Individual Behavior (Organizations) Essay Example for Free

Individual Behavior (Organizations) Essay Individual behavior is considered as one of the main determinants of the productivity of a given organization. The said relationship is believed to be very important that an entire academic discipline was created to focus on its study. Organizational behavior is a field of study that concentrates on describing, understanding, predicting and controlling human behavior in an organizational setting. It is divided into four sub-fields – individual behavior, group behavior, organizational structure and organizational processes. These allow organizational behavior to study a wide range of topics, such as personality, job satisfaction, leadership, group dynamics and the impact of stress on work (Answers, 2008). Basic Elements of Individual Behavior in Organizations It is true that human behavior varies from one person to another due to their individual differences. However, organizational behavior scientists argued that individual behavior is made up of the same elements. These elements must be identified in order to establish predictability in the study of human behavior. The consistency of these elements result in the development of reasonably accurate predictions of individual behavior (NEU-CBA, n. d. ). Understanding Individuals in Organization Organizational behavior scientists use the psychological contract in their study in order to understand the members of a particular organization. Psychological contract refers to a members expectations based on his or her contributions and the organizations inducements. Contributions are what the member provides to the organization. Inducements, on the other hand, are what the organization will provide the member in exchange for the latters contributions (Abelson, 2006). Personality and Individual Behavior In sharp contrast to psychological contract, the element of personality and individual behavior assert that individual behavior within an organization is determined by â€Å"the relatively permanent set of psychological and behavioral attributes that distinguish one person from another† (Abelson, 2006). One of the most popular personality frameworks is the â€Å"Big Five† Personality Traits. It is composed of the following: a) Agreeableness – A persons ability to establish good relationships with others b) Conscientiousness – The number of goals of which a person strives hard to achieve c) Negative emotionality – The extent to which an individual can remain poised, calm, resilient and secure d) Extraversion – The level of comfort a person has with interpersonal relationships e) Openness – An individuals flexibility in terms of beliefs and interests (Abelson, 2006) Attitudes and Individual Behavior Attitudes are the beliefs and feelings that people have regarding certain ideas, situations or other people. Cognitive dissonance occurs when an individuals encounters other people who does not share his or her attitudes. The element of attitudes and individual behavior believe that members of an organization behave the way they do because it is their means of dealing with people who possess attitudes that are different from theirs. For an organization to be productive, its member must learn how to respect each others differences and work as a team despite their diversity in beliefs, attitudes and values (Abelson, 2006). Work-related Attitudes It must be noted, however, that individual behavior in an organization can also be influenced by attitudes that were developed in the workplace. Some examples of work-related attitudes are the following: a) Job Satisfaction or Dissatisfaction – An attitude that reflects the amount of pleasure or fulfillment that an individual achieves from his or her work b) Organizational Commitment – An attitude that measures a persons degree of affinity with the organization itself c) Affect and Mood in Organizations i. Positive Affectivity – A tendency to exhibit an overall sense of optimism and well-being; sees things in a positive light ii. Negative affectivity – A tendency to exhibit an overall sense of pessimism and gloom; sees things negatively (Abelson, 2006). Perception and Individual Behavior This element defines a persons behavior as a result of his or her perception, or the set of processes by which he or she becomes aware of his or her environment and starts to interpret information about it. One of the most detrimental forms of perception is selective perception, or the practice of disregarding information that a person feels uncomfortable with or goes against his or her own beliefs. Selective perception may lead to stereotyping or the usage of a single attribute to categorize or label other people. Selective perception may also result in scapegoating or making other people take responsibility for ones own faults and shortcomings (Abelson, 2006). Stress and Individual Behavior Stress is â€Å"an individual’s response to a strong stimulus,† called a stressor (Ableson, 2006). The general cycle of the human body experiencing and recovering from stress is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). Often caused by task, physical, role and interpersonal demands, one of the major effects of stress is burnout, or the feeling of exhaustion produced by undergoing stress for prolonged periods of time (Abelson, 2006). Experts categorized people into two types, depending on how much they can endure stress. â€Å"Type A† people were those who are very competitive, hardworking and are extremely particular when it comes to time. â€Å"Type B† people, on the other hand, were those who were not as hardworking, dilligent and time-conscious. It was said that â€Å"Type A† people were more likely to experience burnout than â€Å"Type B† individuals (Abelson, 2006). Creativity in Organizations This element stresses the importance of an organizations creativity in affecting the behavior of its members. An organization that is always able to come up with new ideas or new perspectives that will improve existing ideas have a greater chance of improving productivity among its members than an organization who strictly adheres to convention and does not welcome innovation. Types of Workplace Behavior The effectiveness of an organization is very much affected by workplace behavior, or the pattern of action exhibited by its members while working. Workplace behavior is categorized into four types: a) Performance Behaviors – The â€Å"total set of work-related behaviors that the organization expects the individual to display† (Abelson, 2006). An organizations performance behaviors is usually indicated in its manual for its members. Performance behaviors are one of the organizations ways of communicating to its members what are its objectives and how will these be attained. b) Withdrawal Behaviors – Characterized by the absence of an organizations members i. Absenteeism – When people develop a habitual pattern of not showing up for work ii. Turnover – When people resign from their jobs c) Organizational Citizenship – When people display behavior that contributes positively and immensely to their organization. d) Dysfunctional Behaviors – Behaviors that are detrimental to organizational performance (e. g. stealing office property, fighting in the office premises, reporting to work in improper attire, etc. ) When a person shows dysfunctional behavior, he or she is sending the message that he or she does not belong to the organization that he or she joined and that he or she has contempt for those who do. In addition, the person who exhibits dysfunctional behavior also has contempt for the organization itself, as well as for its objectives (Abelson, 2006). Conclusion An organization is composed of individual members who have different backgrounds, beliefs, values and principles. Hence, it is very crucial to train them how to work harmoniously with one another despite their differences. By identifying the elements of individual behavior in an organization, employers can establish standards and rules that are firm but at the same time considerate towards the workers needs. Not only will the company prosper; the employees will also become better workers and persons as well. References Abelson, M. (2006). Chapter 15 – Basic Elements of Individual Behavior in Organizations. PDF File. Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://wehner. tamu. edu/mgmt. www/mgmt. 363/non-business_363/Chapter%2015%20%20-%20Griffin%208th%20Edition. pdf. Answers. com. (2008). Organizational Behavior. Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://www. answers. com/topic/organizational-behavior? cat=biz-fin Northeastern University – College of Business Administration (NEU-CBA). (n. d. ). Human Behavior in Organizations: An Introduction. Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://web. cba. neu. edu/~ewertheim/introd/introd. htm

