Final answer:
Herzberg's research suggests that job satisfaction is most strongly linked to the intrinsic aspects of a job, like the nature of the work and recognition, which are assessed under organizational psychology. The work-content factor is highly predictive of job satisfaction, emphasizing the significance of job autonomy and other supportive elements over extrinsic rewards like pay.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fredrick Herzberg's studies pertained directly to job satisfaction, focusing on what factors lead to employee satisfaction and dissatisfaction in the workplace. In the realm of industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology, organizational psychology specifically measures job satisfaction by examining the interactions between people and the organizations they work for, as well as the effects of those interactions on productivity. Herzberg's research specifically found that the intrinsic aspects of a job, such as achievement, recognition, and the nature of the work itself, tend to be the strongest predictors of job satisfaction. This is in contrast to extrinsic factors like financial rewards which, according to research, show a weaker correlation with overall job satisfaction.
Further extensive research suggests that the work-content factor, which includes job variety, the level of challenge, and clarity of role, is the most strongly predictive of overall job satisfaction. Additionally, autonomy in one's job — the sense of control over work and the feeling of being integral to the outcomes — significantly contributes to higher job satisfaction. It has also been demonstrated that factors such as participation in decision-making processes, freedom from excessive monitoring, and the belief in having control over one's work can enhance job satisfaction.