HRPYC81 Project 1
Assignment 2
(COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2026
[Pick the date]
,Exam (elaborations)
HRPYC81 Project 1 Assignment 2
(COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2026 - The
Psychology of
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Course
Research Report (HRPYC81)
2025/2026
1. Conceptualise Mattering as a psychological experience The psychological
concept of mattering has been extensively explored by various researchers.
Researchers have conceptualised mattering in various ways in the past and
at present, often breaking it down into distinct dimensions. Based on your
literature review, outline the commonalities and differences in
conceptualising mattering. Also, address the question: What differentiates
the different dimensions of mattering? Present a workable definition
informed by the literature. 2. Psychological Factors Influencing the
Experience of Mattering What are the factors that influence the experience
of mattering, and how? Identify, introduce and discuss at least four (4)
factors that have been shown to influence the experience of mattering.
Specify the relationships. 3. Psychological Factors Influenced by the
Experience of Mattering What are the factors that are influenced by the
experience of mattering, and how? Identify, introduce and discuss at least
four (4) factors that are influenced by the experience of mattering. Specify
the relationships. 4. What factors, you identified, are both influenced and do
influence the Experience of Mattering? Human behaviour is complex.
Consequently, relationships between the experience of mattering and
related factors are not only one-directional but also sometimes bidirectional.
What do we mean by that? In psychology, a bidirectional relationship refers
to a situation in which two (psychological) factors influence each other in
both directions, rather than one factor causing or affecting the other in only
one way (i.e., one-directional). Identify at least two (2) factors that share a
bidirectional relationship with the experience of mattering and provide
sufficient evidence. 5. Importance of Studying the Experience of Mattering
within the South African context Why is it important to study the experience
of mattering within the South African context? Formulate at least two (2)
reasons that justify studying the experience of mattering in South Africa.
These reasons have to be supported by evidence from existing research. The
answers to this question will lay the foundations for the Introduction of your
, 19 next assignment (Research Proposal), as it frames the research within a
broader context. Imagine Siphokazi, a junior lecturer at a psychology
department. She works very hard, but her contributions go unnoticed. She
starts to feel like her work in the department doesn't matter. Now, suppose
that the Head of the Department acknowledges S
1. Conceptualising Mattering as a
Psychological Experience
The concept of mattering has been widely explored in psychology, particularly by scholars such
as Morris Rosenberg and Claire McCullough. Despite differences in emphasis, most researchers
agree that mattering refers to the perception that one is significant and valued by others.
Commonalities in Conceptualisations
Across the literature, mattering consistently includes:
A sense of being noticed
Feeling important to others
Experiencing care, concern, or reliance from others
A perception of adding value
Most definitions highlight that mattering is relational (dependent on others) and subjective
(based on personal perception).
Differences in Conceptualisations
Researchers differ in how they structure mattering:
Some conceptualise it as a unidimensional construct (a general feeling of significance)
Others view it as multidimensional, including:
o Attention (being noticed)
o Importance (being valued)
o Dependence (others rely on you)
o Ego-extension (others care about your successes/failures)
More recent work distinguishes between:
Interpersonal mattering (mattering to others)
Societal mattering (mattering to society)
Self-mattering (feeling one matters to oneself)
What Differentiates the Dimensions of Mattering?
Assignment 2
(COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2026
[Pick the date]
,Exam (elaborations)
HRPYC81 Project 1 Assignment 2
(COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2026 - The
Psychology of
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Course
Research Report (HRPYC81)
2025/2026
1. Conceptualise Mattering as a psychological experience The psychological
concept of mattering has been extensively explored by various researchers.
Researchers have conceptualised mattering in various ways in the past and
at present, often breaking it down into distinct dimensions. Based on your
literature review, outline the commonalities and differences in
conceptualising mattering. Also, address the question: What differentiates
the different dimensions of mattering? Present a workable definition
informed by the literature. 2. Psychological Factors Influencing the
Experience of Mattering What are the factors that influence the experience
of mattering, and how? Identify, introduce and discuss at least four (4)
factors that have been shown to influence the experience of mattering.
Specify the relationships. 3. Psychological Factors Influenced by the
Experience of Mattering What are the factors that are influenced by the
experience of mattering, and how? Identify, introduce and discuss at least
four (4) factors that are influenced by the experience of mattering. Specify
the relationships. 4. What factors, you identified, are both influenced and do
influence the Experience of Mattering? Human behaviour is complex.
Consequently, relationships between the experience of mattering and
related factors are not only one-directional but also sometimes bidirectional.
What do we mean by that? In psychology, a bidirectional relationship refers
to a situation in which two (psychological) factors influence each other in
both directions, rather than one factor causing or affecting the other in only
one way (i.e., one-directional). Identify at least two (2) factors that share a
bidirectional relationship with the experience of mattering and provide
sufficient evidence. 5. Importance of Studying the Experience of Mattering
within the South African context Why is it important to study the experience
of mattering within the South African context? Formulate at least two (2)
reasons that justify studying the experience of mattering in South Africa.
These reasons have to be supported by evidence from existing research. The
answers to this question will lay the foundations for the Introduction of your
, 19 next assignment (Research Proposal), as it frames the research within a
broader context. Imagine Siphokazi, a junior lecturer at a psychology
department. She works very hard, but her contributions go unnoticed. She
starts to feel like her work in the department doesn't matter. Now, suppose
that the Head of the Department acknowledges S
1. Conceptualising Mattering as a
Psychological Experience
The concept of mattering has been widely explored in psychology, particularly by scholars such
as Morris Rosenberg and Claire McCullough. Despite differences in emphasis, most researchers
agree that mattering refers to the perception that one is significant and valued by others.
Commonalities in Conceptualisations
Across the literature, mattering consistently includes:
A sense of being noticed
Feeling important to others
Experiencing care, concern, or reliance from others
A perception of adding value
Most definitions highlight that mattering is relational (dependent on others) and subjective
(based on personal perception).
Differences in Conceptualisations
Researchers differ in how they structure mattering:
Some conceptualise it as a unidimensional construct (a general feeling of significance)
Others view it as multidimensional, including:
o Attention (being noticed)
o Importance (being valued)
o Dependence (others rely on you)
o Ego-extension (others care about your successes/failures)
More recent work distinguishes between:
Interpersonal mattering (mattering to others)
Societal mattering (mattering to society)
Self-mattering (feeling one matters to oneself)
What Differentiates the Dimensions of Mattering?
