Nickel and Dimed, and Industrial Psychology

I just finished reading the book Nickel and Domed: On (Not) Getting By in America, and there were some references in the book that I think might be helpful for this exploratory project.  Honestly, the whole book relates, since it's looking at low-paying labor in various states and how people get by.  However, the conclusion is where the author moves from just describing to critiquing and considering the labor system she observed.

This quote, in particular, might lead me to more sources:

"Why don't more [workers] take a stand where they are--demanding better wages and work conditions, either individually or as a group?  This is a huge question, probably the subject of many a dissertation in the field of industrial psychology, and here I can only comment on the things I observed" (Ehrenreich, 208). 

Her question here, about why those in low-wage positions don't just up and revolt, relates to some of the questions I'm asking.  So, I might look more into this field of industrial psychology.  Perhaps I could find a theory here to bring into Rhet/Comp?  Wikipedia (yes, I know this isn't the best place, but it's a start!) tells me:

"Industrial and organizational psychology (also known as I/O psychology or work psychology) is the scientific study of employees, workplaces, and organizations. Industrial and organizational psychologists contribute to an organization's success by improving the workplace and the performance, satisfaction and well-being of its people."

This sounds a lot like the kind of project I want to do for my dissertation.  I'm interested in studying adjunct writing instructors in English departments in order to improve the workplace and satisfaction for all.  AWESOME!  I might have just found a really significant lead for my project!

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In addition, in her conclusion, Ehrenreich discusses the kinds of emotions we experience when we recognize the labor system that sustains our comfortable ways of living.  She discusses shame, specifically, saying that "Guilt doesn't go anywhere near far enough; the appropriate emotion is shame--shame at our own dependency, in this case, on the underpaid labor of others" (Ehrenreich, 220-221).

Since we started talking more about emotions, I've become more aware of discussions about emotions in the things I'm reading, and we see this example here.  Playing the believing game, yes, I agree that shame is an important emotion to feel.  Playing the doubting game, I'd also like to see us move beyond shame to some of those other emotions that insight action, like Anger (as Aristotle described).

Anyway, file this away for later: industrial psychology.  What is it?  What does it have to offer?

Also, file away:

Ehrenreich, Barbara.  Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2001. Print.