be attributed to several factors;
1. People’s expectations have risen over the years which has made it increasingly difficult for
companies to give employees what they want.
2. The nature of jobs is changing and often people find that jobs have become highly
specialised and narrow, and that they don’t find it especially gratifying.
Jobs that are least satisfying tend to be the ones that are low-level and require the
most rudimentary skills, while the most satisfying jobs tend to be more creatively
fulfilling and allow workers to have a greater sense of accomplishment because of
these complexities.
Discuss the dispositional model of job satisfaction
The Dispositional Model proposes that job satisfaction is a relatively stable disposition of an
individual’s characteristics that stay with them through different situations; people who like the job
they are doing at one time, also tend to like the job they may be doing at another time, even if the
jobs are different.
Various longitude research conducted over a period of as long as 10 years have found that people are
consistent in liking or disliking their jobs, even though they have had several positions during that
time. Furthermore, research indicates that people who are cheerful and positive most of the time tend
to display higher job satisfaction than those who tend to be “down” and gloomy. The Dispositional
model therefore postulates that Job Satisfaction is influenced by an individual’s disposition and
personality traits and research has also shown that genetic factors play a role in JS. In other words,
some people have an inherent tendency to be positive and satisfied, while others tend to be
dissatisfied.
Studies of identical twins has strengthened this genetic hypothesis since findings indicated that
identical twins, who have the same genetic makeup, expressed similar levels of job satisfaction than
did fraternal twins or unrelated persons. It therefore stands to reason that genetic factors influence
job satisfaction. However, these effects are indirect and research suggests that genetics influence
certain aspects of someone’s personality. For example, high or low levels of neuroticism, and positive
or negative affectivity, and that these, in turn play a role in job satisfaction.
PYC 4810 – Psychology of Work
Define the concept of Job Satisfaction and discuss the dispositional model of job satisfaction. Also,
explain the consequence of job dissatisfaction and ways to promote job satisfaction.
Define the concept of Job Satisfaction
One of the most widely studied topic with regards to workplace attitudes, is that of job satisfaction;
which refers to positive or negative attitudes held by an individual towards their job. A study
conducted in 2009 which evaluated the job satisfaction of thousands of American workers, found that
less than half of the respondents reported that they were satisfied with their job, and this number has
only decreased in recent years. This dissatisfaction can be attributed to several factors;
1. People’s expectations have risen over the years which has made it increasingly difficult for
companies to give employees what they want.
2. The nature of jobs is changing and often people find that jobs have become highly
specialised and narrow, and that they don’t find it especially gratifying.
Jobs that are least satisfying tend to be the ones that are low-level and require the
most rudimentary skills, while the most satisfying jobs tend to be more creatively
fulfilling and allow workers to have a greater sense of accomplishment because of
these complexities.
Discuss the dispositional model of job satisfaction
The Dispositional Model proposes that job satisfaction is a relatively stable disposition of an
individual’s characteristics that stay with them through different situations; people who like the job
they are doing at one time, also tend to like the job they may be doing at another time, even if the
jobs are different.
Various longitude research conducted over a period of as long as 10 years have found that people are
consistent in liking or disliking their jobs, even though they have had several positions during that
time. Furthermore, research indicates that people who are cheerful and positive most of the time tend
to display higher job satisfaction than those who tend to be “down” and gloomy. The Dispositional
model therefore postulates that Job Satisfaction is influenced by an individual’s disposition and
personality traits and research has also shown that genetic factors play a role in JS. In other words,
some people have an inherent tendency to be positive and satisfied, while others tend to be
dissatisfied.
Studies of identical twins has strengthened this genetic hypothesis since findings indicated that
identical twins, who have the same genetic makeup, expressed similar levels of job satisfaction than
did fraternal twins or unrelated persons. It therefore stands to reason that genetic factors influence
job satisfaction. However, these effects are indirect and research suggests that genetics influence
certain aspects of someone’s personality. For example, high or low levels of neuroticism, and positive
or negative affectivity, and that these, in turn play a role in job satisfaction.
