What is the Role of an Organizational Psychologist?The overarching goal of industrial and organizational psychologists is to ensure the employees within a workplace are happy and healthy while simultaneously achieving maximum productivity for their employer. Attaining this win-win situation, where both employees and management are pleased with the work of the company, is very much a balancing act and requires careful attention. Show
Successful industrial and organizational psychologists report immense job satisfaction, perhaps because the important work of those in this occupation makes a real difference in workplaces spanning all industries. This could be why industrial and organizational psychologists will experience the highest rate of growth (53 percent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) of any other occupation between now and the year 2022. Organizational Psychology Degree A Day in the LifeBecause the work is so diverse and can include a wide array of tasks, a typical workday for someone in this occupation will vary. Many times they will work within the human resources office of an organization. On a daily basis they’ll apply principles of psychology and research techniques to help solve problems and improve the quality of life within all divisions of a company – administration, management, sales and marketing and more. Below is a breakdown of some common tasks an industrial and organizational psychologist may carry out. Employee screeningThis can include observing and making notes on employee work styles, then interviewing employees to get a feel for workplace morale. It can also mean conducting employee performance assessments and making recommendations based on the results. Personality tests can be implemented to get an idea of which employees might work best together. Sometimes screening current employees will lead to a psychologist’s recommendation to hire new, better-qualified employees. In those circumstances, hiring practices will be observed and perhaps modified. Training and developmentTraining sessions for employees are evaluated, then tweaked if necessary to obtain more desirable results. New training programs may be developed in areas such as management, teamwork, leadership or instruction on new policies. An industrial and organizational psychologist will advise on how to best motivate the workforce based on earlier steps (like employee screening and interviews). Policy planning and revisionWhere necessary, industrial and organizational psychologists may recommend changes to current policies and procedures that are found to be ineffective or lower morale among employees. In some cases, they may help rewrite certain policies or completely overhaul the entire company handbook. Organizational restructuring and planning for the futureThis may include working with management to make changes within the company that improve worker productivity. Top-down restructuring, where officials and management are placed in new roles based on successful business models at other companies in the same industry may be necessary. Once a new plan is implemented, psychologists are tasked with helping communicate it to employees and aiding in the transition itself. Industrial and organizational psychologists who work as consultants may be given project work. This can run the gamut in terms of scope; they may be hired to simply observe, interview employees and make recommendations. Based on those suggestions, they could be brought on to help carry out a larger plan. Sometimes they are hired to ease major transitions, such as when corporate mergers take place. As you can see, the role of an industrial and organizational psychologist is diverse. Every day presents a different set of goals and challenges, which is likely a reason why this occupation is so interesting and growing so quickly within the broader field of general psychology. A degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from TUW can prepare you to take on the challenges and meet these goals. Home » Organizational Psychology » Duties Organizational Psychology Job Description: What You’ll DoThis fast-growing field of psychology offers many career options. Here are some of your choices.  A workplace must operate smoothly and efficiently in order to foster success. In businesses where employees are happy and healthy, quality of life is a priority and the organizational infrastructure is strong. Conflicts, when they arise, receive swift and effective resolution. Industrial-organizational psychologists can help with all of these tasks, and more. If you like the idea of applying the study of human behavior to the workplace, this could be the field where you thrive—while helping others to do the same. Industrial-organizational psychologists use psychological principles and research methods to solve problems in the workplace and improve the quality of life. They study workplace productivity and management and employee working styles. They get a feel for the morale and personality of a company or organization. And they collaborate with management to help plan policies, carry out screenings and training sessions, and develop a plan for the future. On the job, industrial-organizational psychologists:
What education or certification will I need to become one?Like most psychology specializations, entry into the industrial-organizational psychology field requires extensive study. You will likely need to earn a master’s degree in psychology, which will take one to two years to complete. Although some people who pursue their master’s in psychology have earned their bachelor’s in the field as well, you can have a bachelor’s degree in another field and pursue a master’s in psychology or social work. Learn more about What You’ll Study. Some industrial-organizational psychologists will go on to earn a doctoral degree. Additionally, some I/O psychologists seek voluntary certification from the American Board of Organizational and Business Consulting Psychology (ABOBCP) to demonstrate competency and commitment in the field. Licensing and certification guidelines for psychologists vary by state; be sure to check the guidelines for the region in which you plan to study. What career paths can I take in the field?As an industrial-organizational psychologist, it’s never a dull day at work. You’ll get satisfaction from helping to improve work processes and environments in a multitude of ways. Some typical job descriptions include working in consulting, consumer, engineering or personnel psychology. Your client options are endless. In addition to working in typical psychology environments like schools, clinics and hospitals, you can apply your psychology skills to corporations, small businesses and anywhere improved performance and morale are goals. To advance your opportunities in business and academia, earning a doctoral degree is an option. A PhD in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology degree will take a time investment of five to six years to complete. Programs in certain areas of professional psychology require a one year internship as part of the doctoral program. Those earning a PhD in psychology are required to complete a residency training program under a practicing clinician; this residency can take up to three years to complete. Learn about Pay & Job Projections for industrial-organizational psychologists. If you’re interested in pursuing psychology but not sure I/O is the right fit, you might like to study a branch of psychology that focuses on interpersonal relationships or a specific population, such as children or the elderly. Similar, non-psychology fields include psychiatry, sociology, counseling, anthropology, teaching and market research and analysis. What are the roles of industrial psychology?Industrial and organizational (I/O) psychologists focus on the behavior of employees in the workplace. They apply psychological principles and research methods to improve the overall work environment, including performance, communication, professional satisfaction and safety.
What is the role of industrial psychology in the 21st century?Industrial psychologists identify problems and use research to choose and implement solutions. Industrial psychology solutions are designed to improve employee performance in the workplace. An industrial psychologist looks at particular questions to solve workplace problems.
What are the three main focus of industrial psychology?The field of I-O psychology can be divided into three broad areas ([link] and [link]): industrial, organizational, and human factors. Industrial psychology is concerned with describing job requirements and assessing individuals for their ability to meet those requirements.
What are the 4 pillars of industrial psychology?Thematic analysis led to the development of five 'pillars' of professional identification: a) education and learning; b) networking; c) managing challenges; d) career-crafting; and e) professional recognition and authenticity.
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