Organizational Behavior Chapter 2

Workplace Diversity

• Two major forms of workplace diversity: visible (such as race, gender) and invisible (such as thoughts, experiences).
• Effective management of diversity enhances organizational performance and employee satisfaction.

Workplace Discrimination and Organizational Effectiveness

• Discrimination involves unfair treatment based on stereotypes, which can harm both employees and the organization.
• Stereotype threat occurs when individuals internalize negative stereotypes about their group, impacting their performance.
• Exclusion limits access to job opportunities and professional advancement, notably affecting women in finance.
• Incivility includes disrespectful behaviors that create a hostile work environment, impacting female employees the most.

Biographical Characteristics and Organizational Behavior

• Biological characteristics, like age and sex, influence workplace dynamics and can be sources of discrimination.
• The workforce is aging, with older workers demonstrating lower turnover and absenteeism rates, countering assumptions about their productivity.
• Gender disparities persist with women often earning less and having fewer opportunities despite no significant differences in abilities.
• Racial and ethnic discrimination remains prevalent, with biases affecting evaluations, promotions, and job prospects.
• Individuals classified as disabled may receive higher evaluations but often face lower expectations.
• Hidden disabilities include various impairments that require organizational accommodation and support.

Other Characteristics and Organizational Behavior

• Tenure positively correlates with productivity, indicating that longer-serving employees typically perform better.
• U.S. law prohibits religious discrimination; however, challenges persist, particularly for Muslims.
• Discrimination based on sexual orientation is not federally protected, although many companies adopt inclusive policies.
• Recognition and accommodation of cultural identities is crucial in fostering diverse workplace environments.

Intellectual and Physical Abilities in Organizational Behavior

• Abilities are essential for job performance, categorized into intellectual and physical abilities.
• Intellectual abilities are critical for cognitive tasks like thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving.
• General mental ability encompasses various dimensions, indicating an individual’s overall intelligence.
• Intellectual abilities dimensions include:
  • Number aptitude: Quick and accurate arithmetic.
  • Verbal comprehension: Understanding spoken and written language.
  • Perceptual speed: Identifying visual similarities/differences accurately.
  • Inductive reasoning: Recognizing patterns and solving problems logically.
  • Deductive reasoning: Analyzing arguments and making logical assessments.
  • Spatial visualization: Envisioning spatial changes and their impacts.
  • Memory: Retaining and recalling past events and information.

This quiz focuses on Chapter 2 of 'Organizational Behavior', which examines diversity in organizations. It covers the two major forms of workplace diversity, the implications of workplace discrimination on organizational effectiveness, and key biographical characteristics impacting diversity. Test your understanding of these important concepts!