Answer to Question #300076 in Psychology for Mpume

Question

In your own words describe and discuss the manner in which the disciplines listed below were used in understanding organisational behaviour? Provide examples to illustrate your answer.

Psychology

Sociology

Anthropology

Political science

Answer 1

(i) Psychology has perhaps the first influence on the field of organizational behavior because it is a science of behavior. A psychologist studies almost all aspects Of behavior. Psychology deals with studying human behavior that seeks to explain and sometimes change the behavior of humans and other animals. Those who have contributed and continued to add to the knowledge of OB are teaching theorists, personality theorists, counseling psychologists and primary, industrial and organizational psychologists.

(ii) The major focus of sociologists is on studying the social systems in which individuals fill their roles. The focus is on group dynamics and they have made their greatest contribution to OB through their study of group behavior in organizations, particularly formal and sophisticated organizations.

(iii) The main aim of anthropology is to acquire a better understanding of the relationship between the human being and the environment. The world is the laboratory of anthropologists, and human beings must be studied in the natural habitat. Understanding the importance of studying man in natural settings over time enables one to grasp the range of anthropology. Anthropologists contribute to study some aspects of organizational settings which are similar values, comparative attitudes, cross-cultural analysis between or among the employees.

(iv) Contributions of political scientists are significant to the understanding of behavior in organizations. Political scientists study the behavior of individuals and groups within a political environment. They contribute to understanding the dynamics of power centers, structuring of conflict and conflict resolution tactics, allocation of power and how people manipulate power for individual self-interest. The knowledge of political science can be utilized in the study the behavior of employees, executives at micro as well as macro level.