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Abstract
This article outlines a social information processing approach to explain job attitudes.
In comparison with need-satisfaction and expectancy models to job attitudes and motivation,
the social information processing perspective emphasizes the effects of context and
the consequences of past choices, rather than individual predispositions and rational
decision-making processes. When an individual develops statements about attitude or
needs, he or she uses social information--information about past behavior and about
what others think. The process of attributing attitudes or needs from behavior is
itself affected by commitment processes, by the saliency and relevance of information,
and by the need to develop socially acceptable and legitimate rationalizations for
actions. Both attitudes and need statements, as well as characterizations of jobs,
are affected by informational social influence. The implications of the social information
processing perspective for organization development efforts and programs of job redesign
are discussed.