Individual Differences

1
Individual Differences

• B f (P,E)
• (Behavior is a function of the person and
  the environment.)
• The Person The Environment
• Skills Abilities Organization
• Personality Work Group
• Perception Job
• Attribution Personal Life
• Values
• Ethics
• Motives

2
Why is the study of Individual Differences of
interest to managers?

• Selection
• Placement
• Training
• Motivation
• Leadership

3
Personality

• Internal State
• Uniqueness
• Consistency
• Stability

4
Personality Theories

• Developmental Stage (Psychodynamic)
• (Freud, etc.)
• Trait-Based
• e.g., Neurotic, Extraversion, Authoritarian
• Motive-Based
• e.g., Achievement, Affiliation, Power
  (McClelland)
• Belief-Based
• e.g., Internal vs. External Locus of Control

5
Personality Theory The Big Five Traits

• Conscientiousness
• Careful, persevering.
• Agreeableness
• Likable, care about others.
• Neuroticism (vs. Emotional Stability)
• Neurotics are often nervous, critical of others,
  and feel angry with others and themselves.
• Openness to Experience
• Flexible, with broad interests.
• Extraversion (vs. Introversion)
• Sociable, friendly.

6
Self-Concept Components

• Self-esteem Degree to which people feel good
  about themselves and their abilities.
• Self-efficacy A persons belief about his or her
  chances of successfully accomplishing a specific
  task.

7
Values vs. Attitudes

• Values (Basic Convictions What is right, good,
  desirable)
• General - Contain many attitudes
• e.g., Conservative, Liberal, etc.
• Attitudes (Beliefs, Assumptions)
• Evaluative judgments focused on specific objects,
  concepts
• e.g., Attitude toward welfare, health care
  reform, etc.

8
Types of Values

• Terminal Values
• Desired Goals
• e.g., World Peace, Happiness, Freedom, True
  Friendship, Equality, Family Security
• Instrumental Values
• Means of Achieving Terminal Values
• e.g., Ambition, Politeness, Self-Reliance,
  Honesty, Cheerfulness, Open-Mindedness

9
Hofstedes Dimensions of Culture

• Power Distance
• Uncertainty Avoidance
• Individualism/Collectivism
• Masculinity/Femininity
• Time Orientation (Short vs. Long)

10
HOFSTEDES CULTURAL DIMENSIONS
Power Distance
low
high
Frequent interaction of people from different
backgrounds more democratic
Limited interaction between low-status and
high-status individuals obedience to power
Uncertainty Avoidance
low
high
Greater ease in unstructured, unpredictable
situations
Avoidance of unstructured, unpredictable
situations
Individualism
Collectivism
Primary concern for interests of the group
Primary concern for self expected to take care
of self
Masculinity
Femininity
Valuing achievement Emphasis on assertiveness,
competitiveness, material success
Valuing relationships Emphasis on security,
feelings
11
Time Orientation

• Short-Term Orientation means that people expect
  fairly rapid feedback from decisions, expect
  quick profits, frequent job evaluations and
  promotions, etc.

12
Hofstedes Dimensions of Culture

• US Jap Fra Chil Tai WAfr Mex Ger
• PD 40 54 68 63 58 77 81 35
• UA 46 92 86 86 69 54 82 65
• I/C 91 46 71 23 17 20 30 67
• M/F 62 95 43 28 45 46 69 66
• TO 29 80 30 - (118) 16 - 31
• (China)