PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT AND ATTITUDES - OB

In this chapter there are several things of special importance that have been considered. First, personality is briefly traced and attention given to the contributions and limitations of psychological theory, trait-factor theory, and the need theories of Maslow and McClelland. All of these important formulations provide some useful information about the behavior of individuals in organizations.

Next, a systems view of human behavior was proposed to illustrate how cognitive processes and needs act upon environmentally induced stimuli. This interaction results in actions that are once again subjected to the influence of environmental forces. In this section, attention is given to the complex problem of how heredity (nature) and experience (nurture) interact in determining human behavior. The conclusion drawn is that most important aspects of behavior are neither genetically nor environmentally determined. Instead they result from the influence of the two.

An attempt has also been made to examine the relationship between culture and behavior. Since culture includes all learned behavior, the discussion is restricted to the influence of generational values and the specific importance of value differences among social classes and work groups.

The final major topic of discussion related to attitudes and attitude change. A careful analysis is made of attitude formation and the controversial relationship between attitudes and behavior. Although some studies question any casual association between attitudes and behavior, most of the discrepancies can be explained on methodological grounds.

With regard to attitude change, it’s noted that congruent changes (changes in magnitude rather than in direction) are easier to effect than incongruent changes. Behaviorally, factors such as communicator credibility and attractiveness are important determinants of the ease alteration.