Business Psychology: Psychological Approaches and Core Skills

This report explores the field of business psychology, focusing on different psychological approaches and the development of core skills. It discusses the biological, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic approaches and their relevance in the workplace. The report also includes reflective journals on improving focus and attention, resilience, and research and information finding skills. It provides an action plan for skill development and concludes with the importance of business psychology in enhancing individual and organizational performance.

Business Psychology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Introduction to psychological approaches...................................................................................1
Reflective Journals.......................................................................................................................2
Action plan...................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Business Psychology refers to a study and practice through which working life can be
improved. It is a combination through which science of human behaviour can be understood and
experience of work can be attained in order to bring an improvement in the performance of both
the individuals as well as organizations (Cheung and et.al., 2017). In this report, the focus will be
made on introduction and evaluation of different types of psychological approaches, reflection
on various core skills. Additionally, specific analysis of action plan to be adopted for the purpose
of development of these skills will be discussed as a part of this project.
MAIN BODY
Introduction to psychological approaches
Psychological approaches refers to the various types of methods which are adopted so
that a deep understanding of behaviour of human beings can be done in an effective manner.
There are different psychological approaches which can be used to understand self and others
within a workplace. These approaches are as follows-
Biological approach- The use of biological approach is made so that connection is made
between appearance of a human being and the behaviour which is displayed by that person
(Ryan, Soenens and Vansteenkiste, 2019). In it, psychologists identify the state of behaviour in
the human mind to explore how thoughts, moods and actions are shaped. In a workplace, this
approach can be used so that own behaviour as well as behaviour of others can be identified
easily. This helps the managers to be able to deal in a better order with the people.
Psychodynamic approach- According to this school of thought, the psychologists
believe that the unconscious drives and experiences from early childhood are the root cause of
the behaviours and there is a possibility of arising of a conflict when restrictions are made on
these urges (Wolniak and Grebski, 2018).. In a workplace, this approach can be used so that
behaviours of human beings can be identified and can be linked with the unconscious drives and
experiences.
Behavioural approach- In this approach, it is concluded that psychology of a human
being is affected by their behaviour (Dahlstrom and Nygaard, 2016). In a workplace, the
managers can make the use of this approach so that they can understand the way people behave
within an organization. This can help them in dealing in a better way with the people. This is so
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because the managers are able to understand what the people in the organization really want and
what will fulfil their various types of expectations.
Cognitive approach- According to this approach, it is believed by the psychologists that
the behaviour is a result of expectations and emotions (Davidsson, 2016). Thus, here the
managers are required to identify the expectations and emotions of the people within a workplace
and act upon fulfilling them so that they are satisfied and can work in a better manner.
Humanistic approach- By making the use of this approach, the psychologists are able to
identify something in which you are good and proper motivation is provided in order to realize
the full potential (Fuller and et.al., 2016). Therefore, in a workplace the use of this approach
should be made so that identification of the full potential of the human beings can be made and
their morale and motivation level can be enhanced so that they are able to attain their respective
goals and targets in the future time period.
Reflective Journals
Core skill-
Focus and attention is the key skill which I wish to develop. Focus refers to concentration
which is needed for analysing something. Attention means awareness about something which is
happening around oneself. I want to develop this skill because increasing focus and attention
will be quite helpful for me to be able to achieve my higher targets which I have set for the
future time period.
Importance of core skill and the reason for its selection-
According to me, focus and attention is very crucial because by enhancing it one is able to
concentrate better on studies and get good marks in studies. As I am a student studying in the
university, there is a requirement for me to increase focus and attention and achieve my goals
and targets in a better manner. According to Freud's theory, there are different aspects of
personality of a person. Thus I want to develop this skill as a part of my personality.
Reflection on current competence-
Currently, as a student who is studying in the university, I have acquired the skill of focus and
attention. However after self-assessing myself after doing assignments, projects and giving
exams in the university I have found out that I am lacking somewhere in this skill. Thus there is
a scope for me to improve myself and present in a highly effective manner. The feedback which
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has been given my teachers and friends in the college is that I should concentrate on developing
this skill.
Contradictions-
From my analysis I can see that there are various contradictions in the development of this skill.
I had felt that I had developed the skill of focus and attention and I felt that there was no need
for me to improve. However with the feedback received from my peers and teachers I am able
to understand that I have a scope through which improvement can be done. Thus to this
contradiction I am able to identify the scope for improvement in this skill which will help me a
lot in the future time period.
