Deck 17: Psychology Applied to Business and Other Professions

Question 1

Which of the following would be the MOST likely concern for industrial-organizational psychologists?

A) the impact of pollutants on reaction time in complex tasks
B) male versus female reactions to unemployment
C) the impact of retirement on lifestyles
D) how to improve employee motivation and attitudes

Answer 1

how to improve employee motivation and attitudes

Question 2

Which of the following provides numerical information about an individual's current job performance?

A) multi-step rating scale
B) simulated management task
C) unstructured interview
D) structured interview

Answer 2

multi-step rating scale

Question 3

Andrea advises her company that it would lose less money on absenteeism if it provided free childcare for all employees.Andrea is functioning as a(n):

A) forensic psychologist.
B) industrial-organizational psychologist.
C) human factors psychologist.
D) clinical psychologist.

Answer 3

industrial-organizational psychologist.

Question 4

Of the following employee selection methods,which has proven LEAST effective in predicting future job performance?

A) job skills tests
B) intelligence tests
C) structured interviews
D) unstructured interviews

Question 5

Which type of psychologist is MOST likely to be involved in screening job applicants?

A) industrial-organizational
B) human factors
C) social-personal
D) educational

Question 6

An applicant for a clerical job who is given a spelling test being assessed with which of the following?

A) a test of a specific ability
B) a projective test
C) a performance test
D) an intelligence test

Question 7

What happens in an "assessment center" that is unique to the employee evaluation process?

A) Candidates are asked to evaluate the managerial structure of the organization.
B) Candidates must carry out a simulated management task.
C) Candidates are given intelligence tests and aptitude tests and are subjected to a series of interviews.
D) Candidates are asked to assess other employees to determine their ability as personnel managers.

Question 8

Of the following tests,which would be MOST appropriate for use in employee selection?

A) a polygraph test
B) a projective test
C) a performance test
D) the MMPI-2

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT one of the typical means of assessment for employee selection used by psychologists?

A) performance tests
B) tests of general intelligence
C) paper-and-pencil tests
D) projective tests

Question 10

Which of the following would be MOST appropriate for use in evaluating an individual's job performance?

A) an intelligence test
B) a performance test
C) job performance ratings
D) structured interview

Question 11

The BEST measure for predicting future job performance in most jobs is the:

A) simulated management task.
B) intelligence test.
C) candidate's work history and references.
D) performance test.

Question 12

Most psychologists who work in business can be found working in the:

A) research and development division.
B) sales division.
C) marketing division.
D) personnel department.

Question 13

The Purdue Pegboard is an example of a(n):

A) simulated management task.
B) job knowledge test.
C) performance test.
D) intelligence test.

Question 14

Research suggests that if you can obtain only ONE type of information about an applicant for an assembly line job,you will make the best decision by using:

A) interview data.
B) biodata.
C) IQ scores.
D) a performance test.

Question 15

Psychologists who work with business are called ____________ psychologists.

A) industrial-organizational
B) forensic
C) consultant
D) business or mercantile

Question 16

Which form of employee evaluation uses simulated "on-the-job" situations to assess ability?

A) the structured interview
B) a job performance rating
C) simulated management tasks
D) an ability test

Question 17

Research suggests that if you can obtain only ONE type of information about an applicant for a managerial sales job,you will make the best decision by using:

A) interview data.
B) the Purdue Pegboard test.
C) IQ scores.
D) performance data.

Question 18

Organizational citizenship refers to en employee's contribution to the ____________ of the organization.

A) social and psychological welfare
B) work load
C) environmental stewardship
D) prestige

Question 19

Of the following,the WORST predictor of future job performance is information based on:

A) projective tests and handwriting analysis.
B) performance tests.
C) intelligence tests.
D) simulated management tasks.

Question 20

According to the text,measures used in job selection must be valid to ensure that:

A) hiring practices are fair.
B) gender discrimination does not occur.
C) employees will be productive in their jobs.
D) employees and employers know where the other stands.

Question 21

Which two psychological factors are BEST associated with good job performance?

A) extroversion and willingness to learn
B) conscientiousness and intelligence
C) intelligence and agreeableness
D) honesty and willingness to learn

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT one of the causes cited by Shepard that contribute to social loafing on the job?

A) The individual believes his or her individual effort will not be rewarded.
B) The individual believes that the group will meet its goals regardless of his or her effort.
C) The individual believes that his or her effort will be too costly.
D) The individual does not want to be singled out for recognition when the project was a group effort.

