MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
PSYCHOLOGY 255: INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Fall 2014
Tuesday & Thursday 8:30-9:50 AM
Room 119 Psychology Building
Instructor: Abdifatah A. Ali
Office: Psychology Building 320 Office Hours: Thursday 10-12 PM and by appointment
Email: aliabdi1@msu.edu Course website: https://d2l.msu.edu/
REQUIRED TEXT
Frank J. Landy & Jeffrey M. Conte. (2013). Work in the 21st century: An introduction to industrial and organizational psychology . Wiley. 4th edition.
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Reading your textbook assignments will be necessary for your success in this course. The text provides a great resource of basic, well-documented information from industrial/organizational psychology. The writing style is engaging and informal, and many descriptions and examples are included. In class lectures, I will build on and supplement this material with articles and exercises.
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The textbook’s “Student Companion” website contains helpful study guide materials, glossaries, and self-quizzes.
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Note that if you use an earlier edition of the text you will miss some content that may be important in coursework/exams.
COURSE OBJECTIVE
The goal of this course is to familiarize you with what I/O psychology is and what I/O psychologists do.
By the end of this course, you should:
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Understand what is required in selecting, training, and performance evaluation.
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Know the psychological theories involved in leadership, employee motivation and attitudes, and organizational behavior and how they apply to real organizational situations.
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Gain insight into how I/O psychology is applicable to different types of organizational setting, including one’s own work life.
ATTENDANCE
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.

GRADING CRITERIA
Final grades will be based on the following:
Exams (3 exams at 20% or 100 points per exam)
Reflection Exercises (3 at 25 points each)
Research Brief (1 at 50 points)
Job Analysis Assignment
In class participation (up to 10 at 5 points each)
Total
Percentage
60%
15%
10%
5%
10%
100%
Points
300
75
50
25
50
500
GRADING CUTOFFS
450 and above 4.0
425 – 449 3.5
400 – 424
375 – 399
350 – 374
325 – 349
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
300 – 324
Below 300
EXTRA CREDIT
1.0
0.0
Students will have opportunities to earn up to 20 extra credit points . This is done in two ways.
(1) Students can earn the extra credit through the HPR system by participating in research. For research participation, please see the instruction at the end of the syllabus. Please note that participation in research is completely voluntary. For every 1 credit students earn through research participation, they will be awarded 2 points of the total 20 extra credit points. In the
HPR system, 1 credit is granted for every 30 minutes of participation, so to earn all 20 extra credit points, students must participate a total of 5 hours. (2) Students can submit an additional research brief; if this option is chosen, the student needs to select one of the articles listed on the research brief instruction document (see D2L).
EXAMS
There are 3 exams, each covering approximately one-third of the course material. The final is not cumulative. Exams will consist largely of multiple-choice questions but will also include 1 or 2 short essay questions.
MAKE-UP POLICY
If you must miss an exam, you need to schedule a makeup exam with me before the day the exam is given. If you fail to notify me ahead of time (e.g., because of an emergency), then allowing a makeup exam depends on the circumstances and is at my discretion. All makeup exams content may be in an alternate format (e.g., short-answer instead of multiple-choice) but will cover the same information as the regular exam.

LATE OR MISSED ASSIGNMENTS
Handing in assignments later than the start of class on the date due is not acceptable. There are multiple opportunities to complete assignments, so there is no accepted excuse for late or missed assignments.
PARTICIPATION POINTS
In most class sessions, you will be provided with opportunities to complete in-class exercises or engage in a discussion. In-class participation is part of one’s grade, and in-class exercises will be turned in. Each of these in-class exercises will be worth 5 points or 10% of your in-class participation grade. Although there will be more than 10 in-class exercise opportunities throughout the course of the semester, only 10 will count toward your final course grade. This way, if you miss a class session and cannot participate in an in-class exercise on a given day, you will have another opportunity to complete one.
ACCOMMODATIONS
If you have a disability that will require accommodations, please see me the first week of class.
