Psychology in the Work Context

Fourth Edition

Zeil C. Bergh and Antoinette L. Theron

Psychology in the Work Context 4e is a thorough introductory text for students of industrial and organisational (I–O) psychology. The book provides a comprehensive conceptual framework for understanding work behaviour and relationships at work. It makes use of work-related examples and applications pertinent to the South African context and culture-specific issues are discussed where relevant. The fourth edition of Psychology in the Work Context has been streamlined while referring to current thinking in and about psychology and industrial psychology.

Psychology in the Work Context

Fourth Edition

Zeil C. Bergh and Antoinette L. Theron

Description

Psychology in the Work Context 4e is a thorough introductory text for students of industrial and organisational (I–O) psychology. The book provides a comprehensive conceptual framework for understanding work behaviour and relationships at work. It makes use of work-related examples and applications pertinent to the South African context and culture-specific issues are discussed where relevant. The fourth edition of Psychology in the Work Context has been streamlined while referring to current thinking in and about psychology and industrial psychology.

Features and benefits:

The book maintains a balance between the discipline of psychology and the work context as serves the needs of first-year I-O Psychology and HR students. This means that the reader does not simply study HR processes but is equipped with a theoretical framework from which to analyse issues in the work place.

There are extensive work-related examples (such as the 'neurotic imposter phenomenon') many of which deal with issues pertinent to SA (such as learning-potential testing). This lays the foundations for students to use I-O psychology in their careers.

Cultural issues are discussed (such as culture-bound syndromes in psychopathology). This develops career-facing students, equipped to work with diversity in a multicultural workforce. Different types of information boxes break the text into manageable sections and guide students in applying their minds to the concepts discussed.

There are also different types of assessment activities, including case studies, questions for discussion and practice, and multiple choice questions, which enhance the reader's understanding of concepts and applications in the work context, and also personalise the learning context.

The book contains a glossary of updated key concepts in English and Afrikaans-- this acts as a quick reference to students to check that they have worked through all the concepts covered in the textbook.

Psychology in the Work Context

Fourth Edition

Zeil C. Bergh and Antoinette L. Theron

Preface
Orientation
Guidelines for using this book
Acknowledgements
PART I: Schools of thought and organisational psychology
Chapter 1 Theoretical perspectives in psychology
Chapter 2 Fields of study and practice areas in industrial and organisational psychology
PART II: Individual behavioural processes
Chapter 3 The biological basis of behaviour
Chapter 4 Human development across the life span
Chapter 5 Learning
Chapter 6 Perception
Chapter 7 Cognition
Chapter 8 Motivation and emotion
PART III: Social behaviour and processes
Chapter 9 Attitudes and values
Chapter 10 Prosocial behaviours, aggression and conflict
Chapter 11 Group behaviour and other social processes in organisations
Chapter 12 Leadership and entrepreneurial behaviour
PART IV: Personality in the work context
Chapter 13: The nature of personality and fundamental assumptions in personality study
Chapter 14 Personality in unconscious processes
Chapter 15 Personality by learning
Chapter 16 Personality recognised in traits
Chapter 17 Personality through self-experience
Chapter 18 Personality through cognitive constructions
PART V: Employee and organisational well-being
Chapter 19: Psychological well-being
Chapter 20 Psychological disorders and work-adjustment problems
PART VI Psychological methodologies
Chapter 21: Assessment of personality and individual differences
Chapter 22: Research and other methods in psychology
Bibliography
Glossary (English/Afrikaans)
Index (English)

Psychology in the Work Context

Fourth Edition

Zeil C. Bergh and Antoinette L. Theron

Author Information

Ziel C. Bergh is a registered psychologist with extensive practical experience and publications as well as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, UNISA.

Antoinette L. Theron was Professor in the same department. She is engaged in academic writing and has done research in the field of psychology.