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Fundamental Concepts of the Field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology

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Fundamental Concepts of the Field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Rosa Parker

Psychology 435 Industrial/organizational Psychology

October 12, 2010
Andrea Caballero, Ph.D

Fundamental Concepts of the Field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology has been rapidly growing after it was originally used during World War I and has become an imperative part of any large organization here in the United States as well as around the world. The Industrial/Organizational Psychologist’s are frequently confused with that of a Human Resources as Industrial/Organizational Psychologist may have been involved in the initial hiring process as well as developing standard operating procedures for a position. In this paper the fundamental concepts and evolution of the field of industrial/organizational psychology will be examined; difference between industrial/organizational psychology from other disciplines, how industrial/organization psychology is used in organizations as well as the role of research and statistics in industrial/organizational psychology will be examined.
Fundamental Concepts and Evolution “As its two-part name implies, the field of I/O psychology contains two major divisions: the industrial (or personnel) and the organizational. Although the content of the two major divisions overlaps and cannot be easily separated, each grew out of different traditions in the history of the field (Spector, 2008).”Some of the interest of industrial/organizational psychologist involves the selection of efficient candidates and how some typical issues such as job stress, job satisfaction and employee behavior will affect not only the organization but also how these issues will affect the employee him or herself. Although “ I/O psychologist do not deal directly with employees’ emotional or personal problems” (Spector, 2008). The Industrial/Organizational psychologists foremost intention is to assist the organization operate in a more proficient manner; industrial/organizational psychologist accomplishes this by conducting research and applying the results of his or her investigation to a range of work-related situations.
Difference Between Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Other Disciplines

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