Title: Module 1 Introduction: (CU2 M1)
Course: SkillsCom BA 285 15.0 > Section: Credit Unit 2 Module 1

This module begins a two-module segment examining individual differences. Much of this chapter is related to interactional psychology and the advances made regarding personality and behavior in specific situations. Personality characteristics discussed include locus of control, self-efficacy, self-esteem, self-monitoring, and positive/negative affect. Personality theories explained include trait theory and the integrative approach. The chapter also examines how social perceptions influence the way we view the world and how attributions influence how we assign causality for behaviors.

Module Outcomes:

- Describe individual differences and their importance in understanding behavior.
- Define personality.
- Identify several personality characteristics and their influences on behavior in organizations.
- Give examples of each personality characteristic from your own work experience and how you would apply your knowledge in managing personality differences.
- Discuss Carl Jung’s contribution to our understanding of individual differences, and explain how his theory is used in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) instrument.
- Evaluate the importance of the MBTI® to managers.
- Define social perception and explain how characteristics of the perceiver, the target, and the situation affect it.
- Identify five common barriers to social perception.
- Explain the attribution process and how attributions affect managerial behavior.
- Evaluate the accuracy of managerial attributions from the standpoint of attribution biases and errors.