Employee A noticed that Employee B was late for work, and A's perception of why B was late will determine what action A takes in this situation. Considering attribution theory, which factors will determine A's perception regarding whether B's behavior was internally or externally caused? Select one.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
According to attribution theory, three factors determine whether an observer attributes behavior to internal or external causes: distinctiveness, consensus, and consistency. Distinctiveness: Whether the individual behaves differently in different situations. Consensus: Whether others in the same situation behave similarly. Consistency: Whether the individual behaves the same way over time. Employee A’s perception of why Employee B was late would depend on these three factors. For example, if Employee B is rarely late (high distinctiveness), if many other employees were also late (high consensus), and if Employee B is usually punctual (high consistency), Employee A might attribute the lateness to an external cause such as traffic or weather conditions. Reference: Robbins, S.P., Judge, T.A., & Vohra, N. (2017). "Organizational Behavior" (16th ed.). Pearson. Chapter on Perception and Individual Decision Making, particularly the section discussing attribution theory.
Question 2
Employees A and B work together on the same project team. When the team faces a complex and difficult problem, the team leader usually asks Employee A to generate alternative solutions for the team to consider. Experience has shown that Employee A actively searches for additional information and is more likely to take initiative and to feel that the team can effectively influence the outcomes of its actions. Employee B tends to do well on jobs that are well structured and routine and tends to feel that the outcomes of the team's actions are determined by luck or chance. Which statement is correct? Select one.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Employee A exhibits an internal locus of control because they believe that their actions and decisions significantly influence the outcomes of the team's actions. This is evident from the fact that Employee A actively searches for additional information and takes the initiative, suggesting a belief in their ability to control events and outcomes. Employee B, on the other hand, exhibits an external locus of control. They tend to perform better in structured, routine jobs and believe that outcomes are determined by luck or chance, indicating a belief that external factors control their fate rather than their own actions.
Reference: Robbins, S.P., Judge, T.A., & Vohra, N. (2017). "Organizational Behavior" (16th ed.). Pearson. Chapter on Personality and Values, particularly the section discussing locus of control.
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