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Block 1 Unit 1 Introduction of Organisational Psychology

1. Family is an organisation with its own unique problems of human behaviour. Do you agree with this statement? Discuss.

Yes, a family can be viewed as an organisation with its own structure, goals, and dynamics. It involves coordinated activity, roles, and relationships which fits the definition of an organisation. Families face unique challenges related to personal relationships, power dynamics, and individual differences.

2. Describe the various metaphors for conceptualising organisations. With the help of an example of any organisation that you have been a part of, which metaphor is most prevalent in your organisation. Discuss.

Organisations can be viewed through various metaphors: machines, organisms, brains, cultures, political systems, psychic prisons, flux and transformation, and instruments of domination. The most prevalent metaphor depends on the organisation's structure and dynamics. For example, a highly bureaucratic organisation might resemble a machine, while a more innovative company could be seen as a brain.

3. Define organisational psychology. Differentiate between the scope of industrial and organisational psychology.

Organisational psychology is the study of organisations and how they impact human behaviour. It examines topics such as work motivation, job satisfaction, leadership, and group behaviour. Industrial psychology focuses on the “industrial side” including job analysis, recruitment, selection, compensation, performance appraisal, and training, while organizational psychology examines the “organizational side” including socialization, motivation, work stress, and leadership.

4. Briefly describe the topics studied in organisational psychology. Discuss their relevance at the contemporary work place.

Organisational psychology covers work motivation, job satisfaction, organisational commitment, organisational justice, leadership, group behaviour, work stress, organisational culture and development, productive and counterproductive behaviour, and work-life balance. These topics are crucial for understanding employee behaviour, improving workplace dynamics, and promoting organisational effectiveness.

Important Points

1. When things are going well we say the organisation is running like a ‘well-oiled engine’; when they are not, then communication has ‘broken down’ and ‘things need fixing’. The metaphor that this represents is Machines
2. The metaphor that is concerned with the relationship between organisations and their environments and the ability to survive by being adaptive is Organisms
3. The metaphor that views organisations as places that trap individuals in patterns of thinking is Psychic Prison
4. The metaphor that considers organisations as a place where different interest groups compete for power and resources is Political Systems