Industrial Organizational Psychology
Exam 1
Industrial Organizational Psychology - Answer-A speciality area within psych that is concerned with 1.
the scientific study of behavior in work settings and 2. The application of psychological science principles
to affect work behavior and organizations
What is the scientific study of I/O psych's definition? What is it studying? - Answer-Level of the
individual, interpersonal: group dynamics, leadership, and organization level.
What is the application of psychological science in the work place ? - Answer-science principles to affect
work behavior and organizations. Use research to hire better employees, reduce absenteeism, etc.
What is the scientist- Practitioner Model - Answer-I/O work must be scientifically-based, using scientific
research to increase our knowledge and understanding of work behavior.
We must work scientifically and use research to increase knowledge and understanding. That knowledge
is applied to improve work conditions of work;
,The scientific principles and findings evidenced in the discipline provide the basis for the professional
practice.
Where do I/O psychologists work? - Answer-I/O psychologists work in academia (40%), private
companies (30%), consulting firms (25%), and public/government/humanitarian organizations (5%)
Industrial/Personnel area of study - Answer-- Industrial : More Personnel-related decisions, efficiency,
productivity, human resources. Deals with employees and their records.
Organizational Psychology area of study - Answer--Organizational: Leadership, employee experiences,
interpersonal relations.
Work/Life issues area of study - Answer-Identifying factors associated with job attitudes, designing and
implementing programs to reduce work stress and strain, developing programs that promote safe work
behavior and the prevention of accidents, illnesses, and injuries, and designing programs that enhance
work/family life.
Human Factors Area of study - Answer-Human Performance is the study of limitations and capabilities
in human skilled behavior. Skill is broadly construed to include perceptual, motor, memory, and
cognitive activities, and the integration of these into more complex behavior. Emphasis is on the
interaction of human behavior and tools, tasks, and environments, ranging from detection and
identification of simple events to problem solving, decision making, human errors, accidents, and
control of complex environments.
ORg. Theory Areas of Study - Answer-It is well accepted that the structure, function, processes, and
other organizational-level constructs have an impact upon the behavior of individuals in organizations.
Therefore, it is necessary that I/O psychologists have a thorough understanding of the nature of
complex organizations. This understanding should include, but is not limited to, classical and
contemporary theories of organizations, organizational structure, organizational design, technology, and
the process of organizational policy formation and implementation.
, How is I/O psych different than management? - Answer-I/O and traditional management areas often
overlap. The difference is that I/O work focuses on "why" rather than "how", and it requires reliance on
objective science and evidence
Early Years of I/O - Answer-They focused on efficiency and trying to do everything efficiently. Wanted to
work less and produce more.
Walter Dill Scott - Answer-He started to work with advertising and published The Theory of Advertising
and The psychology of advertising.
He started scientific field with advertising
Who created the principles of scientific management - Answer-Frederick Taylor
(he was a plant manager. He redesigned the work situation to achieve both higher output for the
company and higher wage for workers.
What is Scientific Management - Answer-1. Science over rule of thumb
2. Scientific selection and training
3. cooperation over individualism
4. Equal division of work best suited to management and employees
What is the goal of Scientific Management? - Answer-its main objective is improving economic
efficiency, especially labor productivity.
How was the scientific management applied - Answer-They systematically tested every aspect of doing
a job. Pay people fair wages and used money as a motivator.
Focused on the best way to do the job.
Focused on Selection Processes and find the best person to do the job.