Schema, promise and mutuality: The building blocks of the psychological contract

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of the psychological contract in employment is difficult without research into its formation. Unfortunately, far less research exists on the antecedents and formation of the psychological contract than on the consequences associated with it. Three concepts frequently studied in psychology are particularly important to advancing research on psychological contract formation: schemas, promises, and mutuality (i.e. objective and perceptual agreement). This article develops the implications these three concepts have for future research on psychological contract formation.