Skip to Main Content

Social Psychology and Society
2013. Vol. 4, no. 3, 153–162
ISSN: 2221-1527 / 2311-7052 (online)

Cognitive and Behavioral Strategies in Overcoming Effects of Dirty Work

1323

A.V. Lovakov

PDF (RUS)
Online translation in english
GS
Information
in Google Scholar

Abstract

The paper describes the types of 'dirty work' occupations and the strategies of professional identity defense in persons carrying out such activities. The paper also focuses on the psychological nature of the very phenomenon of dirty work and its social psychological matter, as well as on the problems referring to stigmatization of dirty work and to the worker's identity. It provides an insight into the cognitive and behavioural strategies of coping with dirty work.

General Information

Keywords: dirty work, coping strategies, professional stigmatization, worker's identity, reframing, recalibrating, refocusing, downwards social comparison, recognition of dirty work, avoidance, social buffering

Journal rubric: Applied Research and Practice

Article type: scientific article

For citation: Lovakov A.V. Cognitive and Behavioral Strategies in Overcoming Effects of Dirty Work. Sotsial'naya psikhologiya i obshchestvo = Social Psychology and Society, 2013. Vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 153–162. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

References

  1. VCIOM. 07.10.2009. Reiting prestizhnyh i dohodnyh professii. URL: http:// wciom.ru/index.php?id=459&uid=12540
  2. Kozhevina E.V. Rabotniki kladbish kak professiya: aspekty povsednevnosti // Antropologiya professii: granicy zanyatosti v epohu nestabil'nosti / Pod red. P.V. Roma) nova, E.R. Yarskoi)Smirnovoi. M., 2012.
  3. Ashforth B.E., Kreiner G.E. “How can you do it?”: Dirty work and the challenge of con) structing a positive identity // Academy of Management Review. 1999. Vol. 24. № 3.
  4. Ashforth B.E., Kreiner G.E., Clark M.A., Fugate M. Normalizing dirty work: Managerial tactics for countering occupational taint // Academy of Management Journal. 2007. Vol. 50. № 1.
  5. Baran B.E., Rogelberg S.G., Lopina E.C., Allen J.A., Spitzmuller C., Bergman M. Shouldering a silent burden: The toll of dirty tasks // Human Relations. 2012. Vol. 65. № 5.
  6. Bergami M., Bagozzi R.P. Self-categorization, affective commitment and group self) esteem as distinct aspects of social identity in the organization // British Journal of Social Psychology. 2000. Vol. 39.
  7. Bergman M.E., Chalkley K.M. “Ex” marks a spot: The stickiness of dirty work and other removed stigmas // Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. 2007. Vol. 12. № 3.
  8. Dick P. Dirty work designations: How police officers account for their use of coercive force // Human Relations. 2005. Vol. 58. № 11.
  9. Dressel P.L., Petersen D.M. Becoming a Male Stripper: Recruitment, Socialization, and Ideological Development // Work and Occupations. 1982. Vol. 9. № 3.
  10. Emerson R.M., Pollner M. Dirty work designations: Their features and consequences in a psychiatric setting // Social Problems. 1976. Vol. 23. № 3.
  11. Heinsler J.M., Kleinman S., Stenross B. Making work matter: Satisfied detectives and dissatisfied campus police // Qualitative Sociology. 1990. Vol. 13. № 3.
  12. Hogg M.A., Terry D.J. Social Identity and Self)Categorization Processes in Organi) zational Contexts // Academy of Management Review. 2000. Vol. 25. № 1.
  13. Hong L.K., Duff R.W. Becoming a taxi)dancer: The significance of neutralization in a semi)deviant occupation // Work and Occupations. 1977. Vol. 4. № 3.
  14. Hughes E.C. Work and the self // Social psychology at the crossroads / Ed by J.H. Rohrer, M. Sherif.. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1951.
  15. Kreiner G.E., Ashforth B.E., Sluss D.M. Identity dynamics in occupational dirty work: Integrating social identity and system justification perspectives // Organization Science. 2006. Vol. 17. № 5.
  16. Meara H. Honor in dirty work: The case of American meat cutters and Turkish butch) ers // Work and Occupations. 1974. Vol. 1. № 3.
  17. Meisenbach R.J. Stigma Management Communication: A Theory and Agenda for Applied Research on How Individuals Manage Moments of Stigmatized Identity // Journal of Applied Communication Research. 2010. Vol. 38. № 3.
  18. Petrillo G. The distant mourner: An examination of the American gravedigger // Omega)Journal of Death and Dying. 1989. Vol. 20. № 2.
  19. Rosecrance J. The invisible horsemen: The social world of the backstretch // Qualitative Sociology. 1985. Vol. 8. № 3.
  20. Simpson R.L., Simpson I.H. The psychiatric attendant: Development of an occupation) al self)image in a lowstatus occupation // American Sociological Review. 1959. Vol. 24. № 3.
  21. Sykes G.M., Matza D. Techniques of Neutralization: A Theory of Delinquency // American Sociological Review. 1957. Vol. 22. № 6.
  22. Thompson W.E. Handling the stigma of handling the dead: Morticians and funeral directors // Deviant Behavior. 1991. Vol. 12. № 4.
  23. Thompson W.E., Harred J.L. Topless dancers: Managing stigma in a deviant occupa) tion // Deviant Behavior. 1992. Vol. 13. № 3.
  24. Wacquant L.J.D. The pugilistic point of view: How boxers think and feel about their trade // Theory and Society. 1995. Vol. 24. № 4.

Information About the Authors

Andrey V. Lovakov, Junior Research Fellow, Center for Institutional Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: lovakov@hse.ru

Metrics

Views

Total: 2567
Previous month: 10
Current month: 7

Downloads

Total: 1323
Previous month: 26
Current month: 2