Organizational Psychology - Key Concepts

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and key concepts from Organizational Psychology, aimed at helping with exam preparation.

Culture

Shared values, beliefs, assumptions, and patterns of behavior within an organization.

Workplace Culture

The environment, norms, and dynamics that shape the experiences of individuals within a work setting.

Cultural Fit

The alignment between an employee's values and the organization's culture.

Artifacts

Observable elements in an organization that reflect its culture, such as behavior, dress, and physical layout.

Values and Beliefs

Core principles that guide the actions and decisions within an organization.

Behavioral Norms

Unwritten rules that dictate how employees interact with each other.

Selection

The process of choosing employees whose values match the organization's culture.

Job Mastery

The stage in employee development where individuals become proficient in their roles.

Innovation

The process of translating new ideas into tangible products or services.

Power Distance

The degree to which less powerful members of a culture defer to more powerful members.

Individualism vs. Collectivism

The extent to which individuals prioritize personal goals over group goals.

Feminine vs. Masculine Cultures

Cultural emphasis on cooperation and caring versus achievement and assertiveness

Uncertainty Avoidance

A society's tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty.

Long-term vs. Short-term Orientation

Focus on future rewards (long-term) versus immediate results (short-term).

Indulgence vs. Restraint

The extent to which a culture allows for the gratification of basic human desires.

Chain of Command

The hierarchy in an organization that defines who reports to whom.

Span of Control

The number of employees that a supervisor manages directly.

Structural Model

A framework that defines the arrangement of roles and relationships within an organization.

Bureaucracy

A formal organizational structure characterized by hierarchical authority and strict rules.

Matrix Organization

An organizational structure that uses a grid to allocate authority and responsibilities.

Peter Principle

The concept that individuals are promoted until they reach a level of incompetence.

Cognitive Factors

Mental processes involved in understanding and decision-making related to organizational behavior.

Emotional Factors

Feelings that influence employees' perceptions and interactions within an organization.

Relational Factors

The network of relationships and social dynamics that exist among employees.