Here are some frequently asked questions about Industrial & Organizational
(I-O) Psychology.
Question (Q): What is
Industrial & Organizational (I-O) Psychology?
Answer (A):
Psychology is referred to as the scientific study of behavior and
thinking. Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology is the scientific study of behavior in the area of work (business and
industry).
Extended answer:
"I-O psychology is
the scientific study of working and the application of that science to
workplace issues facing individuals, teams, and organizations. The scientific
method is applied to investigate issues of critical relevance to individuals,
businesses, and society" (SIOP, 2016).
Q: What are the subfields
of I & O Psychology?
A: There are six
subfields of I & O Psychology: Selection and Placement, Training,
Organizational Development, Work-life Quality, and Ergonomics
(Muchinsky, 2012).
Q: Where does I-O fit in
with the American Psychological Association (APA)?
A: I-O psychology is
represented by Division 14 of the APA, the Society for Industrial and
Organizational Psychology (SIOP).
Q: What is one word at the
core of I-O Psychology?
A: Change.
The world of work is ever
changing and I-O psychologists have been examining the world of work since
1892. The Great Depression in the 1930's and both World Wars had
different challenges for workers and it was during those periods when I-O
Psychology gained momentum (Katzell & Austin, 1992). The 1950s and 1960s
had a lull (Highouse, 1999), but as the mental health of workers and the
work-family balance have become key topics, I-O Psychology has surfaced as a
powerful branch of Psychology helping workers to effectively deal with an
ever-changing workplace.
Q: How can I find out
more about the history of I-O?
Q: What do I-O
Psychologists do?
A: Industrial-organizational
(I-O) psychologists are concerned with work behavior and how research can help
improve work life and solve everyday work related problems. There is a
mix of science and practice with I-O and the subfields are listed in question #3.
I-O psychologists can do many jobs: career coach, researcher,
teacher/professor, consultant, strategist, human resource specialist,
etc.
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more Q & As will be
added as needed, please feel free to check back.
