Ergophobia is classified as an abnormal and persistent fear
of work, finding work or functioning at work.
Many scholars have been debating the recent spike in
ergophobia among the young adult population. Often linked with “Peter Pan Syndrome”
and “Failure to Launch Syndrome,” there is now great speculation among
researchers that ergophobia is the most important issue facing this generation
of young adults. At the heart of this
line of inquiry is the core belief that a young adult who fails to find
profitable work or independent lodging is suffering from some form of social
disorder. Psychological theory then, places the problem within the individual referring
to it as a personal abnormality that cripples what would otherwise be normal
social functioning. This report seeks to
counter the notions of personal fault that have hitherto dominated the field by
proposing a variety of external factors that may lead to the development of ergophobia.
List of External Factors
- Learned Helplessness – As displayed with animals who stop attempting
to resist electrocution once they believe it inevitable, it is possible that young
adults who are repeatedly faced with rejection from job applications develop a
case of Learned Helplessness where they assume that all of their attempts at employment
will be similarly unsuccessful.
- Negative Associations – After the individual and his/her peers have developed
unrealistically heightened expectations through reinforcement by teachers and
parents it is only inevitable that upon observing the failures of peers the
individual attributes similar expectations to his/herself.
- Social Conditioning
– With the increasing awareness of parental techniques and the importance of
spending time with children young adults are finding increasing comfort in
their home environment. This sense of security and happiness could lead to an
individual’s reluctance to change his/her environment by leaving the family
home and finding independence.
- Evolutionary - Evolutionary psychologists would undoubtedly argue that the increase in ergophobia is related to the close links between finding work and having to live independently of the family. From an evolutionary standpoint, this independence is seen as negative because group living ensures the highest level of security for the individual.
******
In more realistic news - I felt the need write this fictious report for multiple reasons. 1) Because it comforted me overmy current inability to find a part time job. 2) Because I was reading a psychological journal yesterday. 3) Because I needed a break from studying 4) Because if I didn't I'd have had nothing else to say. I spent the last few days eating, sleeping and reading more literature than I know what to do with.
You seriously are so weird hahahaha
ReplyDeleteI love youu
Perhaps there are two different fears here: the fear of seeking work and the fear of working.
ReplyDeleteI worry myself about finding employment because I don't expect to get a job offer and it is rough to put effort into something that will lead to rejection.
On the other hand, I fear work only to the extent that I feel insufficiently capable of doing well. There are tasks which I enjoy and want to do more of because I have gotten good feedback, and tasks that I dawdle around because I don't want to try and do poorly.