SAINT JOSEPH COLLEGE, MAASIN, LEYTE

COLLEGE DEPARTMENT
6600 Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Philippines
www.sjc.edu.ph email: info@sjc.edu.ph
Tel. No. 570-8448

HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN ORGANIZATION

Pro El 2

Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Human Behavior

Objectives:

1. Introduced the importance and significance of human behavior in a smooth-running organization.

2. Explained the different assumptions, concepts and principles in studying human behavior.
2. Identified the different models of the organization.
3. Analyzed the problem of the case.

INTRODUCTION:

Anything, that is commonplace and obvious, like human behavior, is usually taken for granted.
Presumably, it does not have to go through a discerning eye; it does not need analysis nor extensive
study. However, this assumption may be far from being tenable and true.
For so long, man-made serious attempts to be productive, economic or otherwise. He did it either
individually or in group. In his quest for fulfilling his dreams, he is always confronted with the risk of
failure, and the risk is most often associated with the human factor, i.e., him and the others. Even if it
was a machine that disrupted the production process, the person who decided to buy or use the
machine faces the risk of placing his character under suspicion.
It has become clear that the quality and quantity of the output of the individual, the group, or the
organization depend heavily on the actions of the person. It follows that those who have knowledge of
human behavior are better equipped to interact with individuals, groups, organizations.

ENGAGE:

It was observed with concern by a small group of employees of a marketing firm that Rita was not
eating her lunch for the fourth day with them. Her individual behavior amazed them since she usually
led the group to come together, start the meal and recount the “stories” of the day.

Question:
1. What made Rita change her behavior? How did this affect the group? How would she react if the
group asked her the reason for her acting differently?

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EXPLANATION:
What is human behavior?
Human behavior refers to the physical actions of a person that can be seen or heard such as smiling
or whistling. With his thoughts, feelings, emotions and sentiments, the person exhibits behaviors similar
or different when he is in or out of organizations.
Human behavior in organization is more appropriately referred to as organizational behavior (OB).

What is organizational behavior?

Organizational Behavior or OB may be defined as the study of human behavior in organization, of
the interaction between individuals and the organization, and the organization itself.

The Goals of OB
1. To explain behavior
2. To predict behavior
3. To control behavior

In explaining behavior as a goal, OB needs to systematically describe how people behave under a variety
of conditions, and understand why people behave as they do.

OB must be used to predict behavior so support can be provided to productive and dedicated
employees, and measures could be instituted to control the disruptive and less productive ones.

OB can offer some means for management to control the behavior of employees. As control is an
important component of effective performance, the usefulness of OB must not be overlooked.

Figure 1. The OB model

The Elements of OB:

1. people
2. structure
3. technology
4. environment

The Benefits of Studying organizational Behavior (OB)

The study of OB offers certain benefits. They are as follows:
1. development of people skills;
2. personal growth;
3. enhancement of organizational and individual effectiveness; and
4. sharpening and refinement of common sense.

Some Key Behavioral Science Assumptions, Concepts, and Principles

Human behavior which is also called human act is different from act of man. When man
performs an act with free will he does a human act. He is responsible for such act which is performed
with alternatives to choose from. It is free will from whence responsibility emanates and flows that
makes man a human being perform human acts or human behavior.
On the other hand, an act of man is performed by one who is forced to do so at the risk of his
own life he does otherwise. He does not have any other alternative/s to choose from. He is not given the
opportunity to use his free will and thus, he is not responsible for this act. He, therefore, commits an act
of man.
 Human behavior can be understood best by developing frameworks from the behavioral
sciences which represent a systematic body of knowledge pertaining to why and how people behave as
they do.

ASSUMPTIONS:

1. Every person is significantly different from the moment of conception.

2. Every person is constantly active, goal seeking organism.
3. Every person is dynamic.
4. The characteristics of an organization influence the behavior of the entire organization and, to a great
extent, the behavior of individuals within as well.
5. There are no simple cookbook formulas for working with people.

CONCEPTS:

1. Almost all behavior is learned.

2. Human beings adapt.

PRINCIPLES:

1. Thorndike’s law of effect.

2. Classical conditioning is a powerful technique for altering the behavior of others.
3. Stimulus response are the greatest forces in all cases of communication.
4. There are no two individuals who are alike in all dimensions.

Methods in Studying Human Behavior

Human behavior is as old as mankind itself. It is a phenomenon which, historically, was
observed, described and speculated on cursorily sans any formal and written objectives and procedures.
The methods used in studying human behavior are almost the same as those in other sciences –
experiments, surveys and case method. It makes use of observation, interview, questionnaire, check list,
scales psychological test and statistics.

Other Methods in studying human behavior:

1. Three Level Model
2. Interdisciplinary model
3. Developmental model
4. Systems model
5. Contingency model

Activities:
1. A COCKTAIL MIX
Direction: Write in big block letters on a sheet of paper anything about yourself: traits, likes, dislikes,
family characteristics and the like. Capture yourself holding the sheet of paper and post this in our FB
page. Do not forget to write your name.

2. Narrate two most recent and specific events in which you were involved – one which you consider
pleasant and wholesome; the other unpleasant and unwholesome. Cite your behavior before and after
the event and the reasons for such behavior. Post your answer in our GOOGLE CLASSROOM.