Explore Organizational Psychology

What is Industrial Organizational Psychology?

Industrial and organizational psychology, also known as I/O psychology, center on the specific human mindsets, behaviors, and conduct that impact performance, productivity, and collaboration in the workplace. This field delves into the human psyche and studies career development and decision-making at various levels. I/O psychology looks at individual decisions, small group behavior, and the assessment of jobs.

Workplace behavior is, of course, relevant in all industries, including:

• Business
• Industry
• Public
• Community
• Health
• Academic organizations

Workplace behavior concerns and benefits all employees as well. Organizations use industrial organizational psychology in various areas, including recruitment, training, workplace motivation, work-life balance, and more. Industrial organization psychologists work to understand individual employees' mental health and behavior to help decide how to create the best working environment for productivity.

Additionally, I/O psychology can be utilized to find the right person for the right job. The industrial component may be used to create detailed applications, questionnaires, as well as design interviews to help employers find the person that best fits the needs of a specific job. However, I/O psychology is not just for employers. The organizational component of this field focuses on how the make the employee's experience one that would be enjoyable and productive. This focus includes strategies that build colleague relationships and increase collaboration so that work is a place employees genuinely want to come to each day. I/O psychologists, often hired or contracted in, are skilled in areas that include employee selection, ergonomics, identifying and devising training and development needs, coaching, performance for the individual and organization, researching consumer engagement and satisfaction, and even work-life balance.

For over the last 100 years, industrial and organizational psychology has been developing effective strategies that have helped improve working situations and productivity. Some strategies that contribute to a positive work environment include:

• Questions about employee motivation
• Leadership
• Workplace performance
• Training
• Skill-building opportunities
• Assessments to screen and hire employees that best fit each organization

If interested in pursuing a career in industrial and organizational psychology, a student must first earn a bachelor's degree; psychology is the most common choice. After earning a bachelor's degree, the student engages in a master's program specializing in industrial and organizational psychology.