An Introduction to Contemporary Work Psychology

‘[This book] provides a comprehensive introduction to the field, featuring contributions from around the world. Not only is the book well-written, it is also very readable and entertaining and provides a thorough and scholarly introduction to all aspects of the field. I strongly and unreservedly endorse and recommend it.’

Anthony Harold Winefield, PhD, Professor of Psychology, University of South Australia

‘Work behaviour is crucial to our health and well-being and to organizational performance. Work also impacts on our behaviour outside work and on family life. With contributions of many of the world’s leading experts, this strong editorial team has produced the first standard book on work psychology: the scientific study of work behaviour and its antecedents and consequences. It is a must for anyone seriously interested in work, work behaviour and people at work.’

Michiel Kompier, Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology, Radboud University Nijmegen

An Introduction to Contemporary Work Psychology is the first textbook to provide a comprehensive overview of work psychology. Moving beyond the terrain of introductory industrial/organizational psychology textbooks, this book examines the classic models, current theories and contemporary issues affecting the twenty-first-century worker.

This text covers all aspects of the psychology of working, including topics such as safety at work, working times, work–family interaction, recovery from work, technology, job demands and job resources, working in teams and sickness absence. While many books in the field focus on the adverse effects of work, this one is unique in emphasizing also the positive aspects and outcomes of work, including motivation, performance, creativity and engagement. The book also contains chapters on job-related prevention and intervention strategies with a special focus on positive interventions and proactive techniques, such as job crafting and promoting positive work behaviours.

Edited by respected leaders in the field and with chapters written by a global team of experts, this is the textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses focusing on work psychology.

Maria C. W. Peeters is Associate Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at Utrecht University, The Netherlands, and a licensed occupational health psychologist. Her research interests include job stress, work motivation, job performance, work–home interaction and ageing at work. She has published many book chapters as well as articles on these topics in leading scientific journals.

Jan de Jonge is Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands, and Adjunct Professor in the School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy at the University of South Australia. He is a licensed work and organizational psychologist as well as a licensed occupational health psychologist. His research interests include the optimization of performance at work and at sports, and he has published extensively with over 100 articles, books and chapters. Until recently, he served as the Editor of the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology.

Toon W. Taris is Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at Utrecht University, The Netherlands. He is currently Editor of Work & Stress and serves on the boards of several other international journals. He has published on topics such as occupational health, stress, engagement, workaholism and authenticity at work, as well as on longitudinal research methods and non-response.