INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology
•The word ‘psychology’ developed from Greek words psyche
and logos. Psychology= Psyche + logos. Psyche means soul
or mind and logos means knowledge, if considered
etiologically psychology means knowledge of mind and soul.
Later Research suggested the use of mind more appropriate in
place of soul.
• Describing meaning and definition of psychology Woodworth
(1949) says-

• “First psychology lost its soul. Then its mind then it lost its
consciousness. It still has behavior of sort.”

Definition of psychology
• According to Woodworth (1954), “psychology is the science of the
activities of the individual in relation to its environment.”
Psychology as science: Some of the necessary
facts of science present psychology are as follows

• Scientific methods: - Most of the methods of modern psychology are scientific. For instance for the study of
psychological problems in modern psychology appropriate amount of experimental methods, observational
methods, statistical, mathematical psychometric methods are some of the scientific methods used. The study
of scientific methods gives scientific results and because psychological problems are studied by scientific
methods therefore the subject matter of psychology is also scientific thus psychology is a science.

• Verifiability:-Any subject should be called a science when its subject matter has the quality of verifiability
i.e. as many times the subject matter is judged or studied. It must give the same results. Psychology is true at
this test of verifiability, because the subject matter of psychology is verifiable. Generally it is seen when the
problems of a subject are studied by scientific methods they come true to test of verifiability. And because the
psychological problems are studied by scientific method they have the quality of verifiability.
• Objectivity:-Whenever a phenomenon is observed in real manner and irrespective of the bias of its observer then it can be called
objective observations and the results thus obtained are known as objective results. a test of objectivity is that when a number of
observer are observing a phenomena and all reach at similar results it is said that the obtained results lacks in verifiability it will
lack in objectivity too. The observer takes any of the control methods to keep the situation under control and to get objective
results. Therefore, the results obtained in the study of psychological problem are objective and verifiable.

• Power of prediction: - Scientific subject has the quality of prediction too, which means that if the behaviour of an individual is
studied today, on the basis of the result his future behaviour can also be predicted such prediction can be done when the study is
purely scientific. The psychological problems are studied by scientific.

• Universality: - The principles of scientific subject are universal. These principles are alike for all age and worldwide. If the
laws or principles of subject are made by scientific method and if these laws are objective, verifiable and have the power of
prediction then these lows and principle will definitely be universal. Because this is made clears that most of the problems of
psychology are studied by scientific methods and the subject matter has the qualities of verifiability objectivity and power of
prediction therefore we can say that the lows and principle established in particular situation will be true in that situation in any
time and place.
CHATACTERISTICS OF SCIENCE
∙ Consistency- Several scientists can repeat an experiment and the
results are the same.
∙ Observability- The results or subject of an experiment can be
observed by using the five senses or extensions of them.
∙ Predictability- Predictions can be made about the subject and can be
tested.
∙ Testability- Subject can be tested using a controlled experiment.
S-O-R FRAMEWORK
Scope/field of psychology

• Field of psychology can be divided into two broad categories namely

pure psychology and applied psychology. Pure Psychology provides
the framework and theory. Its contents deal with the formulation of
psychological principles and theories. It suggests various methods and
techniques for analysis, assessment, modification and improvement of
behaviour. In Applied Psychology, the theory generated or discussed
through pure psychology finds its practical shape. Here we discuss
ways and means of the applications of psychological rules, principles,
theories and techniques with reference to the real practical life
situations.
Branches of Pure Psychology:
• General psychology: It is relatively a large Ares or field of psychology, which deals with the fundamental rules, principles and theories of psychology in relation to the study of
behaviour of normal adult human beings.

• Abnormal Psychology: It is that branch or field of psychology, which describes and explains the behaviour of abnormal people in relation to their own environment. The causes
symptoms, syndromes, and description of the abnormalities of behaviour form the subject matter of this branch.

• Social Psychology: This branch of psychology deals with the group behaviour and inter-relationships of people with other people. Group dynamics, likes and dislikes, interests, and
attitudes, social distance and prejudices of the people in their personal and social relationships form the subject matter of this branch.

• Experimental psychology: The branch of psychology describes and explains the ways and means of carry out psychological experiments following scientific methods in controlled
or laboratory situations for the study of mental processes and behaviour. It picks up animals, birds and human beings as subjects for these experiments. Experimental psychology is
an important field of psychology. This field of psychology holds the credits of grading psychology a science. This branch studies various problems but the problems are studied only
by experimental methods.

• Physiological psychology: This branch of psychology describes and explains the biological and physiological basis of behaviour. The study of internal environment and
physiological structure of the body, particularly brain, nervous system, functioning of glands in relation to conative, cognitive and affective behaviour of the human being form part
of the subject matter of this branch.

