2. Socialization Flashcards
Define organizational socialization.
the process by which a new employee learns the culture
values, norms, behaviors
Name three assumptions of Socialization in Organizations.
- Socialization occurs at two levels (org –> ind, ind –> org)
- socialization is DEVELOPMENTAL
- focus: integration of newcomers
Name the four functions of organizational culture.
- org identity
- social system stability
- collective commitment
- sense-making device
Describe the evolution of socialization through the 60s to the 90s
60s: “coercive integration”
70s: “people management”
80s: “interactive assimilation”
90s: “proactivity”
The Doll Experiment (Clark & Clark, 1939)
- 2 dolls shown to children (aged 6-9): black, white
- series of questions
- 71% said “white doll is the nice one”
- 88% of black children said the black doll looked most like them
- 47% of black girls said the white girl is the pretty one (boys said both)
What is another word for “coercive organization”
CULT
define “cult”
a TOTALITARIAN movement
- absolute devotion
- methods of manipulation, persuasion, control
- goals are that of the leader
- total dependence of members
–> important consequences for social environment
Name the 4 components of “psychological abuse” according to Langone 1992.
a) controlling information in order to manipulate thinking/judgement
b) coercing CHOICE
c) fragmenting PERSONAL IDENTITY
d) undermining SELF-WORTH
name the 4 kinds of techniques seen in psychological abuse (Rodriguez-Carballeira, 1992)
ENVIRONMENTAL techniques
EMOTIONAL techniques
COGNITIVE techniques
ALTERED STATES CONSCIOUSNESS Techniques
Environmental Techniques
CCIP
Controlling info
Creating dependency
Isolation
Physical/psychological weakness
Why is “controlling infos” effective in coercive organizations?
cognitive disorganisation e.g. through time control
monopoly of info, one source –> absolutist perspectve
How are members of a cult isolated?
detachment from social network
How is physical/psychological weakness induced?
- sleep deprivation
- unbalanced diet
- indoctrination after intense working
- physical coercion (less common)
Sleep deprivation case study…
RANDY GARDNER stayed awake 264 hours (11days)
Irritability, speech slurring, memory lapses, fragmented thinking, paranoia, expressionlessness
Emotional techniques
– Emotional Activation
– Activation of Guilt and Anxiety
What is meant by “emotional activation”?
increasing the affective, decreasing the rational e.g. love-bombing
How is guilt and anxiety activated?
arbitrary application of reward/punishment
What is intermittent reinforcement?
not administered to each instance of response
– builds persistent behavior that is more resistant to extinction
Cognitive techniques
NAG
No critical thinking (absolutist beliefs)
Attention control (e.g. sensory deprivation, saturation)
Group identification demands (e.g. control over language)
Altered States Consciousness Techniques
MMD
MANTRAS
MEDITATON
DRUGS
Define the three stages of socialization in organizations.
1) anticipatory socialization
2) encounter
3) change and acquisition
What does Stage 1 (anticipatory socialization) rely on?
Realism (expectations)
Congruence (competences)
–> the psychological contract
Define the psychological contract.
the perception of both parties to the employment relationship, organization and individual
What are key characteristics of the psychological contract?
- evolving, dynamic
- subjective (to ind. expectations)
- relational
- transactional
Anticipatory Socialization can be either __________ or ___________.
Indirect: from previous jobs/training
Direct: information-seeking
Describe briefly the perceptual and social processes of Stage 1 (anticipatory socialization).
anticipating. ..
- realities about the new job
- organization’s needs for one’s skills
- organization’s sensitivity to one’s own needs
Describe briefly the perceptual/social processes of Stage 2 (Encounter)
- managing of work-life-balance
- seeking role definition
- becoming familiar with task (e.g. through mentoring)
What is included in the psychological contract?
recognition + boss + treatment + career
(not salary)
transactional components: e.g. bonus
relational components: e.g. dignity at work
Describe the OLD psychological contract.
Focus: security
structured duration
broad scope
employer task: fair pay for good work
employee task: good performance
describe the NEW psychological contract.
Focus: employability
flexible duration
narrow scope
employer task: high pay for high performance
employee task: “making a difference”
Name THREE functions of the psychological contract!
Royal Meghan Fail
Reduce insecurity
Management of employees
Feelings of participation
Case study: Casino de Madrid
- tennis, paddle, soccer tournaments between employees
- gifts at anniversaries
- christmas eve party for employees and family
Describe the perceptual/social processes of stage 3 (Acquisition stage)
ADAPTATION
results: comfort in new role, mastery of job skills, acceptance of values, self-confidence up, anxiety down
Describe the ethical issues in organizational socialization.
INFORMED CONSENT?
- should attempts at changing behavior/values be made transparent?
DEBASEMENT
- mild forms common e.g. fraternities, military training
- -> fear, intimidation
ACCURATE EXPECTATIONS?
- in anticipatory socialization stage
- is it unethical not to give a balanced view of itself?
Name different socialization tactics.
collective/individual
formal/informal
sequential/random
fixed/variable
serial/disjunctive
investiture/divestiture
Distinguish formal and informal socialization tactics.
formal: defined socialization period, segregated training
informal: on the job
Distinguish sequential and random socialization tactics.
sequential: fixed progression of steps
random: dynamic progression
Distinguish fixed and variable socialization tactics.
F: timetabled
V: not timetabled
Distinguish serial and disjunctive socialization tactics.
S: role model
D: no role model
Distinguish investiture and divestiture socialization tactics.
I: affirmation of new incoming role identities
D: denial of newcomer’s sense of self
