Research Methods
What is a "hypothesis"? Define it.
–An explicit, testable prediction about the conditions under which an event will occur.
An expected relationship between variables
Which Big 5 trait is most likely to be associated with creativity, learning, and innovation?
Openness
Ambivalent
Define job satisfaction.
Collection of feelings, beliefs, and thoughts about how to behave with respect to one's job.
This is the tendency to blame individual actors and underestimate the role of the context
Fundamental Attribution Error
What is a cognitive schema?
Our past experiences are organized into schemas – which are abstract knowledge structures that are stored in memory and allow people to organize and interpret information.
Define motivation.
A set of energetic forces that originates both within and outside an employee, initiates work-related effort, and determines its direction, intensity, and persistence.
People who are most likely to experience stress are high on the Big Five dimensions of:
Neuroticism or negative affinity.
What is a variable?
–a person, place, thing, or phenomenon that you are trying to measure and which varies across context, time, people, etc.
This trait is likely to be "good" for OB. This trait is likely to be "bad" for OB?
Name each.
Trick question!
The ”fit” between people’s personality characteristics and the characteristics of the job are more important determinants of performance and satisfaction, then any one particular trait.
All attitudes are underpinned by these three responses.
Affect, Cognition, Behavior
Job satisfaction is influenced by 4 sets of factors. Describe 2.
1) Work situation
2) Personality
3) Values
4) Social Influence
What is the difference between internal and external explanations of behaviors? Provide an example of each.
–Internal explanations – when the behavior is thought to be under the control of the person.
–External explanations – when behavior is the result of situational constraints - e.g., chance, rules, custom, task difficulty, luck
What is a stereotype?
–Example of dysfunctional schema
–They are a set of overly simplified and often inaccurate beliefs about a typical characteristic of a particular group.
–Stereotyped individuals are assigned to the schema only because they possess a single distinguishing characteristic.
This theory argues that motivation doesn’t just depend on your own beliefs but also what happens to other people.
Equity Theory
What causes stress? Name 3 potential stressors.
Five major potential stressors, or sources of stress are:
a. One’s personal life.
b. One’s job responsibilities.
c. Membership in work groups and organizations.
d. Work-life balance.
e. Environmental uncertainty.
Name 2 of the 4 "Research Designs" described in lectutre.
•Descriptive
•Correlational
•Experimental
•Meta-analysis
Name 3 of the 5 traits from the Big 5 taxonomy.
•Conscientiousness
•Agreeableness
•Neuroticism
•Openness to experience
•Extraversion
Define an attitude.
“a psychological tendency that is expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of favor or disfavor”
(Eagly & Chaiken, 1993)
What are two potential consequences of job satisfaction?
1) Performance
2) Increased retention
3) More organizational citizenship behaviors
4) well-being
What is confirmation bias?
the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories.
What can undermine DEI programs and initiatives?
Bias in individuals and organizations
Goals are motivating and most effective when they are:
1.Specific
2.Difficult
Better than no goals, easy goals, or “do your best” goals.
What are the two different ways people cope with stress? Define and provide an example of each.
Problem-focused coping---the steps people take to deal directly with and act on the source of stress.
Emotion-focused coping—steps people take to deal with and control their stressful feelings and emotions.
What is the main benefit and limitation of "correlational" research? Identify one of each.
Benefit-- relationship, naturally occurring variables
limitation-- cannot establish causality
Define one of the following and describe the meaning of scoring high or low on each:
1) Locus of control
2) self-monitoring
Self-monitoring: Degree to which people try to control the way they present themselves
•Highs: Strive to behave in a situationally appropriate manner
•Lows: Guided by their own attitudes, beliefs, and feelings rather than by what the situation calls for
Locus of control: Degree to which people believe they have control over what happens to them
•Internals: Believe their own actions affect their fate
•Externals: Believe that one’s fate depends on outside forces
Define "values"
Personal convictions about what one should strive for in life and how one should behave
Define organizational commitment
•Feelings and beliefs about the employing organization as a whole
What is a self-fulfilling prophecy? Give an example in organizational settings.
A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that comes true at least in part as a result of a person's or group of persons' belief or expectation that said prediction would come true
Manager expectations about employee potential.
What does DEI stand for? Define 2/3.
Diversity: Who is represented in the workforce?
Embracing diversity means recognizing and valuing these differences.
Equity: Who is supported in the workforce?
Achieving equity requires actively working to ensure equal access and opportunities for all.
Inclusivity: Who is respected in the workforce?
Promoting inclusivity involves creating an environment that is welcoming to all.
According to this theory, motivation is shaped by..
-expectancy
-instrumentality
-valence
Name the theory, and define 2/3 terms.
expectancy theory
1.That effort will result in performance (Expectancy)
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2.That performance will result in outcomes (Instrumentality)
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3.That those outcomes will be valuable (Valence)
What are the three types of consequences associated with stress? Nam and provide an example of each.
Physiological, Psychological, Behavioral
What is the main benefit and limitation of "experimental" research? Identify one of each.
Benefit-- cause and effect
limitation-- can have low external validity and realism
Describe two reasons why the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) should not be used.
Low reliability (test - retest)
Poor construct validity
Define and provide an example of "intrinsic" and "extrinsic" values.
Intrinsic Values
•Interesting work
•Challenging work
•Learning new things
•Making important contributions
•Responsibility and autonomy
•Being creative
Extrinsic Values
•Pay
•Job security
•Job benefits
•Status in wider community
•Social contacts
•Time with family
•Time for hobbies
Name and describe 2 of the 3 types of organizational commitments.
–Affective commitment – when happy to be members of an organization, believe in and feel good about organization and what it stands for, attached to org, intend to do what is good for org
–Continuance commitment – it is very costly for employees to leave an organization
–Normative commitment – extent to which commitment is related to what pressures from others – social pressures, fear of what others would think if quit, etc.
What was the Stroop test? Describe the two processes of the human mind that it illustrates.
automatic (read) vs. control (ink)
Why is DEI important for organizations and managers? Describe at least 3 moral, ethical, legal, practical reasons.
1)Enhanced creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and decision-making.
2)Better talent acquisition, retention, and promotion.
3)Improved market reach and branding
4)Increased reputation among employees, customers, and the public.
Define 4 of the following 5:
1.Expectancy Theory
2.Goal Setting Theory
3.Equity Theory
4.Psychological Empowerment
5.Justice Theory
1.Expectancy Theory; rational approach to understanding motivation, based on expectancy, instrumentality, valence.
2.Goal Setting Theory; •Motivation is influenced by directing efforts toward obtaining goals.
3.Equity Theory: Motivation doesn’t just depend on your own beliefs but also what happens to other people.
4.Psychological Empowerment: An intrinsic form of motivation derived from the belief that one’s work tasks are contributing to some larger purpose
5.Justice Theory: •Motivation suffers when procedures are perceived as unfair and employees feel unfairly treated
Name, define, and provide examples of 3 job-related stressors.
A wide variety of potential stressors arise from a person’s job.
a. Role conflict.
b. Role ambiguity.
c. Overload.
d. Underload.
e. Challenging assignments.
f. Promotions