Psychology of Personality and Ability in the Workplace

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of motivating employees in an organization?

To reduce the workload of the manager

To punish those who are underperforming

To get things done and accomplish the objectives of the organization (correct)

To increase the salary of the employees

What is the starting point of the motivation process?

Following instructions

Achieving the goal

Satisfied need

Unsatisfied need (correct)

What is a major fault people make when trying to motivate others?

Not punishing underperformers

Giving unclear instructions

Not providing sufficient rewards

Not taking individual needs into concern (correct)

According to attribution theory, what do internal attributes imply?

The behavior is caused by something inside the person Signup and view all the answers

What is the ideal approach to motivating a person?

Knowing individual needs first and presenting a customized reward Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of the motivation process?

To satisfy the individual's need Signup and view all the answers

What do people often try to do, based on their childhood experiences?

Repeat favorable conditions or flee from unfavorable situations Signup and view all the answers

What is motivation, in the context of management?

Inspiring employees to work for the accomplishment of the organization's objectives Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of self-verification in a person's self-concept?

To preserve and stabilize one's self-views Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a dimension of self-concept?

Visual Perception Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of self-enhancement?

To magnify positive aspects of self-conceptions Signup and view all the answers

Which performance appraisal method involves rating subordinates according to a specified distribution?

Forced Distribution Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of attaching or attributing causes or reasons to the actions and events people see?

Attribution Signup and view all the answers

Which method allows supervisors to describe an employee's excellent or poor response to situations?

Critical Incident Method Signup and view all the answers

What are the three concepts that define self-evaluation?

Self-esteem, self-efficacy, and locus of control Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Graphic Rating Scale?

To develop an in-depth grading system Signup and view all the answers

What is the study of how people form impressions of and make inferences about other people?

Social perception Signup and view all the answers

How many conceptual dimensions of self-concept are mentioned in the content?

3 Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves comparing one employee to another?

Ranking Method Signup and view all the answers

What type of performance appraisal method is the Essay Method?

Qualitative Signup and view all the answers

What is the ability to interpret the surrounding environment by processing information that is contained in visible light?

Visual perception Signup and view all the answers

What is the acquisition and application of knowledge for solving problems?

Mental Ability Signup and view all the answers

Which method presents numerical values for each employee based on established criteria?

Paired Comparison Analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of ability that involves handling relationships and interactions with others?

Emotional Intelligence Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the Critical Incident Method?

It keeps answers open-ended and flexible Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the natural talents that aid employees in learning specific tasks more quickly and executing them better?

Aptitudes Signup and view all the answers

Which method is commonly used to evaluate an employee in terms of success in various areas?

Graphic Rating Scale Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the skills and knowledge that a person currently has, which tend to diminish over time when not in use?

Learned Capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the unwritten, unspoken, and hidden vast storehouse of work-related practical know-how that employees acquire?

Tacit Knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of ability that involves performing job-related tasks requiring manual labor or physical skill?

Physical Ability Signup and view all the answers

What are the skills and knowledge that a person currently has, which tend to diminish over time when not in use?

Learned Capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What are the natural talents that aid employees in learning specific tasks more quickly and executing them better?

Aptitudes Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of improving performance appraisals?

Identifying necessary skills Signup and view all the answers

Who proposed the reinforcement theory of motivation?

BF Skinner Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic motivation is based on personal interest, while extrinsic motivation is based on rewards Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'law of effect' in the context of reinforcement theory?

The idea that behavior is a function of its consequences Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of performance appraisal feedback?

To identify areas for improvement Signup and view all the answers

How many different approaches to rewards are being considered by managers?

7 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a manager in extrinsic motivation?

To offer tangible rewards Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of employee rewards programs?

Offering tangible rewards to employees Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Personality Traits in the Workplace

Institutionalizing various patterns of behavior requires common personality characteristics.
Other personality traits in the workplace include ability, self-concept, perceptions, and attributions.

Ability

Ability is a person's talent to perform a mental or physical task.
It includes natural aptitudes and learned capabilities.
Natural aptitudes are the talents that aid employees in learning specific tasks more quickly and executing them better.
Learned capabilities are the skills and knowledge that a person currently has.
Abilities that differentiate between higher and lower performers in the workplace include:
- Mental ability (intelligence)
- Emotional intelligence
- Tacit knowledge
- Physical ability

Mental Ability

Mental ability is a better predictor of training proficiency and job success.
It is the acquisition and application of knowledge to solve problems.
Types of mental abilities include:
- Verbal comprehension
- Word fluency
- Number aptitude
- Spatial ability
- Perceptual ability