Question 23

When employers use IQ scores to select employees,they generally find that the selected employee is:

A) higher in productivity,primarily during the first 5 years of employment.
B) higher in productivity,primarily after 3 years of accumulated experience.
C) somewhat slower to learn but produces a better quality product.
D) somewhat slower to learn but eventually catches up after 3 years of employment.

Question 24

The MOST effective supervisors are ____________ in structuring and __________ considerate.

A) high;highly
B) high;not too
C) low;highly
D) low;not too

Question 25

Which of the following jobs is mostly held by women?

A) lawyer
B) business executive
C) social worker
D) police officer

Question 26

If you increase employee job satisfaction,you:

A) increase productivity.
B) decrease employee effort but not necessarily productivity.
C) increase employee turnover.
D) decrease employee motivation.

Question 27

Felicia Pratto suggests that women unequally distributed in powerful occupations when compared to men because women:

A) tend to be unhappy in powerful occupations,due to their sensitive,emotional sides.
B) tend not to perform as well as men,due to inexperience in such occupations.
C) tend to be drawn to jobs that help people,and when they do seek positions within powerful occupations,they are less likely to be hired.
D) rarely apply for powerful positions.

Question 28

With management by objectives:

A) all employees are given specific daily production goals.
B) employees are given specific goals but considerable freedom in deciding how to reach those goals.
C) employees are given general goals but strict guidelines in reaching those goals.
D) employees at all levels are involved in management decisions.

Question 29

When you give employees specific goals but allow them freedom to decide how to reach those goals,you are:

A) managing by improving physical conditions.
B) managing by using high structuring.
C) utilizing management by objectives.
D) utilizing participative management.

Question 30

One strategy that makes a positive difference in job satisfaction and productivity is:

A) management by process.
B) participative management.
C) harsher consequences for social loafers.
D) company-sponsored "happy hours" at a nearby drinking establishment.

Question 31

Which is of the following is true regarding job satisfaction and productivity?

A) High job satisfaction is associated with high productivity.
B) Job satisfaction is poorly correlated with productivity.
C) As job satisfaction decreases,employee motivation increases.
D) As job satisfaction increases,employee productivity decreases.

Question 32

Intellectual ability is associated with job performance because more intelligent people are:

A) less likely to get distracted.
B) more motivated.
C) quicker in gaining job knowledge.
D) more likely to have specific skills.

Question 33

Which of the following BEST characterizes the relationship between job satisfaction and worker productivity?

A) Productivity increases as job satisfaction increases.
B) Productivity decreases as job satisfaction increases because employees are more prone to socialize on the job.
C) Job satisfaction is not related to productivity though it does save employers money in other ways.
D) Job satisfaction is nice for employees but provides no measurable benefits to employers.

Question 34

In terms of trying to equalize the hiring standards for whites and minorities,which of the following is illegal?

A) developing new testing methods to predict job performance
B) doing away with intelligence tests as part of the hiring criteria
C) placing greater emphasis on tests of job knowledge and skills
D) setting different minimum qualifying scores for different ethnic groups

Question 35

Which of the following increase job satisfaction and productivity?

A) The boss makes all decisions.
B) The boss treats employees kindly and courteously.
C) The boss doesn't meddle or supervise employees too closely.
D) The boss tells employees how they should get their work done rather than what the end result should be.

Question 36

Of the following personality variables,which is MOST predictive of good job performance?

A) extroversion
B) openness
C) agreeableness
D) conscientiousness

Question 37

With participative management:

A) all employees are considered managers.
B) employees are given specific goals but considerable freedom in deciding how to reach those goals.
C) employees are given general goals but strict guidelines in reaching those goals.
D) employees at all levels are involved in management decisions.

Question 38

The text suggests that the BEST explanation for the large discrepancies seen in hiring minorities is:

A) biased IQ tests.
B) prejudice.
C) minorities have fewer job skills.
D) biased interview techniques.

Question 39

Which of the following is a true statement about ethnic biases in employee selection?

A) All ethnic differences in employee selection are due purely to prejudice.
B) Psychologists agree that intelligence tests are biased against minorities.
C) The size of the differences between ethnic groups in job performance is equal to the size of the differences in intelligence tests.
D) Tests of intellectual ability are the best predictors of job performance for all ethnic groups.

Question 40

Job satisfaction is associated with all of the following EXCEPT:

A) increased productivity.
B) fewer missed work days.
C) increased employee turnover.
D) fewer accidents.

Question 41

For which project would you hire a human factors engineer?

