Psy 101

PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF JOBS

PSY 101

Dr. Ginny Estupinian

20111209

PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF JOBS

The Job Characteristics Model (JCM) (e.g., Hackman and Oldham, 1976) is a widely studied model of motivational job design that has explained important work outcomes for workers in a wide variety of blue and white-collar jobs. The Job Characteristics Model is openly accepted as a theoretical tool for tackling complications related to employee demotivation, dissatisfaction and poor performance. Jobs have five characteristics; skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy and feedback.

Skill variety refers to the different skills needed to complete the daily tasks. A person that is motivated by challenging situations is more likely to be motivated by a job that requires them to master many skills. Task identity refers to the identification of task, its variations and processes involved in it. Task significance refers to the impact of the task on the individual; it gives the employee a sense of accomplishment to know his or her contributions and the importance of the same to the organization. Autonomy refers to the lead way that the employee possesses in order to accomplish his or her tasks, the ability to determine how a task is accomplished. Feedback refers to the communication given by their boss letting the employee know how well he or she is performing his/her tasks.

After taking the Job Characteristics Model JCM, and calculate the Motivating Potential Score for my job. I concluded that when it comes to my particular job. It is impossible to determine the motivation potential, as the characteristics of the job are constantly changing. As a Sergeant in the United States Army my job description does not necessarily list all my responsibilities. Because I am responsible for multiple Soldiers and their working conditions the challenges are many. Due to the multiple tasks that are currently...