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY
The official university policy is as follows:
It has always been the policy of the University to permit students and faculty to observe those holidays set aside by their chosen religious faith. The faculty and staff should be sensitive to the observance of these holidays so that students who absent themselves from classes on these days are not seriously disadvantaged. It is the responsibility of those students who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance with their instructors. It is also the responsibility of those faculty who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance with their chairpersons, who shall assume the responsibility for covering their classes. As Michigan State University has become increasingly multicultural, the incidence of conflicts between mandatory academic requirements and religious observances has increased. In the absence of a simple and dignified way to determine the validity of individual claims, the claim of a religious conflict should be accepted at face value. Be aware that some degrees of observance may have a more extensive period of observance. Instructors may expect a reasonable limit to the number of requests by any one student. Some instructors attempt to cover all reasons for student absences from required academic events such as quizzes or exams with a blanket policy, e.g., allowing the student to drop one grade or two quizzes without penalty. If this is meant to extend to religious observances, the instructor should state this clearly at the beginning of the term. If instructors require make-up exams, they retain the right to determine the content of the exams and the conditions of administration, giving due consideration to equitable treatment.
MISCONDUCT
Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty will result in failure of the course.
The official university policy is as follows:
The principles of truth and honesty are fundamental to the educational process and the academic integrity of the

1.
Claim or submit the academic work of another as one’s own.
2.
Procure, provide, accept or use any materials containing questions or answers to any examination or assignment without proper authorization.
3.
Complete or attempt to complete any assignment or examination for another individual without proper authorization.
4.
Allow any examination or assignment to be completed for oneself, in part or in total, by another without proper authorization.
5.
Alter, tamper with, appropriate, destroy or otherwise interfere with the research, resources, or other academic work of another person.
6.
Fabricate or falsify data or results.
INCOMPLETE POLICY
The official university policy is as follows:
The I-Incomplete may be given only when: the student (a) has completed at least 6/7 of the term of instruction, but is unable to complete the class work and/or take the final examination because of illness or other compelling reason; and (b) has done satisfactory work in the course; and (c) in the instructor's judgment can complete the required work without repeating the course. Provided these conditions are met, the instructor electing to give an I-Incomplete files an Agreement for Completion of (I) Incomplete at the time course grades are due. This agreement specifies what the student must do, and when, to remove the I-Incomplete. The department or school office gives a copy to the student, and retains a copy for at least one year.
CLASSROOM RULES AND CONDUCT
I request that you conduct yourself in a professional manner when attending class by being on time, by keeping your cell phones off, by attending to the content of the lecture, by respecting your peers, and by not leaving early.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
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Complete your readings before class. Information from these readings will be reviewed during class and expanded upon using articles and exercises. Therefore, it’s important that you have a working knowledge of the material from the readings in advance.
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Finish your readings and assignments early so you have time to ask questions if/when they arise.
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Ask questions during and outside of class to ensure that you understand the material.
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Speak up! Share your own experiences to help others grasp the real-world implications of the material discussed in class.
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Pay attention and be engaged—you will get more from the class if you give more.
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The time to be concerned about your grade is early on—not in the last few weeks.
Contact us as soon as possible if you are falling behind and need additional help.

