Type of assessment: Formative assessment (written assessment submitted
online) Assessment number: Assessment 1
Learning Material: Lessons 1-3
Contributing weight: 10% towards your module completion
Submission date: 09 August 2024
Copying text from the study guide will result in a student receiving zero (0) marks.
QUESTION 1
Individual differences have an association of uniqueness in personality and behaviour.
Describe differences among individuals in terms of the following:
(Anne Vernon 2006)
a) Thinking, Feeling, and Behaving
Individuals differ in their cognitive processes, including how they perceive information,
solve problems, and make decisions. For example, in a team tasked with developing a
new product, one member might think analytically, breaking down the project into
manageable steps, while another might think creatively, generating innovative ideas.
Emotional responses vary significantly among individuals. One employee might
experience excitement and motivation when faced with a challenging task, while another
might feel anxious or overwhelmed. For instance, a public speaking engagement might
energize an extroverted employee but induce stress in an introverted colleague.
, Behavioral differences manifest in how individuals act in various situations. For example,
some employees might be proactive, taking initiative without being asked, while others
might be more reactive, waiting for specific instructions. In a customer service scenario,
one representative might go out of their way to solve a customer's problem, while another
might strictly follow company protocol.
b) Conceptually
Conceptually, individual differences can be understood through various psychological
theories and models, such as the Big Five personality traits, which include openness,
conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. For instance:
An employee high in openness may thrive in roles that require creativity and adaptability,
like marketing or R&D.
A highly conscientious individual may excel in roles that require attention to detail and
reliability, such as accounting or project management.
These conceptual frameworks help organizations understand and predict employee
behavior, improve job-person fit, and enhance team dynamics.
c) Across Situations
Individual behavior can vary across different situations due to the influence of external
factors and situational context. For example:
In a high-stress situation like a project deadline, some individuals may perform
exceptionally well, demonstrating resilience and focus. In contrast, others might struggle
under pressure, leading to mistakes or burnout.
In social situations, such as team-building activities, extroverted employees might be more
active and engaged, while introverted employees may prefer smaller, more intimate
interactions or may even avoid such activities.
d) Across Time
online) Assessment number: Assessment 1
Learning Material: Lessons 1-3
Contributing weight: 10% towards your module completion
Submission date: 09 August 2024
Copying text from the study guide will result in a student receiving zero (0) marks.
QUESTION 1
Individual differences have an association of uniqueness in personality and behaviour.
Describe differences among individuals in terms of the following:
(Anne Vernon 2006)
a) Thinking, Feeling, and Behaving
Individuals differ in their cognitive processes, including how they perceive information,
solve problems, and make decisions. For example, in a team tasked with developing a
new product, one member might think analytically, breaking down the project into
manageable steps, while another might think creatively, generating innovative ideas.
Emotional responses vary significantly among individuals. One employee might
experience excitement and motivation when faced with a challenging task, while another
might feel anxious or overwhelmed. For instance, a public speaking engagement might
energize an extroverted employee but induce stress in an introverted colleague.
, Behavioral differences manifest in how individuals act in various situations. For example,
some employees might be proactive, taking initiative without being asked, while others
might be more reactive, waiting for specific instructions. In a customer service scenario,
one representative might go out of their way to solve a customer's problem, while another
might strictly follow company protocol.
b) Conceptually
Conceptually, individual differences can be understood through various psychological
theories and models, such as the Big Five personality traits, which include openness,
conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. For instance:
An employee high in openness may thrive in roles that require creativity and adaptability,
like marketing or R&D.
A highly conscientious individual may excel in roles that require attention to detail and
reliability, such as accounting or project management.
These conceptual frameworks help organizations understand and predict employee
behavior, improve job-person fit, and enhance team dynamics.
c) Across Situations
Individual behavior can vary across different situations due to the influence of external
factors and situational context. For example:
In a high-stress situation like a project deadline, some individuals may perform
exceptionally well, demonstrating resilience and focus. In contrast, others might struggle
under pressure, leading to mistakes or burnout.
In social situations, such as team-building activities, extroverted employees might be more
active and engaged, while introverted employees may prefer smaller, more intimate
interactions or may even avoid such activities.
d) Across Time
