Personality and Intelligence at Work: Exploring and Explaining Individual Differences at Work

Personality and Intelligence at Work examines the increasingly controversial role of individual differences in predicting and determining behaviour at work. It combines approaches from organizational psychology and personality theory to critically examine the physical, psychological and psychoanalytic aspects of individual differences, and how they impact on the world of work.

Topics covered include the role of IQ at work as the best predictor of success, but also the importance of increasingly recognized social intelligences such as emotional intelligence (EQ). The significance of personality traits and the impact of temperaments on work performance are also examined, and the methods used to assess work behaviour and potential are reviewed. Psychological tests, which measure personality traits, are questioned as accurate predictors of behaviour at work, alongside other factors such as job satisfaction, productivity, absenteeism and turnover.

This thoroughly revised and updated edition of Personality at Work provides a comprehensive review of the relevant literature from psychology, sociology and management science. It will be of interest to students of organizational psychology and business and management studies, as well as HR professionals.

Adrian Furnham is Professor of Psychology at University College London and a fellow of the British Psychological Society. He is on the editorial board of a number of international journals, as well as the current elected president of the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences. He writes regularly for the Sunday Times and the Daily Telegraph and is a regular contributor to BBC radio and television. He believes work is more fun than fun and considers himself to be a well-adjusted workaholic.