How have the fields of psychology and sociology contributed to our understanding of organizational behavior?

Read this article to learn the relationship between organizational behavior and other fields of study.

Organisational behaviour is an interdisciplinary approach as it has borrowed concepts, theories, models and practices of physical sciences as well as social sciences. The main features of organisational behaviour are primarily based on behavioural sciences. The organisational behaviour is studied in relation to psychology, sociology, political science, anthropology, economics, science, technology and environmental sciences. OB is, in fact, called an applied behavioural science.

The relationship of OB with other fields of study is depicted in the following diagram:

Psychology:

The term ‘psychology’ is derived from the Greek World ‘Psyche’ which means ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’. Organisational behaviour studies human behaviour which is concerned mainly with the psychology of the people. Psychology, especially, industrial or organisational psychology is the greatest contributor to the field of organisational behaviour. Psychologists study behaviour and industrial or organisational psychologists deal specifically with the behaviour of people in organisational settings.

Psychology as a science, measures, explains and suggests the appropriate human behaviour. Individual behaviour is governed by perception, learning and personality. Industrial psychology understands people’s behaviour at work, particularly under different working conditions, stress, conflicts and other related behaviour of employees. Job satisfaction, performance appraisals and reward systems are measured and directed with the use of psychological theories and models.

Group behaviour in the organisations is studied, researched and molded with the use of theories of Social Psychology. The communication system in the organisation, attitudes of employees, their needs etc. as a subject of social psychology have a great influence on behaviour. Thus, many of the concepts which interest psychologists e.g. learning, motivation etc. are also central to the students of organisational behaviour. We can conclude that the contribution of psychology in the field of organisational behaviour is quite significant.

Sociology:

Sociology also has a major impact on the study of organisational behaviour. Sociology makes use of scientific methods in accumulating knowledge about the social behaviour of the groups. Sociologists study social systems such as a family, an occupational class, a mob or an organisation. It specifically studies, social groups, social behaviour, society, customs, institutions, social classes, status, social mobility, prestige etc.

It studies the behaviour of the people in the society in relation to their fellow human beings. Sociology contributes to organisational behaviour through its contribution to the study of interpersonal dynamics like leadership, group dynamics, communication etc. Socialisation is accepted for molding the behaviour of people where the capacities of individuals to learn and respond to social systems, values, norms and social roles are accelerated and appreciated. The attitudes and behavioural patterns of individuals and groups are greatly influenced by socialisation.

Anthropology:

Anthropology is concerned with the interactions between people and their environment, especially their cultural environment. Culture is a major influence on the structure of organisations as well as on the behaviour of people within organisations. ‘Anthropo’ is a Greek word which means ‘man’ and ‘logy’ means ‘Science’. Aristotle defined anthropology as a science of man’s self understanding. It particularly studies civilization, forms of cultures and their impact on individuals and groups, biological features of man and evolutionary pattern, speech and relationship among languages.

Anthropology contributes in understanding the cultural effects on organisational behaviour, effects of value systems, norms, sentiments, cohesion and interaction. Socialization involves spreading of values and missions of organisation among employees. Anthropology influences the employees’ behaviour through motivation, interaction, goal setting, decision making, coordinating and controlling.

Political Science:

In recent times, political science has also started interesting the organisational behaviourists. Political Science is usually, thought of as the study of political systems. But political scientists are interested in how and why people acquire power, political behaviour, decision making, conflict, the behaviour of interest groups and coalition formation. These are also major areas of interest in organisational behaviour.

Political parties and Government directly intervene in many activities of the organisation. Specific principles of political science are observed in organisational behaviour for delegation of authority and responsibility, conflict resolution and stress management.

In organisations, people strive for power and leadership recognition. Political Science helps in the management of men in an effective and efficient manner. Political perspectives and government policies are thoroughly analyzed for molding and modifying the behaviour of people, because they greatly influence the organisation. The law and order of the country influence the people at work.

Economics:

Economists study the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Students of organisational behaviour share the economist’s interest in such areas as labour market dynamics, productivity, human resource planning and forecasting, and cost benefit analysis.

The economic conditions of a country have long lasting impact on organizational behavior. If psychological and economic expectations of employee are met, they are satisfied and become high performers. Economic systems include financial, commercial and industrial activities which have greater influences on the behaviour of the people. The consumption pattern in society monitors the behaviour of employees. Consumption oriented society witnesses a different employee behaviour from that of a production oriented society.

Science:

Science is systematized knowledge. The scientific methods attempt to produce information that is objective in the sense that it is certifiable and independent of a person’s opinions or preferences. Scientific method is the backbone of organisational behaviour. Organisational behaviour is based on the systematized study of facts, behaviour, their relationships and predictions.

New scientific methods viz. observation of facts and behaviour, explanation of facts and relationships and coming to conclusion thereon have become important bases of the study of organisational behaviour. The cause and effect relationship is also established in organisational behaviour like that of science. The verification of the relationship and its quantification has added to the importance of organisational behaviour.

It becomes relatively easy to predict and mould the people at work. A researcher, in the field of OB investigates new facts, tests theories, hypothesis and models. Personal bias, superfluous conclusions and whimsical approaches are avoided in the study. A systematized form of inquiry is used for the study of various problems.

Technology:

The level of technological development affects the behaviour of the employees. Modern age is the age of computerization. It has come within the framework of the model of organisational behaviour. The study of technological development is becoming essential for understanding the organisational behaviour, because people are influenced by the technological development. Human behaviour relations and environments develop as a result of technological innovations.

Technology changes consumer behaviour, production activities, distribution and storage activities. To cope up with the technological development people have to become educated and/or technically skilled. They should have to be responsibility conscious and development oriented. Unskilled or irresponsible will have no place in the modern innovative age. Thus, technological development leads to effective work behaviour, improved organisational culture and helpful work environment.

Engineering:

Engineering also influences the study of organisational behaviour. Some topics are common to engineering as well as organisational behaviour e.g. work measurement, productivity measurement, work flow analysis, work design, job design and labour relations. In fact, organisational behaviour is dependent on engineering for these technical jobs.

Medicine:

Nowadays, medicine has also come in connection with the study of human behaviour at work. Stress is becoming a very common problem in the organisations as well as in the people working in the organisations. Research shows that controlling the causes and consequences of stress in and out of organisational settings, is important for the well being of the individual as well as the organisations. Medicine helps in the control of stress as well as stress related problems.

Thus, it can be concluded that organisational behaviour has an inter­disciplinary focus. It draws from a variety of other fields and attempts to describe behaviour as opposed to prescribing how behaviour can be changed in consistent and predictable ways.