Different occupational values reflect different patterns of reinforcement (i.e., ORPs) across occupations. From a learning theory perspective,
these patterns can be conceptually grouped by the primary source from
which reinforcement is ultimately derived. These sources include the self,
other people, and the external (nonsocial) environment and are linked to
distinct occupational values: Achievement and independence draw reinforcement from the self; status and altruism depend upon others for reinforcement; and safety and comfort are contingent on the external nonsocial
environment for reinforcement (Hesketh & Griffin, 2005). Likewise, different work characteristics reflect conceptually distinct design features
(Morgeson & Campion, 2003), such as when work characteristics emphasize the motivational, social, or physiological aspects of work (Humphrey
et al., 2007). Morgeson and Humphrey (2008) comprehensively organized
this multitude of work design features into three conceptual categories
spanning task characteristics (e.g., autonomy), social characteristics (e.g.,
interdependence), and contextual characteristics (e.g., physical demands).
Taken collectively then, work characteristics can be descriptively categorized into three conceptual domains (task, social, and contextual) and
occupational values also can be grouped into three conceptual domains
(self-reinforcement, other-reinforcement, and nonsocial environmentreinforcement)