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Kohn, Melvin L; Schooler, Carmi Occupational Experience and Psychological Functioning: An Assessment of Reciprocal Effects 1973 Article Psychology of Work, Kohn-Schooler Intellectual Flexibility, Reciprocity, Personality, Identity, Self, Distress, Psychology, Work Complexity
Citation Kohn, Melvin L; Schooler, Carmi 1973 Article Am. Sociol. Rev. Intellectual Flexibility Reciprocity Personality Identity Self Distress Psychology Work Complexity Psychology of Work Kohn-Schooler

"Occupational Experience and Psychological Functioning: An Assessment of Reciprocal Effects"

by Kohn, Melvin L; Schooler, Carmi (1973)

Abstract

[The central issue of this paper is whether men's adult occupational experiences affect or only reflect their psychological functioning. Our analysis isolates a small set of occupational conditions, twelve in all, which defines the structural imperatives of the job. These occupational conditions are found to be substantially related to men's psychological functioning, off as well as on the job. We argue that the relationships between occupational conditions and psychological functioning result from a continuing interplay between job and man, in which the effects of job on man are far from trivial. This argument is borne out by an assessment of the reciprocal effects of the substantive complexity of the work (a critically important occupational condition, for which we have the requisite longitudinal data) and several facets of psychological functioning. Substantive complexity has a decidedly greater impact on psychological functioning than the reverse.]

Keywords

Intellectual Flexibility, Reciprocity, Personality, Identity, Self, Distress, Psychology, Work Complexity

Themes

Psychology of Work, Kohn-Schooler

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