Unit 1: Introduction to OB & individual behaviour
Organizational Behaviour notes · PTU syllabus (BBA301-18)
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Unit summary
Organisational behaviour (OB) studies how people behave at work and how that behaviour affects organisational performance. This unit covers the meaning and relevance of OB, its contributing disciplines, challenges and opportunities, the foundations of individual behaviour, and the learning theories — classical conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning — and behaviour modification.
After this unit you can
- Define OB and explain its relevance
- Identify the disciplines contributing to OB
- Explain the challenges and opportunities for OB
- Explain learning theories and behaviour modification
PTU syllabus topics
- Meaning and relevance of organizational behaviour
- contributing disciplines
- challenges and opportunities for OB
- foundations of individual behaviour
- classical conditioning
- operant conditioning
- social learning theory
- behaviour modification
Classical conditioning
Pairing a stimulus with a response
Bell before lunch makes staff hungry
Operant conditioning
Behaviour shaped by consequences
Bonus for meeting targets
Social learning
Observing and copying others
New hire copies a top performer
Topic 1
Meaning and relevance of OB
Organisational behaviour is a field of study that investigates the impact that individuals, groups and structure have on behaviour within organisations, in order to improve organisational effectiveness (Stephen Robbins). It works at three levels: individual, group and organisation system. Relevance: understanding and predicting behaviour, improving motivation and productivity, managing change and conflict, building effective teams and leaders, and reducing absenteeism and turnover.
Topic 2
Contributing disciplines
Psychology
Learning, perception, personality, motivation — individual level
Social psychology
Attitudes, group behaviour, change
Sociology
Groups, communication, formal organisations
Anthropology
Culture and values
Political science
Power, conflict, politics
Topic 3
Challenges and opportunities for OB
- Globalisation and managing people from different cultures.
- Workforce diversity in gender, age, ethnicity and ability.
- Improving quality and productivity and customer service.
- Technology and remote/hybrid work.
- Ethical behaviour and employee well-being.
- Managing change, innovation and the gig economy.
Topic 4
Foundations of individual behaviour and learning
Individual behaviour depends on biographical characteristics (age, gender, tenure), ability (intellectual and physical), personality, perception, attitudes, values and learning. Learning is a relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a result of experience.
Classical conditioning (Pavlov)
An association between a neutral stimulus and a response
Staff tense up when the boss's car arrives, after past criticism
Operant conditioning (Skinner)
Behaviour is shaped by its consequences: rewards and punishments
Sales bonus increases selling effort
Social learning (Bandura)
Learning by observing others (models)
A trainee copies a successful senior
Topic 5
Behaviour modification (OB Mod)
OB Mod applies operant conditioning to change work behaviour in five steps.
- 1Identify critical behaviours
- 2Measure the baseline
- 3Analyse antecedents and consequences
- 4Intervene
Reinforce desired behaviour
- 5Evaluate performance improvement
Types of reinforcement: positive (give a reward), negative (remove something unpleasant), punishment and extinction (no reinforcement). Schedules: continuous and intermittent (fixed or variable, interval or ratio).
Key terms
- Organisational behaviour
- Study of human behaviour in organisations
- Learning
- A relatively permanent change in behaviour from experience
- Operant conditioning
- Learning through consequences of behaviour
- Social learning
- Learning by observing others
- OB Mod
- Applying reinforcement to change work behaviour
Quick revision
- OB levels: individual, group, organisation.
- Disciplines: psychology, social psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science.
- Pavlov (classical), Skinner (operant), Bandura (social learning).
- OB Mod: identify, measure, analyse, intervene, evaluate.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.Define organisational behaviour.
- Q2.Name the disciplines contributing to OB.
- Q3.Differentiate between classical and operant conditioning.
- Q4.What is social learning theory?
- Q5.Differentiate between positive and negative reinforcement.
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Explain the nature, scope and importance of OB.
- Q2.Discuss the challenges and opportunities for OB.
- Q3.Explain the theories of learning with examples.
- Q4.Explain behaviour modification and reinforcement schedules.
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