Individual Differences

Individual Differences • Lewin B = f(P,E) • In order to understand human behavior we must know something about the person and something about the situation.

The Person • Skills and Abilities • Personality • Perceptions • Attributions • Attitudes • Values

The Situation or Environment • Organization (structure & design) • Work Group (size, norms, cohesive) • Job (complexity, variety, feedback) • Personal Life (work/family conflict) • Other Situational Factors

Personality Defined Relatively stable pattern of behaviors and consistent internal states that explain a person's behavioral tendencies Personality is shaped by both heredity and environment

Biological Basis - Heredity • Traits associated with temperament and sociability traced to genetics • Preferences in clothing, food, habits, appearance • Tendencies toward extroversion leadership, dominance • resistance to stress, work ethic, achievement

Environmental or Situational Basis • Examples of situational influences include family, cultural, educational influences, the way we are rewarded and punished etc. • Traits like aggression, risk aversion, need for intimacy and comfort

Measuring Personality • Projective tests – pictures, abstract images, photos, Ink blot • Behavioral measures – observing behavior in a controlled situation where you can record occurrences • Self-report questionnaire (MMPI) (NEO) (MBTI)

General Conclusions: • Behavior is a function of the person interacting with his/her environment. Both play almost equal parts. • Personality traits are less evident in situations where social norms, rules, reward systems, or consequences constrain behavior

General Conclusions Con’t • Personality tests were widely used in selection 40 years ago • Research began to report a weak relationship between those tests and actual job performance • Tests might unfairly discriminate against some groups of people

General Conclusions Con’t • In the last 10 years some personality traits have regained some credibility in predicted work-related behaviors, stress reactions, and emotions • In general, personality tests are not good predictors of job performance

Personality Variables in OB Research • Big Five • MBTI • Locus of Control • Self-Monitoring • Self-Esteem Self-Efficacy • Negative/Positive Affect

Big Five Personality Dimensions • Conscientiousness (h,l) – careful, dependable, self-disciplined • Agreeableness(h,l) – courteous, good-natured, empathic, caring • Emotional Stability/Neuroticism – poised, secure, calm; anxious, hostile, depressed • Openness to experience(h,l) (most complex) - Sensitive, flexible, creative, curious, less resistant to change • Extroversion/Introversion – outgoing, talkative, sociable, assertive; quiet, cautious, often shy

MBTI – Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Extroversion: Energy directed outward toward people and things. Focus – change the world. Seeks variety and action. Introversion: Energy directed inward toward concepts and ideas. Focus – understand the world. Seeks quiet for concentration.

Sensing/Intuition Sensing – mode of perception is the five senses, reliance on experience and data. Focus is practical and reality. Prefers using learned skills, pays attention to details and facts. Intuition – mode of perception is intuition, what is possible. Focus is on the future, innovation. Prefers adding new skills, looking at complex patterns.

Thinking/Feeling Thinking – Mode of decision making is based on logic. Focus is on things, truth, principles solving problems. Treats others fairly, less personable, more businesslike. Feeling – Mode of decision making is on human values and needs. Focus is on people, harmony, being supportive. Acts more personable, friendly.

Judgment/Perception Judgment – lifestyle involves planning. Focus is being decisive, purposeful. Closure is important, completing tasks, making decisions. Perception – lifestyle is more spontaneous. Focus is curious, flexible, and adaptable. Considering possibilities, gathering information, postpone decisions.

Locus of Control and Self-Monitoring • Locus of control • Internals believe in their effort and ability • Externals believe events are mainly due to external causes • Self-monitoring (high, low)Extent to which people base their behavior on cues from other people and situations

Self Monitoring • Self Monitoring – Situational appropriateness, Self expression and Self presentation. High SM’s use situational cues or social information to regulate their own verbal and nonverbal self presentation. Low SM act more from internal, dispositional states. Their behavior is more consistent.

Self Esteem and Self Efficacy • Self Esteem – a belief about one’s own worth based on an overall evaluation • Self Efficacy – a person’s belief about her chances of successfully accomplishing a specific task

Negative/Positive Affect • Negative Affect – a temporary mood state or a more chronic tendency toward negative emotionality and self concept. • Positive Affect – a mood/disposition to focus on the positive aspects of themselves, others and the world in general

Individual Differences