Possible Exam questions / Themes

Explanations of the origins of individual differences according to various theories on personality and factors that influence the formation and manifestation of individual differences. (SU 1)

Describe the types or areas of individual differences, classifications of individual difference factors and examples of each (SU 1)

  1. Briefly explain various areas or types of individual differences in human behaviour and also the origin of individual differences according to various theoretical approaches and influencing factors. (25 marks – assign 3)
  2. Discuss individual difference factors with regards to the following aspects:
  3. Their origin according to various psychological theories or approaches and influences (15 marks - Oct 10 exam)
  4. Briefly explain various types or areas of individual differences that constitute personality. (10 marks – Oct 10 exam) (10 marks – Oct 07 exam)
  5. Discuss individual difference factors with regard to their origins according to at least five psychological theories or approaches and also indicate types of determinants or influences. (25 marks – Oct 09 exam) (15 marks – Oct 07 exam)
  6. Discuss personality theories and indicate each theory’s contribution to the uniqueness of each person (individual differences) (15 marks – assign 1, 1st semester)
  7. Identify and fully discuss types of individual difference factors.(25 marks – assign 1, 2nd semester)
  8. With an aid of a diagram, discuss determinants (internal and external) or personality and individual differences. (10 marks – assign 1, 2nd semester)
  9. Differentiate between the concepts of personality and individual differences, and briefly explain the origins of individual differences according to four psychological approaches or theories. (10 marks – May 10 exam)
  10. Differentiate between personality and individual differences and list at least five types of individual differences factors. (10 marks – Oct 09 exam)
  11. Define personality and individual differences, and differentiate between the two, and also determine a relationship between the two. (10 marks – assign 1 – 1st semester)
  12. Explain how the concept of fair discrimination can be applied in terms of individual differences. (15 marks, assign 1, 2nd semester)
  13. With examples, discuss at least three work specific trait classifications on personality. (10 marks – Oct 10 exam) (10 marks – Oct 07)

Work related personality research with regard to the types of concepts (variables) used for the independent and dependent research variables: various approaches that can be used to identify dependent and independent variables in this type of research, and integrating models (including visual representations) to explain all the factors that can interact in the relationship between individual differences and work performance / occupational behaviours. (SU 2)

  1. Discuss various approaches to identifying personality and work performance variables (independent and dependent variables) to use in work related personality research, and also illustrate and explain a possible integrated research approach (25 marks – assign 3)
  2. Briefly describe personality variables in work related personality research with special focus on the following:
  3. Types of personality variables from the classical theories
  4. Measures for work specific individual differences
  5. Biographical / case study research (15 marks – assign 1, 1st semester)
  1. Discuss work related personality research according to the following aspects:
  2. With examples briefly explain how research variables can be identified according to various psychological theories or approaches. (15 marks – May 10 exam) (15 marks – Oct 07)
  3. Illustrate and discuss an integrated model or approach which according to Furnham can be utilized to identify and explain relevant variables for research or to predict work behaviour. (10 marks – May 10 exam) (10 marks – Oct 07 exam)
  4. 2 methods of using research to predict work behaviour or performance were identified by Furnham. Identify one method and with the aid of a diagram, discuss such method (10 marks – assign 1, semester 1)
  5. Various approaches to identify work performance variables in work related personality research:
  6. Describe various types of research variables (10 marks)
  7. Discuss, in detail models of work performance measurements (15 marks – assign 1, 2nd semester)

With examples, describe at least four types of work performance criteria. 15

  1. With examples, briefly explain how research variables can be identified according to various psychological theories or approaches. (10 marks – Oct 10 exam)

The nature and types of biographical factors and their role in work related personality research. (SU 3)

Research findings that illustrate the predictive value of biographical factors (that is, in relationship between biodata, work performance and individual difference factors {personality}) (SU 3)

  1. Illustrate the value of bio-data as a predictor of work performance by discussing research evidence on the relationship between biographical variables and work performance. (10 marks – assign 3)
  2. Discuss the importance and predictive efficiency of bio-data or biographical information in individual differences and work performance. (25 marks – Oct 10 exam)
  3. With examples, explain the value of biographical factors as predictors of work performance by also referring to specific research findings.(10 marks – May 10 exam) (10 marks – Oct 07exam)
  4. Explain in detail what biographical factors are and its value as predictors of work performance by also referring to specific research findings. (25 marks – Oct 09 exam)
  5. Give research evidence of the importance and predictive efficiency of biodata in work performance (25 marks – assign 1, 1st semester)
  6. Explain how gender differences impact on people’s behaviour (10 marks – assign 1, 2nd semester)

Distinguish between four types of learners and explanation of how each would approach information gathering and processing: discussion of how cognitive processes influence cognitive behaviour in the workplace. (SU 4)

  1. Distinguish between four types of learners and explain how each would approach the information gathering process. (10 marks – assign 1, 2nd semester)
  2. Briefly describe the relationship between cognitive processes and behaviours and work performance, also with reference to research findings. (10 marks – assign 3)
  3. Explain the nature of different cognitive processes within the context of individual differences and work performance. (25 marks – Oct 10 exam). (10 marks – May 10 exam)
  4. Briefly explain the nature of different cognitive processes. (15 marks – assign 1, 1st semester)

Distinguish between questions regarding the relationship between individual differences or personality factors (based on research findings) and work performance / occupational behaviours with regard to aspects such as emotions, motivation and entrepreneurial behaviour; in this regard, research on specific personality factors, such as locus of control, might be required. (SU 5,6 and 8)

