ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Micro-Organizational Behavior: Personality and Ability

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. The Big Five Model of Personality ExtroversionExtroversion NeuroticismNeuroticism AgreeablenessAgreeableness ConscientiousnessConscientiousness Openness to ExperienceOpenness to Experience

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. The Hierarchical Organization of Personality Source: Adapted from R. R. McCrae and P. T. Costa, "Discriminant Validity of NEO-PIR Facet Scales,” Educational and Psychological Measurement, 52, pp. 229–237. Copyright Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications, Inc.

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. A Big Five Personality Profile

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Extroversion The tendency to experience positive emotional states and feel good about oneself and the world around one; also called positive affectivity.The tendency to experience positive emotional states and feel good about oneself and the world around one; also called positive affectivity. Specific traits include positive emotions, gregariousness, and warmth

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Neuroticism The tendency to experience negative emotional states and view oneself and the world around one negatively; also called negative affectivity.The tendency to experience negative emotional states and view oneself and the world around one negatively; also called negative affectivity. Specific traits include anxiety, self- consciousness, and vulnerability.

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Agreeableness The tendency to get along well with others.The tendency to get along well with others. Specific traits include trust, straightforwardness and tender- mindedness.

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Conscientiousness The extent to which a person is careful, scrupulous, and persevering.The extent to which a person is careful, scrupulous, and persevering. Specific traits include competence, order and self-discipline.

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Openness to Experience The extent to which a person is original, has broad interests, and is willing to take risks.The extent to which a person is original, has broad interests, and is willing to take risks. Specific traits include fantasy, actions, and ideas.

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Traits versus Types Traits represent single dimensions of personalityTraits represent single dimensions of personality Types represent constellations of traitsTypes represent constellations of traits

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Other Personality Models Myers Briggs Type IndicatorMyers Briggs Type Indicator –Extroversion-Introversion –Thinking-Feeling –Sensing-Intution –Judging-Perceiving Scores on each one of these “traits” is less important than your overall type.Scores on each one of these “traits” is less important than your overall type.

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Type A/B Personality Type A: a behavior pattern involving high levels of competitiveness, time urgency, and irritabilityType A: a behavior pattern involving high levels of competitiveness, time urgency, and irritability Type B: a behavior pattern characterized by a casual, laid back style.Type B: a behavior pattern characterized by a casual, laid back style. What is the effect of Type on health, personal relations, and task performance?What is the effect of Type on health, personal relations, and task performance?

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Positive-Negative Affectivity Positive Affectivity: the tendency to experience positive moods regardless of the situation.Positive Affectivity: the tendency to experience positive moods regardless of the situation. Negative Affectivity: the tendency to experience negative moods regardless of the situation.Negative Affectivity: the tendency to experience negative moods regardless of the situation. What is the impact of affectivity on performance?What is the impact of affectivity on performance?

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Other Personality Traits at Work Locus of ControlLocus of Control –The extent to which people believe that their behavior has a real effect on what happens to them. People who believe that individuals are in control of their lives are said to have an internal locus of control.People who believe that individuals are in control of their lives are said to have an internal locus of control. People who think that forces beyond their control dictate what happens to them are said to have an external locus of control.People who think that forces beyond their control dictate what happens to them are said to have an external locus of control.

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Other Personality Traits at Work Self-EfficacySelf-Efficacy –A person’s beliefs about his or her capabilities to perform a task. AuthoritarianismAuthoritarianism –The extent to which a person believes that power and status differences are appropriate within hierarchical social systems such as organizations.

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Other Personality Traits at Work MachiavellianismMachiavellianism –People who possess this personality trait behave to gain power and control over the behavior of others. –High mach’s are very similar to psychopaths Charming with no remorse, guilt, or empathyCharming with no remorse, guilt, or empathy Performance implications?Performance implications?

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Measuring Machiavellianism 1. ____ The best way to handle people is to tell them what they want to hear. 2. ____ When you ask someone to do something for you, it is best to give the real reason for wanting it rather than giving reasons which might carry more weight. 3. ____ Anyone who completely trusts anyone else is asking for trouble. 4. ____ It is hard to get ahead without cutting corners and bending the rules. 5. ____ It is safest to assume that all people have a vicious streak and that it will come out when they are given a chance. 6. ____ It is never right to lie to someone else. 7. ____ Most people are basically good and kind. 8. ____ Most people will work hard only when they are forced to do so. Instructions: Enter a number next to each item. If you disagree strongly enter 1; if you disagree enter 2; if you are neutral enter 3; if you agree enter 4; if you strongly agree enter 5.

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Abilities Abilities represent capacities to perform certain tasks.Abilities represent capacities to perform certain tasks. Three broad classes of abilitiesThree broad classes of abilities –Mental or Intellectual –Physical –Emotional (EQ)

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Intellectual Ability Cognitive Ability: The ability to understand complex ideas, adapt effectively to the environment, learn from experience, engage in various forms of reasoning, and overcome obstacles by careful thought.Cognitive Ability: The ability to understand complex ideas, adapt effectively to the environment, learn from experience, engage in various forms of reasoning, and overcome obstacles by careful thought. Practical Intelligence: Adeptness at solving the practical problems of everyday life.Practical Intelligence: Adeptness at solving the practical problems of everyday life.

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Brent’s Soap Box Cognitive ability tests as employee selection devices.Cognitive ability tests as employee selection devices. Problem: They always yield adverse impact.Problem: They always yield adverse impact. But…..given their validity it is legally justified…or is it?But…..given their validity it is legally justified…or is it? 1992 Civil Rights Act1992 Civil Rights Act

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Physical Abilities StrengthStrength FlexibilityFlexibility StaminaStamina SpeedSpeed

ILRCornellILRCornell Copyright 1999 by Brent Smith, Ph.D. Emotional Intelligence Ability to recognize and regulate our own emotionsAbility to recognize and regulate our own emotions Ability to recognize and influence others emotionsAbility to recognize and influence others emotions Self-motivationSelf-motivation The ability to form effective long-term relationships with othersThe ability to form effective long-term relationships with others