Organizational Behavior Notes
Chapter 3
Individual Differences
Skills
Abilities
Personalities
Ethics
Interactional Psychology
Behavior is a function of the person and the environment
B=f(P,E)
B= Behavior
P=Person
E= Environment
Propositions of interactional Psychology
Behavior is a function of a continuous, multidirectional interaction between the person and the situation
The person is active in this process, and both changes and is changed by situations
People vary in many characteristics, including cognitive, affective, motivational, and ability factors
2 interpretations of situations are important: the objective situation and the person’s subjective view of the situation.
Skills and Abilities
General mental ability or GMA is an individual’s innate cognitive intelligence.
GF: Fluid
GC: Crystalized (knows a lot)
Evidence indicates that GMA is the single best predictor of work performance across many occupations
GMA also relates to economic, physical and subjective well-being
However, there are some cases where GMA is not enough
Personality
Personality: a relatively stable set of characteristics that influence and individuals behavior
Trait Theory
To understand individuals we must break down behavior patterns into a series of observable traits
The BIG FIVE traits
Extraversion (The person is gregarious, assertive and sociable as opposed to reserved, timid, and quiet)
Agreeableness (The person is cooperative, warm, and agreeable rather than cold, disagreeable and antagonistic)
Conscientiousness (The person is hardworking, organized, and dependable as opposed to lazy, disorganized, and unreliable)
Emotional stability (The person is calm, self-confident, and cool as opposed to insecure, anxious, and depressed)
Openness to experience (The person is creative, curious, and cultured rather than practical with narrow interests)
Integrative Approach
Personality is described as a composite of the individuals psychological processes
Personality dispositions
Individual Differences
Skills
Abilities
Personalities
Ethics
Interactional Psychology
Behavior is a function of the person and the environment
B=f(P,E)
B= Behavior
P=Person
E= Environment
Propositions of interactional Psychology
Behavior is a function of a continuous, multidirectional interaction between the person and the situation
The person is active in this process, and both changes and is changed by situations
People vary in many characteristics, including cognitive, affective, motivational, and ability factors
2 interpretations of situations are important: the objective situation and the person’s subjective view of the situation.
Skills and Abilities
General mental ability or GMA is an individual’s innate cognitive intelligence.
GF: Fluid
GC: Crystalized (knows a lot)
Evidence indicates that GMA is the single best predictor of work performance across many occupations
GMA also relates to economic, physical and subjective well-being
However, there are some cases where GMA is not enough
Personality
Personality: a relatively stable set of characteristics that influence and individuals behavior
Trait Theory
To understand individuals we must break down behavior patterns into a series of observable traits
The BIG FIVE traits
Extraversion (The person is gregarious, assertive and sociable as opposed to reserved, timid, and quiet)
Agreeableness (The person is cooperative, warm, and agreeable rather than cold, disagreeable and antagonistic)
Conscientiousness (The person is hardworking, organized, and dependable as opposed to lazy, disorganized, and unreliable)
Emotional stability (The person is calm, self-confident, and cool as opposed to insecure, anxious, and depressed)
Openness to experience (The person is creative, curious, and cultured rather than practical with narrow interests)
Integrative Approach
Personality is described as a composite of the individuals psychological processes
Personality dispositions