Applied Psychology

Question 1

explain what industrial/organizational psychology is

Answer 1

is a field that focuses on he psychology of work and on behaviour within organizations

Question 2

What are the three goals pursued by I/O psychologists

Answer 2

1) helping employers deal with employees fairly

2) helping to make jobs more interesting

3) helping workers to be more productive

Question 3

explain organizational culture

Answer 3

the blend of customs, beliefs, values, attitudes and rituals within an organization

Question 4

explain organizational citizenship

Answer 4

making positive contributions to the success of an organization in ways that go beyond ones job description

Question 5

what are 5 things which could promote workplace anger

Answer 5

1) personality traits
2) job related stress
3) perceived threats
4) work related conflicts
5) economic pressure

Question 6

what is personal psychology?

Answer 6

a branch of industrial/organizational psychology concerned with testing, selection, placement and promotion of employees

Question 7

explain what job analysis is

Answer 7

a detailed description of the skills, knowledge and activities required by a particular job

Question 8

explain the three selection procedures

Answer 8

1) biodata - a detailed biographical information about a job applicant

2) interviews - formal or informal questioning of job applications to learn their qualifications and to gain an impression of their personalities

3) psychological tests to asses mental ability, personal, interest, aptitude and assessment centres which are in depth evaluations of a job applicant

Question 9

what is performance appraisal (360 degree feedback)

Answer 9

evaluations of employee performance. mainly anonymous, numerical ratings, collected from different perspectives

Question 10

what is meant by the term job satisfaction

Answer 10

the degree to which a person is comfortable with or satisfied with their work

Question 11

what are the two factors which contribute to job satisfaction

Answer 11

the extent to which we get along with colleagues and the extent to which there is a good fit between the work being done and employee characteristics

Question 12

what are two ways which you can improve job satisfaction

Answer 12

1) job enrichment = making a job more personally rewarding, interesting or intrinsically motivating, typically involved increasing worker knowledge

2) Flexible working conditions = flextime and felxplace

Question 13

explain the leadership style: Theory Y

Answer 13

an approach to leadership that emphasize work efficiency

Question 14

explain the leadership style: Theory X

Answer 14

a leadership style which emphasizes humans relations at work and that views people as industrious, responsible and interested in challenging work

Question 15

what is the main goal of transformational leadership

Answer 15

leadership aimed at transforming employees to exceed expectations and look beyond self-interests to help the organization

Question 16

what are the 4 ways in which transformational leaderships goal can be achieved

Answer 16

1) realized influence
2) inspirational motivations
3) intelectual stimulation
4) individualized consideration

Question 17

what is a self-managed team

Answer 17

a work group that has a high degree of freedom with respect to how to achieves its goals

Question 18

what is quality circle

Answer 18

an employee discussion group that makes suggestions got improving quality and solving business problems

Question 19

what is ecological footprint

Answer 19

the amount of land and water area required to replenish the resources that a human population consumes

Question 20

what is attentional overload

Answer 20

a stressful condition caused when sensory stimulation, information and social contacts make excessive demands on attention

Question 21

what is an environmental assessment?

Answer 21

the measurement and analysis of the effects that an environment has on behaviour and perceptions of people within that environment

Question 22

what do architectural psychologist do

Answer 22

they study the effects that buildings have on behaviour and the design of buildings using behavioural principles

Question 23

what is legal psychology

Answer 23

the study of psychological and behavioural dimensions of the legal system

Question 24

what is forensic psychology

Answer 24

the study of clinical aspects of the law

Question 25

what is scientific hurry selection

Answer 25

using social science principles to choose members of a jury

Question 26

what is death-qualified jury

Answer 26

people who are not opposed to the death penalty - they are able to serve on trials where murders take place

Question 27

what is a mock jury

Answer 27

a group which realistically stimulates a courtroom jury

Question 28

what are the 4 challenges associated with getting a jury to reach a fair verdict

Answer 28

1) people on the jury are hardly able to put aside their bias, values and attitudes

2) people on the jury are not very good at separating the evidence from their perception of the people involved in the trial

3) they also tend to incorporate information which was in the public before the trial in their decision

4) they cannot suspend judgement until all of the evidence is presented which can be difficult for individuals

Question 29

what is community psychology

Answer 29

a branch of psychology that goes beyond an individual focus and integrates social, cultural, economic, political, environmental and international influence to promote positive change, health and empowerment at individual and systematic levels

Question 30

what is sports psychology

Answer 30

the study of the psychological and behavioural dimensions of sports performances

Question 31

what is task analysis

Answer 31

breaking complex skills into their subparts

Question 32

what are the 6 suggestions for optimal skill learning

Answer 32

1) observing and limiting a skilled model

2) learn verbal rules to back up motor learning

3) practice should be as lifelike as possible

4) get feedback from videotapes or coaches

5) when possible it is better to practice natural units rather then breaking the task into artificial parts

6) mental practices or imagining a skilled performance

Question 33

define peak performance

Answer 33

a performance during which physical, mental and emotional states are harmonious and optimal

Question 34

name 4 ways in which someone can try to ensure optimal arousal

Answer 34

1) fixed routine before each game or event

2) imaginary and relaxation techniques

3) athletes learning to use cognitive behavioural strategies to guide their efforts in a supportive, positive way

4) self-regulation strategies