Question

We are interested in job satisfaction.

Name a variable that correlates with job satisfaction but we do not have causation.

Name a variable that you believe may have a casual relationship with job satisfaction.

Name a variable associated with job satisfaction that may be considered reverse causation.

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) (1) The variable of loving the nature of the work would entail job satisfaction without any particular causation. For instance, a singer who works at the production of a stage musical would have immense satisfaction because they love the nature of their job, because they love singing. However, there is no particular cause for their talent or their love of singing. This would be similar to a person who likes yellow to love their yellow jumper. They love their jumper because they love yellow but there is no particular cause for their love of yellow. Also, since people who both like and dislike their jobs are able to be satisfied with their work, there is no sharp causal relationship between loving the work and job satisfaction.

(2) Optimal payment is a causal indicator of job satisfaction. People with adequate or above adequate compensation tend to be satisfied with their job whereas, people with inadequate payment are not satisfied with their job. This causal relationship is quantifiable through direct proportion.

(3) Possible promotions, promised perks, probable bonuses which would be the effect that precedes the cause might cause job satisfaction through reverse causation. This is when a person is satisfied with their job (effect) because of a promotion they expect (cause). Here, the effect comes before the cause.