Perspektiver på begrepet psykososialt arbeidsmiljø: En analyse av en motivasjonspsykologisk og en stressteoretisk modell

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In Norway and other Scandinavian countries, much attention has been given to the concept “psychosocial work environment”. However, the meaning of the term seems to remain undefined. This article discusses the usefulness of two different theoretical models for providing a perspective on the term: the Hackman and Oldham Job Characteristics Model and the Cooper stress model. The following research questions are discussed: a) to what degree are psychosocial factors defined as objective or subjective phenomena? b) to what degree are individual perceptions and cognitions emphasized? and c) to what degree are social interaction and social context accentuated? The Job Characteristics Model is criticized for not including issues related to individual characteristics and social interaction, because most relevant factors are defined as objective characteristics of the environment. The Cooper stress model covers a wide range of relevant factors that may be harmful to employees, also taking individual characteristics into account. However, variables like social interaction and culture are only emphasized to a small degree. The authors question whether the two models are too limited to cover vital psychosocial factors representative of current working life. A contemporary model regarding psychosocial factors at work must emphasize individual cognitive characteristics, social processes, organizational climate and continuous changes to a higher degree than the two models discussed.