Cultivating Meaning at Work, in Four Movements
Degree type
Graduate group
Discipline
Subject
orchestra musicians
self-determination theory
identity and distinctiveness
social cognitive theory
agency
Psychology
Funder
Grant number
License
Copyright date
Distributor
Related resources
Author
Contributor
Abstract
This paper explores ways to enhance meaning at work for professional orchestra musicians, whose psychological needs include both the collective symphonic whole as well as individual mastery needs. An introduction to meaning and meaning in work is followed by a discussion of four pathways to enhance meaning at work for professional orchestra musicians. Finally, for each of the four pathways, initial interventions are proposed. In support of the research on meaning pathways and related psychological experiences of this population, a series of appendices review theoretical constructs from social science at the individual and group levels. Concluding the appendices is a discussion of social cognitive theory’s view of agency, which bolsters individual and collective pathways for orchestra musicians to find or create meaning at work.