  1. Describe the relationship between locus of control and work performance. (10 marks – May 10 exam)
  2. By utilizing the areas of personality, cognition, work motivation and job satisfaction, explain the impact of human emotions and processes on work performance. (25 marks – assign 3)
  3. Discuss the relationship of human emotions to personality and work performance. (10 marks – May 10 exam) (10 marks – Oct 09 exam) (10 marks – Oct 07exam)
  4. Discuss the relationship between personality, emotions and work performance. (25 marks – self assess, 1st semester)
  5. Explain the various components of emotional arousal process and how these aspects influence work motivation, job satisfaction and work performance. (25 marks – self assessment, 1st semester)
  6. Briefly write on the relationship between certain attitudes, eg, job satisfaction and individual differences. (10 marks – self assess, 1st semester)
  7. Briefly explain the components of the emotion-generating process and its influence on work performance. (10 marks – assign 3)

Discussion of career choice problems, which can result from poor adjustment and performance in the work place; withdrawal behaviours as a result of the interaction between the employee and the work environment (SU 7)

  1. Briefly illustrate how at least five theoretical occupational choice concepts may be used to explain people’s occupational choices and related consequences. (10 marks – assign 3)
  2. Explain how occupational choices are made according to theoretical explanations and why withdrawal or certain career related problems may develop or exist. (25 marks – May 10 exam) (25 marks – self assessment, 1st semester)

Applied questions (for example, scenarios to recognize individual difference factors and questions on the use of motivational concepts and techniques to improve work performance in a diverse workforce, or why a person or organisation can be said to be entrepreneurial) (various study units)

  1. Write a scenario or case study in which you explain how and why you will use various motivational concepts and techniques to enhance work performance, also explaining how you will treat diversity with regard to factors in the workplace. (25 marks – assign 3)
  2. Briefly explain how you will use your knowledge of theories, concepts and research findings on work motivation and individual differences, to motivate employees (10 marks – Oct 10 exam)
  3. If you are the consultant in an organisation that employs a diverse workforce (eg. Various job levels, cultural groups, gender and age groups and with different work experience), explain how you would use motivational enhancing techniques based on various theoretical motivational concepts in order to enhance employee behaviour and motivation. (25 marks – May 10 exam) (25 marks – self assess, 1st semester)
  4. You have been requested to develop a motivational plan to improve low morale and poor productivity. Your motivational plan must consider various concepts of motivation and motivational enhancement techniques that can be implemented by your department to improve work performance and which will also take into account individual differences in the work force. (25 marks – Oct 09 exam)
  5. You have to submit a proposal on how to use motivational concepts and techniques to improve work motivation of a diverse workforce. You need to explain diversity factors and use your knowledge of theories, concepts, research findings on work motivation and individual differences, as well as motivational techniques to explain your motivational strategies which will accommodate all employees and the company. (25 marks – Oct 07 exam)
  6. Use a summarizing technique to explain the meaning of various theoretical concepts on work motivation and how people may differ with regard to these work motives.(25 marks – self assess, 1st semester)

Based on case study:

  1. Which of the psychological attributes characterizing entrepreneurs are evident in the above case study (15 marks – assign 3) ( 15 marks - Oct 10 exam) (15 marks – May 10 exam)
  2. Which background and biological factors known to impact on entrepreneur’s behaviour are evident in the case study? (10 marks – assign 3) ( 15 marks - Oct 10 exam) (15 marks – May 10 exam)
  1. Draw up a profile of entrepreneurial behaviour on the basis of your knowledge of attributes and factors that may influence entrepreneurial behaviour, and secondly, determine where you or you work/organisation can be said to have an entrepreneurial profile. (25 marks – self assess, 1st semester)
  2. Discuss the psychology of entrepreneurship with reference to the following aspects:
  3. Individual difference factors related to psychological needs, personality traits and influencing factors. (20 marks – Oct 09 exam) (20 marks – Oct 07 exam)
  4. An example or scenario which will illustrate entrepreneurship. (5 marks – Oct 09 exam) (5 marks – Oct 07 exam)

Reasoning on, or illustration of, the practical value or implications of knowledge and skills regarding individual differences for various industrial-psychological or human resources practices (the review, applications from various study units and knowledge of human resources practices)

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  1. Briefly describe your own personality according to the five factor model of personality or explain why your work behaviour includes characteristics know as pro-social organizational behaviours or organizational citizenship behaviours. (10 marks – assign 3)
  2. Briefly explain the role of personality or individual difference factors in career and organizational choice. (10 marks – Oct 10 exam) (10 marks – Oct 07exam)
  3. Argue the implications or practical value of having knowledge of individual differences for personnel practices in organisations. (10 marks – Oct 10 exam) (10 marks – Oct 09 exam) (10 marks – Oct 07exam)
  4. Briefly explain how effective emotional expression, including emotional intelligence, can be facilitated in employees in the work context (10 marks – Oct 10 exam) (10 marks – Oct 09 exam) (10 marks – Oct 07exam)
  5. Explain the relationship between values, personality and work performance.(10 marks – May 10 exam) (10 marks – Oct 09 exam) (10 marks – Oct 07exam)
  6. List at least 5 approaches used to identify personality variables to be utilized in work related personality research. (10 marks – Oct 09 exam)
  7. With examples, explain how value differences may influence work performance. (15 marks – self assess, 1st semester)