Abiline Paradox. This amusing yet very compelling video features vignettes from a variety of situations that illustrate how well-intentioned but misguided consensus agreements can steer an organization into activity that directly contradicts individual desires and defeats group purpose. Shows how three key psychological principles—action anxiety, negative fantasies, and fear of ostracization—contribute to faulty group collusion, and demonstrates how to overcome these obstacles to successful and productive group decisions. (1984, 27 min.) Available from University of California, Extension Media Center, 2176 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704 (415-642-0460).

Beyond Wall Street: The Art of Investing. If you discuss and conduct an activity concerning economic decision making or the stock market, consider showing some or all of this video, which features advice from eight well-respected investment experts. (1997, 30 min.) Available from PBS Video (800-344-3337).

Conflict on the Line: A Case Study. Multifaceted case study of the problems that arise between a supervisor and an employee because of overtly conflicting work styles and more subtly conflicting values. Excellent discussion-starter for management and supervisory training, and for students of psychology and communication. (1982, 15 min.) Available from University of California, Extension Media Center, 2176 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704 (415-642-0460).

Group Dynamics: “Groupthink”. Illustrates eight symptoms of “groupthink”: the illusion of invulnerability, shared stereotypes of the enemy, rationalization, the illusion of morality, self-censorship, the illusion of unanimity, direct pressure on deviant members, and mindguarding—a tactic that protects the group from dissenting opinions. Includes examples from many kinds of organizations and from decision-making processes that influenced many important events. Commentary by Dr. Irving Janis and Dr. David Kanouse. (1984, 22 min.) Available from University of California, Extension Media Center, 2176 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704 (415-642-0460).

Group Productivity. Vignettes illustrate the three basic phases of group development and the work and personal issues characteristic of each. Commentary emphasizes the key techniques for moving successfully through each of the three phases and developing strategies to achieve maximum group productivity. As a dramatized case study, the film follows a task force that is studying ways to improve organizational communication. (1984, 21 min.) Available from University of California, Extension Media Center, 2176 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704 (415-642-0460).

Leadership: Style or Circumstance? Examines the concept and role of leadership in organizations, distinguishing between the relations-oriented and the task-oriented leader. The former tends to organize work along democratic lines, giving employees a major voice in decision making; the second tends to be more directive and forceful, relying heavily on his or her own judgment and expecting obedience from his or her staff. Shows through interviews with the presidents of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain and the Deluxe General film laboratory that the effectiveness of each style of leadership depends on the specific situation, and suggests ways of developing leaders and ensuring their effectiveness and longevity once on the job. (1975, 31 min.) Available from University of California, Extension Media Center, 2176 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704 (415-642-0460).

Motivating People in Today’s Workplace. This video seminar teaches how to inspire involvement, enthusiasm, and productivity in the workplace, through the use of internal motivators and external rewards. (1995, 3 volumes, 180 min. total) Available from PBS Video (800-344-3337).

Motivation: Organizational Behavior. This program outlines the theories of Abraham Maslow and Douglas McGregor. Using interviews with behavioral scientists, workers, and managers, it explores what makes a person satisfied and productive at work. (1978, 26 min.) Available from Insight Media (212-721-6316); and from PBS Video (800-344-3337).

Personality: Assessment Methods. This video shows a psychologist administering a battery of tests to one participant. It discusses the value of interviews, outside description, and self-description in assessment, as well as a number of clinical and cognitive tests (which you might want to skip for this class). This video is old, but it does touch on important issues in personnel selection. (1971, 30 min.) Available from PBS Video (800-344-3337).

Personnel Selection. Uses the selection of fighter pilots to illustrate how I/O psychologists devise tests that predict which candidates are more likely to succeed. Discusses issues of validity, reliability, and predictability. The video follows the progress of one hypothetical candidate through interviews and psychometric tests. (1991, 24 min.) Available from Insight Media (800-233-9910).

Productivity and the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: The Pygmalion Effect. Employs interviews with authorities, animated sequences, and live-action vignettes in organizational settings to present the theory and practical applications of the Pygmalion effect—the influence that one’s expectations have on other’s behavior. Demonstrates that an understanding of the power of this effect is vital to modern management, and that the fulfillment of expectations can be a crucial factor in improving performance, productivity, and profitability. (1975, 31 min.) Available from University of California, Extension Media Center, 2176 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704 (415-642-0460).

Team Building. Everyone is involved at some time or another in group making or decision making. This video examines factors that can make people work together better and more productively as a team. It also examines pitfalls that are common to group situations. (1983, 18 min.) Available from the Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI 53701-2093.

Working Solutions: Empowering Workers. Examines how successful companies are adapting to the challenge of decentralization and worker empowerment. (1993, 30 min.) Available from PBS Video (800-344-3337).

Working Solutions: Workforce Diversity. Examines how successful companies are adapting to the challenge of managing an increasingly diverse workforce. (1993, 30 min.) Available from PBS Video (800-344-3337).

The following Internet sites and e-mail discussion groups and listservers contain information and discussions relevant to many of the issues raised in Chapter 13, as well as related issues concerning the application of social psychological principles to businesses and organizations.

Harvard Business School Publishing. Contains a large number of case studies, simulations, videos, and other teaching material relevant to business. You can order case studies about how particular businesses try to motivate employees, how they develop work teams, etc. http://www.hbsp.harvard.edu

Homepage of the Society for Industrial & Organizational Psychology. Contains many resources and links relevant to industrial/organizational psychology. http://www.siop.org/

Social Psychology Network. This extensive homepage maintained by Scott Plous contains many links relevant to Chapter 13, including sites about group performance, teams, affirmative action, leadership, and many aspects of industrial/organizational psychology. http://socialpsychology.org/

Organizational Management (ORGMGT-1). E-mail group concerning organizational and management studies and related topics. Send e-mail to list owner at mailto:hees@siswo.uva.nl

Organizations and Culture List. E-mail group concerning the issues of organizational culture and organizational change. mailto:orgcult@commerce.uq.edu.au

Who Do You Think You Are? The Berkeley Personality Profile. One issue concerning personnel selection concerns using standardized tests to assess candidates’ personalities and skills. You can use this CD-ROM as an example of a way to assess people’s personalities. Based on the book by Keith Harary and Eileen Donahue, this CD-ROM asks users to respond to thirty-five questions and then graphs a score. It also features video clips that allow students to test their first impressions of people and compare them to personality profiles of these people. (1996, Mac/Windows CD-ROM). Available from PBS Video (800-344-3337).