Chapter 2

Individual Differences, Mental Ability, and Personality

Individual Differences - refer to variations in how people respond to the same
situation based on personal characteristics.
Behavior is a function of person interacting with the environment: B = f (P x E).
Behavior is therefore determined by the effects of the individual and the
environment on each other. Also, individual differences moderate how people
respond to situations.
Individual differences have many consequences including productivity, quality,
empowerment, leadership style, people, commitment, and esteem.
Types of Individual Differences
1. People differ in productivity.
2. Quality of work varies because people vary in their propensity for achieving highquality results.
3. Empowerment is effective with some workers, but not with all.
4. A given leadership style does not work with all people.
5. People differ in their need for contact with other people.
6. Company management will find that commitment to the firm varies considerably.
7. Workers vary in their level of self-esteem that in turn influences their productivity
and capacity to take on additional responsibility.

Demographic Diversity - refers to background factors that shape worker

attitudes and behavior.
A. Sex and Gender Differences - The overall evidence suggests that there are few
differences between men and women in such factors as ability and motivation that
will affect their job performance. Gender differences in communication patterns
have been noted. Men typically communicate to convey information or establish
status. Women are more likely to communicate to establish rapport and solve
problems.
B. Ethnic, racial, and cultural differences (culture has biggest effect)
C. Generation and age-based differences such as:
a. Veterans : 1922 1945
b. Baby Boomers: 1946 1964
c. Generation X:
1965 1980
d. Generation Y:
1981 2000
Generational differences can sometimes cause clashes, especially among members
of the same workgroup. For example, baby boomers may believe that generation
Xers are too impatient and willing to reject reliable work procedures. Generation
Xers may perceive baby boomers as always trying to please people and being
inflexible to change. Age differences in the workforce include a focus on mental and
physical capabilities. Labor shortages may also contribute to more seniors working
longer. Many older people will be working longer because of decreased value of
many pension funds. A study of 24,000 government workers found that age and
experience predicted performance better for jobs requiring higher levels of
complexity to master. Advances in technology help workers compensation for
mental losses, such as less acute memory, associated with age. Older workers have
lower absenteeism, illness, and accident rates, higher job satisfaction, and more
positive work values
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Mental ability (Intelligence)

Intelligence is the capacity to acquire and apply knowledge including solving
problems
A. Consists of general factors and special factors such as verbal and numerical
B. Triarchic theory (analytical, creative, and practical intelligence)
C. Multiple Intelligences (8 types or faculties such as linguistic, spatial)

Intrapersonal
(knows self)

Linguistic intelligence ("word smart")

Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
Musical intelligence ("music smart")
Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")

Personality Differences
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Five Factor Model consists of:

1. Neuroticism 2. Extraversion 3. Openness to experience 4. Agreeableness 5. Conscientiousness Other Key Traits:
6. Self-monitoring of behavior
7. Risk taking and thrill seeking
8. Optimism

NEO PI-R FOR MEASURING THE BIG

FIVE FACTORS

Emotional Intelligence -

Refers to qualities such as understanding ones

feelings, empathy for others, and the regulation of emotion to enhance living.
Emotional Intelligence deals with ability to connect with people and understand
their emotions
1. Self-awareness
2. Self-management
3. Social awareness
4. Relationship management
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1. Self-awareness (understanding own feelings) 2. Self-management (such as

controlling impulsiveness and being honest) 3. Social awareness (such as having
empathy for people, and intuition about organizational problems) 4. Relationship
management (includes a variety of interpersonal skills)