WHAT IS

ORGANIZATION
AL BEHAVIOR?
LEARNING OBJETIVES
After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate the importance of interpersonal skills in the workplace.
2. Define organizational behavior (OB).
3. Show the value to OB of systematic study.
4. Identify the major behavioral science disciplines that contribute to OB.
5. Demonstrate why few absolutes apply to OB.
6. Identify the challenges and opportunities managers have in applying OB
concepts.
THE IMPORTANCE OF
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
ORGANIZATIONAL
BEHAVIOR
 "the study of human behavior in organizational settings, the interface
between human behavior and the organization, and the organization itself.“
WHY OB?
DISCIPLINES THAT
CONTRIBUTE TO OB FIELD
Psychology

Psychology is the science that seeks to measure, explain, and sometimes

change the behavior of humans and other animals. Psychologists involve
themselves with studying and attempting to understand individual behavior.
Sociology

Where psychologists focus on the individual, sociologists study the social

system in which individual fills their role; that is, sociology studies people in
relation to their fellow human beings.
Social Psychology

Social psychology is an area within psychology, but it blends concepts from

psychology and sociology. It concentrates on the influence of people on one
another.
 Anthropology

Anthropology is the study or societies to learn about human beings and

their activities. Anthropologists’ work on cultures and environments, for
instance, has helped us understand differences in fundamental values,
attitudes, and behavior between people in different countries and within
different organizations.
 Political Science

Although frequently overlooked, the contributions of political scientists are

significant to the understanding of behavior in organizations. Political
science studies the behavior of individuals and groups within a political
environment. Specific topics of concern include structuring of conflict,
allocation of power and how people manipulate power for individual self-
interest.
FEW ABSOLUTES IN OB
 The science of OB was developed by applying general concepts to a
particular situation, person, or group.