Chapter 5 Individual Differences

Self-Concept Your understanding of yourself Cognitions – thoughts Self esteem, self efficacy, & self monitoring

Esteem – Efficacy Distinction Self esteem – overall evaluation of self Self efficacy – belief in your ability to do something specific

Effects of High Self-Efficacy Prior Experience Sources of Self- Efficacy Beliefs FeedbackBehavioral PatternsResults High “I know I can do this job” Self-efficacy beliefs Success  Be active—select best opportunities  Manage the situation— avoid or neutralize obstacles  Set goals—establish standards  Plan, prepare, practice  Try hard: persevere  Creatively solve problems  Learn from setbacks  Visualize success  Limit Stress Behavior Models Persuasion from Others Assessment of physical/ emotional state 5-4

Effects of Low Self-Efficacy Sources of Self-Efficacy Beliefs FeedbackBehavioral Patterns Results Self-efficacy beliefs  Be passive  Avoid difficult tasks  Develop weak aspirations and low commitment  Focus on personal deficiencies  Don’t even try—make a weak effort  Quit or become discouraged because of setbacks  Blame setbacks on lack of ability or bad luck  Worry, experience stress, become depressed  Think of excuses for failing Low “I don’t think I can get the job done” Failure Prior Experience Behavior Models Persuasion from Others Assessment of physical/ emotional state 5-5

Self Monitoring Extent to which one is aware of their own self- expressive behavior & changes it for their audience Self monitoring related to career success, promotions, getting a mentor Too high or too low – both problematic

Personality Enduring characteristics that influence how you think, feel, and behave. – Unique nature of a person Personality impacts behavior – How resources are managed

Big Five Personality Traits

Extraversion Tendency to experience positive emotions, moods, and feelings Extraverts – outgoing, talkative, sociable Introverts – less interested in social interactions, shy

Emotional Stability Tendency to experience negative emotions, moods, and be critical of oneself. Unstable – Feel angry, dissatisfied, nervous, neurotic Stable – Less pessimistic and critical, stable, confident

Agreeableness Tendency to get along well with others High agreeableness – Likable, caring, pleasant to be around, warm Low Agreeableness – Distrustful, uncooperative, antagonistic, independent, cold, rude

Conscientiousness Tendency to be careful & scrupulous High Conscientiousness – Organized, self-disciplined, on time Low Conscientiousness – Spontaneous, fun-loving, experimental

Openness to Experience Tendency to be original, have broad interests, take risks High Openness – Take risks, be innovative, curious Low Openness – Conservative, practical, unimaginative

More about personality Proactive personality – Unconstrained by the situation – Effects environmental change – Internal/external locus of control Personality testing in selection (2 main problems) – Adverse impact – Easy to fake

Contributors to Performance Ability Skill Performance Effort 5-15

Abilities (Intelligence) and Performance Ability – broad and stable characteristic responsible for maximum performance on mental and physical tasks Skill – Specific capacity to manipulate physical objects

Sleep and Abilities Not enough sleep leads to: – Less effective decision making, more stress, not as healthy, don’t learn as well 24 hours awake is equal to blood alcohol level of minute nap between 1PM & 3PM

Intelligence Capacity for constructive thinking, reasoning, and problem solving – Genetically predetermined & environmentally influenced Spearman’s model – General mental ability (needed for all tasks) – Task specific ability Intelligence-related predictors of job performance: – Numerical ability – Spatial ability – Inductive reasoning

Positive and Negative Emotions Happiness /Joy Pride Love/ affection Relief Anger Fright/ anxiety Guilt/ shame Sadness Envy/ jealousy Disgust Negative Emotions (goal incongruent) Positive Emotions (goal congruent) 5-19

Emotional Intelligence Self-Awareness Self-Management Social Awareness Relationship Management

More about emotions Emotions are contagious Emotional Labor – Detrimental to employee’s physical and psychological health Gender differences – No difference in felt emotions – Females are more emotionally expressive

Paving the Road to Success Striving for success by developing one’s self- efficacy, optimism, hope, and resiliency Psychological Capital A demanding, repetitive, and assisted program to improve one’s performance Deliberate Practice Lucky people make their own good fortune Luck A realistic assessment of one’s own contribution and the recognition of the contribution of others and luck to one’s success Humility 5-22