four people in business attire meeting around conference table

Organizational Behavior at the Individual Level

Understanding the behavior of others can enhance the performance of your organization. This course highlights some of the individual-level behavior at the heart of work dynamics.

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Course Info

  • Duration 8 video lessons (52 Mins)
  • Published Published
    2021
  • 4.46
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Browse Course Chapters

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    1.
    Introduction
    Chapter Duration 1 min
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    2.
    Negotiation
    Chapter Duration 7 mins
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    3.
    Dual Concerns Model
    Chapter Duration 9 mins
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    4.
    Attribution Theory
    Chapter Duration 8 mins
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    5.
    Power and Influence
    Chapter Duration 6 mins
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    6.
    Motivation
    Chapter Duration 8 mins
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    7.
    Job Characteristics Model
    Chapter Duration 8 mins
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    8.
    Communication
    Chapter Duration 2 mins

What You Will Learn

  • The importance of negotiation
  • The difference between distributive and integrative bargaining
  • The Dual Concerns Model
  • Fundamental Attribution Error and self-serving bias
  • The 5 types of power
  • Different frameworks of motivation
  • The Job Characteristics Model
     

Course Description

A myriad of dynamics can influence the behavior of individuals in organizations. Some of these influences can happen at the organizational level. Others might be imparted by how specific teams work. However, the heart of work dynamics are the ways individuals think and behave. 

There are many potential lessons for learning more about how people think and act at work. This course addresses some basics of individual level work dynamics, including 1) understanding more about how individuals perceive and process information, 2) how individuals are motivated, 3) how individuals exert power and influence, and 4) how individuals navigate conflict. These are all valuable concepts for an understanding of organizational behavior. 

In approaching these topics, the course introduces several frameworks and theories. The fundamental attribution error and self-serving bias help us understand the explanations we make for people’s behaviors. In motivation, we talk briefly about intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation and the different needs that motivate individuals. We discuss the five bases of power and how those might be used to exert influence on others. Finally, we talk about negotiation and various ways to think about negotiation outcomes in hopes that all parties feel satisfied with the end results.

At the end of this course, participants should have a basic understanding of some of the ways that people think and act at work.

Learn these skills

  • Career Development
  • Communications & Media

AICP CM

This course is approved for 1 AICP CM Credit.

Meet Your Instructor

Kevin Lo

Kevin Lo

Kevin Lo is an Associate Professor at the University of San Francisco School of Management in the Department of Organization, Leadership, and Communication.

Meet Instructor

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