CONCEPTS OF ALIENATION AND INVOLVEMENT REVISITED

To clarify and operationalize the concepts of alienation and involvement, several current sociological and psychological approaches to the concepts are examined. Several common sources of confusion surrounding the treatment of the concepts are identified. A motivational formulation of the concepts is suggested to achieve greater parsimony and integration of the diverse sociological and psychological thinking on the issue. Finally, some implications of this motivational formulation for future empirical studies on alienation and involvement at work and in other situations (e.g., in the family, in the community, in leisure-time pursuits) are indicated. (45 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1979 American Psychological Association.