McGraw-Hill/Irwin© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Positive Organizational Behavior Chapter Seven

Learning Objectives Frame, in terms of the positive psychology movement. Discuss the theory, research, and application of self efficacy/confidence, optimism, hope and resiliency as best POB criteria-meeting capacities and when in combination represent psychological capital (PsyCap). Present the theory, research, and application of happiness/subjective well-being (SWB) as a potential POB capacity. Present the theory, research, and application of emotional intelligence (EI) as another potential POB capacity. Explain the specific roles that emotion and intelligence play in emotional intelligence.

Introduction POB operational criteria: –Based on theory and research –Valid measures –Unique concepts –Open to development –Managed for performance improvement

Positive Psychology Positive psychology is concerned with optimal human functioning Three levels of positive psychology are: –Valued subjective experiences –Positive individual traits –Civic virtues and the institutions that move individuals toward better citizenship

Self-Efficacy Theoretical background and meaning –Specific versus general self-efficacy Specific/ task oriented: statelike General: traitlike –Self-efficacy differs from established organizational behavior concepts Self-esteem Expectancy concepts Attribution/locus of control

Self-Efficacy Continued Process and impact –Choice behavior –Motivational effort –Perseverance –Facilitative thought patterns –Vulnerability to stress

Self-Efficacy Continued Sources of self-efficacy

Self-Efficacy Continued Implications in the workplace

Self-Efficacy Continued Implications in the workplace (continued) –Selection of human resources Based on magnitude and strength –Training and development Bandura’s three categories: guided mastery, cognitive mastery, and development of self- regulatory competencies Behavior modeling training –Other applications

Self-Efficacy Continued Example of self-efficacy scale: –Auto sales position

Optimism Dimensions of optimism –Optimism as human nature –Optimism as an individual difference Explanatory style Learned helplessness Pessimists and optimists –Some unresolved optimism issues Little vs. big optimism. Optimism vs. pessimism. Learning and sustaining optimism

Optimism Continued Optimism in the workplace –Downside of optimism –Seligman’s met life studies –Other research and application in the workplace

Hope Willpower – agency Waypower – pathways

Resiliency Bouncing back Enhance the assets –Manage risk factors –Adaptational process

Psychological Capital (PsyCap) Confidence (self-efficacy) Positive attribution (optimism) Persevering toward goals (hope) Bouncing back and beyond (resiliency)

Other Potential POB Dimensions Happiness or subjective well-being (SWB) –Background on SWB Life satisfaction Satisfaction with important domains Positive affect Low levels of negative affect –Temperament and personality dispositions –Role of goals –Adapting and coping

Other Potential POB Dimensions Continued Happiness or subjective well-being (SWB) (continued) –SWB across cultures –SWB in work

Other Potential POB Dimensions Continued Emotional intelligence (EI) –Role of emotion Emotional processing Emotional categories and continuum

Other Potential POB Dimensions Continued Emotional intelligence (EI) (continued) Types of emotions

Other Potential POB Dimensions Continued Emotional intelligence (EI) (continued) –Role of Intelligence Nature versus nurture intelligence Recognition of multiple intelligences (illustrated) Intelligence as cognitive mental ability (illustrated)

Other Potential POB Dimensions Continued Emotional intelligence (EI) (continued) Recognition of multiple intelligences

Other Potential POB Dimensions Continued Emotional intelligence (EI) (continued) Intelligence as cognitive mental ability

Other Potential POB Dimensions Continued Meaning of Emotional Intelligence –The capacity for: Recognizing our own feelings and those of others Motivating ourselves Managing emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships

Other Potential POB Dimensions Continued Emotional Intelligence in workplace –Goleman’s approach to EI in workplace –Initial supporting evidence –Conflict with selection research –Application to leadership (illustrated) –Other EI applications

Other Potential POB Dimensions Continued Emotional Intelligence in workplace (continued) –Application to leadership

Questions