1st Edition
Personality and Intelligence at Work Exploring and Explaining Individual Differences at Work
Personality and Intelligence at Work examines the increasingly controversial role of individual differences in predicting and determining behaviour at work. It combines approaches from organizational psychology and personality theory to critically examine the physical, psychological and psychoanalytic aspects of individual differences, and how they impact on the world of work.
Topics covered include the role of IQ at work as the best predictor of success, but also the importance of increasingly recognized social intelligences such as emotional intelligence (EQ). The significance of personality traits and the impact of temperaments on work performance are also examined, and the methods used to assess work behaviour and potential are reviewed. Psychological tests, which measure personality traits, are questioned as accurate predictors of behaviour at work, alongside other factors such as job satisfaction, productivity, absenteeism and turnover.
This thoroughly revised and updated edition of Personality at Work provides a comprehensive review of the relevant literature from psychology, sociology and management science. It will be of interest to students of organizational psychology and business and management studies, as well as HR professionals.
Biography
Adrian Furnham is Professor of Psychology at University College London and a fellow of the British Psychological Society. He is on the editorial board of a number of international journals, as well as the current elected president of the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences. He writes regularly for the Sunday Times and the Daily Telegraph and is a regular contributor to BBC radio and television. He believes work is more fun than fun and considers himself to be a well-adjusted workaholic.
"This book combines a fine blend of recent research and relevant theory with illuminating illustrative examples from the world of work. This text will be of value not just to students of psychology, but also to managers who will glean interesting insights into the thoughts, attitudes and behaviour of their employees." – Professor Owen Hargie, University of Ulster, UK
"This book provides an up-to-date review of current work on trait psychology in the workplace. It is accessible and easy to read for both the student and the busy manager. The author does not duck away from controversial issues and in fact, his views on these add spice to the debate." - Elizabeth Chell, Institute of Entrepreneurship, University of Southampton, UK
"This is a well-researched, comprehensive book that one should definitely read to become conversant with the role of individual differences in the workplace. Clearly graduate students and researchers of individual differences would find this a helpful synthesis of the extant literature in this area." - Theresa J.B. Kline, University of Calgary, in the Canadian Journal of Admninistrative Sciences
