Psychology 255: Introduction to Industrial-Organizational psychology
Spring 2011
Class meets Mon and Wed 12:40-2 in Room 118 Psychology Building
Course website available on ANGEL
Dr. Ann Marie Ryan
ryanan@msu.edu
353-8855
Office hours: Mon 2-3 or by appointment in 333 Psychology Building
Assistants:
Carrie Ott-Holland
ottholla@msu.edu
Office hours: Tuesdays 10-12 in 302 Psychology Building
Erica Rouleau
rouleaue@msu.edu
Office hours: Wednesdays 2-3 in Room 349 Giltner
Objectives:
1. To provide an overview of what I-O psychology is and what I-O psychologists do
2. To appreciate the importance of research in I-O psychology
3. To gain knowledge of general theoretical principles and processes underlying I-O
psychology research and practice.
4. To gain insight into how I-O psychology is applicable to one’s own work life, and
to different types of organizational settings.
Text (required):
Landy, F.J. & Conte, J. M. (2010). Work in the 21st century: An introduction to
industrial and organizational psychology. McGraw Hill. 3rd edition.
Note that if you use an earlier edition you will be missing some content that may
be important to coursework/exams.
Text website contains study guide materials, glossaries, self-quizzes, etc…
iClickers are required. iClickers provide an opportunity for you to self-assess your
understanding of material, provide feedback to me as an instructor, and stimulate
discussion of more in-depth and unresolved issues in the field.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is expected at classes. Lectures and in class exercises will be a source of
examination questions beyond the textbook. In class participation is recorded via iclickers. Students who have missed my classes note that it has a substantial negative
effect on their grade.
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Grading Policies
Grading criteria:
Final grades will be based on the following:
Exams (3 exams at 100 points per exam)
Projects (2 projects at 100 points per project)
In class participation (clicker)
Grade cutoffs
558-600
522-557
492-521
462-491
432-461
402-431
372-401
Below 372
50 %
33.3%
16.7%
Points
300
200
100
Total 600
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.0
Clicker points.
Calculation of credit for clicker points takes into account the likelihood that you may
miss several classes due to illness or emergencies, or that you may forget your clicker or
miss an opportunity during class due to momentary inattention. There are 5 participation
opportunities per class during 25 separate classes this term for a total of 125 possible
clicks. (In some classes such as exam reviews we will likely have more than 5 clicker
questions, but only 5 per class count). Points are given for participating and are not
contingent on correctly answering a question. Points will be assigned on the scale below
100 clicks
87-99 clicks
75-86 clicks
62-74 clicks
61 or less clicks
full credit (80% or more participation)
less than 80% participation
less than 70% participation
less than 60% participation
less than 50% participation
100 points
80 points
70 points
60 points
0 points
To be clear, if you miss class or forget your clicker, you do not need to inform me or the
TA as this scale is very generous in allowing for such events. It also means that there is
no value in attempting to talk your way into more clicker points. And there is no value in
arguing that you deserve some credit for less than 61clicks – this means that you missed
more than half of the classes and cannot be considered as being an active participant.
Recording of clicker credit starts on January 19. Be sure to register your clicker
before then following instructions on ANGEL (or as presented in class).
Extra credit
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There are no extra credit opportunities –there are multiple opportunities for you to
improve your grade.
Exams
There are 3 exams, each covering approximately one-third of the course material. The
final is not cumulative. Exams will consist of multiple choice questions. Please come on
exam days prepared with pencils and your ID.
Exam Makeup policy
Rather than sorting through what is an “acceptable” and unacceptable reason for missing
an examination, it has always been my policy to allow individuals to take the make up
exam if they miss the regular exam regardless of the reason. However, makeup
examinations:
a. are primarily short answer essay with some multiple choice. The makeup
exam is not the same as the regular exam – it covers the same content but has
no overlap in questions.
b. are given approximately 1 week after the scheduled exam date.
c. are given at one time for all of those making up the exam – i.e., this is not “at
your convenience”
If you miss the scheduled exam, you MUST contact the class assistants within 24 hours
regarding plans to take the makeup. Failure to take the makeup as scheduled cannot be
renegotiated and will lead to 0 points for that examination.
Late or missed assignments. Handing in assignments later than the start of class on the
date due is not acceptable. Late assignments ARE NOT ACCEPTED. Note that the
ANGEL dropbox for assignments automatically stops taking submissions at the start of
class on dates when assignments are due – do NOT wait until the last minute to submit
the assignment. A word to the wise – complete the exercises early.
Grade posting
Grades will be posted to ANGEL in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to check
the posted grades throughout the term for accuracy.
