Sociocultural Beliefs Regarding Work

Usually it is considered that the work should be a long-term commitment of the individuals with the organizations, our beliefs, values, social rules and behaviour patterns are the cognitive aspects that facilitate us and allow the interaction with reality (Diaz-Loving et al., 2015). These elements are usually learned through social interaction, endoculturation and parenting (Peiro & Prieto, 1996, Perez, 1996). In the case of work, this phenomenon is different from other social situations because it produces feelings of ambivalence as it is an activity that allows social belonging, which demands a great deal of physical and mental effort, in which the development of significant contributions is possible, but with a heavy burden of obligation (Bauman, 2003, Dakduk & Torres, 2013, Da Silva, Kemp, Carvalho Freitas & Brighenti, 2015, Drenth, 1991). Considering this information, a series of studies was carried out to explore the relationship of beliefs with the evaluation of quality of life, job satisfaction and anti-productive behaviors to evaluate the relationships of these beliefs with the positive and negative aspects of work. Several independent correlational studies were performed with different samples of the general population (M = 200 participants) in the Mexican culture using a Belief about Work (BAW) instrument of 52 items divided into 12 factors which was developed from qualitative studies and analysis of Mexican culture to know their perception of work considering the findings of Diaz Guerrero (1997, 2003) and Cruz-Martinez (2013) about the great importance of work for culture. A tendency was identified that work is an activity that provides positive aspects for individuals, satisfaction and is linked to personal well-being. It also highlights the perception of honorability and dignity of work within Mexican society. However, in parallel, the presence of negative beliefs about work as punishment or obligation are related to the counter productivity.