Foundation of Individual Behaviour

Foundation of Individual Behaviour

By Joylyn Silveira

Ability refers to an individuals capacity to perform the various tasks in a job. It is a current assessment of what one can do.

Types of AbilityIntellectual AbilityPhysical Ability

Intellectual AbilityIntellectual abilities are abilities needed to perform mental activities like, thinking, reasoning, problem solving etc.Smart people generally earn more money & attain higher levels of education.Tests such as SAT,CAT, GMAT etc. are designed to ascertain a persons general intellectual abilities.

Dimensions of Intellectual Ability

Dimensions Of Intellectual Ability

Number Aptitude: Ability to do speedy and accurate arithmetic.

Verbal Comprehension Ability to understand what is read or heard and the relationship of words to each other.

Perceptual Speed : Ability to identify visual similarities & differences, quickly & accurately. Inductive Reasoning: Ability to identify a logical sequence in a problem & then solve a problem.Deductive Reasoning: Ability to use logic & assess the implications of an argument.

Spatial Visualization: Ability to imagine how an object would look if its position in space would change.

Memory: Ability to retain and recall past experiences.

General Mental Ability

Intelligence Dimensions are positively related.

For eg. If you score high on Verbal Comprehension you are more likely to score high on Spatial Visualization.

Wonderlic personnel testThe test was developed byEldon Wonderlic.

It is a popular group intelligence test used to assess the aptitude of prospective employees for learning and problem-solving in a range of occupations.

While intelligence is a big help in performing a job well, it doesnt make people happier or more satisfied with their jobs.

The correlation between intelligence & job satisfaction is about Zero.

Employee Aptitude Survey Fact Sheet

The Employee Aptitude Survey (EAS) consists of 10 tests specifically designed to measure cognitive, perceptual, and psychomotor abilities required for successful performance in a wide variety of occupations. The tests are published separately and can be selected to form custom batteries.

Physical AbilitiesThe capacity to do tasks that demand stamina, dexterity, strength, and similar characteristics.

Basic Physical AbilitiesStrength Factors:

Dynamic Strength: Ability to exert muscular force repeatedly or continuously over time.

Trunk Strength: Ability to exert muscular strength using the trunk muscle.

Static Strength: Ability to exert force against external objects.

Explosive Strength: Ability to expend a maximum amount of energy in one or a series of explosive acts.

Flexibility Factors

Extent Flexibility: Ability to move the trunk and back muscles as far as possible.

Dynamic Flexibility: Ability to make rapid, repeated flexing movements.

Other FactorsBody Coordination: Ability to coordinate the simultaneous actions of different parts of the bodyBalance: Ability to maintain equilibrium despite forces pulling off balance.Stamina: Ability to continue maximum effort requiring prolonged effort over time.

The Ability-Job Fit

Ability-JobFitEmployeesAbilitiesJobs AbilityRequirements

The ability-job fitA high ability-job fit necessary for improved job performanceLack of fit leads to performance problemsIf, Ability < Job Requirementsbasic cause of poor performance Ability > Job Requirementsorganizational inefficiency and job dissatisfactionJobs make differing demands on people and that people differ in their abilities

Managerial ImplicationsWhat Should Managers Do?

Ability directly influences employees level of performance.An effective selection process & job analysis should be done.Managers need to focus on ability in selection, promotion, and transfer.Fine-tune job to fit incumbents abilities.

Recent survey

Few CFOs Plan to Invest in Interpersonal ability Development for Their TeamsCFOs were asked, "In your opinion, which one of the following is the most common reason for an employee's failure to advance at your company?" Their responses:Poor interpersonal ability -30%Poor work ethic -25%Not developing new skills- 23%Failure to enhance his or her visibility within the organization-15%Failure to proactively seek promotions and career advancement- 5%None of these-1%Don't know/no answer-2%

CFOs also were asked, "Which of the following types of skills training are you likely to invest in for your internal accounting and finance staff in the next two years?" Their responses:

Accounting or finance-32%Information technology-29%Soft skills (communication and interpersonal abilities)-19%Management-17%None of these-2%Don't know/no answer-2%