Organizational Behavior - CH.2 Diversity in Organizations

Identify the key biographical characteristics and describe how they are relevant to this chapter.

Age, gender, race, disability, and length of service.

Describe the six types of discrimination and provide an example of each. (Exclusion)

Exclusion: Exclusion of certain people from job opportunities, social events, discussions, or informal mentoring; can occur unintentionally Example: Women in finance assigned to marginal job roles/given light loads that don't lead to promotions

Describe the six types of discrimination and provide an example of each. (Incivility)

Incivility: Disrespectful treatment, including behaving in an aggressive manner, interrupting the person, or ignoring varying opinions Example: Female lawyers note that male attorneys frequently cut them off or do not adequately address their comments

Define intellectual ability and demonstrate its relevance to this chapter.

Intellectual abilities are abilities needed to perform mental activities—thinking, reasoning, and problem solving.

Contrast intellectual and physical ability.

Intellectual ability versus physical ability is the difference between mental tasks and physical tasks.

Describe the six types of discrimination and provide an example of each. (Intimidation)

Intimidation: Overt threats or bullying directed at members of specific groups of employees Example: African American employees at some companies have found nooses hanging over their work stations

What are three components of an effective diversity program?

(1) First they teach managers about the legal framework for EO and encourage fair treatment of all people regardless of their demographic characteristics (2) they teach managers how a diverse workforce will be better able to serve a diverse market of customers and clients, (3) they foster personal development practices that bring out the skills and abilities of all workers, acknowledging how differences in perspective can be a valuable way to improve performance for everyone.

Diversity experiences are more likely to lead to positive adaptation for all parties under four conditions: what are these conditions? (2nd paragraph on p. 32)

(1) The diversity experience undermines stereotypical attitudes (2) The perceiver is motivated and able to consider a new perspective on others (3) The perceiver engages in stereotype suppression and generative thought in response to the diversity experience (4) The positive experience of the stereotype undermining is repeated frequently.

Describe the six types of discrimination and provide an example of each. (Discriminatory Policies or Practices)

Discriminatory Policies or Practices: Actions taken by representatives of the organization that deny equal opportunity to perform or unequal reward for performance Example: Older workers may be targeted for layoffs because they are highly paid and have lucrative benefits.

Describe the six types of discrimination and provide an example of each. (Mockery or Insults)

Mockery or Insults: Jokes or negative stereotypes; sometimes the result of jokes taken too far Example: Arab Americans have been asked at work whether they were carrying bombs or were members of terrorist organizations

Describe the six types of discrimination and provide an example of each. (Sexual Harassment)

Sexual Harassment: Unwanted sexual advances and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that create a hostile or offensive work environment Example: company paid visits to strip clubs, fostered pervasive sexual rumors

What are the three dimensions of physical ability (i.e., the nine basic physical abilities are categorized into three groups—what are these three groups?)

Strength Factors, Flexibility Factors, and Other Factors

Describe two major forms of workforce diversity and give an example of how workplace discrimination undermines diversity effectiveness.

Surface-Level Diversity: Demographics, not thoughts and feelings, and can lead employees to perceive one another through stereotypes and assumptions. Deep-Level Diversity: As people get to know one another, they become less concerned about demographic differences if they see themselves as sharing more important characteristics, such as personality and values, that can represent these.

Define discrimination.

To discriminate is to note a difference of things, which in itself isn't necessarily bad. It can be one of the primary factors that prevent diversity, whether the discrimination is overt or covert.

What are the two main goals of a diversity management program?

To realize the potential benefits of a diverse workforce and to minimize discrimination

Describe the seven dimensions of intellectual ability (Exhibit 2-2).

Verbal Comprehension: ability to understand what is read or heard Perceptual Speed: ability to identify visual similarities and differences Memory: ability to retain and recall past experiences. Inductive Reasoning: ability to identify logical sequence then solve problem Number Aptitude: ability to do speedy and accurate arithmetic Deductive Reasoning: ability to use logic and assess implications of argument Spatial Visualization: Ability to imagine how an object would look in a different space