Sept. 16 th
Sept. 18
Sept. 23 th rd
Sept. 25 th
Sept. 30 th
Oct. 2 nd
Oct. 7 th
Oct. 9 th
Oct. 14 th
Oct. 16 th
Oct. 21
Oct. 23 st rd
Oct. 28 th
Oct. 30 th
Nov. 4 th
Nov. 6 th
Nov. 11 th
Nov. 13 th
Nov. 18 th
Nov. 20 th
Nov. 25 th
Nov. 27 th
Dec. 2 nd
Dec. 4
Dec. 9 th th
Class
Meeting
Aug. 28 th
Sept. 2 nd
Sept. 4 th
Sept. 9 th
Sept. 11 th
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE (Subject to Change)
Measurement
Assessment
Tasks/Topics
Course Overview/What is I/O
Science & Statistics
Individual Differences
CLASS VISITOR: Pursuing a PhD in HRLR at
MSU
Understanding Performance
Job Analysis
Performance Measurement
Performance Measurement, review
EXAM 1
Staffing Decisions (Guest Lecture)
Staffing Decisions
Training & Development
Training & Development
Motivation
Motivation
Job attitudes
Job attitudes/Stress
Stress, review
EXAM 2
Fairness
Workplace Diversity
Leadership
Leadership
Teams
Teams
Thanksgiving Holiday – NO CLASS
Organizational Theory
Organizational Theory, review
EXAM 3
Readings & Assignments
(Complete before each class)
1.1, 1.4
2.2, 2.3
2.4
3.1, 3.2; Position info due
3.3, 3.4, 3.5
4.1, 4.2
4.3, 4.4,
5.1, 5.2 Job analysis due
5.3, 5.4
6.1, 6.2
6.3, 6.4
7.1, 7.2,
8.2, 8.3,
9.1, 9.2,
10.3,
Reflection 1 due
7.3, Research brief due
8.1, Reflection 2 due
Reflection 3 due
10.1, 10.2,
Reflection 4 due
11.1, 11.2, Research brief due
11.3, 1.3
12.1, 12.2
12.3, 12.4, Reflection 5 due
13.1
13.2
14.1, 14.2, Research brief due

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As part of your psychology course, you are encouraged to participate in research projects conducted or supervised by the faculty of the department. The purpose of such participation is to give you some direct experience with real experiments and to give you a better idea of how the work of psychology is actually carried out. Participation is a course requirement for PSY 101 and Century courses (those ending in 00).
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The purpose of this handout is to go over some of the things you will need to know before participating in psychological research. The first step is registering. This, like nearly all your scheduling activities is handled through a site on the Internet/World Wide Web. Its address is: http://psychology.msu.edu/HPRSystem/
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You can access it using standard Web browsers (such as Netscape, Firefox or Microsoft Explorer). This will bring
HPR main page. Click on the 3DUWLFLSDQW button. The first time you visit this page you must create your account.
Click on the button that says &UHDWHDQDFFRXQW - you will be directed to the page that says (QWHUWKH$FFRXQW
&UHDWLRQ,' . This semester your Account Creation ID is SV\FK± in the box used to enter the access code, type it just like this (in lower case), then click on Enter. You will now see the registration page where you should provide all the requested information. Once your account is created, you will be able to log directly into the system with your user ID and MSU e-mail address. Please make sure you fill out all the fields in the registration form. Registrations with incomplete fields will not be able to view the available studies.
Among other things you will be asked to select the course and section number to which you wish to have your participation credits credited. It is &5,7,&$/ that you select the correct course and section number. If you select an incorrect course or section, the credits that you earn through participation will NOT be relayed to the proper instructor and will not be counted in calculating your course grade. ,I\RXDUHHQUROOHGLQPRUHWKDQRQHSDUWLFLSDWLQJFODVV
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During some semesters, experimenters may want to get some background information on those participating in their experiments. They do this by having students answer Global Questionnaires. The more of these that you fill out, the more experiments you will be eligible to participate in. So, after registering, you should click on the $QVZHU*OREDO
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6LJQLQJXSIRUUHVHDUFK You can sign up for experiments 24-hours a day on the Web site. To do so, get to the
6WXGHQW0HQX (following the procedure described above). Then, to see a list of all experiments that are currently recruiting participants, click on the 6LJQXSIRUDQ([SHULPHQW button and follow the indicated directions. 3OHDVH
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&DQFHOLQJDSSRLQWPHQWV : ([SHULPHQWHUVKDYHLQYHVWHGDJUHDWGHDORIWLPHDQGPRQH\LQSUHSDULQJDQ
H[SHULPHQW7KLVJRHVWRZDVWHLI\RXIDLOWRNHHS\RXUDSSRLQWPHQW . In such cases, you can cancel your appointment 24 hrs prior to the start time by clicking on the button marked 9LHZ0RGLI\0\6FKHGXOH at the
6WXGHQW0HQX on the Web site and following the instructions for canceling an appointment. ( <RXQHHGWRNQRZ
WKHQDPHRIWKHH[SHULPHQWDQGWKHGDWHWLPH\RXVLJQHGXSIRU If it is after the 24 hour deadline you need to e-mail the HPR student coordinator, Leslie Baldwin, ( lbaldwin@msu.edu
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,I\RXORVWWKHDSSRLQWPHQWWLPHDQGSODFH : Sometimes, people mislay the date-time-location information for an experiment they've signed up for. If this happens to you and you ever need to check on your appointments (where you're supposed to be and when), you can always click on the button marked 9LHZ0RGLI\P\6FKHGXOH at the Web site to get this information. You can save yourself a lot of trouble by writing down all the information and keeping it in a safe place.
