Question 1

In order to predict human behavior, it is best to supplement your intuitive opinions with information derived in what fashion?
A) common sense
B) direct observation
C) systematic study
D) speculation
E) organizational theory

Accepted Answer

Systematic study involves the use of scientific methods to gather data and make objective conclusions about human behavior. This approach is more reliable than relying solely on intuition or speculation. Direct observation may also be useful, but systematic study provides a more structured approach to gathering information.

Question 2

Betty believes that it is best to take the casual or common sense approach to reading others. She needs to remember that ________.
A) the casual approach is nonsensical, and should be avoided as much as possible
B) the systematic approach and the casual approach are one and the same
C) laboratory experiments on human behavior often result in unreliable findings
D) the casual or common sense approach to reading others can often lead to erroneous predictions
E) behavior is unpredictable, hence there is no accurate way to analyze it

Accepted Answer

Betty needs to remember that the casual or common sense approach to reading others can often lead to erroneous predictions. This is because relying solely on one's own intuition or assumptions might not take into account all relevant variables and can be influenced by personal biases. Therefore, it is important to also consider a more systematic approach and rely on empirical evidence from research.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a topic or concern related to OB?
A) turnover
B) leader behavior
C) productivity
D) management
E) family behavior

Accepted Answer

OB mainly concerns itself with topics and concerns related to workplace dynamics, including employee behavior, productivity, leadership, and management. Family behavior is not a topic within the scope of OB.

Question 4

Until the late 1980s, business school curricula emphasized the ________ aspects of management.
A) ethical
B) people
C) technical
D) human
E) global

Accepted Answer

Until the 1980s, business schools mainly emphasized the technical aspects of management, such as finance, operations, and accounting. It was not until later that business schools began to incorporate courses on ethics, people management, and globalization into their curricula.

Question 5

Which of the following problems would an OB study be least likely to focus on?
A) an increase in absenteeism at a certain company
B) a fall in productivity in one shift of a manufacturing plant
C) a decrease in sales due to growing foreign competition
D) an increase in theft by employees at a retail store
E) excessive turnover among volunteer workers at a non-profit organization

Accepted Answer

While all of the problems listed could potentially be studied by an OB researcher, a decrease in sales due to growing foreign competition is not explicitly related to employee behavior or performance within an organization, which is typically the focus of OB research.

Question 6

Which of the following is not a reason why business schools have begun to include classes on organizational behavior?
A) to increase manager effectiveness in organizations
B) to help organizations attract top quality employees
C) to expand organizations' consulting needs
D) to improve retention of quality workers
E) to help increase organizations' profits

Accepted Answer

Including classes on organizational behavior can help improve manager effectiveness, attract top quality employees, improve retention of quality workers, and ultimately increase organizational profits. However, expanding organizations' consulting needs is not a primary reason for including these classes.

Question 7

Which behavioral science discipline is most focused on understanding individual behavior?
A) sociology
B) social psychology
C) psychology
D) anthropology
E) organizational behavior

Accepted Answer

Psychology is the study of human behavior and mental processes at the individual level. It is concerned with understanding how and why people behave the way they do, and focuses on topics such as personality, motivation, perception, learning, memory, and emotion. Sociology, on the other hand, is more concerned with the study of groups and society as a whole, while social psychology examines the influence of social and cultural factors on behavior. Anthropology is the study of human cultures and their development, and organizational behavior is focused on the behavior of individuals and groups within organizational settings.

Question 8

Which of the following is not a core topic of organizational behavior?
A) motivation
B) attitude development
C) conflict
D) resource allocation
E) work design

Accepted Answer

Resource allocation is not a core topic of organizational behavior. The other four options (motivation, attitude development, conflict, and work design) are considered to be core topics of organizational behavior, as they all involve understanding and managing human behavior within organizational settings.

Question 9

Which of the following explains the usefulness of the systematic approach to the study of organizational behavior?
A) Human behavior does not vary a great deal between individuals and situations.
B) Human behavior is not random.
C) Human behavior is not consistent.
D) Human behavior is rarely predictable.
E) Human behavior is often not sensible.

Accepted Answer

The systematic approach to the study of organizational behavior is useful because it acknowledges that human behavior is not random and follows patterns that can be understood through scientific study.

Question 10

The OB topic of motivation has been most influenced by which behavioral discipline?
A) psychology
B) social psychology
C) sociology
D) political science
E) corporate strategy

Accepted Answer

Motivation is primarily concerned with understanding human behavior, which falls under the realm of psychology. While other disciplines like social psychology and sociology may also contribute insights, psychology remains the primary influence in the OB topic of motivation. Political science and corporate strategy are less relevant to this particular topic.

Question 11

Austin is a graduate student helping to organize a study on individual job satisfaction. The study focuses on the top five causes of satisfaction or dissatisfaction on a job. His department is surveying 200 individuals in 100 different types of organizations. Austin is most likely a graduate student in the department of ________.
A) psychology
B) anthropology
C) political science
D) social psychology
E) archaeology

Accepted Answer

The focus on individual job satisfaction suggests a study in the field of psychology, which is concerned with human behavior and mental processes. The fact that Austin is a graduate student also suggests that he is in the process of completing a program in psychology.

Question 12

Basing managerial decisions on the best available scientific support is called ________.
A) intuition
B) organizational process
C) organizational behavior
D) evidence-based management
E) conceptual management

Accepted Answer

Evidence-based management involves using the best available scientific evidence to inform managerial decisions. Intuition, organizational process, organizational behavior, and conceptual management may not necessarily be based on scientific evidence.

