Individual's and Environment's Matrix - Assignment Example

Reference Underlying problem: the research question Key Concepts Main arguments: credible casual connections Hypothesis Comparisons Merton, Robert K. Bureaucratic Structure and Personality Social Theory and Social Structure 1957 *different personalities react differently to bureaucracy *the rigid structure of bureaucracy does not allow for adjustments *system of rules defines formal relationships at work *mutual expectation reduces friction *ideal type of organization is bureaucracy *Bureaucracy can be too rigid, not flexible enough to deal with change in situations *informal organizations arise when there is a threat to the group *rigidness leads to impersonal treatment *resentment of "socially inferior" people put into power positions in a bureaucracy *Increasing number of bureaucratic organizations is reason for more research on the subject.

*should examine relationship of bureaucracy and personality Merton asserts that bureaucracy leads to defective decisions due to the rigidity of the organization. Bureaucracy stifles the individual or smaller group by set procedures with no deviance. Bureaucracy forms set guidelines for appropriate behavior, individual thought is discouraged. Griffin, Em Groupthink of Irvin Janis; A First Look at communication theory *groupthink leads to bad decisions * steps must be taken in order to avoid groupthink in organizations.

*when members of a group have a strong feeling of solidarity, they can become victims of "groupthink" *groupthink causes group harmony to be more important than reaching a good conclusion *individual thinkers are "punished" when they do not agree with the group Individuals who deviate may fear loss of "friends" *groupthink = preserve group harmony at cost of being correct *8 symptoms of group think 7 symptoms of defective decision making *the likelihood of groupthink exists when decisions have to be made under great stress and low self-esteem *break-up into smaller subgroups with leaders appointed.

Smaller, less formal and rigid groups focused on the problem with definitive leaders chosen would make better decisions. Griffin believes that group think leads to defective decisions to maintain group solidarity Groupthink stifles the individual because they do not want to ruin the cohesiveness of the group. Group will form ideas of what is accepted to remain in the group. Individual or deviant thought is not encouraged, as it is not cohesive with the group.