Abstract

DA ROSA TOLFO, SUZANA; CHALFIN COUTINHO, MARIA; BAASCH, DAVI  and  SOARES CUGNIER, JOANA. Senses and Meanings of Work: an Analysis Based on Different Theoretical-Epistemological Perspectives in Psychology. Univ. Psychol. [online]. 2011, vol.10, n.1, pp.175-188. ISSN 1657-9267.

Amidst changes in the contemporary world of labour, issues such as globalization, deregulation, (un)employment, precarization, among others, preoccupy researchers and professionals. In this context questions regarding the work centrality in its social and psychological dimensions emerge, as well as the meaning processes associated with working. This paper presents and analyzes the main theoretical approaches identified in the international and Brazilian literatures in the field of psychology making reference to meanings and senses, particularly those attributed to working. Different epistemological grounds supporting the current studies have been identified: cognitive, constructionist, cultural studies, existentialist and socio-historical. The conclusions highlight that the concepts still lack precision. Different authors often adopt meanings and senses of working as if both were the same phenomenon.

Keywords : Work; Senses; Meaning; Theoretical Approaches; Theory; Work-Psychological Aspects; Meaning (Psychology).

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