INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

INTRODUCTION Back to Top

Industrial/organizational or I/O psychology is concerned with individual, group, and organizational behavior in work settings. Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists contribute to an organization’s success by improving the performance and well-being of its people. An I-O psychologist researches and identifies how behaviors and attitudes can be improved through hiring practices, training programs, and feedback systems. I/O psychologists apply their knowledge of human personality structures, social motivational processes, and statistical measurement to tasks such as selecting people who fit a given work environment or designing more effective organizational structures. I/O psychologists often focus on improving the motivation, performance, training, and job satisfaction of individuals.

WHAT I/O SPECIALIST DO Back to Top

Industrial-organizational psychology specialist helps develop strategies that build better organizations. An I-O psychologist can help you with staffing, workforce development, and workplace climate issues.

• Recruit people that best fit your organization.
• Hire better people.
• Retain the best people.
• Develop fair, legal, and efficient hiring practices.
• Improve the skills of the people you already have.
• Create a diverse, qualified workforce.
• Develop performance management systems.
• Minimize absenteeism.
• Eliminate harassment and discrimination.
• Foster a team environment.
• Increase motivation and dedication.

WHERE I/O SPECIALISTS WORK Back to Top

• Employee
  • Testing: test development, including tests of job knowledge, skills, reasoning, personality, and physical abilities; assessment centers; certification testing; multimedia testing (Web-based, video, etc.); interpretation of test results; test fairness; test-taker perceptions
  • Selection and Promotion: recruiting; hiring; structured interviews; succession planning; performance appraisal and management
  • Training and Development: computer-based learning; executive coaching, management development, mentoring, and leadership; competency modeling; team design and training; measuring training effectiveness
  • Employee Attitudes and Satisfaction: involvement and empowerment; retention; job satisfaction; burnout, conflict, and stress management; aging and retirement; gender issues; resignation and voluntary turnover
  • Employee Motivation: factors that motivate employees to perform effectively
• Organizational Development
  • Change Management: mergers and acquisitions; group processes; process reengineering; productivity and quality improvement; strategic planning
  • Surveys: climate and culture
  • Job design and evaluation
  • Organizational structure
  • Team building
  • Workforce planning (downsizing and rightsizing)
  • Cross-cultural and diversity issues 
  • Impact of technology in the workplace
  • Customer service issues
• Human Resource Management: I/O psychologists can provide scientific research that HR managers can use in developing strategies and decisions.
  • Legal: analysis of issues and expert testimony on EEO/AA, ADA, OSHA, and other issues; discrimination; jury decision processes
  • Workplace Health: ergonomics, human factors, and safety; overcoming stress; workplace violence
  • Compensation and Benefits: pay, perks, rewards, and recognition
  • Employee Behavior: harassment; absenteeism; discipline
  • Employee Issues: union and labor relations
  • Work–Life Programs: flexible work arrangements, quality of work life, work–life balance, working parents, and telecommuting
  • Performance Evaluations and Assessments: design of job performance measurement systems for feedback and performance improvement
• Research Expertise
  • Research design and methods
  • Data analysis and statistics
  • Statistical models
  • Data privacy, confidentiality, and ethics 
  • In-depth knowledge of the research on employee attitudes and behaviors as they relate to organizational performance

EXAMPLE Back to Top

I/O psychologists are frequently requested to provide their expertise to organizations and assist in resolving a variety of workplace issues.

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