Psychological factors of individual behaviour will include which of the following?

A. Perception
B. Emotional intelligence
C. Values
D. Economic status
E. Attitudes

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is B

Psychological factors of individual behaviour are internal mechanisms that affect how a person behaves, thinks, and feels. Among the given options:

• Perception (A): It is a psychological process by which individuals select, organize, and interpret sensory inputs to give meaning to their environment. It affects how individuals experience the workplace, assess colleagues, and make decisions.

• Values (C): These are fundamental beliefs and standards that influence behaviour and decision-making. They form the core of a person’s identity and directly impact workplace attitudes.

• Attitudes (E): These are evaluative statements — either favourable or unfavourable — about objects, people, or events. They impact job satisfaction, commitment, and interaction with others.

These three — Perception, Values, and Attitudes — are widely recognized as core psychological factors in organizational behaviour.

Information Booster:

• Perception determines how two employees can see the same situation differently and react in entirely different ways.

• Values are learned and deeply ingrained — they guide long-term goals and ethical choices in a professional setting.

• Attitudes include three components: cognitive (belief), affective (emotion), and behavioural (action).

• Together, these psychological factors determine individual differences in organizations.

• These factors are critical to understanding employee motivation, communication, conflict, and decision-making.

• Psychological factors influence both personal effectiveness and group dynamics at the workplace.

• Human Resource interventions like training, counselling, and job design are tailored around these psychological dimensions.

Additional Knowledge:

B. Emotional Intelligence:
While often treated under psychological studies, emotional intelligence (EI) is considered a personality or behavioural competency in OB. It encompasses multiple traits such as empathy, regulation, and motivation. However, it is not always classified strictly under psychological factors — especially in foundational theories — but rather as a composite or applied attribute.

D. Economic Status:
This is a sociological or demographic variable, not psychological. It affects behaviour externally through financial constraints and social class rather than internal thought processes.