5HSRUWLQJIRUDUHVHDUFKDSSRLQWPHQW : Be sure to give yourself enough time to get to the experiment on time,
( $UULYLQJPLQXWHVEHIRUHWKHH[SHULPHQWLVWREHJLQLVVXJJHVWHG ) If you are late, you could find the experiment in progress and the door locked. On rare occasions, an experimenter may not make his/her appointment with you because of unusual circumstances (e.g., a car breakdown, a personal emergency). If this happens contact Leslie
Baldwin, the HPR student coordinator in Room 262, Psychology Building or email her at: lbaldwin@msu.edu
to report it (email is preferred).
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3DUWLFLSDWLRQPXVWEHYROXQWDU\RSWLRQDODFWLYLWLHV . First, it is Department, University, and Federal policy that no student be compelled in any way to participate in research. If you participate in research, it must be done voluntarily.
Therefore, even in classes where research participation is required, students must be offered one or more alternative activities to meet their requirement. If you want to avail yourself of such an alternative activity, you may get information from your professor. Note that on rare occasions there are more people interested in participating in experiments than there are openings in the experiments. If this occurs this semester, additional alternative activities will be provided later in the semester.
3DUWLFLSDWLRQVKRXOGEHHGXFDWLRQDO . Second, participating in research should be a learning experience for you.
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7KHULJKWWRGLVFRQWLQXHSDUWLFLSDWLRQ : Third, the Department of Psychology is highly concerned that no study be conducted that would in any way be harmful to you. Even so, it is possible that in rare cases you will feel uncomfortable about participating in a study for which you have volunteered. Just remember, you always have the right to leave any experiment. You don't have to explain or justify why you want to leave, and you can never be penalized for leaving.
7KHULJKWWRUHFHLYHHDUQHGFUHGLWV : Finally, if you do what you're supposed to do (sign up properly, show up at the right place at the right time, etc.), you have a right to receive the credit you've earned. So, for example, even if an experimenter has an equipment breakdown, you're still entitled to receive credit for the WLPH you've spent in the study.
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5HSRUWLQJSUREOHPV : If you ever encounter some problem or feel that your rights have been violated, we want to know about it. Problems you have will be handled by Leslie Baldwin, the HPR student coordinator, email address lbaldwin@msu.edu
or come to Room 262 Psychology Building. They will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken <RXZLOOQHHGWRNQRZWKHQDPHRIWKHH[SHULPHQWDQGWKHGDWHWLPH\RXVLJQHGXSIRU
&RQFOXVLRQV : We want to emphasize that negative experiences are very rare; most students who serve as participants in research at Michigan State find their participation interesting and enjoyable. When you serve as a participant in psychological research you're benefiting personally by learning more about what the science of psychology is really about, but you're also benefiting many others. Others like the psychologists who are working to get a better understanding of interesting and important behavioral questions. Others like people who will benefit when that knowledge is ultimately applied to everyday human problems like loneliness, depression, divorce, and self development. And others like future generations of students. Who knows? Perhaps the research you participate in this semester will be featured in future psychology textbooks, just as some of the experiments you'll study this semester had their data supplied by previous generations of MSU students. We hope and expect that you'll put as much in and get as much out of research participation as they did.
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