Historical

Background of I/O
Psychology

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Overview: Industrial/ Organizational

(I/O) Psychology

What is I/O Psychology?

I/O Psychology as a Career
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What is I/O psychology?

 The
application of psychological principles to the
workplace (anywhere people work)

 Help people do their jobs

 help employers treat employees fairly
 help make jobs more interesting and satisfying
 help workers be more productive

Prepared by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology - SIOP © 1998
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What is I/O psychology?

Treat employees fairly
 Treat people from diverse backgrounds fairly
 select people for jobs
 provide training
 reward promotions/raises
 address harassment

Prepared by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology - SIOP © 1998
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What is I/O psychology?

Make jobs more interesting/satisfying

 Design jobs people will find satisfying
 rewarding work
 safe, efficient work areas (Human Factors)
 Motivate employees to perform
 Create teams that work well together
 combine diverse talents and perspectives

Prepared by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology - SIOP © 1998
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What is I/O psychology?

Help workers be more productive
 Design work patterns that enhance efficiency
 Provide skills training and development
 Help to meet the challenges of competition
 Move past downsizing

Prepared by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology - SIOP © 1998
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I/O Psychology:
Science and Practice
 As a SCIENCE, I/O psychology uses scientific
methodology to research and advance knowledge
about people at work
 And as a PRACTICE, I/O psychology is a
profession concerned with the application of
psychological knowledge to solve real-life
problems in the world of work
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Science and Practice

Scientist-Practitioner Model: Interaction of
scientific knowledge and application
A call center has a three week training program
Problem for new employees. The average employee quits
after three months.

Science:
Turnover Theories
Past Empirical Studies

Practitioner:
Create Plan
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I/O Psychology
Organizational Psychology is part of a broader
field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Industrial Organizational
Recruitment Socialization
Selection Motivation
Classification Occupational Stress
Compensation Leadership
Performance Appraisal Group Performance
Training Organizational Development
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I/O Psychology
 ENGINEERING PSYCHOLOGY/HUMAN FACTORS
 Person-machine systems
 Working conditions
 Equipment, tool, and machine design and function in
recognition of operator limitations in strength, perception,
reaction-time, etc.
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I/O Psychology
 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
 Labor-union relations
 Employee/employer relations
 Cooperation & conflict resolution
 Arbitration, negotiation & bargaining
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I/O Psychology
 VOCATIONAL & CAREER COUNSELING
 Career choice, change, and retirement

 CONSUMER PSYCHOLOGY
 Consumer choice and preference for products
 Purchasing behavior & decision making
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Overview: Professional Life

of the I/O Psychologist
 Activitiesand work settings of I/O psychologists
 Employment in I/O psychology (salary surveys)
 Training for I/O psychology
 Professional involvement of I/O psychologists
 Licensure
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Where do I/O Psychologists Work?

Dual orientation (science & practice) reflected in principal
work settings of I/O psychologists

Universities
(37%)
Consulting firms
(38%)
Industry (18%)

Gov't (7%)
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I/O Psychologists’ Salaries

 Median Salaries for 2000
MA/MS: $67,000
Ph.D.: $90,000
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Common Job Titles for

I/O Psychologists
 Professor of . . . Psychology, Management, Organizational
Behavior, Industrial Relations
 Staff member, Manager, Dir, VP of . . . Personnel, HR,
Organizational Planning, Personnel Development, OD,
Management Development, Personnel Research, Employee
Relations, Training, Affirmative Action
 Management Consultant
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Professional Associations
related to I/O Psychology
American Psychological Association
(APA: www.apa.org)
Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology
(SIOP: www.siop.org)
Academy of Management
(AoM: www. aom.pace.edu)
Society for Human Resource Management
(SHRM: www.shrm.org)
American Society for Training and Development
(ASTD: www.astd.org)
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Licensure for I/O Psychologists

Licensure requirements vary by state
SIOP’s policy – recognize the
requirement and offer guidance
SIOP’s Guidelines for the Education
and Training of I/O Psychologists
Organizational requirements for
licensure