L3

Question 1

The trait approach

Answer 1

• Focuses on individual traits and personality.

- Individuals possess stable traits that influence their attitudes and behaviours.

Question 2

The situational approach

Answer 2

• The strength of the situation matters.
• Personality has the strongest effect in weak situations
  
  • > Weak situations = roles are loosely defined, there are few rules and weak reinforcement and punishment contingencies.
• Personality has less of an impact in strong situations.
  
  • > Strong situations = the roles, rules and contingencies are more defined.

Question 3

The interactionist approach

Answer 3

• Combine personality and situation and see how they interact.
• An individual’s personality and the work setting predict organisational behaviour.
• This is the most widely accepted approach to organisational behaviour.

Question 4

Five Factor model of Personality, the “Big 5”

Answer 4

1. Conscientious
2. Agreeableness
3. Emotional Stability/Neuroticism
4. Openness to experience
5. Extraversion
   CANOE

Question 5

Conscientiousness

Answer 5

Reflects dependability, responsible, organised, careful, self-disciplined and achievement-oriented.

Question 6

Agreeableness

Answer 6

Reflects empathetic, caring, courteous, cooperative.

Question 7

Emotional stability/Neuroticism (not emotionally stable)

Answer 7

Calm, unemotional, secure, not angry vs. anxious, hostile, depressed

Question 8

Openness to experience

Answer 8

Imaginative, creative, curious, cultured, broad minded

Question 9

Extraversion

Answer 9

Outgoing, sociable, talkative, active and ambitious.

Question 10

Issues and criticism of personality testing.

Answer 10

• Not a strong predictor of work performance
• No “one best personality”
• Potential issues of discrimination
• Impression management (fake it to look good), social desirability
• Self deception, (self reports not best measures, may misrepresent ourselves)

Question 11

What is self monitoring?

Answer 11

-Extent to which people observe and regulate how they appear and behave in social settings and relationships.

Question 12

What is self esteem?

Answer 12

The degree to which a person has a positive self-evaluation.

Question 13

Positive and Negative Affectivity.

Answer 13

• PA and NA are emotional dispositions that predict people’s general emotional tendencies.
• People who are high on PA experience positive emotions and mood and view the world in a positive light.
• People who are high on NA experience negative emotions and moods and view world in a negative light.

Question 14

What is resilience?

Answer 14

The capability of individuals to cope successfully in the face of significant change, adversity or risk.

Question 15

What is self-efficacy?

Answer 15

A person’s belief that they have the motivation, resources, knowledge and ability to complete a task.

Question 16

What is personality?

Answer 16

The set of characteristics which are reasonably enduring and consistent in a person’s behaviour.
-3 key perspectives: the trait approach, the situational approach and the interactionist approach.