Chapter 1 (1-3) Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the promise of Organizational Behavior (OB)?
To use evidence as much as possible to inform decisions.
Which disciplines contribute to Organizational Behavior?
Psychology, social psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
What level of analysis does psychology focus on in OB?
The individual or micro level of analysis.
What macro concepts do sociology and anthropology contribute to OB?
Group processes and organization.
How has OB influenced the working world?
It has influenced HR practices such as work design, training, employee selection, and performance appraisal.
What does psychology seek to measure and explain?
The behavior of humans and other animals.
Who are key contributors to OB’s knowledge in psychology?
Learning theorists, personality theorists, counseling psychologists, and industrial and organizational psychologists.
What early studies did industrial/organizational psychologists focus on?
Fatigue, boredom, and other working conditions that could impede efficient work performance.
What recent topics have industrial/organizational psychologists expanded to include?
Learning, perception, personality, emotions, training, leadership effectiveness, needs, motivational forces, job satisfaction, decision-making processes, performance appraisal, attitude measurement, employee-selection techniques, work design, and job stress.
What significant transformation has occurred in the study of OB?
The study of emotions and moods has led to an ‘Affective Revolution.’
What impact has the ‘Affective Revolution’ had on OB research?
It has heavily impacted and continues to influence OB research across virtually all contributions.
What is social psychology?
Social psychology is generally considered a branch of psychology that blends concepts from psychology and sociology to focus on people’s influence on one another.
What is a central study area of social psychology?
One central study area is change—how to implement it and reduce barriers to its acceptance.
What contributions do social psychologists make?
Social psychologists contribute to measuring, understanding, and changing attitudes; identifying communication patterns; and building trust.
What does sociology study?
Sociology studies people in relation to their social environment or culture.
How do sociologists contribute to organizational behavior (OB)?
Sociologists contribute to OB by studying group behaviors in organizations, particularly formal and complex organizations.
What key areas have sociologists studied in organizations?
Sociologists have studied organizational culture, formal organization theory and structure, organizational technology, communications, power, and conflict.
