A Cognitive View of Organizational Behavior

A Macro Perspective

Anson G. Parish

Expert InsightsPublished 1977

A nontechnical attempt to extend organizational process models based on the cognitive limits to rationality by including environmental factors which impact on cognitive functioning. The paper develops three generalized concepts derived from cognitive psychology which may be useful to the analyst: (1) A contingency theory of development and the differential distribution of cognitive complexity in organizations. (2) Role theory and the tension between role expectations and individual belief sets. (3) Primacy and the progression and distribution of shared beliefs in organizations.

Document Details

Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

Parish, Anson G., A Cognitive View of Organizational Behavior: A Macro Perspective. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1977. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P5993.html.
BibTeX RIS

This publication is part of the RAND paper series. The paper series was a product of RAND from 1948 to 2003 that captured speeches, memorials, and derivative research, usually prepared on authors' own time and meant to be the scholarly or scientific contribution of individual authors to their professional fields. Papers were less formal than reports and did not require rigorous peer review.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.