APA Industrial-Organizational Psychology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'organizational citizenship behavior' (OCB)?
- Formally required job duties that are part of the employment contract
- Voluntary behaviors that go beyond formal job requirements and support organizational effectiveness (Correct answer)
- Counterproductive work behaviors committed by dissatisfied employees
- Performance evaluations conducted by peers
Correct answer: Voluntary behaviors that go beyond formal job requirements and support organizational effectiveness
OCBs are discretionary, extra-role behaviors (e.g., helping colleagues, civic virtue) that are not formally rewarded but contribute to organizational functioning.
Question 2: Which leadership theory proposes that the most effective leadership style depends on the readiness and maturity of followers?
- Transformational leadership theory
- Situational leadership theory (Hersey & Blanchard) (Correct answer)
- Leader-member exchange theory
- Path-goal theory
Correct answer: Situational leadership theory (Hersey & Blanchard)
Hersey and Blanchard's situational leadership theory argues that leaders should adapt their style (directing, coaching, supporting, delegating) based on followers' task competence and commitment.
Question 3: What does 'criterion validity' mean in the context of I-O psychology selection tools?
- The test measures the same content as the job duties
- Scores on a predictor correlate with scores on a measure of job performance (Correct answer)
- The test has a logical relationship to the job domain
- The test is consistent across administrations
Correct answer: Scores on a predictor correlate with scores on a measure of job performance
Criterion validity (predictive or concurrent) is demonstrated when predictor scores (e.g., a test) significantly correlate with a criterion of job performance or success.
Question 4: Which motivational theory proposes that employees are motivated by the expectation that effort will lead to performance, which will lead to valued outcomes?
- Equity theory
- Goal-setting theory
- Expectancy theory (Vroom) (Correct answer)
- Two-factor theory
Correct answer: Expectancy theory (Vroom)
Vroom's expectancy theory states that motivation is a function of three beliefs: effort leads to performance (expectancy), performance leads to outcomes (instrumentality), and outcomes are valued (valence).
Question 5: What is a 'structured interview' and why does it have higher validity than an unstructured interview?
- An interview with standardized, job-relevant questions and a scoring rubric, reducing interviewer bias (Correct answer)
- An interview conducted by a panel of managers without a fixed agenda
- A computer-administered interview with automated scoring
- An interview that follows an informal conversational format
Correct answer: An interview with standardized, job-relevant questions and a scoring rubric, reducing interviewer bias
Structured interviews use predetermined, job-relevant questions and standardized rating scales, which reduce subjectivity and biases, significantly increasing their predictive validity over unstructured formats.
Question 6: What does the APA Ethical Principles state about psychologists' responsibility in organizational settings when there is a conflict between client and organization?
- Always follow organizational instructions
- Prioritize the client's interests above all else
- Clarify roles, identify the client, and be transparent about potential conflicts (Correct answer)
- Withdraw from the engagement immediately
Correct answer: Clarify roles, identify the client, and be transparent about potential conflicts
APA ethics require I-O psychologists to clarify at the outset who their client is, their role, and how to manage potential conflicts between individual and organizational interests.
APA Industrial-Organizational Psychology 2
What is 'organizational citizenship behavior' (OCB)?