Just for the Money?: What Really Motivates Us at Work

by Adrian Furnham

If money makes the world go round, is it also what gets us out of bed? This polemic argues that, despite what economists say and financial institutions do, people are far from rational about their reasons for working, and money is not the only factor in how they choose a job. An intelligent analysis of money's role at home, work, and play shows how most people actually have a complicated, love–hate relationship with money that influences their working choices in intricate and unexpected ways. Appropriate for those questioning the meaning of work in their lives and managers exploring employee motivatation, this argument presents surprisingly counterintuitive results on what money really means to the people earning it.

Paperback

First published April 1, 2006

About the author

Adrian Furnham (born 3 February 1953) is a South African-born British organisational and applied psychologist, management expert and Professor of Psychology at University College London. In addition to his academic roles, he is a consultant on organizations.

Furnham was educated at the London School of Economics where he obtained a distinction in an MSc Econ., and at Oxford University where he completed a doctorate (D.Phil) in 1981. He has subsequently earned a D.Sc (1991) and D.Litt (1995) degree. Previously a lecturer in Psychology at Pembroke College, Oxford, he has been Professor of Psychology at University College London since 1992. He has lectured widely abroad and held scholarships and visiting professorships at, amongst others, the University of New South Wales, the University of the West Indies, the University of Hong Kong and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has also been a Visiting Professor of Management at Henley Management College. He has recently been made Adjunct Professor of Management at the Norwegian School of Management (2009).

Adrian FurnhamHe has written over 700 scientific papers and 57 books including The Protestant Work Ethic (1990) Culture Shock (1994), The New Economic Mind (1995), Personality at Work (1994), The Myths of Management (1996), The Psychology of Behaviour at Work (1997), The Psychology of Money (1998), The Psychology of Culture Shock (2001)The Incompetent Manager (2003), The Dark Side of Behaviour at Work (2004), The People Business (2005) Personality and Intellectual Competence (2005) Management Mumbo-Jumbo (2006) Head and Heart Management (2007) The Psychology of Physical Attraction (2007) The Body Beautiful (2007) Personality and Intelligence at Work (2008) Management Intelligence (2008) Dim Sum Management (2008) The Economic Socialisation of Children (2008) 50 Psychology Ideas you really need to know (2009) The Elephant in the Boardroom: The Psychology of Leadership Derailment (2009).

Reviews

[Anastassiya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read this book at university and liked it a great deal. Ironically, despite Professor being spot on about the role money plays in human psyche, using his findings nearly cost me a job interview.. A number of years later he came to give a lecture at one of the training courses I have attended and I must say he is an exceptionally talented and amusing speaker.