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

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Prepared by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology - SIOP © 1998
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

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Prepared by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology - SIOP © 1998
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
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Prepared by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology - SIOP © 1998
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
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Prepared by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology - SIOP © 1998
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
Problem
A call center has a three week training program
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
Selection
Classification
Compensation
Performance Appraisal
Training
Socialization
Motivation
Occupational Stress
Leadership
Group Performance
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
Activities and 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
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