Work avoidance as a manifestation of anger, helplessness, and boredom

Jarvis, Sharon (1998) Work avoidance as a manifestation of anger, helplessness, and boredom. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine a particular goal orientation in achievement motivation known as the work-avoidant orientation and its manifestation as mechanisms (anger and resentment, incompetency, and boredom), which are akin to the mechanisms that may give rise to passive aggressiveness, learned helplessness, and boredom. -- One-hundred and forty-six students were screened using a self-report survey to identify students with a work-avoidant goal orientation. The data from the goal orientation surveys were analyzed; twenty students who displayed a work-avoidance orientation were identified. A teacher checklist of work-avoidant behaviours was used to corroborate students' self-rating of work avoidance. These twenty students were then interviewed to probe the reasons for their work avoidance. Specifically, it was hypothesized that feelings of anger and resentment, feelings of incompetency, and boredom may result in work avoidance. -- The findings from this study, that is, the results of the self-report goal surveys, showed the presence of three goal orientations, ego-social orientation, task-mastery orientation, and work-avoidant orientation. The results of the interview analysis indicated that half of the work-avoidant students interviewed displayed feelings of anger and resentment, feelings of incompetency, and boredom. These mechanisms paralleled some aspects of passive aggressiveness, learned helplessness, and boredom.

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