Chapter 2 Vocab Flashcards
Surface-level Diversity
Differences in easily perceived characteristics, such as gender, race, ethnicity, age, or disability, that do not necessarily reflect the ways people think or feel but may activate certain stereotypes.
Deep-level Diversity
Differences in values, personality, and work preferences that become progressively more important for determining similarity as people get to know one another better.
Discrimination
Noting of a difference between things; often we refer to unfair discrimination, which means making judgements about individuals based on stereotypes regarding their demographic group.
Discriminatory Policies or Practices
Actions taken by representatives of the organization that deny equal opportunity to perform or unequal rewards for performance.
Discriminatory Policies or Practices Example From Organizations
Older workers may be targeted for layoffs because they are highly paid and have lucrative benefits.
Sexual Harassment
Unwanted sexual advances and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that create a hostile or offensive work environment.
Sexual Harassment Example from Organizations
Salespeople at one company went on company-paid visits to strip clubs, brought strippers into the office to celebrate promotions, and fostered pervasive sexual rumors.
Intimidation
Overt threats or bullying directed at members of specific groups of employees.
Intimidation Example from Organizations
African-American employees at some companies have found nooses hanging over their work stations.
Mockery and Insults
Jokes or negative stereotypes; sometimes the result of jokes taken too far.
Mockery and Insults Example from Organizations
Arab-Americans have been asked at work whether they were carrying bombs or were members of terrorist organizations.
Exclusion
Exclusion of certain people from job opportunities, social events, discussions, or informal mentoring; can occur unintentionally.
Exclusion Example from Organizations
Many women in finance claim they are assigned to marginal job roles or are given light workloads that don’t lead to promotion.
Incivility
Disrespectful treatment, including behaving in an aggressive manner, interrupting the person, or ignoring his or her opinions.
Incivility Example from Organizations
Female lawyers note that male attorneys frequently cut them off or do not adequately address their comments.
Biographical Characteristics
Personal characteristics–such as age, gender, race, and length of tenure–that are objective and easily obtained from personnel records. These characteristics are representative of surface-level diversity.
Intellectual Abilities
The capacity to do mental activities–thinking, reasoning, and problem solving.
General Mental Ability (GMA)
An overall factor of intelligence, as suggested by the positive correlations among specific intellectual ability dimensions.
Number Aptitude
Ability to do speedy and accurate arithmetic.
Number Aptitude Job Example
Accountant: Computing the sales tax on a set of items
Verbal Comprehension
Ability to understand what is read or heard and the relationship of words to each other.
Verbal Comprehension Job Example
Plant Manager: Following corporate policies on hiring
Perceptual Speed
Ability to identify visual similarities and differences quickly and accurately.
Perceptual Speed Job Example
Fire Investigator: Identifying clues to support a charge of arson
Inductive Reasoning
Ability to identify a logical sequence in a problem and then solve the problem.
Inductive Reasoning Job Example
Market Researcher: Forecasting demand for a product in the next time period
Deductive Reasoning
Ability to use logic and assess the implications on an argument
Deductive Reasoning Job Example
Supervisor: Choosing between two difference suggestions offered by employees
Spatial Visualization
Ability to imagine how an object would look if its position in space were changed.
Spatial Visualization Job Example
Interior Decorator: Redecorating an office.
Memory
Ability to retain and recall past experiences.
Memory Job Example
Salesperson: Remembering the names of customers
Physical Abilities
The capacity to do tasks that demand stamina, dexterity, strength, and similar characteristics.
Dynamic Strength
Ability to exert muscular force repeatedly or continuously over time.
Trunk Strength
Ability to exert muscular strength using the truck (particularly abdominal) muscles.
Static Strength
Ability to exert force against external objects.
Explosive Strength
Ability to expend a maximum of energy in one or a series of explosive acts.
Extent Flexibility
Ability to move the trunk and back muscles as far as possible.
Dynamic Flexibility
Ability to make rapid, repeated flexing movements.
Body Coordination
Ability to coordinate the simultaneous actions of different parts of the body.
Balance
Ability to maintain equilibrium despite forces pulling off balance.
Stamina
Ability to continue maximum effort requiring prolonged effort over time.
Strength Factors
Dynamic Strength, Trunk Strength, Static Strength, and Explosive Strength
Flexibility Factors
Extent Flexibility and Dynamic Flexibility
Other Factors
Body Coordination, Balance, and Stamina
Diversity Management
The process and programs by which managers make everyone more aware of and sensitive to the needs and differences of others.
What are the two major forms of workforce diversity?
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What are stereotypes and how do they function in organizational settings?
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What are the key biographical characteristics and how are they relevant to OB?
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What is “intellectual ability” and how is it relevant to OB?
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How can you contrast intellectual and physical ability?
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How do organizations manage diversity effectively?
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