I-O Psychology 1-9 Notes

INTRODUCTION TO

I/O PSYCHOLOGY

1Lecturer: Sophia S. Morgan

Lecture 1

Definitions & History


Main Source:

Chapter 1 - INTRODUCTION TO I/O PSYCHOLOGY Ronald Riggio

Lecture Overview

At the end of this lecture you should know:

Definition of I/O Psychology

Objectives of I/O Psychology

What do I/O Psychologists do?

Founding fathers

History of I/O

Current issues and factors that pose challenges to organisations today


What is I/O Psychology?

Definition

The branch of psychology that is concerned with the study of behaviour in work settings and the application of psychology principles to change work behaviour (Riggio2013)


What is I/O Psychology?

Two important considerations

- The study of work behaviour is amultidisciplinary, cooperative venture

- I/O Psychology is an applied field.


Objectives of I/O Psychology

To conduct research in an effort to increase knowledge and understanding of human behaviour in the workplace setting

To apply the knowledge in order to change or improve work behaviour; work environment and the psychological conditions of workers.

(Riggio)


What does an I/O Psychologist do?

I/O Psychologists work in the broad areas of:

Research

Consultancy

Teaching

Human Resource Development/ Management



Research

The work of the I/O psychologist involves designing, developing and executing the entire research process (research process to be covered next lecture)

Studies focus on the attitudes, behaviours and motivations of people in the organisation

Usually of an applied nature, i.e., research is carried out in order to understand and or/solve issues & problems



Consultancy Organisational consultants help organisations to

identify problems and create solutions in order to become more efficient & effective

Their work involves research &/or change and/or organisational development interventions

Various areas of consultancy are: Strategic Planning; Team Building; Leadership Development; Organisation Design &/or Reengineering; Change management

Checkout this local consultancy firm: http://www.ltsemaj.com/



Teaching The I/O psychologist may teach courses in the

broad areas of Psychology; HRM/HRD; Management; Organisational Behaviour

(Secondary, Undergraduate; Post Graduate levels)


What does an I/O Psychologist do?Human Resource Development/Management

The I/O psychologist may operate in a generalist HR Management role, or may operate as a specialist in any of the following areas:

Compensation&

Benefits

Training PerformanceAppraisal &

Management

EmployeeWelfare

& Security

Job Design &Analysis

EmployeeRecruitment

& Selection

Labour Relations


Founding Fathers

Hugh Munsterberg (1863 1916)

- Experimental psychologist - Design of Work

- Personnel Selection (First Psychology Text in this area)

Walter Dill Scott (1869 1965)

- Psychology of Advertising (1908)

- Personnel Selection, Management, Assessment

(Human efficiency in the workplace)


Documents

I-O Psychology 1-9 Notes