THEORY EXAMINATION (SEM–IV) 2016-17 INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY

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Course: B.Tech (All Branches – Core Humanities Elective)
Subject Code: EHU401
Subject Title: Industrial Psychology
Exam Type: Theory
Duration: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 100

Note: Answers must be clear and concise.

SECTION – A (10 × 2 = 20 Marks)

Short conceptual questions to assess understanding of key psychological principles applied in industrial environments.

Q. No	Topic	Concept Summary
(a)	Role of Lighting in Work Environment	Proper lighting reduces fatigue, improves accuracy, minimizes errors, and enhances productivity.
(b)	Accident Proneness	A worker’s psychological or physiological tendency to be involved in more workplace accidents than others.
(c)	Inherent Hazards	Natural or unavoidable risks associated with industrial operations, such as exposure to heat, noise, or chemicals.
(d)	Clan Culture	A collaborative, family-like organizational culture emphasizing participation, teamwork, and trust.
(e)	Organizational Psychology	Study of human behavior in organizational settings, focusing on motivation, communication, and performance.
(f)	Individual Autonomy	Freedom to make decisions, use discretion, and perform tasks independently within an organization.
(g)	Group Pressures	Social forces exerted by a group to influence individual behavior to conform to group norms.
(h)	Life Trauma	Major psychological stress due to adverse life events affecting workplace performance.
(i)	Job Redesign	Altering job structure to improve satisfaction, efficiency, and motivation (includes job rotation, enlargement, and enrichment).
(j)	Persuasive Leaders	Leaders who influence through communication, reasoning, and emotional intelligence rather than authority.

SECTION – B (5 × 10 = 50 Marks)

Descriptive questions covering core theories, workplace applications, and organizational behavior.

(a) Trait Theory vs Behavioral Theory of Leadership

Trait Theory: Leadership depends on inherent personal qualities (confidence, intelligence, integrity).

Behavioral Theory: Leadership can be learned through training and practice (autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire styles).

Comparison emphasizes nature vs nurture in leadership development.

(b) Autocratic vs Participative Leadership

Type	Characteristics	Advantages	Disadvantages
Autocratic	Leader-centered, decisions imposed	Quick decision-making	Low morale
Participative	Team involvement in decisions	High motivation, innovation	Slower decisions

(c) Man–Machine System

Interaction between human operators and mechanical systems.

Examples in service industries: ATMs, control rooms, automated call systems.

Importance: Ergonomics, safety, efficiency, and user satisfaction.

(d) Physical Working Conditions for Higher Productivity

Key factors: lighting, ventilation, temperature, noise control, workspace design.

Psychological comfort → less fatigue → higher efficiency.

(e) Method Study

Systematic recording and critical examination of existing methods to improve efficiency.

Techniques:

Process charting

Motion study

Time study

Flow diagrams

(f) Contributions of Hawthorne Studies

Conducted by Elton Mayo & F.J. Roethlisberger.

Found that social and psychological factors (attention, morale, belongingness) significantly impact productivity.

Origin of Human Relations Movement in management.

(g) Training, Development, and Education

Concept	Purpose
Training	Skill enhancement for current job
Development	Preparing for future responsibilities
Education	Broad-based learning for overall growth

Interrelated; all aim to improve performance and adaptability.

(h) Types of Psychological Tests

Aptitude Tests – Measure potential abilities.

Personality Tests – Assess temperament and traits.

Interest Inventories – Identify career or task preferences.

Performance Tests – Evaluate specific skills under conditions.

SECTION – C (2 × 15 = 30 Marks)

Analytical questions testing understanding of workplace behavior and productivity science.

Q3. Organizational Climate & Culture

Organizational Climate: Overall atmosphere, values, and attitudes within the workplace.

Types of Organizational Culture:

Clan Culture – teamwork, mentorship.

Adhocracy Culture – innovation and flexibility.

Market Culture – competitiveness, performance focus.

Hierarchy Culture – structure, stability, control.

Q4. Purpose and Methods of Training

Purpose: Increase efficiency, skill, and motivation.

Methods:

On-the-job: apprenticeships, coaching, job rotation.

Off-the-job: workshops, simulations, lectures, case studies.

Training improves adaptability, quality, and employee satisfaction.

Q5. Time and Motion Study

Definition: Analysis of job tasks and movements to identify waste and improve productivity.

Application:

Reduces fatigue

Sets time standards

Optimizes workflow

Enhances production efficiency

Key Units Summary

Unit	Topic	Core Focus
I	Introduction to Industrial Psychology	Role, history, scope
II	Leadership & Motivation	Theories, behavior, group dynamics
III	Work Environment	Physical & psychological aspects
IV	Training & Development	Methods, effectiveness
V	Organizational Culture & Productivity	Structure, job design, performance

Summary

This Industrial Psychology (EHU401) paper emphasizes the human side of engineering and management.
It blends psychology and organizational behavior with real-world industrial applications — leadership, environment design, employee development, and motivation.

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51.02 KB

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SuGanta International