Industrial Organizational Psychology Job Description
What is industrial organizational psychology? Begin reading to find out.
By Sarah Stevenson
If you're looking for a good general industrial organizational psychology job description, look no further than the American Psychological Association (APA), which describes the field as a "specialty of professional psychology with a focus on scientifically-based solutions to human problems in work and other organizational settings." In less clinical-sounding words, I/O psychologists apply psychological research and principles to the workplace to improve performance, effectiveness and quality of work life for both employers and employees.
Industrial Organization Psychology Job Descriptions
Consulting Psychology
Consulting psychologists often come from the field of industrial organizational psychology. The definition of consulting psychology is broad, in part because consulting psychologists work with a variety of organizations, from businesses to colleges to military organizations to nonprofit groups. They may assist employers with the following:
- Employee selection
- Executive coaching
- Organizational development
- Performance assessment
- Easing the transition during a corporate merger
Consumer Psychology
I/O psychologists with an interest in the quantitative aspects of the field might find consumer psychology to their liking. Professionals in this area study consumer behavior—for instance, by designing research studies and surveys to explore how consumers view, evaluate and shop for products. The resulting data is used to help plan future corporate strategies with respect to product sales, brand image, and other factors.
Engineering Psychology
Another career field you'll often find in the industrial organizational psychology job description is engineering psychology, which is sometimes grouped with the study of human factors or ergonomics. Engineering psychologists research how to design products, technology, systems, and environments that are accessible to a wide range of users.
Personnel Psychology
Personnel psychology, also called human resource management, usually caters to those with an interest in working in the field of human resources as a director, staff member or consultant. Degree programs in this area focus on several topics, including the following:
- Developing effective leadership
- Personnel management skills
- Diversity issues
- Staffing concerns
- Organizational principles
- Negotiation skills
Get Started in Your I/O Psychology Degree Program
Industrial organizational psychology, by definition, puts its focus on the workplace, tackling a range of issues that affect everyone from consumers to employees to executives. By increasing the effectiveness of products, technology, employees and managers alike, I/O psychologists help make the work environment a better and more satisfying place—a win-win situation.
Sources: American Psychological Association; Georgia Tech School of Psychology; http://www.siop.org.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Resource Center
