9. Positive Organizational Psychology

Question 1

Define POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Answer 1

the study of positive emotions

e.g. subjective well-being, human strengths

Question 2

Friedrickson 2003

Answer 2

BROADEN AND BUILD THEORY

positive emotions = important for survival

broaden and build…

• cognitive processes
• cognition
• cognitive flexibility
• potential behavioural options

Question 3

Name the “three levels of happiness”

Answer 3

Level 1: joy, pleasure
Level 2: satisfaction, well-being
Level 3: flourishing, fufillment of one’s potential

Question 4

Level 1 is more __________ than Level 3.

Answer 4

• sensual
• fleeting
• immediate
• absolute
• reliably measured

Question 5

Level 3 is more _____________ than Level 1.

Answer 5

• cognitive
• relative
• moral
• culturally influenced

Question 6

Sort the Levels of Happiness according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.

Answer 6

Physiological needs, security needs –> Level 1
social needs, self-esteem needs –> Level 2
self-actualisation needs –> level 3

Question 7

What is POB?

Answer 7

Positive Organizational behaviour

Question 8

Define POB.

Answer 8

application of positively oriented

– human resource strengths
– psychological
capacities

that can be managed to improve work performance

Question 9

Name POB states.

Answer 9

Optimism
Resilience
Confidence
Hope
Emotional Intelligence

Question 10

Define “work engagement”

Answer 10

positive, affective-motivational state of fulfilment

• • vigour,
• • absorption
• • dedication

Question 11

Name one core factor of POB.

Answer 11

Positive Psychological Capital

PsyCap

Question 12

What is UWES?

Answer 12

Utrecht Work Engagement Scale

Question 13

UWES relates to which three components?

Answer 13

VAD

Vigour
Absorption
Dedication

Question 14

Example “vigour” items (UWES)

Answer 14

“at work I feel bursting with energy”

Question 15

Example “dedication” items (UWES)

Answer 15

To me, my job is challenging

I am enthusiastic about my job

Question 16

Example “absorption” items (UWES)

Answer 16

When I am working, I forget everything else around me

Question 17

Name three signs of Burnout and which aspect of the UWES they relate to…

Answer 17

1. emotional exhaustion –> vigour
2. cynicism –> dedication
3. reduced competence –> absorption

Question 18

BAKKER & OERLEMANS

Answer 18

high activation/pleasant = engagement
high activation/unpleasant = workaholism

low activation/pleasant = satisfaction
low activation/unpleasant = burnout

Question 19

Engaged employees = profile?

Answer 19

• • take personal initiative;
• • generate own positive feedback
• • also engaged outside their work;

achievement orientation
self-efficacy
positive perfectionism

Question 20

From whom is the “work engagement model”

Answer 20

bakker & demerouti (2008)

Question 21

High engagement in workplace: outcomes…

Answer 21

Better performance –> higher financial turnover

Reduced Absence; Reduced Personnel
Turnover; Higher productivity; Client satisfaction

Question 22

name and describe two organization health initiatives.

Answer 22

BEHEALTHY, BANCO SANTANDER: Work-life balance, healthy-eating and sports
CARREFOUR LIFE, CARREFOUR: Healthy eating, employee health and sports,

Question 23

Describe briefly some exercises to develop positive psyCap

Answer 23

Write a letter of gratitude twice a year (list 3 things…); reinforce positive future expectations,
accomplishments, strengths
➔ Celebrate a success at least once a week

Question 24

Org. health initiatives: criticism?

Answer 24

Narrow focus (fitness and healthy eating –> toxic)

Physical health = relatively small part of overall well-being

Question 25

Gamification in workplace?

Answer 25

use of game-thinking/game mechanics
in a non-game context

–> to improve engagement, ROI, data quality, timeliness, and learning

Question 26

COACH

Answer 26

concept of “personal trainer”; interaction that promotes learning for improving people’s performance; adult-adult relationship, non-directive, adult-adult relationship, focus on goals

Question 27

what kinda trend in coaching?

Answer 27

UPWARDS

Question 28

NAME DIFFERENT TYPES OF COACHING.

Answer 28

• Life coaching
• Executive coaching
• organizational coaching
• business coaching

Question 29

key coaching skills?

Answer 29

BPFC (Boys Poo, Fuck, Cry)

• building Trust/confidence
• promoting positive work outcome
• feedback
• creating right environment

Question 30

positive psychology: criticisms?

Answer 30

Simplistic approaches: Anything new?
Positive psychology as a form of ideology. The
individual as principal axis
Do I have to be happy? Then upset about not feeling
happiness
Positive or negative emotions?? Ignore the
context and call it a priori “positive” or good.
Cultural differences in happiness

Question 31

Coachign: criticisms

Answer 31

Minimal empirical evidence
• High professional infiltration
• Do you need work experience for coaching?

Question 32

Compare Psychotherapy and Coaching

Answer 32

Psychotherapy:

• • focus on past
• • deals with dysfunctions
• • guided by signs, symptoms, clinical course

Coaching:

• • focus on future
• • deals with healthy client
• • guided by goals

Question 33

Describe the Johari Window

Answer 33

Info known to self, and known to others = OPEN
Info know to self, not known to others = HIDDEN

Info known to others, not to self = BLIND
Info not known to others, not know to self = UNKNOWN