Reality Shock: What Happens Whan a New Job Doesn't Match Expectations.

Organizational socialization is the process by which a person learns the values, norms, and required behaviors that allow an individual to function as a member of an organization. The individual has expectations of job content, job context, and career expectations. Reality shock occurs when a newcomer's expectations differ from experiences in the organization. The hypothesis that reality shock negatively influences organizational commitment and commitment-related behaviors was tested in a longitudinal field study conducted at a large accounting firm. Subjects (N=162) were new accountants. A questionnaire was administered on the first day of employment to assess pre-employment expectations. A second questionnaire measuring perceptions was administered one year later. The accountants reported significant levels of reality shock. Results supported the hypothesis that the extent of reality shock experienced does impact the employee's organizational commitment, attitudes, intentions, and behavior. Correlations between reality shock measures and organizational commitment measures were negative. The results also indicated that older newly-hired accountants were more committed than were younger accountants, and those from blue collar families were more committed than were those from upper class, professional families. (ABL)