Physical Ability

Physical ability is performing job-related tasks requiring manual labor or physical skill.
Jobs that require physical ability include:
- Structural iron and steel workers
- Tractor trailer and heavy equipment drivers
- Farm workers
- Firefighters

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the handling of relationships and interactions with others.
It has four basic components:
- Self-awareness
- Self-regulation
- Motivation
- Empathy

Tacit Knowledge

Tacit knowledge is the unwritten, unspoken, and hidden vast storehouse of work-related practical know-how.
Examples of tacit knowledge critical to business include:
- Intuition
- Insights
- Observations
- Internalized information
- Emotions
- Experiences

Self-Concept, Perceptions, and Attributions

Self-concept refers to how a person thinks about, evaluates, or perceives himself.
Three conceptual dimensions of self-concept that influence a person's adaptability and well-being include:
- Self-enhancement
- Self-verification
- Self-evaluation

Self-Enhancement

Self-enhancement is a desire to magnify positive aspects of self-conceptions while isolating oneself from negative feedback and information.

Self-Verification

Self-verification assumes that people work to preserve their self-views by seeking to confirm them.
It stabilizes a person's self-concept, which helps guide his thought and actions.

Self-Evaluation

Self-evaluation is an individual's honest and objective assessment of himself.
It is defined by three concepts:
- Self-esteem
- Self-efficacy
- Locus of control

Self-Monitoring

Self-monitoring refers to the level to which a person is able to check his actions and appearance in social situations.

Perceptions

Perception is an intellectual process by which an individual selects, organizes, and provides meaning to the world around him.

Visual Perception

Visual perception is the ability to interpret the surrounding environment by processing information that is contained in visible light.

Social perception is the study of how people form impressions of and make inferences about other people.

Attributions

Attribution is the process through which individuals link behavior to its causes, to the intentions, dispositions, and events that explain why people act the way they do.
Attribution theory can be divided into two different sections:
- Internal attributes
- External attributes

Motivation

Motivation means inspiring personnel/workers/employees with an enthusiasm to work for the accomplishment of the objectives of the organization.
A manager has to motivate his workers to perform in order to get things done.
Giving well-organized and understandable instructions and orders does not mean that they will be followed.
An unsatisfied need is the starting point of motivation, and it becomes the primary connection in the chain of events leading to behavior.

Content Approaches

Motivation is a complex phenomenon.
Several theories attempt to explain how motivation works.
In management circles, probably the most popular explanations of motivation are based on the needs of the individual.

Performance Appraisal

Performance appraisal is a method of evaluating an employee's performance.
Methods of performance appraisal include:
- Forced distribution
- Graphic rating scale
- Critical incident method
- Paired comparison analysis
- Ranking
- Essay method

Improving Performance Appraisals

More meaningful and effective ways of improving performance appraisals include:
- Providing clear expectations
- Setting goals
- Providing feedback
- Encouraging self-evaluation

Performance Appraisal Feedback

Performance appraisal feedback is always easier to give (and receive) if managers have followed a structured process of:
- Setting clear expectations
- Providing feedback
- Encouraging self-evaluation

Effectiveness of Performance Appraisals Feedback

Feedback can come from many different sources like managers and supervisors, measurement systems, peers, and customers.
Certain elements are needed to ensure its effectiveness, including:
- Specificity
- Timeliness
- Accuracy
- Relevance
- Regularity

Reinforcement Theory

Reinforcement theory of motivation was proposed by BF Skinner and his associates.
It states that the individual's behavior is a function of its consequences.
It is based on the "law of effect".
Individual's behavior with positive consequences tends to be repeated, but individual's behavior with negative consequences tends not to be repeated.

Employee Rewards Programs

Managers who are developing, revamping, or currently using rewards programs should consider these tips:
- Aligning rewards with organizational goals
- Providing clear expectations
- Setting goals
- Providing feedback
- Encouraging self-evaluation
- Considering individual needs
- Offering choices
- Providing opportunities for growth
- Recognizing and rewarding achievements

Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation is internal to the person in that it is something that has to be offered to oneself.
It is driven by personal interest or enjoyment in the work itself.

Extrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic motivation is based on tangible rewards.
It is external to the individual and is typically offered by a supervisor or manager who holds all the power in relation to when extrinsic rewards are offered and in what amount.

Innovative Rewards System

There are seven different approaches to rewards that are not yet widely tested but are being considered by managers:
- Skill-based pay
- Competency-based pay
- Contribution-based pay
- Team-based pay
- Gain-sharing
- Profit-sharing
- Stock options

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the relationship between personality and ability in the workplace, including natural aptitudes and learned capabilities. It explores how personality traits influence behavior and performance.