A) to develop a standardized aptitude test for job applicants
B) to outline a set of procedures for dealing with poor employee performance
C) to develop a childproof medicine bottle that can be easily opened by an arthritic patient
D) to develop a questionnaire to explore peoples' attitudes about recycling

Question 42

Human factors engineers would predict that air traffic controllers would improve their accuracy in signal detection if they:

A) received higher wages.
B) were given more opportunity to participate in the decision-making process.
C) took a break every half hour or so.
D) had their objectives more clearly explained.

Question 43

The goal of human factors engineering is to:

A) provide businesses with valid screening tests for job applicants.
B) modify employee performance to better fit the task at hand.
C) increase job satisfaction and productivity by developing effective management strategies.
D) improve machine design so people can use them more easily and effectively.

Question 44

Traits associated with good leaders include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) drive.
B) honesty.
C) flexibility.
D) agreeableness.

Question 45

Which research question would MOST interest a human factors engineer?

A) How can we minimize the number of mistakes cashiers make when checking out merchandise?
B) What is the most valid criterion for hiring police officers?
C) Under what conditions would an increase in job satisfaction result in poorer job performance?
D) What characteristic makes a juror more likely to render a verdict of guilt?

Question 46

How many businesses in the United States have instituted some type of program to increase employee fitness?

A) about 10,000
B) about 18,000
C) about 35,000
D) about 50,000

Question 47

Which research question would MOST interest a human factors engineer?

A) How can we reduce interviewer bias in hiring decisions?
B) What management style promotes worker morale?
C) How can we decrease employee absenteeism in low-wage jobs?
D) How can we design the control panel in cars to suit the needs of elderly drivers?

Question 48

In terms of direct health care claims,how much money did the Johnson & Johnson Corporation find a trial employee health program saved the company per year?

A) $50,000
B) $100,000
C) $250,000
D) $1,000,000

Question 49

A psychologist who designs machines that people use every day is MOST likely a(n):

A) organizational psychologist.
B) human factors engineer.
C) interdisciplinary industrialist.
D) behavioral technician.

Question 50

If you were a human factors engineer,which of the following would be MOST likely to investigate?

A) the characteristics of jurors who are likely to acquit a defendant
B) how human performance is hindered or enhanced by machine design
C) the impact of architecture on human relationships
D) the personality factors that influence political decisions

Question 51

In terms of employee health programs,research has revealed that:

A) the costs of health programs significantly outweigh the benefits.
B) keeping employees healthy is profitable for employers.
C) investments in employee health are generally not effective.
D) employees continue to rack up insurance costs because they see their benefits as "free."

Question 52

The differences between male and female managers are ____________;generally,the management characteristics of females are ____________ related to leadership effectiveness.

A) large;negatively
B) large;positively
C) small;not
D) small;positively

Question 53

Health psychologists who suggest that companies that offer free health club memberships to employees:

A) offend applicants who feel that exercise is a private,not a company,matter.
B) do not really benefit because people who care about their health will exercise with or without a health club.
C) attract health-conscious workers who are already healthier.
D) attract employees who have had little interest in health prior to employment with the company.

Question 54

A psychologist who suggests that "teachers would make fewer errors entering grades in a computer grade book if they did not have to press after each grade," is probably a(n):

A) human factors engineer.
B) forensic psychologist.
C) educational psychologist.
D) systems theorist.

Question 55

Environmental psychologists are primarily concerned with the impact of ____________ on human behavior.

A) pollution
B) architecture and interior design
C) social settings and group dynamics
D) outdoor sports

Question 56

Effective leaders understand that:

A) leadership styles must be adapted to specific situations.
B) management by objectives is always the best management style.
C) intelligence and creativity are the most important aspects of good leadership.
D) charisma is the most important aspect of good leadership.

Question 57

What did human factors engineers discover about the serious accident at Three-Mile Island?

A) The Russians are behind in technology,which ultimately contributed to the disaster.
B) The accident was a result of a technical rather than human error.
C) Plant operators were asked to deal with too much information that was often presented in confusing ways.
D) The Russians were actually involved in a conspiracy to annihilate the United States with nuclear capabilities.

Question 58

In the Eagly and colleagues studies,it was noted that women leaders are:

A) less task-oriented than men.
B) more authoritarian than men.
C) more efficient than men.
D) more inspiring than men.

Question 59

Compared to male managers,female managers are more likely to use:

A) management by objectives.
B) participative management.
C) transformational management.
D) None of these.

Question 60

The "glass ceiling" is a term used to describe:

A) the hiring quotas required by law in large organizations.
B) sexual harassment of employees.
C) barriers created by organizations that keep women and minorities out of leadership positions.
D) the time women take off from work to raise a family.

