How do behavioral and social-cognitive theories

Work satisfaction is not just a matter of finding a job that “fits” your personality or your abilities, as vocational interest tests often lead you to think. It is also a matter of finding a job in which the conditions of work foster the kinds of personality traits you would like to have. Although personality traits will affect how you do your job, your job also affects your personality.

Here are some suggestions when considering the best job for you:

1. Do not judge a job only by the paycheck. Money is great, but if it is the only yardstick of success, your motivation is likely to wane along with your performance.

2. Identify the intrinsic rewards of the work. As noted in the text, people are more creative and productive when their rewards are intrinsic. Examples of intrinsic rewards are a sense of accomplishment, intellectual fulfillment, the satisfaction of curiosity, and the sheer love of the activity. Here are three key questions to help you identify those all-important intrinsic rewards:

Will I have some degree of independence? People tend to be most creative when (1) they have control over how to perform a task or solve a problem, (2) they are evaluated unobtrusively, (3) they work alone, and (4) they are allowed to take risks by supervisors or colleagues who welcome innovative ideas.

Are the requirements demanding without being impossible for me? The pleasure of competence and actual achievement are highest when the difficulty of a task is not too easy and not too hard. Mastering an easy task offers no challenge, and the satisfaction of mastering a task that is too difficult is lessened by the extraordinary effort and time required to complete the task.

Will there be an opportunity to contribute to others? Compared to those who are self-involved, people who are involved with others cope better with life’s problems, have higher self-esteem, and are less likely to become overwhelmed with anxiety, depression, or hostility.

3. Consider the extrinsic rewards of the work. Although you will no doubt enjoy some aspects of a job, you can expect some aspects to be boring, tedious, or difficult. Work cannot be fun all the time, and in those moments, extrinsic rewards—pay, awards, etc.—can be very helpful. Extrinsic rewards are especially effective when they are tied to competence and not to the mere performance of a task. The best arrangement for both employees and employers is a secure base pay with merit pay for exemplary work.

How do behavioral and social-cognitive theories explain your work and achievement motivation?

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