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Development in the Workplace

• Edited by Jack Demick, Patrice M. Miller

• Price: $69.95
• Binding: Hardback
• Pages: 264
• Published by: Psychology Press (formerly published by Lawrence Erlbaum Associates)
• Publication Date: 1st November 1992
• ISBN: 978-0-8058-1191-9

About the Book

Originally presented at the Sixth Adult Development Symposium, the papers in this volume examine possible relationships between the fields of organizational and (adult) developmental psychology with particular emphasis given to the grand developmental theories of Lawrence Kohlberg, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, Heinz Werner, and their descendants. On the most general level, the papers on development in the workplace are organized on the basis of the authors' chosen units of analysis -- the individual, the dyad and group, and the organizational culture.

The editors conclude by uncovering similarities and differences among the contributors' theoretical approaches to development in the workplace and their own. From a recent extension of Werner's organismic-developmental theory, they focus their suggestions for future research on such issues as:

* unit of analysis

* the holistic and systemic nature of human behavior and experience

* broader conceptualizations of the person, of the environment, and of development

* the need for methodological eclecticism

* the complimentarity of basic and applied research.

Through this lens, they shed light on underlying reasons why the majority of authors have focused on the individual worker as a unit of analysis and then propose that future researchers more broadly define the basic concept of development in the workplace.

Table of Contents

Contents: Preface. J. Demick, P.M. Miller, Introduction. Part I: Development of the Individual in the Workplace. M.E. Miller, A.N. West, Influences of World View on Personality, Epistemology, and Choice of Profession. C. Armon, Developmental Conceptions of Good Work: A Longitudinal Study. D. Rulon, Significance of Job Complexity in Workers' Moral Development. D. Cleave-Hogg, L. Muzzin, Developmental Levels of Entering Medical and Pharmacy Students: Considerations for Admissions Selection Policies and Curriculum Change. R. Weathersby, Sri Lankan Managers' Leadership Conceptualizations as a Function of Ego Development. C. Goldberg, Issues of Maturation in the Seasoned Psychotherapist. L. Mangione, Life Themes Manifest Through Artistic Creativity. P.D. Bachiochi, Effects of Work and Leisure-Role Salience on Career Development. Part II: Development of the Dyad/Group in the Workplace. J.L. Barnes-Farrell, Contextual Variables That Enhance/Inhibit Career Development Opportunities for Older Adults: The Case of Supervisor-Subordinate Age Disparity. J.D. Sinnott, Use of Complex Thought and Resolving Intragroup Conflicts: A Means to Conscious Adult Development in the Workplace. Part III: Development of Organizational Culture in the Workplace. L.E. Morris, Learning Organizations: Settings for Developing Adults. M.L. Commons, S.R. Krause, G.A. Fayer, M. Meaney, Atmosphere and Stage Development in the Workplace. Part IV: Directions for Future Research. J. Demick, P.M. Miller, Some Open Research Problems on Development in the Workplace: Theory and Methodology.