Question 61

Of the following professionals,who would be MOST concerned with what kinds of floor arrangements maximize a person's privacy?

A) a forensic psychologist
B) an environmental psychologist
C) a human factors engineer
D) an industrial-organizational psychologist

Question 62

It is clear that air pollution is leading to:

A) a glass ceiling effect.
B) falls in ocean levels.
C) global warming.
D) the loss of top soil in Canada.

Question 63

Defendants who are which of the following have an increased likelihood of being acquitted,independent of the facts of the case?

A) poor
B) unattractive
C) white
D) serious

Question 64

Which of the following is true statement about overpopulation and resource depletion?

A) People living in poverty tend to show little concern for preserving the environment.
B) Most experts say that the world is far from reaching its capacity for sustaining human beings.
C) Currently,depleted resources are only apparent for developing countries.
D) All of these are true statements.

Question 65

Compared to residents of single-corridor residence halls,residents of suite-type residence halls tend to:

A) spend less time in the residence hall.
B) have fewer people living per square foot of living space.
C) feel that they have less control over what happens in their residence hall.
D) initiate more conversations with unfamiliar students in a waiting room outside of the residence hall.

Question 66

Psychologists have learned that private office spaces tend to make workers:

A) feel isolated.
B) more likely to quit.
C) less cooperative.
D) feel more comfortable.

Question 67

Of the following professionals,who would be MOST concerned with whether painting your living room in dark colors might lead to more family quarrels?

A) an environmental psychologist
B) a forensic psychologist
C) a human factors engineer
D) an industrial-organizational psychologist

Question 68

Defendants who are which of the following are at an increased risk of being convicted,independent of the facts of the case?

A) unattractive
B) white
C) rich
D) unintelligent

Question 69

Defendants who are which of the following are at an increased risk of being convicted,independent of the facts of the case?

A) white
B) educated
C) poor
D) handsome

Question 70

The current world population of 6 billion will double in about:

A) 47 years.
B) 90 years.
C) 147 years.
D) 197 years.

Question 71

Unlike individualistic societies,collectivist cultures value living arrangements that provide plenty of opportunity for interpersonal contact.Which kind of psychologist would be MOST likely to be interested in studying this phenomenon?

A) an environmental psychologist
B) a forensic psychologist
C) a human factors engineer
D) an industrial-organizational psychologist

Question 72

Of the following professionals,who would be MOST concerned with whether renting an apartment results in a greater number of friendships than renting a separate home would?

A) a forensic psychologist
B) a human factors engineer
C) an industrial-organizational psychologist
D) an environmental psychologist

Question 73

What role do environmental psychologists play in solving environmental problems?

A) They help people adjust to ecological disasters.
B) They help change human behavior in an attempt to lessen resource depletion.
C) They try to serve as environmentally conscious models.
D) They campaign to change governmental policies.

Question 74

Which of the following is NOT considered a problem by environmental psychologists interested in changing environmentally relevant behavior?

A) We do not get immediate rewards and punishments for environmentally unfriendly behavior.
B) We act like helpless bystanders.
C) We are in denial.
D) We do not believe that we are efficacious.

Question 75

Defendants who are which of the following have an increased likelihood of being acquitted,independent of the facts of the case?

A) black
B) unattractive
C) clever
D) wealthy

Question 76

Of the following,the behavioral approach advocates that which is the MOST effective way to reduce behaviors that are destructive to the environment?

A) operant conditioning
B) planning
C) pleading
D) ignoring

Question 77

The United States makes up approximately ______ of the world's population and consumes ______ of its resources.

A) 20%;10%
B) 10%;35%
C) 5%;25%
D) 15%;15%

Question 78

Of the following professionals,who would be MOST concerned with whether students can learn better studying at a desk or lounging on the floor?

A) a forensic psychologist
B) a human factors engineer
C) an environmental psychologist
D) an industrial-organizational psychologist

Question 79

According to research by Van Houwelingen and Van Raaij (1989)on natural gas consumption,what impact does punishing environmentally irresponsible behavior have in the long term?

A) People begin to realize the importance of their behavior and tend to make long-lasting improvements.
B) Most people are unresponsive to punishment in both the short and long term.
C) People improve their behavior as long as the irresponsible behavior continues to be punished.
D) Many people resent the pressure implied by punishment and actually behave less responsibly.

Question 80

Psychologists have learned that open landscape offices tend to make workers feel:

A) less satisfied.
B) more friendly.
C) more cooperative.
D) more productive.