College Admissions Essay: I Shall Break Free :: College Admissions Essays

I Shall Break Free    If words could say all they mean then life would be easy. I try to speak, but nothing ever comes from my mouth. Mind full of thoughts with no way to get them out. Expressions come but do not mean what they say. Each try brings a blundering mess of a jumble of words, no meaning to anyone in what they say. Try and speak only to be ignored by empty space. Each thought whole in my head, not even a fragment in my mouth. No matter what I try, my mind still flows free with no way to express it. Night comes with anticipation of a voice to come from my head. Always try yet words still do not come. Around conversation happens like I dream of, yet I can still utter nothing but silence. Break the silence, with mindless speech no meaning in either's voice. I search deep for my being that brings with it my mind, but I try to no avail. If only my mind would work. How can I make it? Too many tries come up empty. More chances come so I continue to search my soul for the voice that I have long since lost. Once I knew it, and could call for and receive at any time. What was it I did? I do not know, but it has been scared too deep inside me. Must find, for without it I am as good as a mute. Still I talk, but with no meaning.

International Students Essay

Attention getter- â€Å"Did you have a lion in your backyard when you were growing up?† â€Å"Did you have to hunt for your food?† Reveal Topic- These were the questions asked by my classmates when I first moved to the United States. Often times, international students are asked bizarre questions about their culture. Frequently, international students are asked what their names mean and although most may know, some don’t have the slightest idea. My name, Taiwo, means first of the twins to be born and the first to taste the world. From the audience survey I received back, only 2 out of 16 people that took the survey knew the meaning of their name. Most questions asked of international students can be humorous but some are very offensive. Credibility Statement- I moved to the United States when I was 12 years old, and my biggest problem was readjusting to the weather, which by the way I’m still not adjusted to. In Nigeria, my home country, there are only two seasons which are the wet and the dry season. Although I am not an international student, I can relate because I had to go through so many changes and at one point it was unbearable. Each year, Johnson County Community College is home to international students from more than one hundred countries with their own cultures, skills, and struggles. Preview of main points- Today, I am going to inform you about international students struggle with challenges like cultural and social adjustment. Connective- First, I would like to explain I. International student’s struggles with cultural adjustments. A. According to Gregory Trivonovitch, there are four transitional stages: a honeymoon, hostility, integration/acceptance, and finally, the home stage. 1. The honeymoon stage is described as the stage full of joy and excitement because most international students that are just arriving are captivated with everything new. They  a excited to start studying at a United States university. The second stage is hostility that â€Å"is characterized by frustration, anger, anxiety, judgementalism, fear, and sometimes depression† (Claremont). The third stage  is integration and acceptance, meaning when international students start to feel comfortable and relaxed in their new environment. At this stage they can join different clubs like the international club. The international club at Johnson County Community college â€Å"brings together students from America and around the globe for educational and social activities† (Johnson County Newspaper). The last stage is the home stage. This final stage is the â€Å"feel at home† stage that allows the students to absorb both their culture and the American culture. 2. Students go through these stages because they feel that they have lost but at the same time gained their identity. B. The anxiety and stress of being separated from their families, relatives, and their friends in their native countries can be overwhelming for them. 1. Leaving a culture and surroundings that one is very familiar with while transitioning to a new one can be difficult. 2. For instance, my friend john, an international student, said he asked one of his friend to â€Å"hook up†, meaning he wanted to hang out, but his friend taught he meant to â€Å"hook up† â€Å"hook up† as in sexually. John also mention how difficult it was for him to adjust to this new lifestyle and is still learning how to. Connective- Now that I have informed you about international students struggle with cultural adjustment and along with it explaining the four stages of cultural shock, II. I am going to explain international students’ struggles with social adjustment. A. International students usually stay in the United States for a short period of time or depending on how long they study for. They face sets of challenges such as interacting with others and making new friends. B. â€Å"International students may also experience a loss of social status and self-respect because their social standing in their home country may not be recognized in the U.S.