Answers 2026 Updated.
How does positive psychology differ from regular psychology? - Answer The aim of positive
psychology is to use scientific methodology to discover and promote the factors that allow
individuals, groups, organizations, and communities to thrive.
It is concerned with optimal human functioning instead of pathological human functioning
What are the four criteria for positive organizational behavior? How do the various POB
constructs measure up to these criteria? - Answer Efficacy, optimism, hope, and resiliency
-Based on theory and research
-Valid measures
-"State-like" and thus open to development
-Managed for performance improvement
What is self-efficacy? Why is it important to make the distinction that self-efficacy is a state
rather than a trait? What implications does this have for the workplace? - Answer In POB, we
tend to use the term self-efficacy interchangeably with confidence.
We do this to recognize the rich theoretical and research foundation associated with self-
efficacy, but also the more common and simplistic term of confidence more often used with
application in business and sports.
What are the four widely recognized sources of self-efficacy? - Answer -Mastery experiences
or performance attainments
-Vicarious experiences or modeling
-Social persuasion
-Physiological and psychological arousal
In positive psychology, how does the concept of hope go beyond "sunny advice"? - Answer
"A positive motivational state that is based on an interactively derived sense of successful (a)
agency (goal- directed energy), and (b) pathways (planning to meet goals)."
willpower (agency) & waypower (pathways)
Why may hope be particularly relevant to entrepreneurship and international human resource
management? - Answer In human resource management, hope may play an important role
in selection, especially for certain types of jobs and because it is learned and state-like (can