Toward a Tolerance Theory of Worker Adaptation

The paper examines the ways in which people can achieve toleration of what is to them, and may appear to others as, an unsatisfying or impoverished work situation. The examination is based on an empirical study of six departments or workshops in an engineering company in the South of England. The analysis is made, not in terms or motives, needs, and attitudes, but in terms of living space-the psychological territory which serves to mediate and protect an individual's inner world and sense of worth. Jobs themselves, and organizational action, define apermitted living space which may or may not be congruent with the individual's required living space. Adaptive actions, to adjust individual living space or to construct group living spaces, are exemplified from the research cases, and shown to affect people's relations with their jobs, supervision, management, and unions. Links are made with the psychology of play and creativity and the social psychology of neighborhood.