Help provided by this skill in the future-
I think that by using this skill in an effective manner I will be able to make sure that I achieve
the desired success in my studies in the future. According to Surroca, Prior and Tribo Gine,
2016 there is a requirement of development of focus and attention by the human beings so that
they are able to enhance their contribution level and achieve their goals and objectives in the
future.
Core skill-
The core skill which I want to develop is Resilience. Resilience is defined as coping with
difficulties and tough situations and circumstances and emerging from them in an effective
manner (Goodwin, 2016). I wish to develop this skill because this is going to help me a lot in
ensuring that I am able to face difficulties, tough situations and circumstances and therefore
ensure that I can achieve the desired level of success in the future time period.
Reason for selection of this skill-
The reason due to which I wish to select this skill for the purpose of development is that
Resilience is quite important from the point of view of a student. As a student, for the purpose
of overall development it is desired that he/she must be able to face the tough situations and
circumstances in an effective manner without problems and issues. According to The
Constitutional Theory of Sheldon measurement of traits is important because they are
continuous variables. Resilience is one of these traits and thus is important.
Current Competence-
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Currently, I have the ability of resilience. However there is a significant scope for improvement
in the development of this ability because the feedback from my peers and teachers is that I
should be able to become more resilient and tough in dealing with the dynamic nature of
circumstances. In this way I have assessed my competence and I have found out that I can make
improvements here in an effective manner.
Contradictions-
There are contradictions from the analysis which I have made (Gorgievski and Stephan, 2016).
Earlier, I thought that I had a high-level of resilience. However my friends and my teachers feel
that I should improve on this skill for being successful in the future. Therefore there is a
difference between the way I perceive myself and the way others perceive me.
Help provided by this skill in the future-
In life there are various situations and circumstances which one has to face. When one develops
the ability of resilience it helps a lot in facing them and emerging from them by becoming
successful. Thus I think that If I develop this skill in the future I will be able to deal with the
situations and circumstances in a much better manner and thus I will be able to be successful.
According to Amini, Cont and Minca, 2016 there is a requirement for development of resilience
so that tough situations and circumstances can be faced. Thus this is the reason why I want to
develop this ability and make sure that I am able to attain my goals and objectives in the future.
Core skill-
The core skill which I want to develop is Research & Information Finding. Research refers to
the ability to gather important facts and data and using them effectively. Information finding is
a way through which information can be found out, analysed and interpreted in an effective
manner to make better use of it in the future time period.
Reason for the selection of this skill-
The reason I have selected this skill for the purpose of development is that there is a
requirement to use it for assignments and projects which are allotted in the university as the part
of course. By making the use of this skill in the right manner a student can ensure that the
correct information and data is gathered for the assignments and projects so that good marks
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can be achieved in the future (Islam, 2020). According to the theory of Carl Rogers, every
person can achieve their goals, wishes and desires in life. When they do so self-actualization
takes place.
Current Competence-
I have the ability of Research & Information Finding. However due to the feedback I have
received from my friends and my teachers I have found out that there is a scope of improvement
which can be made from my side. This is required to ensure that I develop more in this skill and
ensure achievement of good marks in my assignments as well as projects.
Contradictions-
From my above analysis I have found out that there is a difference between what I think about
my ability and what others think about it. Earlier, I thought that I was very good in using my
Research & Information skill. However, now I have found out that there is a requirement for me
to develop this skill I have to get good marks in the future time period.
Help from this skill in the future-
Development of Research & Information skill will be helpful for me in the future because I will
be able to gather, analyse and interpret in a much better manner (Keith and et.al., 2016). This
will help me in improving my overall accuracy and thus it will help in the attainment of my
goals and objectives. Thus in this way I will be able to get good marks in my assignments and
projects in the future. This will be quite helpful for me in excelling in my academic studies and
thus making sure that the desired level of success can be attained in the future. According to
Abbasi, Sarker and Chiang, 2016 there is a requirement of development of Research &
Information skill which will help in gathering better information and using it effectively.
Action plan
From the reflective journals which I have prepared I can interpret that I have certain
strengths and weaknesses. These are as follows-
Strengths-
 Concentration- I have a good concentration power and thus in this way I can make sure
that I identify the right areas where I can get the desired results by the increase of the
level of concentration. This helps in getting the desired results.