Academic Honesty: Article 2.3.3 of the Academic Freedom Report states: “The student
shares with the faculty the responsibility for maintaining the integrity of scholarship,
grades, and professional standards.” In addition, the psychology department adheres to
the policies on academic honesty specified in General Student Regulation 1.0, Protection
of Scholarship and Grades; the all-University Policy on Integrity of Scholarship and
Grades; and Ordinance 17.00, Examinations. (See Spartan Life: Student Handbook and
Resource Guide and/or the MSU Web site www.msu.edu.)
Therefore, you are expected to complete all course assignments, including exams,
without assistance from any source. You are expected to develop original work for this
course; therefore, you may not submit course work you completed for another course to
satisfy the requirements for this course. Also, you are not authorized to use the
www.allmsu.com Web site to complete any course work in this course. Students who
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violate MSU rules may receive a penalty grade, including but not limited to a failing
grade on the assignment or in the course.
Specific to this course, cheating on an examination results in a zero for that exam.
Plagiarism of an assignment results in a zero for that assignment. Attempting to gain
participation points for someone is not in attendance in class (using someone else’s
iClicker) or in other ways misrepresenting completion of the participation requirement
results in a 0.0 final course grade (i.e., failure in the class, not just on the requirement
points).
Instructor Availability:
While I do have set office hours, I am available to meet with students at other times by
appointment. However, my schedule is a full one and so dropping by may not be the best
strategy – please email to schedule appointments. I do check email frequently. However,
I would urge you to contact Carrie and Erica with questions first, as I often forward
emails to them to answer. Please put “Psych 255” in the subject line of your email so we
know what class it is concerning. Also, a little common courtesy in your email is more
likely to generate an equally courteous and timely response.
Classroom Rules of Conduct
Cell phones must be turned off before class starts. Individual conversations outside of set
discussion times are disruptive to other learners – if you are disruptive, you will be asked
to leave the class. The course is structured to encourage discussion and interaction –
please treat other members of the class with courtesy and respect. Texting, emailing,
game playing, and web surfing during class are counterproductive to learning, lessen
your capacity to engage with those around you, and can be rude. Leave the outside world
outside of class and be fully present.
Accommodations
If you have a disability that will require accommodations, please see me the first week of
class.
Tips for Success
This is not a class of lecturing that repeats the text – class time will be spent on
integration with the assumption that you are coming to class prepared. Some hints for
being successful:
 Read the text BEFORE class.
 Finish the assignments early
 Use the class powerpoint outlines as an aid for note-taking, but recognize they are
not a substitute.
 Ask questions.
 Share your own experiences.
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
Be engaged– you get more from the class if you give more.
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Date
Topics
Assignments
1/10
1/12
1/17
1/19
1/24
1/26
1/31
2/2
2/7
2/9
2/14
2/16
2/21
2/23
2/28
3/2
3/7, 3/9
3/14
3/16
3/21
3/23
3/28
3/30
4/4
4/6
4/11
4/13
4/18
4/20
4/25
4/27
Course Overview/What is I/O
What is I/O/Research Design
NO CLASS: MLK DAY
Research Design
Individual Differences
Assessment
Performance
Job Analysis
Performance Measurement
Performance Measurement
Exam review and project work
EXAM 1
Staffing
Staffing
Training & Development
Training & Development
BREAK
Motivation
Motivation
Job Attitudes
Job Attitudes
Stress
Stress
Exam review and project work
EXAM 2
Teams
Fairness
Diversity and culture
Leadership
Leadership /climate
Organizational climate/exam
review
EXAM 3, 12:45-2:45
Read 1.1
Read 2.2
5/2
Read 2.3, 2.4
Read 3.1, 3.2
Read 3.4, 3.5
Read 4.1, 4.2
Read 4.3, and p 217-219
Read 5.1, 5.2 ; grp/org/topic due
Read 5.3, 5.4
Exam covers chapters 1-5
Read 6.2
Read 6.3, 6.4
Read 7.1, 7.2
Read 7.3 ; data protocol due
Read 8.2, 8.3
Read 9.1 and 9.2; application due
Read 10.1, 10.2
Read 10.3
Exam 2 covers chapters 6-10
Read 13.2
Read 11.1, 11.2; data protocol due
Read 11.3; 1.3
Read 12.2 ; 12.3
Read 12.4; 14.2
application due
Exam 3 covers chapters 11-14
YOU DO NOT NEED TO READ THESE MODULES: 1.2, 1.4, 2.1, 3.3, 4.4 except
for p 217-9; 4.5; 6.1, 7.4, 8.1, 8.4, 9.3, 10.4, 12.1, 13.1 13.3, 14.1, and 14.3.
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