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I/O Psychology

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Industrial Organization Psychology
By: Christy Whitworth
PSY/ 435
May 28, 2012
Frank Del Grosso Jr.

Industrial Organizational Psychology Industrial/Organizational psychology (I/O) psychology is a branch of psychology of which places focus upon workplace behaviors, ways upon which an employer can retrain happy employees, motivated employees and increase employee productivity. A more accurate definition would include that I/O psychology applies to time proven methods that organizations place value and have true concerns upon the work place environment, dealing with anyone who has ever been employed, held a held a job for a significant period of time, or career (Spector, 2008).
Describe the Evolution of the Field of I/O Psychology
According to McMillan, Stevens, and Kelloway (2009), “Almost every account of the development of Industrial/ Organizational (I/O) psychology in the United States emphasizes the formative influence of the military and military requirements particularly during the World Wars it is cited as the catalyst that brought I/O psychology out of the closet of academia.” (pg. 283) The history of I/O psychology has two individuals credited with the start of the field, Hugo Munsterberg and Walter Dill Scott. Both Munsterberg and Scott were experimental psychologist, and university professors whom became involved with the application of psychology to problems within organizations (Spector, 2008). By Spector’s account I/O psychology is a twentieth century invention that has been in existence almost for the birth of psychology (Spector, 2008). The first text book of I/O psychology was completed in 1913, placements based upon mental assessments for employment studies was developed in 1917, and in 1991 the American with disabilities Act (A.D.A) was passed in to law (Spector, 2008). As the workforce grows and develops, the employment corporations have grown, now employing thousands. I/O Psychologist has become more utilized for assistance in the development of standards, policies and employee protection, as well as the protection of the organization. Areas for evaluation and at times changed may include corporation infrastructure, new policies and procedures. At times employee are provided the opportunity to give their thoughts, and suggestions to the management for such issues as employee benefit packages, and ways in which the company can increase production. Yet, this is only a small part of what I/O psychologist do, the largest role is research and statistics, to determine what changes may come about, and which current procedures have become obsolete.
Explain the Role of Research and Statistics in I/O Psychology One component in I/O Psychology, according to Spector (2008), is control. Control is an important component of research studies, providing one the opportunity to rule out alternate explanations for the results (Spector, 2008). Random assignments is the utilization of a nonsystematic means where individuals are likely to be assigned to different parameters and conditions, where random selection is all participants have a chance to participate in a study. When two or more variables become enmeshed in a way where the drawing of conclusions is difficult in each variable, the outcome is considered to be confounding (Spector, 2008). In I/O psychology or any experimental environment measurement is the process where the characteristics of people or things are quantified. Reliability is the reference to consistency of measurement, where validity means inferences can be drawn on the meaning of a measure (Spector, 2008). In I/O psychology, both experimental and non-experimental designs are utilized. The experimental design subjects are typically randomly assigned to different elements where the conditions have already been placed. In the non –experimental method the researchers make observations on test subjects without specified assignments being involved. Both studies are used to obtain information on subjects such as employee happiness, and matters of where more employees training may be needed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I/O psychologist when preforming studies within organization must ensure that each individual is involved/ ethically the I/O psychologist must insure that no identifying information is given to others as the participants must be protected from identification and potential repercussions. All individuals whom participate in a study should be informed of the outcome of the study and the organization should utilize the changes in which can and often do benefit the employees, management and the organization. I/O psychology is a necessary discipline when it comes to the application of statistics and measurements to assist in the improvement of the organization.

Reference:
McMillan, S. K., Stevens, S., & Kelloway, E. (2009). History and Development of
Industrial/Organizational Psychology in the Canadian Forces Personnel Selection Branch: 1938-2009. Canadian Psychology, 50(4), 283-291. doi:10.1037/a0015973
Spector, P. E. (2008). Industrial and organizational psychology Research and practice (6th ed.).
Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

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