Published 2023-09-21
Keywords
- psychology,
- Occupational Health Psychology (OHP),,
- positive psychology,
- Positive Organizational Behavior (POB),
- well-being.
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2023 Academic Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Abstract
The prevailing perception of psychology, particularly Occupational Health Psychology (OHP), has historically centered on addressing negative aspects of human behavior and well-being. This skewed focus on pathology and dysfunction has led to an imbalance in research, with a significantly greater emphasis on negative states compared to positive ones. For instance, the ratio of research on negative states to positive states was estimated at 14:1, indicating a disproportionate emphasis on the former.
This imbalance is also evident in OHP, where approximately 94% of research has concentrated on the negative aspects of worker health and well-being, with only around 5% addressing positive aspects. This heavy focus on negatives has limited the development of new methods and strategies for enhancing organizational effectiveness.
Recognizing the need for a shift in perspective, researchers have emphasized Positive Organizational Behavior (POB) as a crucial area of study. POB focuses on harnessing human resource strengths and psychological capacities to improve workplace performance effectively. This approach aligns with the emerging field of positive psychology, which seeks to scientifically examine human strengths and optimal functioning.
This transformation in perspective is beginning to address the historical imbalance and offers new insights into how organizations can leverage positive aspects of human behavior and well-being for improved productivity and effectiveness
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