Psy 435 - Industrial Psycholog Paper

Industrial/Organizational Psychology Paper

PSY/435

April 10, 2011

Industrial/Organizational Psychology Paper

Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology is an application of psychological principles to the workplace. I/O psychology has help people in doing their job correctly and productive, it has help employers treat employees fairly, and make jobs more interesting and satisfying. The I/O has two divisions, industrial psychology which takes management perspective of the organization through the use of human resources and employees. It has to do with issues of job designed, employee selection, employee training, and performance appraisal. Organizational psychology is concerned with understanding the employee's behavior and enhancing the well-being of each employee in the workplace (Spector, 2008). As I/O psychology has expanded over the years it has been apply greatly by industries and organizations. In this paper we will examine the evolution of I/O psychology, how the I/O psychology is different from other disciplines of psychology, how I/O can be used in organization and will examine the rolled of research and statistics in I/O psychology.

Evolution of I/O Psychology

In the twentieth century I/O psychology was invented, but has roots from the 1800 and 1900s, when psychologists were applying new principles of psychology to problem in organizations (Spector, 2008). Two main founders of I/O psychology were Hugo Munsterberg and Walter Scott, they were both experimental psychology and university professors. Munsterberg was interested in applying psychological test and to the hire of new employee. Scott was also interested in the same thing as Munsterberg but he was also interesting in psychology of advertising (Spector, 2008). Scott wrote a textbook called the Theory of Advertising and Munsterbger wrote Psychology and Industrial Efficiency. Another person who was a major influence to I/O psychology was Frederick Taylor. He created an approach to handling production workers in factories which he called his theory "Scientific Management" (Spector, 2008). During the World War I, the US Military used I/O psychology to place new recruits in job in which they were best suited. During World War II, hundreds of I/O psychologists contributed to the war effort and after the war I/O psychology continued to expand.

I/O Psychology Different from Other Psychology.

I/O Psychology is different from other discipline of psychology. I/O psychology focus with development and application to scientific principle to the workplace where as a clinical psychologist will deal with the study