Industrial Organizational Psychology
Midterm Exam Questions with Correct
Answers
I/O Psych - Answer-The branch of psychology that is concerned with the study of
behavior in work settings and the application of psychology principles to change work
behavior.
Hawthorne Effect - Answer-Changes in behavior occurring as a function of participants'
knowledge that they are being observed and their expectations concerning their role as
research participants.
Stratified Sampling - Answer-The selection of research participants based on categories
that represent important distinguishing characteristics of a population.
Variables - Answer-The elements measured in research investigation
Hypotheses - Answer-Statements about the supposed relationships between or among
variables
Sampling - Answer-The selection of a representative group from a larger population for
study.
Random sampling - Answer-The election of research participants from a population so
that each individual has an equal probability of being chosen.
Experimental method - Answer-A research design characterized by a high degree of
control over the research setting to allow for the determination of cause and effect
relationships among variables.
Independent variables - Answer-In the experimental method, the variable that is
manipulated by the researcher.
Dependent Variables - Answer-In the experimental method, the variable that is acted on
by the IV; the outcome variable.
Extraneous Variables - Answer-Variables other than the IV that may influence DV.
Internal Validity - Answer-The extent to which extraneous or confounding variables are
removed from a study.
External Validity - Answer-Whether research results obtained in one setting will apply to
another setting.
, Job Analysis - Answer-The systematic study of the tasks, duties, and responsibilities of
a job and the qualities needed to perform it.
Job Specification - Answer-A statement of the human characteristics required to
perform a job.
Job Evaluation - Answer-An assessment of the relative value of a job to determine
appropriate compensation.
Organizational Commitment - Answer-A worker's feelings and attitudes about the entire
work organization.
Motivation - Answer-The force that energizes, directs, and sustains behavior.
Job Satisfaction - Answer-The positive and negative feelings and attitudes about one's
job.
Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) - Answer-A questionnaire that measures core job
characteristics.
Job Descriptive Index (JDI) - Answer-A self-report job satisfaction rating scale
measuring five job facets.
Job Enlargement - Answer-The expansion of a job to include additional, more varied
work tasks.
Skill Based Pay - Answer-A system of compensation in which workers are paid based in
their knowledge and skills rather than on their positions in the organization.
Gainsharing - Answer-A compensation system based on effective group performance.
Self-Report Technique - Answer-Measurement methods relying on research
participants' reports of their own behavior or attitudes.
Compensable Factors - Answer-The job elements that are used to determine
appropriate compensation for a job.
Comparable Worth - Answer-The notion that jobs that require equivalent KSAOs should
be compensated equally.
Glass Ceiling - Answer-Limitations placed on women and minorities preventing them
from advancing into top-level positions in organizations.
Criterion - Answer-Measures of job success typically related to performance.
Midterm Exam Questions with Correct
Answers
I/O Psych - Answer-The branch of psychology that is concerned with the study of
behavior in work settings and the application of psychology principles to change work
behavior.
Hawthorne Effect - Answer-Changes in behavior occurring as a function of participants'
knowledge that they are being observed and their expectations concerning their role as
research participants.
Stratified Sampling - Answer-The selection of research participants based on categories
that represent important distinguishing characteristics of a population.
Variables - Answer-The elements measured in research investigation
Hypotheses - Answer-Statements about the supposed relationships between or among
variables
Sampling - Answer-The selection of a representative group from a larger population for
study.
Random sampling - Answer-The election of research participants from a population so
that each individual has an equal probability of being chosen.
Experimental method - Answer-A research design characterized by a high degree of
control over the research setting to allow for the determination of cause and effect
relationships among variables.
Independent variables - Answer-In the experimental method, the variable that is
manipulated by the researcher.
Dependent Variables - Answer-In the experimental method, the variable that is acted on
by the IV; the outcome variable.
Extraneous Variables - Answer-Variables other than the IV that may influence DV.
Internal Validity - Answer-The extent to which extraneous or confounding variables are
removed from a study.
External Validity - Answer-Whether research results obtained in one setting will apply to
another setting.
, Job Analysis - Answer-The systematic study of the tasks, duties, and responsibilities of
a job and the qualities needed to perform it.
Job Specification - Answer-A statement of the human characteristics required to
perform a job.
Job Evaluation - Answer-An assessment of the relative value of a job to determine
appropriate compensation.
Organizational Commitment - Answer-A worker's feelings and attitudes about the entire
work organization.
Motivation - Answer-The force that energizes, directs, and sustains behavior.
Job Satisfaction - Answer-The positive and negative feelings and attitudes about one's
job.
Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) - Answer-A questionnaire that measures core job
characteristics.
Job Descriptive Index (JDI) - Answer-A self-report job satisfaction rating scale
measuring five job facets.
Job Enlargement - Answer-The expansion of a job to include additional, more varied
work tasks.
Skill Based Pay - Answer-A system of compensation in which workers are paid based in
their knowledge and skills rather than on their positions in the organization.
Gainsharing - Answer-A compensation system based on effective group performance.
Self-Report Technique - Answer-Measurement methods relying on research
participants' reports of their own behavior or attitudes.
Compensable Factors - Answer-The job elements that are used to determine
appropriate compensation for a job.
Comparable Worth - Answer-The notion that jobs that require equivalent KSAOs should
be compensated equally.
Glass Ceiling - Answer-Limitations placed on women and minorities preventing them
from advancing into top-level positions in organizations.
Criterion - Answer-Measures of job success typically related to performance.
