Question

question 5

argyris argues persuasively that many jobs are structured in a way that they conflict with the basic growth needs of a healthy adult. employees are expected to be passive, dependent, and subordinate.

given these observations, at which level of the organization does argyris predict the most conflict will occur?

among managers that supervise line workers
among blue-collar and clerical workers
among administrators who create visions and give orders
among middle managers who enforce administrative directives

Explanation:

Analyze Argyris's Immaturity-Maturity Theory

Chris Argyris's classic work on Organizational Behavior explores the inherent conflict between the needs of a mature adult personality and the demands of traditional formal organizations. He argues that healthy individuals progress from a state of passivity and dependence (immaturity) to activity and independence (maturity). However, traditional organizational structures often design jobs that require employees to remain passive, dependent, and subordinate.

Identify the level of maximum conflict

According to Argyris, this incongruence between the individual's personality and the organization is most acute at the lowest levels of the hierarchy. At these levels, jobs are highly specialized, routine, and tightly controlled. Therefore, the employees who experience the most severe restriction of their growth needs—and consequently the highest level of frustration and conflict—are lower-level employees, specifically blue-collar and clerical workers.

Evaluate the given options

• Among managers that supervise line workers: Managers generally have more autonomy, variety, and control over their work than lower-level employees, reducing the severity of this specific conflict.
• Among blue-collar and clerical workers: This matches Argyris's prediction perfectly, as these roles are characterized by the highest degree of task specialization, standardization, and direct supervision, which forces mature adults into passive and dependent roles.
• Among administrators who create visions and give orders: High-level administrators have the greatest degree of self-direction and autonomy, which aligns well with mature adult needs.
• Among middle managers who enforce administrative directives: While middle managers face pressures, they still possess significantly more decision-making authority and job complexity than entry-level clerical or blue-collar workers.

Answer:

• (A) Among managers that supervise line workers
• (B) Among blue-collar and clerical workers (Correct answer)
• (C) Among administrators who create visions and give orders
• (D) Among middle managers who enforce administrative directives