Submit by midnight Saturday
Describe a job you have/had or a family member has in 400-500 words by explaining:
• the degree that the job has each of the core job dimensions in the job characteristics model--Make sure
you mention how the job has high, medium, or low levels of all 5 of the core job dimensions and give an
example of why each dimension is high, medium, or low. (Example: My skill variety is high because I use
oral skills in teaching, writing & statistics skills in research, and interpersonal skills with students,
coworkers, and companies I do research in.)
• how the core job dimensions of that job influence psychological states and personal/work outcomes. This
is where you mention how each core job dimension relates to:
• critical psychological state and
• an outcome (Example: The high skill variety in my job increases how meaningful my job is and keeps
my motivation to do my job high.)
NOTE: Here are a few words on task identity (part of Job Characteristics Theory) to ensure your understanding
of that concept:
• Task identity is about you being involved in a project from its start until it is finished OR being involved
with customers from the time they enter the store until they leave.
• Task identity is NOT about making sure activities start and finish in a timely manner. Task identity also
should NOT be mistaken for understanding what the task is.
• The reason why task identity contributes to you feeling a sense of meaningfulness on the job is that you
see how you have made a difference (often through seeing a visible outcome, like a satisfied customer, a
completed project, or a painted fence).
