INDUSTRIAL-ORGANIZATIONAL (I-0) PSYCHOLOGY Nurcan Ensari, Ph.D. Associate Professor Management
I-O Psychology - An Overview What is I-O Psychology? What do I-O Psychologists Do? What are typical I-O Psychology careers? What are job prospects like? How can I become an I-O Psychologist? What training is required? Management 2
What is I-O Psychology? Both a science and a practice Science and practice complement each other Science provides theoretical knowledge Practice applies and/or generates theory, and identifies important issues for research Scientist-Practitioner Model Management 3
What is I-O Psychology? Application of psychological principles to address problems of human behavior at work, e.g.: Increase motivation and teamwork Improve leadership and governance Improve employee recruitment, selection & retention Increase organizational performance & effectiveness Increase job satisfaction, participation, & involvement Improve communication, decision-making, & conflict resolution Reduce needlessly high levels of stress Management 4
Who are I-O psychologists? - Scientists who derive principles of individual, group, and organizational behavior through research; - Consultants and staff psychologists who develop scientific knowledge and apply it to the solution of problems at work; and - Teachers who train in the research and application of I-O psychology.
What Do I-O Psychologists Do? Conduct basic and applied research at 3 levels: Individual Group Organization / Whole System Consult to: Industry Government Non-Profits Management 6
What Do I-O Psychologists Do? Teach: Graduate and undergraduate classes, at Colleges, universities, and corporate universities Supervise student research Many I-O Psychologists combine all three: Consult, and also teach adjunct courses Work as a professor, conduct basic and/or applied research, and consult to external clients Management 7
Some Interesting Research Topics Within I/O Psychology Performance Appraisals: Assessing worker performance. It can provide information that is valid for pay increases, promotions etc. Organizational Development: Change in the workplace and how a company goes about the transition process to new ways of managing things. Assessment Centers : Evaluating job applicants in a structured way in order to find the best fit for hiring and/or promotion. Leadership : What makes a leader and what the different styles of leadership are. Training and Development : Different types of training and how companies go about providing training in the workplace.
How Do I Become an I-O Psychologist? Begin learning about the field. Explore APA and SIOP: www.siop.org Become a student member! Read The Industrial Organizational Psychologist. Learn about I-O graduate programs: Graduate Training Programs in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Related Fields (from SIOP). See www.siop.org/gtp/gtp98/phdpsychprograms.htm Visit grad school websites (e.g., www.alliant.edu) Think about research topics that might interest you Management 9
What Training is Required? B.A. in Psychology recommended Some students major in related fields such as Business or Sociology. Graduate education required: Minimum: Master's in I-O (2-3 years). Maximum: Doctorate in I-O (+2 or more years). Internships required during graduate school. Teaching during grad school if academic career. Masters thesis & dissertation. Qualifying / comprehensive exams. Management 10
Selection of courses in an I/O Psychology program Organizational Behavior Organization Theory Statistics Personnel and Work Psychology Cultural Diversity in Organizations Organizational Change and Development Human Resource Management Consultation and Facilitation Training and Development Work Motivation and Productivity Leadership Psychological Measurement Ethical and Legal Issues Qualitative Research Principles of Research Design Professional Communication Skills Executive Coaching California School of Organizational Studies 11
What Questions Do You Have? Thank You For Your Attention, and Good Luck With Your Career Choices! Management 12