Ch. 14: Understanding Individual Behavior

Question 1

self-efficacy

Answer 1

an individual’s strong belief that he or she can accomplish a specific task or outcome successfully

Question 2

self-confidence

Answer 2

general assurance in one’s own ideas, judgment and capabilities

Question 3

self-awareness

Answer 3

being aware of the internal aspects of one’s nature

Question 4

What are 2 methods for enhancing self-awareness?

Answer 4

1. soliciting feedback

2. self-assessment

Question 5

attitude

Answer 5

an evaluation that predisposes a person to act a certain way–determine how people perceive the work environment, interact with others, and behave on the job

Question 6

organizational commitment

Answer 6

an employee’s loyalty to and engagement with the org.

–>trust in mgmt. decisions and integrity is key

Question 7

cognitive dissonance

Answer 7

a psychological discomfort that occurs when individuals recognize inconsistencies in their own attitudes and behaviors

Question 8

perception

Answer 8

the cognitive process that people use to make sense out of the environment by selecting, organizing, and interpreting info from the environment

Question 9

attributions

Answer 9

judgments about what caused a person’s behavior (attempt to understand why others behave the way they do)

Question 10

self-serving bias

Answer 10

people give themselves too much credit for what they do well and give external forces too much blame when they fail

Question 11

Big 5 personality factors

Answer 11

1. extroversion: outgoing, sociable and comfortable with interpersonal relationships
2. agreeableness: able to get along with others
3. conscientiousness: dependable and goal-oriented
4. emotional stability: clam and self-confident
5. openness to experience: willing to consider new ideas

Question 12

locus of control

Answer 12

how people perceive the cause of life events

• high internal locus: control their own fate
• high external locus: event occurs because of chance

Question 13

authoritarianism

Answer 13

the belief that power and status should exist within an org.

Question 14

Machiavellianism

Answer 14

the acquisition of power and the manipulation of other people for purely personal gain

Question 15

Myers-Briggs type indicator

Answer 15

measure’s a person’s preferences for introversion vs. extroversion; sensation vs. intuition; thinking vs. feeling; and judging vs. perceiving

Question 16

What are the 4 components of emotional intelligence?

Answer 16

1. self-awareness: accurately assess your own strengths and limitations & have a healthy level of self-confidence
2. self-management: ability to control emotions and balance moods as to not interfere with productivity
3. social awareness: ability to understand others and practice empathy
4. relationship mgmt.: ability to connect to others

Question 17

self-management

Answer 17

the ability to engage in self-regulating thoughts to accomplish all your tasks

Question 18

What are the 5 steps for self-management?

Answer 18

1. empty your head (clarity of mind)
2. decide the next action (clarity of objectives)
3. get organized
4. perform a weekly review
5. do it

Question 19

What are the 2 types of stress?

Answer 19

1. challenge stress: fires you up

2. threat stress: burns you out

Question 20

Type A behavior

Answer 20

extreme competitiveness, impatience, aggressiveness and devotion to work

Question 21

Type B behavior

Answer 21

demonstrate less Type A behavior and experience less conflict with other people and a more blanked, relaxed lifestyle

Question 22

What are 2 causes of work stress?

Answer 22

1. role ambiguity: unclear about what task behaviors are expected of them
2. role conflict: incompatible demands from others

Question 23

What are 4 things an individual can do to combat stress?

Answer 23

1. prevention: seek and destroy key sources
2. find meaning and support (buffering hypothesis)
3. meditate and manage your energy
4. find work-life balance

Question 24

What are 4 things managers and organizations can do to alleviate stress among the workforce?

Answer 24

1. create a psychologically healthy workplace (make people feel valued)
2. provide wellness programs and training
3. train managers in stress intervention
4. make sure people get to have some fun at work