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 Decision-making- I think that I have a good decision-making power. By making its use I
can take the right decisions in the future.
Weaknesses-
 Lack of critical thinking skills- I think that I lack in these skills because I am not able to
think of the course of action to be taken in the situations where these skills are required.
 Analysis & Interpretation- I am able to gather information but I lack in doing the
required analysis & interpretation on it to derive the conclusions and recommendations
on them.
Action plan-
Improvement of Focus and Attention-
Specific- For the improvement of this skill I will focus specifically on increasing my
concentration level in the classes and will pay more attention towards the teacher.
Measurable- The improvement of this skill will require me to measure my performance
in the classes through the regular tests and assignments in the college.
Attainable- I will target improvement in this skill through setting small-scale targets in
the beginning and then moving on to achieve large-scale targets.
Relevant- For the improvement in this skill I will ensure that I increase my focus and
increase my attention on relevant areas in my subjects to get higher marks.
Time-Based- I will target improvement in this skill within a time-period of 3 months.
Improvement of Resilience-
Specific- For improving my resilience skill, I will need to increase my focus specifically
on facing tough situations and circumstances.
Measurable- I will need to ensure that I am able to identify the areas where resilience
skill is required in a practical course of action to improve this skill.
Attainable- I will target improvement of this skill by ensuring that I resist tough
situations during the course of my studies.
Relevant- For the improvement in this skill I will identify the hard areas of my academic
subjects where this skill can be applied.
Time-Based- I will target improvement in this skill within a time-period of 6 months.
Improvement of Research & Information Finding-
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Specific- I will focus on those areas of my subjects where finding of information and
facts is crucial.
Measurable- I will target improvement in this skill through identifying the aspects in
which Research & Information finding skill can be used in an effective manner.
Attainable- I will target improvement of this skill through setting targets for Research &
Information Finding in my academic subjects.
Relevant- I will focus on improvement of this skill by identifying relevant areas in my
subjects where I can use it effectively.
Time-Based- I will ensure that the improvement in this skill is done within a time-period
of 1 year.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that business psychology is a broad area
through which the behaviour of various people in a business can be analysed effectively. There
are various approaches through which psychology can be effectively analysed. A Reflective Plan
helps in reflecting upon the multiple aspects of personality and finding out the areas of
improvement. An Action plan can be framed in order to ensure that the right steps are taken for
the improvement of the desired skills.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Cheung, J. H. and et.al., 2017. Amazon Mechanical Turk in organizational psychology: An
evaluation and practical recommendations. Journal of Business and Psychology. 32(4).
pp.347-361.
Dahlstrom, R. and Nygaard, A., 2016. The psychology of co‐branding alliances: The business‐to‐
business relationship outcomes of role stress. Psychology & Marketing. 33(4). pp.267-
282.
Davidsson, P., 2016. A “business researcher” view on opportunities for psychology in
entrepreneurship research. Applied Psychology. 65(3). pp.628-636.
Fuller, C. M. and et.al., 2016. Common methods variance detection in business research. Journal
of Business Research. 69(8). pp.3192-3198.
Goodwin, C. D., 2016. Economics and psychology: Why the great divide?. History of Political
Economy. 48(suppl_1). pp.71-169.
Gorgievski, M. J. and Stephan, U., 2016. Advancing the psychology of entrepreneurship: A
review of the psychological literature and an introduction. Applied Psychology. 65(3).
pp.437-468.
Islam, G., 2020. Psychology and business ethics: A multi-level research agenda. Journal of
Business Ethics. 165(1). pp.1-13.
Keith, N. and et.al., 2016. Informal learning and entrepreneurial success: A longitudinal study of
deliberate practice among small business owners. Applied Psychology. 65(3). pp.515-
540.
Ryan, R. M., Soenens, B. and Vansteenkiste, M., 2019. Reflections on self‐determination theory
as an organizing framework for personality psychology: Interfaces, integrations, issues,
and unfinished business. Journal of personality. 87(1). pp.115-145.
Wolniak, R. and Grebski, M. E., 2018. Innovativeness and creativity as factors in workforce
development–perspective of psychology. Zeszyty Naukowe. Organizacja i
Zarządzanie/Politechnika Śląska.