ASHOK RAJGURU CASE STUDY

Q1 What is the personality profile of Ashok Rajguru?

A.1 Mr. Ashok Rajguru has been pursuing post-doctoral course in Physics. He was a brilliant student
as he was growing up and was very competitive. He had a thirst for knowledge and wanted to learn
as much as he can. But in Chicago his views and perceptions about life completely changed.

From his past behaviour we can say that two of his main traits are High Conscientiousness, Less
Extraversion and Less Openness. By High Conscientiousness, I mean that he is disciplined and likes
structure, finishes important tasks and pays attention to details. His meticulous study is what got
him here. But right now, since his emotional needs are not getting fulfilled, his concentration is
getting affected and he is not able to set a structure to his life. He understands what his requirement
are and what he must do to achieve them. Achieving each goal in life will act as reinforcement for
him and he will be able to perform better. He is an emotionally intelligent person and had put so
much thought for analysing his feelings and understood where his emotions came from. He is dutiful
towards his family and also finds himself guilty for not taking enough responsibilities. He is confident
enough to perform well in academics and do well for the society. He believes that success can only
be achieved by hard work along with capabilities. He does not believe in sharing his personal
problems with others, which shows his introvert nature.

Q2 What are the perceptual errors of Ashok Rajguru?

A2 Ashok does not share his problem with others because of his sense of self-respect. But this self-
respect can create new problems as he believes that problems can be solved by way of minor
alterations and circumstances come under control in due respect of time. He has made a
Fundamental Attribution Error by underestimating the importance of Emotional Bonds and has
taken them for granted. As he has already come to a conclusion, I think he needs to start learning
how to interact with people. In a difficult situation, he must try to incorporate the values of the new
situation and undergo a bit of social learning.

Q3 What are the issues and how the situation can be improved?

A3 The main issue was his mind-set which he gets pressurised by the external circumstances to
pursue the post-doctoral curriculum and more over he is reluctant to share the problems of his
mental state with others. Ashok has a lack of human relationships and interactions and this is one of
the major reasons why he is not able to perform well. As per Maslow’s Hierarchy Theory of
Motivation, since his social needs are not getting fulfilled, he has a need to let go of everything he is
feeling. He is also lacking the motivation to study. If we apply the Expectancy theory here, we can
say that he is lacking strength of desire (Valence) and also he is not able to understand the
performance- reward relationship i.e. the Instrumentality of the work he is doing hence his
motivation comes to 0. Feedback form others is important to him and he should try to indulge in
more social Talks and try to get the feedback. He should get adapted to the changing circumstance.
He should hear others with patience which in turn would help in making his presence feel without
being aggressive.