• Development psychology: This branch of psychology describes and explains the processes and products of the processes of growth and development in relation to the behaviour of
an individual from birth to old age. For convenience, it is further sub-divided into branches or fields like child psychology, adolescents’ psychology and adult psychology.
Branches of Applied Psychology:
• Educational Psychology: It is that branch of applied psychology, which tries to apply the psychological principles, theories and techniques to human
behaviour in educational situations. The subject matter of this branch covers psychological ways and means of improving all aspects of the branch covers of
the teaching/ learning process including the learner, learning process, learning material, learning environment and the teacher. Educational psychology is
concerned with the application of psychological theories and research to help us understand how teachers and learners behave, perform, think, feel and relate
to each other in various educational settings. By shedding light on these processes, work in this area has the important function of helping us to bring about
positive changes in the educational context, particularly in order to support those individuals who are experiencing difficulties- whether to do with academic
performance, social behaviour and relationships, or emotional wellbeing.

• Clinical Psychology: This branch of applied psychology describes and explains the causes of mental illness or abnormal behaviour of a patient attending the
clinic or hospital and suggests individual or group therapy for the treatment and effective adjustment of the affected person in society. Clinical psychologists
are closely involved in helping people to recover from different kinds of problems. They attempt to help people understand the causes of their difficulties,
provide interventions that can help to alleviate specific symptoms associated with their difficulties and provide support and guidance through the period to
recovery. Clinical psychology informs mental health services in many other ways. it provides a research basis through which new psychological interventions
are developed and evaluated(Barker, Pistrang and Elliott, 2001) and it has developed principles of psychological treatment that are used by a range of
mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychotherapists, counsellors, mental health and community psychiatric nurses, social workers and
community support workers. Clinical psychology is also a theoretical and political driving force behind attempts in many countries to increase access to
psychological therapies for those who need them (Clark et.al. 2009). Clinical psychology should not be confused with psychiatry. The latter tends to have
similar goals to clinical psychology, but focuses more on medication based solutions to mental health problems. In contrast, clinical psychologists try to help
people by facilitating their understanding of their thoughts and actions.
• Industrial psychology: This branch of applied psychology tries to seek application of the psychological
principles, theories and techniques for the study of human behaviour in relation to industrial environment. it
includes the topics or contents that are useful for improving the ways and means of knowing the interests of the
consumers, advertising and sales for products, selection training and placing of personnel, solving labour
problems, establishing harmonious relationship between the employee and employer strengthening morals of
workers and increasing production etc.

• Legal Psychology: It is that branch of applied psychology which tries to study the behaviour of the persons like
clients, criminals, witness etc. in their respective surrounding with the help of the application of psychological
principles and techniques. Its contain the subject matter for improving the ways and means of detections of
crimes, false witness and other complex phenomena. the root causes of the crime, offence, dispute or any legal
case can be properly understood through the use of this branch of psychology and subsequently poorer
reformatory and rehabilitation measures may be employed.
• Military Psychology: This branch of psychology is concern with the use of psychological
principles and techniques in the world of military science. how to keep the morale of the
soldiers and citizens high during war time, how to fight war of propaganda and intelligence
services, how to secure better recruitment of the personnel for armed forces and how to
improve the fighting capacities and organisational climate and leadership etc. are various
topics that are dealt with in this branch of psychology.

• Political Psychology: This branch of psychology relates itself with the use of
psychological principle and techniques in studying the politics and deriving political gains.
The knowledge of the dynamics of the group behaviour judgement of the public opinion,
qualities of leadership, psychology of propaganda and suggestions, the art of diplomacy
etc. are some of the key concepts that find place in the subject matter of the branch political
psychology.
Industrial Psychology
• Industrial psychology: Industrial psychology is that branch of applied psychology that is concerned with efficient
management of an industrial labor force and especially with problems encountered by workers in a mechanized
environment.
• CHARACTERISTICS OF INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY

• ● Systematic study—Industrial psychology is the systematic study of human behaviour concerned with collecting the
information regarding human behaviour at work. What are the different factors which affect the work of an individual
either they are personal or related to working conditions.

• ● Research—Industrial psychology is not concerned with administration. They are the part of the research. Whatever
information gathered from the work should be implemented and the personnel administration is the application of such
research.

• ● Functional/Applied—It is concerned with the application of information about human behaviour to the various
problems of industrial human life.

• ● Human engineering—It studies the varied methods of performing manual operations for the better utilization and
the least waste of effort through human engineering.