Discussion Questions – Industrial Psychology
Discussion Questions – Industrial Psychology
The following questions must be answered within 250 words each
Discussion Questions
1. The origin of a leader has been a topic of debate for decades. While some believe that leaders are born, others argue that leaders are made. Both sides of the debate have major implications for future leaders and the I/O psychologists who will work with them. Explore the relationship between leadership characteristics, including innate ability, personality, and communication.
Do you believe that leaders are born or made? Why? Describe how an individual’s personality helps or hinders his/her leadership ability. Compare and contrast leaders with managers. What are the similarities and differences between these two titles? Explain how communication style impacts leadership effectiveness. Do you have to be an effective communicator to be a leader? Why or why not?
2. Although originally an Eastern concept, team culture has slowly been integrated into the culture of the American workplace. As we learned this week, there are several types of teams that one can be a part of: self-managed work team (S.M.W.T.) , manager-led teams, cross-functional teams, project teams, virtual teams and more. Based on your reading this week, consider the following:
Using your previous experience as a team member, describe a team experience that lacked cohesion and/or was inefficient. After reviewing the components of team composition (i.e., personality, cognitive abilities, diversity, size), that are listed in your course text, describe how the components correlated to the challenges your team faced. Additionally, describe one of your positive team experiences and how these components were essential to the success of your team.
3. Testing and assessment are critical components of selection, recruitment, and training and development processes in any business or organization. Identify an assessment that might be used by an I/O psychologist working in your industry (this may be an assessment that you have taken or one you are familiar with). Describe the intended purpose and population for this assessment. Evaluate the validity and reliability of this assessment. Do you think that the assessment is measuring what it is intended to measure? Identify at least two strengths and at least two weaknesses of the assessment.
4. Positive psychology focuses on improving the performance and morale of employees. In this week’s chapters, we learned that positive psychology plays a large role in an organization’s performance appraisals and/or training and development.
In your own words, define positive psychology. Explain how positive psychology manifests itself in your workplace. Assess whether positive psychology is more applicable to performance appraisal processes or the training and development process.
5. Employee attitudes are one of the many components that contribute to the overall health and well being of an individual within an organization. Think about the best and the worst boss you have ever had (if you have never had a boss, interview a friend or family member who has had one). How did your attitude shape the affective and behavioral components in the workplace? Of the theories we have discussed throughout the course, which one(s) assist in explaining poor leadership/management and its effects in an organization?
