IOP4863 – PerSONNel aNd Career PSyChOlOgy |
COmPlete aNSwerS & IN-dePth StUdy gUIde | dUe
NOvember/deCember 2025
Question 1: What is the primary focus of personnel psychology?
A. Understanding group dynamics
B. Analyzing employee performance
C. Selecting and training employees
D. Developing organizational culture
Correct Option: C. Selecting and training employees
Rationale: Personnel psychology concentrates on methods and techniques for
selecting, training, and evaluating employees. It aims to enhance workplace
productivity by ensuring that the right individuals are chosen and adequately prepared
for their roles.
Question 2: Which of the following theories emphasizes the role of competencies
in career development?
A. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
B. Holland's Theory of Vocational Personalities
C. Super's Life Span Developmental Theory
D. The Competence Approach
Correct Option: D. The Competence Approach
Rationale: The Competence Approach focuses on the development of skills and
competencies required for various career paths. This theory supports the idea that
career success is driven by one's ability to demonstrate relevant competencies.
Question 3: In job analysis, which method involves observing and recording
employee behavior in the workplace?
A. Task Inventory
B. Surveys
C. Interviews
D. Job Description Analysis
Correct Option: A. Task Inventory
Rationale: The Task Inventory method involves direct observation of employees
performing their duties to understand the tasks and responsibilities involved in their
positions. This method provides accurate, real-time insights into job functions.
,Question 4: What is the main purpose of performance appraisals in organizations?
A. To establish company policies
B. To assess employee training needs
C. To evaluate employee performance and provide feedback
D. To determine salary adjustments
Correct Option: C. To evaluate employee performance and provide feedback
Rationale: Performance appraisals are systematic evaluations of employee
performance, which serve to provide constructive feedback, facilitate employee
development, and inform decisions related to promotions and compensation.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes a "career plateau"?
A. A significant increase in job responsibilities
B. A stage where an individual feels stuck in their career growth
C. A period of extensive professional development
D. A transition to a more challenging role
Correct Option: B. A stage where an individual feels stuck in their career growth
Rationale: A career plateau occurs when an individual perceives that they have
reached a limit in their career advancement, leading to feelings of stagnation and
possibly decreased motivation to pursue further professional development.
Question 6: Which type of interview focuses on specific job-related competencies
and often uses standardized questions?
A. Unstructured Interview
B. Behavioral Interview
C. Panel Interview
D. Situational Interview
Correct Option: B. Behavioral Interview
Rationale: Behavioral interviews focus on past behavior as an indicator of future
performance by asking candidates to describe their experiences in specific situations.
This method is standardized and targets competencies relevant to the job.
Question 7: The concept of 'person-organization fit' refers to:
A. Matching employee skills with job requirements
B. Employee preferences aligning with organizational culture
C. Creating a diverse workforce
D. Ensuring employees are satisfied with their job roles
,Correct Option: B. Employee preferences aligning with organizational culture
Rationale: Person-organization fit examines how well an individual's values, beliefs,
and personality align with the organization's culture, which can impact job satisfaction,
performance, and retention.
Question 8: What is the purpose of a 360-degree feedback process?
A. To conduct market research
B. To appraise external stakeholders
C. To gather performance feedback from multiple sources
D. To evaluate job descriptions
Correct Option: C. To gather performance feedback from multiple sources
Rationale: The 360-degree feedback process collects performance insights from
various sources, including peers, subordinates, and supervisors, providing a
comprehensive overview of an employee's strengths and areas for improvement.
Question 9: In career counseling, the term “career maturity” refers to:
A. The age of an individual in their career
B. The readiness to make informed career decisions
C. The number of jobs one has held
D. The length of time spent in a particular job
Correct Option: B. The readiness to make informed career decisions
Rationale: Career maturity indicates an individual's ability to navigate their career path
effectively, making informed decisions about educational and professional
development opportunities based on their self-awareness and understanding of the job
market.
Question 10: Which theory suggests that career development is a lifelong process
influenced by individual experiences and changing social contexts?
A. Super's Life Span Developmental Theory
B. Holland's Theory of Vocational Personalities
C. Trait-Factor Theory
D. Social Cognitive Career Theory
Correct Option: A. Super's Life Span Developmental Theory
Rationale: Super's theory posits that career development unfolds over a lifetime and is
influenced by various factors, including personal experiences, identity, and changes in
social contexts, emphasizing the evolving nature of career choices.
, Question 11: The use of psychometric tests in personnel selection primarily aims
to:
A. Increase workplace diversity
B. Measure cognitive abilities and personality traits
C. Evaluate physical fitness
D. Assess employee satisfaction
Correct Option: B. Measure cognitive abilities and personality traits
Rationale: Psychometric tests are designed to evaluate candidates' cognitive abilities
and personality traits, helping employers make informed decisions about hiring
individuals who possess the necessary attributes for specific job roles.
Question 12: What is “job crafting”?
A. Redesigning job descriptions
B. Shifting tasks between employees
C. Modifying one's job to better fit personal skills and interests
D. Organizing team-building activities
Correct Option: C. Modifying one's job to better fit personal skills and interests
Rationale: Job crafting allows employees to actively change their job roles by aligning
tasks and responsibilities with their skills and passions, thereby enhancing job
satisfaction and engagement.
Question 13: Which of the following best describes the concept of “employability”?
A. The ability to change careers often
B. The skills and attributes that enhance an individual's chance of securing a job
C. The length of time spent in the job market
D. The number of professional connections one has
Correct Option: B. The skills and attributes that enhance an individual's chance of
securing a job
Rationale: Employability encompasses the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that enable
an individual to obtain and maintain employment, highlighting the importance of
continuous development in a competitive job market.
Question 14: A Glassdoor study finding that organizations with a transparent
culture see lower turnover is an example of: