Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
1
Sample Answers to In–Text Questions
Note: Answers to Case Questions are available in the Case Notes. Answers to Toolkit Activities
are personal to the student therefore there are no sample answers.
Chapter 4: Attitudes and Job Satisfaction
Critical Thinking Questions
1. Give an example of three parts of an attitude that you have experienced at either work or
school (cognitive, affect, and behavioral intention).
Question Location: What Is an Attitude?
Ans: For example, at work, I may think that I am not being utilized to my maximum potential
(cognitive). This may lead to me being moody or mad in the workplace because I feel my talent
2. How can the theory of cognitive dissonance be used to change the attitude of the
employee depicted in Figure 4.2? In other words, how can a leader reduce the time an
employee spends on Facebook during work hours?
Question Location: Cognitive Dissonance
Ans: To change the attitude of the employee in Figure 4.2, I might create an incompatibility
3. Why do you think that the most important aspect of job satisfaction is the work itself?
Question Location: Job Satisfaction Facets
Ans: I think that the work itself drives the other elements of job satisfaction. If I like what I do,
then I may be more inclined to be happy with the pay or supervisor or coworkers; however, if I
4. Which component of organizational commitment do you feel is most related to turnover
(and why)?
Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
2
Question Location: Organizational Commitment
5. Do you see a significant difference between the concepts of job involvement and
employee engagement? If so, what is this difference?
Question Location: Employee Engagement
Ans: I feel that there is significant overlap between the concepts of job involvement and
employee engagement, but there is a difference between the two. Engaged employees are fully
absorbed and enthusiastic about their work and they take positive action to improve the
6. Researchers suggest that meaning is the driver of psychological empowerment. Why do
you think this is the case?
Question Location: Psychological Empowerment
Ans: Meaning refers to how much work goals align with your personal standards. It relates to
Research in Action
More Than Job Satisfaction: What’s Your Calling?
1. What are you most attracted to—a job, a career, or a calling? Explain your choice.
Ans: I am most attracted to a calling, a calling to be an entrepreneur and generate value in the
marketplace on my own. I feel a great sense of purpose when I take ownership of things, so
2. Do some research and find another example of a job where you think employees typically
have a calling. What are the aspects of the work that provide a sense of purpose?
Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
3
Ans: Careers in marine biology offer individuals to be on the front lines of cutting-edge animal
and ocean research and have a direct impact on the betterment of the complex ecosystem. The
lifestyle that comes along with the career is not what most people expect it to be. Little or no pay
3. List the resources you would need to pursue a career with a calling. Why are these
resources necessary?
Ans: I would need strong mentorship that I can emulate in my day to day, and some source of
certain income. I personally find financial security to be very important, so I would struggle to
What’s #Trending in OB?
Your Attitude May Derail Your Job Search
1. How many people could you let know that you are searching for a job? List their names
and how you know them (e.g., your internship mentor or a former boss).
Ans: There are many more people than I initially realize that I could let know about my job
search. More importantly it is the people that my contacts know that are important to get
the past, civic organizations, professional organizations, contacts of my contacts, and so on.
2. How would you ask them to help you in a positive and upbeat way? Write a brief speech
or e-mail with your job search request.
Ans: I would ask them to assess my resume and qualifications to see what type of position they
think I would be best suited for. I would ask them if they know of anyone hiring or know of
anyone who can give me job search advice. E-mail may look something like this: Greetings! As
3. Describe three ways that you can stay in control of the job search process.
Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
4
Ans: 1) avoid, at all costs, job search envy. Ignoring the success of others, or even forcing myself
to find pleasure in it, is necessary for me to not become bogged down in self-pity, which could