Dimensions of intellectual ability
Dimension: Description: Job Example:
Number aptitude: Ability to do speedy and accurate arithmetic
Accountant: Computing the sales tax on a set of items
Verbal comprehension: Ability to understand what is read or heard and the relationship of words to each other
Plant manager: Following corporate policies on hiring
Perceptual speed: Ability to identify visual similarities and differences quickly and accurately
Fire investigator: Identifying clues to support a charge of arson
Inductive reasoning: Ability to identify a logical sequence in a problem and then solve the next time period problem
Market researcher: Forecasting demand for a product in the
Deductive reasoning: Ability to use logic and assess the implications of an argument
Supervisor: Choosing between two different suggestions offered by employees
Spatial visualization: Ability to imagine how an object would look if its position in space were changed
Interior decorator: Redecorating an office
Memory Ability to retain and recall past experiences
Salesperson: Remembering the names of customers
Forms of Discrimination
Type of Discrimination: Definition: Examples from Organizations:
Discriminatory policies or practices: Actions taken by representatives of the organization that deny equal opportunity to perform or unequal rewards for performance.
Older workers may be targeted for layoffs because they are highly paid and have lucrative benefits.
Sexual harassment: Unwanted sexual advances and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that create a hostile or offensive work environment.
Salespeople at one company went on company-paid visits to strip clubs, brought strippers into the office to celebrate promotions, and fostered pervasive sexual rumors.
Intimidation: Overt threats or bullying directed at members of specific groups of employees.
African-American employees at some companies have found nooses hanging over their work stations.
Mockery and insults: Jokes or negative stereotypes; sometimes the result of jokes taken too far.
Arab-Americans have been asked at work whether they were carrying bombs or were members of terrorist organizations.
Exclusion: Exclusion of certain people from job opportunities, social events, discussions, or informal mentoring; can occur unintentionally.
Many women in finance claim they are assigned to marginal job roles or are given light workloads that don’t lead to promotion.
Incivility: Disrespectful treatment, including behaving in an aggressive manner, interrupting the person, or ignoring his or her opinions
Female lawyers note that male attorneys frequently cut them off or do not adequately address their comments.
Behavioral science: Contribution:
Psychology; Learning Motivation Personality Emotions Perception Training Leadership effectiveness Job satisfaction Individual decision making Performance appraisal Attitude measurement Employee selection
Work design Work stress
Social Psychology; Behavioral change Attitude change Communication Group processes Group decision making
Social Psychology;/ Sociology; Communication Power Conflict Intergroup behavior
Sociology; Formal organization theory Organizational technology Organizational change Organizational culture
Anthropolgy; Comparative values Comparative attitudes Cross-cultural analysis Organizational culture Organizational environment Power