Question 13

What are the three primary determinants of behavior in organizations?
A) profit structure, organizational complexity, and job satisfaction
B) individuals, profit structure, and job satisfaction
C) individuals, groups, and job satisfaction
D) groups, structure, and profit structure
E) individuals, groups, and structure

Accepted Answer

The three primary determinants of behavior in organizations are individuals, groups, and structure. Individual factors include personality, values, motivation, and perception. Group factors include norms, roles, and group cohesion. Structure factors include formal and informal systems, policies, and procedures. These three factors interact with each other to influence behavior in organizations. Profit structure and job satisfaction may be important factors that influence behavior indirectly, but they are not considered primary determinants of behavior.

Question 14

________ is the study of the impact that individuals, groups, and structure have on behavior within organizations.
A) Leadership
B) Organizational strategy
C) Performance management
D) Employee relations
E) Organizational behavior

Accepted Answer

Organizational behavior (OB) is the study of how people behave within an organization, how groups interact with each other, and how the structure of an organization can affect behavior. OB encompasses topics such as leadership, communication, motivation, decision-making, and job satisfaction. Understanding OB can help organizations create a positive workplace culture, improve productivity, and enhance employee well-being.

Question 15

Organizational behavior is constructed from all of the following disciplines except ________.
A) physics
B) psychology
C) anthropology
D) sociology
E) social psychology

Accepted Answer

Organizational behavior is primarily constructed from the disciplines of psychology, anthropology, sociology, and social psychology. Physics is not a relevant discipline for studying human behavior within organizations.

Question 16

Analyzing relationships, determining causes and effects, and basing conclusions on scientific evidence all constitute aspects of ________ study.
A) organizational
B) intuitive
C) theoretical
D) systematic
E) case-based

Accepted Answer

Systematic study involves analyzing relationships, determining causes and effects, and basing conclusions on scientific evidence. It is a methodical approach to research that ensures accuracy and reliability. Organizational study focuses on understanding and improving organizational processes and structures, while theoretical study involves developing and testing theories to explain phenomena. Intuitive study relies on personal insights and observations, and case-based study involves analyzing specific cases to understand larger trends or patterns.

Question 17

Psychology's major contributions to the field of organizational behavior have been primarily at what level of analysis?
A) the level of the group
B) the level of the individual
C) the level of the organization
D) the level of culture
E) the level of interacting groups

Accepted Answer

Psychology has primarily contributed to the field of organizational behavior at the level of the individual. This includes research on topics such as motivation, perception, personality, and attitudes, as well as the study of individual decision-making and behavior within organizations.

Question 18

________ is a science that seeks to measure, explain, and sometimes change the behavior of humans and other animals.
A) Psychiatry
B) Psychology
C) Sociology
D) Political science
E) Organizational behavior

Accepted Answer

Psychology is the science that deals with the study of behavior, both observable and internal, of humans and other animals. It attempts to understand the functioning of the mind and the brain, and how they interact to produce behavior. It also seeks to develop and apply various techniques to change or modify behavior.

Question 19

Janet needs to assign a very important advertising account to one of her writers. First she reviewed each writer's work load, then she studied the sales data of the products for the last three campaigns of each writer, then she reviewed each writer's annual review to familiarize herself with their goals. Finally, she gave the account to Paula, a very creative, efficient, writer who has had high sales results with her last three clients' products. Janet's management style is based on ________.
A) intuition or "gut feeling"
B) organizational behavioral studies
C) subjective assessments
D) preconceived notions
E) systematic study

Accepted Answer

Janet's management style is based on systematic study, as she reviewed various data and information before making a decision. She did not rely on intuition, preconceived notions or subjective assessments alone, but rather analyzed objective data and facts. Organizational behavioral studies may have played a role in her approach, but it is not explicitly stated in the scenario.

Question 20

Which faculty member should furnish information about personality, learning, and motivation?
A) sociology
B) psychology
C) anthropology
D) political science
E) industrial engineering

Accepted Answer

Psychology is the study of human behavior, including personality, learning, and motivation, making it the most appropriate faculty to provide information on these topics. Sociology, anthropology, political science, and industrial engineering may touch on these topics, but they are not the primary focus of these fields.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Organizational Behavior

In order to predict human behavior, it is best to supplement your intuitive opinions with information derived in what fashion?

Betty believes that it is best to take the casual or common sense approach to reading others. She needs to remember that ________.

Which of the following is not a topic or concern related to OB?

Until the late 1980s, business school curricula emphasized the ________ aspects of management.

Which of the following problems would an OB study be least likely to focus on?

Which of the following is not a reason why business schools have begun to include classes on organizational behavior?

Which behavioral science discipline is most focused on understanding individual behavior?

Which of the following is not a core topic of organizational behavior?

Which of the following explains the usefulness of the systematic approach to the study of organizational behavior?

The OB topic of motivation has been most influenced by which behavioral discipline?

Basing managerial decisions on the best available scientific support is called ________.

What are the three primary determinants of behavior in organizations?

________ is the study of the impact that individuals, groups, and structure have on behavior within organizations.

Organizational behavior is constructed from all of the following disciplines except ________.

Analyzing relationships, determining causes and effects, and basing conclusions on scientific evidence all constitute aspects of ________ study.

Psychology's major contributions to the field of organizational behavior have been primarily at what level of analysis?

________ is a science that seeks to measure, explain, and sometimes change the behavior of humans and other animals.

Which faculty member should furnish information about personality, learning, and motivation?