R.A.
Podar College of Commerce & Economics
Subject: Psychology of Human Behaviour–I
SEM 5
MODULE 2 Individual Behavior and Organizational Behavior
Unit A- What is Individual Behavior
Individual Behavior refers to the way a person acts, thinks, and reacts in a workplace
or organizational setting. It focuses on understanding how and why employees behave the way they
do so that organizations can manage them effectively.
Important factors of Individual Behaviour include:
1. Actions & Reactions – Includes how an individual performs tasks, interacts with colleagues, and
responds to situations.
2. Influenced By – Personality, perception, attitudes, values, emotions, motivation, and learning.
3. Importance – Understanding individual behavior helps managers:
1. Improve productivity
2. Reduce conflicts
3. Motivate employees
4. Enhance job satisfaction
For example:
1. If an employee always meets deadlines and helps others, their behavior positively impacts the team.
2. If another employee avoids responsibility or reacts negatively to feedback, it affects team
performance and morale.
Individual Behavior in OB is about studying employees’ actions to improve workplace
effectiveness and harmony.
In Organizational Behavior (OB), positive individual traits are the personal characteristics or
qualities that enhance an employee’s effectiveness, relationships, and performance at work. These
traits help individuals contribute positively to the organization and work well with others.
Unit B - Personality and the Big Five Personality Model
Defining Personality The definition of personality we most frequently use was produced by Gordon Allport
nearly 70 years ago. Allport said personality is “the dynamic organization within the individual of those
psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustments to his environment.”
For our purposes, you should think of personality as the sum total of ways in which an individual reacts to and
interacts with others.
Measuring Personality : Self-report survey & Observer-rating surveys
Personality Determinants : Heredity & Environment
The Big Five Personality Model
Extraversion
Agreeableness
Conscientiousness
Emotional Stability
Openness (to experience)
How Do the Big Five Traits Predict Behavior at Work?
Unit C – Perception and Problem solving
Perception is a process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give
meaning to their environment.
Factors That Influence Perception
Problem Solving is the process of identifying a challenge or difficulty, analyzing it, and then
developing and applying effective solutions to overcome it.
Problem-Solving Preparation
• Constraints
• Givens
• Goals
Solution Search
• Heuristic
• Algorithm
• Trial & Error
• Brainstorming
• Brainwriting
• Nominal Group Technique
• Delphi Method
Barriers to Problem Solving
• Procrastination
• Framing
• Catastrophizing
• Personalization
• Single-solution syndrome
• Satisficing
• Polarization
• Confirmation bias
• Fixation
• Selective abstraction
Unit D – Attitudes and Decision making
Attitudes are evaluative statements either favorable or unfavorable about objects, people, or events. They
reflect how we feel about something. When I say “I like my job,” I am expressing my attitude about work.
What Are the Main Components of Attitudes?
Does Behavior Always Follow from Attitudes? – Leon Festinger
Moderating Variables:
• Importance of the attitude
• Correspondence of the attitude to behavior
• Accessibility of the attitude
• Presence of social pressures
• Direct experience with the attitude
What are the major job attitudes?
• Job Satisfaction
• Job Involvement
• Organizational Commitment
• Perceived Organizational Support
• Employee Engagement
Decision-Making is the process of choosing the best possible option from two or more alternatives in
order to achieve a desired goal or solve a problem. p
A NINE-STEP DECISION-MAKING SYSTEM: A LOGICAL APPROACH
Pitfalls to Effective Decision Making
• Making unnecessary decisions
• Putting out the same fire
• Not considering the cost
• A rapidly changing environment
CREATIVITY AND THE INDIVIDUAL
Unit E - Positive Individual traits
1. Optimism – Seeing opportunities rather than problems; staying positive during challenges.
Example: An employee stays motivated even when a project faces delays.
2. Resilience – Ability to recover quickly from setbacks or stress.
Example: Bouncing back after a failed presentation and trying again.
3. Self-confidence – Belief in one’s own abilities to perform tasks successfully.
Example: Volunteering to lead a new project without hesitation.
4. Flexibility/Adaptability – Being open to change and adjusting to new situations.
Example: Quickly learning to use new software introduced in the office.
5. Integrity – Being honest, ethical, and consistent in actions.
Example: Reporting accurate data even if it shows poor performance.
6. Emotional intelligence (EQ) – Recognizing and managing one’s own emotions and understanding
others’ emotions.
Example: Calmly resolving conflicts between team members.
7. Motivation & Initiative – Being proactive and driven to achieve goals.
Example: Suggesting improvements to a process without being asked.
8. Accountability – Taking responsibility for one’s actions and outcomes.
Example: Owning up to a mistake and finding ways to fix it.
9. Positive Attitude – Being enthusiastic, cooperative, and encouraging towards others.
Example: Supporting colleagues and boosting team morale.
These traits not only improve an individual’s performance but also enhance
teamwork, organizational culture, and productivity.