Chapter 63: The Concept Of Work Flashcards
What are the 4 Stages of human activity regarding tools
Hunter gathering phase
Agricultural phase
Industrial development
Information processing phase
The development of language led to what
It enabled people to consider images of objects in their minds and manipulate the images mentally. This allowed them to create tools for specific purposes.
As tools developed what impact did it have
It encouraged the development of skills and personal agency. As people mastered and developed the skills of using certain tools they were recognised and assigned roles associated with their mastery and skill. The differenciation increased Social complexity of group and language developed further to support social interaction.
When did the agricultural phase begin and what were some of its features
It began when hunting and gathering groups settled down and established community around agricultural activities.
Agricultural groups understood that tools could replace the body by deferring work to somebody or something else. Animals were domesticated and used to accomplish work.
Agricultural communities were larger and their social structures more complex social layers and personal status developed in them. Social differenciation and greater specialisation of work roles resulted in people working for others.
Settled community had to manage resources involving specialised tasks. Apart from planting and harvesting produce had to be distributed and surpluses stored.
Their ability to harness other forms of energy was limited to natural resources.
What are the features of the industrial development
Industrialists developed work mediation tools that replaced humans and animals but even out performed them in the execution of a task. The development of and rapid improvement of the steam engine was a major driving force. It powered production and distribution of goods
Product were made in mass factories in large quantities and distributed by train and ships powered by steam engines. the size of production facilities necessitated a hierarchy of jobs and required managers to oversee work.
The constant emphasis on production efficiency required selection and training of workers. This age brought distinction between production and management of production and it’s introduction brought about qualifications job description selection training and management into the work place.
Discuss the information age .
It is fuelled by a need for intellectual power. The computer is the tool of the information age. The information society maintain industrial activities but has begun to integrate the industrial capacities of the world’s countries into a single global economy.
Top down communication structure are replaced by single layer network. Permanent jobs are taken over by temporary position in project teams. The notion that a career is work development path within an organisation is replaced by idea that a career is the work development plan of an individual realised within Various organisation and a variety of work opportunities.
