Interdisciplinary Psychology for Managers (B.Com) 1st Sem Previous Year Solved Question Paper 2016

 Individual behaviour refers to the actions, reactions, and conduct of an individual within a particular context or environment. It encompasses the observable behaviours, decisions, and responses of a person, which can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including personality, attitudes, values, motivations, and external circumstances. Understanding individual behaviour is crucial in fields like psychology, sociology, organizational behaviour, and management, as it provides insights into how people act and interact in various situations.

There are several models and theories that attempt to explain and predict individual behaviour. Here area few prominent ones :

1. The Rational-Economic Model :
 - This model assumes that individuals are rational decision-makers who seek to maximize their selfinterest. It is often used in economics and suggests that individuals make choices based on a cost-benefit analysis.
 - Key Concepts: Utility, rationality, self-interest.

2. The Social Cognitive Theory (Social Learning Theory):
 - Developed by Albert Bandura, this theory emphasizes the role of observational learning and social influence in shaping individual behaviour. It suggests that people learn from observing the behaviours of others.
 - Key Concepts: Observational learning, modelling, self-efficacy.

3. The Theory of Planned Behaviour:
 - This psychological theory proposes that an individual’s intention to perform a behaviour is influenced by their attitude toward the behaviour,subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. It is often used to predict and understand behaviours like health-related decisions.
 - Key Concepts: Attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intention.

4. The Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
 - Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a model of motivation and behaviour that suggests people are motivated to fulfil a hierarchy of needs, starting from basic physiological needs (e.g., food and shelter) and progressing to higher-level needs (e.g., self-actualization).
 - Key Concepts: Physiological needs, safety, belongingness, esteem, self-actualization.

5. The Five-Factor Model (Big Five):
 - This personality model identifies five core personality traits (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism) and their impact on individual behaviour. It helps explain why people behave differently in various situations.
 - Key Concepts: Personality traits, OCEAN.

6. The Self-Determination Theory (SDT):
 - SDT focuses on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in driving individual behaviour. It explores the role of personal choice and self-regulation.
 - Key Concepts: Autonomy, competence, relatedness, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation.

7.The MARS Model of Individual Behaviour is a contemporary framework used to understand and analyse individual behaviour in the workplace. MARS stands for Motivation, Ability, Role Perceptions, and Situational Factors. This model was developed by John Newstrom and Keith Davis in their book “Organizational Behaviour: Human Behaviour at Work.” Here’s an overview of each component: 

1. Motivation (M): This factor represents an individual’s internal desire or drive to engage in a specific behaviour. It includes factors such as personal goals, needs, and rewards. Motivation can be influenced by both intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) factors
2. Ability (A): Ability refers to an individual’s capability to perform a particular task or behaviour. It encompasses knowledge, skills, experience, and the necessary resources or tools required for the behaviour. If someone lacks the ability to perform a task, motivation alone may not lead to successful behaviour.
3. Role Perceptions : Role perceptions involve an individual’s understanding of their responsibilities and expectations within an organization or a specific role. Clear role perceptions help individuals know what is expected of them and guide their behaviour accordingly.

Situational Factors (S): Situational factors include external conditions and environmental influences that can affect individual behaviour. These factors can either facilitate or hinder an individual’s ability to perform a behaviour. 

These models provide different perspectives on the factors influencing individual behaviour, ranging from economic rationality to social influences, motivations, and personality traits. Researchers and practitioners often use these models to better understand and predict how people will behave in various contexts, which is valuable in fields like psychology, education, healthcare, and management.