Psychology of the Scientist: XXI. Growth and Belonging Perceptions as Factors in the Behavior of Engineers and Scientists 1

Abstract

A scale measuring perceptions of opportunities for attainment of Growth and Belonging in the job environment was developed and administered to 49 engineers and scientists working in a Government Research and Development Laboratory and to 20 engineers and scientists working in a similar laboratory in private industry. Factor analysis of the responses resulted in the identification of 4 factors, General Growth and Belonging, Independent Growth, Organizational Security, and Emotional Security. Government non-supervisors indicated greater opportunities for Independent Growth than their private industry counterparts but fewer chances for Organizational Security. Job satisfaction was significantly related to all factors, except Emotional Security, while productivity was significantly related to Independent Growth and Emotional Security. These results are discussed in terms of current research in organizational theory and job satisfaction and suggestions for future research are made.

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