Title: The influence of dysfunctional cognitions on job-related experiences and behaviour - a cognitive-behavioural perspective

Authors: Martin Sauerland; Helen M. Soyeaux; Jarek Krajewski

Addresses: Economic Psychology, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraße 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany ' Economic Psychology, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraße 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany ' Experimental Business Psychology Schumpeter School of Business and Economics, University of Wuppertal, Gaußstraße 20, D-42097 Wuppertal, Germany

Abstract: In the present article we assume that people with a high degree of dysfunctional cognition do not fulfil their potential. After introductory statements regarding the concept of job-related dysfunctional cognition, we show how dysfunctional cognition reduces employees' willingness to perform. Following this, we investigate the role that these mechanisms play in central, direct or indirect performance-relevant topics of economic psychology. We argue that dysfunctional cognition negatively affect phenomena such as: a) performance; b) stress and burnout; c) absenteeism and presenteeism; d) resistance to change; e) other areas. These topics are analysed from a cognitive-behavioural perspective. Finally, cognitive-behavioural training to reduce dysfunctional cognition is proposed. The paper contributes to theory due to its new and enlightening cognitive-behavioural perspective on the mentioned phenomena and practice as it describes how to cope with dysfunctional patterns of thinking and, thus, promote human resource development.

Keywords: dysfunctional cognition; irrational beliefs; job performance; stress; burnout; absenteeism; presenteeism; resistance to change; cognitive-behavioural training; employee behaviour; willingness to perform; economic psychology; human resource development; HRD.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2015.069973

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2015 Vol.15 No.1, pp.40 - 53

Received: 10 Oct 2013
Accepted: 07 Dec 2014
Published online: 18 Jun 2015 *

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