Organizational Behavior, 8e: Schermerhorn, Hunt, and Osborn

Organizational
Behavior, 8e
Schermerhorn, Hunt, and
Osborn
Prepared by
Michael K. McCuddy
Valparaiso University

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Organizational Behavior: Chapter 4 2
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Chapter 4
Diversity and Individual Differences
Study questions.
What is workplace diversity, and why is it
important?
What are demographic differences among
individuals, and why are they important?
What are aptitude and ability differences
among individuals, and why are they
important?
Chapter 4
Diversity and Individual Differences
Study questions cont.
What are personality determinants and
differences among individuals, and why are
they important?
What are value and attitude differences among
What does managing diversity and individual
differences involve, and why is it important?
Demographic characteristics.
The background characteristics that help shape what a
person becomes.
Important demographic characteristics for the
workplace.
Gender.
Age.
Race.
Ethnicity.
Able-bodiedness.
Gender.
No consistent differences between men and
women in:
Problem-solving abilities.
Analytical skills.
Competitive drive.
Motivation.
Learning ability.
Sociability.
Gender cont.
As compared to men, women:
Are more conforming.
Have lower expectations of success.
Have higher absenteeism.
Have lower earnings.
Age.
Older workers
Are often stereotyped as inflexible.
Sometimes complain that their experience and
skills are not valued.
Have lower turnover.
Have lower avoidable absences.
Able-bodiedness.
Despite evidence of effective job performance,
most disabled persons are unemployed.
Most disabled persons want to work.
More firms are likely to hire disabled workers
in the future.
Racial and ethnic groups.
African Americans, Asian Americans, and
Hispanic Americans make up an ever-
increasing percentage of the American
workforce.
Potential for stereotypes and discrimination
can adversely affect career opportunities.
Important lessons regarding demographic
characteristics.
Respect and deal with the needs and concerns
of people with different demographics.
Avoid linking demographics to stereotypes.
Demography is not a good indicator of
individual-job fits.
among individuals, and why
are they important?
Aptitude.
A persons capability of learning something.
Ability.
A persons existing capacity to perform the
various tasks needed for a given job.
Includes relevant knowledge and skills.
among individuals, and why
are they important?
Aptitude and ability tests may be used as
employment screens in the hiring process.
To be legal, employment tests must
accurately predict job success.

differences among individuals,
and why are they important?
Personality.
The overall profile or combination of
characteristics that capture the unique nature
of a person as that person reacts and interacts
with others.
Combines a set of physical and mental
characteristics that reflect how a person looks,
thinks, acts, and feels.
Personality determinants and development.
Is personality genetically determined, or is it
formed by experience?
Heredity sets the limits on the development of
personality characteristics.
Environment determines development within
these limits.
Across all characteristics there is about a 50-
50 heredity-environment split.
What are value and attitude
Attitudes and cognitive consistency
cont.
Dissonance reduction choices are influenced
by:
The degree of control a person has over the
situation.
The magnitude of the rewards involved.
What does managing diversity and
individual differences involve,
and why is it important?
Dealing with diversity and individual
differences is one of the most important
issues challenging managers.
Applies in the:
United States.
Canada.
European Union countries.
Several Asian countries.
What does managing diversity and
individual differences involve,
and why is it important?
Examples of managing workplace
diversity.
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
Coors Brewing Company.
Microsoft.

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