† (Eunyoung). 1. Even though their suffering might be too much there are ways to manage. As mentioned earlier, the Johnson County Community College International club is a great way to network. a. The club â€Å"is an organization that works to increase international understanding and friendship† (JCCC brochure). b. This club as many goals in mind like â€Å"support for new students, social activities that increase awareness about American culture, fundraising activities to support scholarships for international students† and more (JCCC brochure). 2. Fear of belonging and coping with it. Conclusion- In closing we have learned the struggle international students face with challenges like cultural and social adjustment challenges. International students badly need to be given full initial and ongoing explanations of what is expected of them, how the system works, and where to get help. Being in a country you’re not familiar helps you learn. If you go to a foreign country you are not familiar with, these tips will be very useful in adjusting without any complications. Bibliography â€Å"Stages of Cultural Adjustment.† CGU Writing Center. Claremont Graduate University, n.d. Web. . Hurtado, David. â€Å"Students Clubs Aim to Increase Involvement.† The Campus Ledger 21 Sept. 2012: 6. Print. Johnson County Community College International Club. Johnson County: n.p., 2012. Print. Eunyoung, Kim. An Alternative Theoretical Model: Examining Psychosocial Identity Development of International Students in the United States. Rep. Project Innovation (Alabama), n.d. Web.

Essay Television Violence - 627 Words

Television Violence Violence is one of the most primary and controversial issues in today’s society. And true that violence is on the rise. A major concern for many parents is the violence within television shows and movies, and the effect on children’s aggression. I particularly do not believe that violence in television affects children’s aggression, but who am I to say such a thing, for I am not a qualified psychologist. But I have many reasons for my accusation and references to back it up. Now television plays a major role in today’s society, and it occupies almost every home in the United States. Parents have such a big concern for the children watching television, but children throughout the U.S watch an average of twenty†¦show more content†¦Cartoons play the majority of the role. They have been around for centuries. So why make such a big deal about them now? Are the cartoons in earlier years any different from newer cartoons? Yes I agree, but there is a pur pose. The Monaco 2 newer cartoons attract the newer generation. If parents say that cartoons now are more violent than those of earlier years than why are there so many, and so many different ratings accompanied with the beginning of every show. What about â€Å"Bugs Bunny† and â€Å"Daffy Duck† with â€Å"Elmer Fudd,† and how many fights and hunting scenes there was. What about â€Å"Road Runner† and how many times â€Å"Wylie Coyote† tried to kill him. All these cartoons amused many children in earlier years and present years. So why start complaining now? Can parents not control their children? Maybe parents should pay more close attention to what their children watch, instead of making excuses and blaming others for practically their own decisions. Because it was their decision to have children, right? Like all children’s shows and movies, it let’s the mind run free, and also let’s the children be imaginative within their own realm of mind. So let’s not take these away, and just try to limit what they watch. Let us rate these shows and movies. Oh yeah, the government did that. But yet parents still let children watch the movies and shows that they did not want to watch in the first place. Is there something wrong here? Parents complain, laws are passed to limit whatShow MoreRelatedTelevision : Violence And Television1187 Words   |  5 Pages Violence and television We live in a society where violence is globalized through films and advertisements. The individual American is exposed to 200,000 advertisements in a day, where Hollywood films portray violence as entertainment and fun, films where bullies and gangs stand out as role models, on the other hand, Hollywood is the main reason kids think, violence is cool and fun. Growing up in a home where I was the youngest boy child in the family. 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