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What Is Industrial/Organizational Psychology?
The workplace can be a frustrating place for many employees and CEOs alike. In order to keep a place of employment running like a fine tuned machine, it often takes the efforts of many individuals.
In many ways, this is where industrial and organizational psychology comes in. This branch of psychology is the study of the workplace environment, organizations, and their employees. Technically, industrial and organizational psychology - sometimes referred to as I/O psychology or work psychology - actually focuses on two separate areas that are closely related. Some professionals might liken it to yin and yang - one can’t exist without the other.
The industrial side of industrial and organizational psychology generally focuses on the individuals and his relationship to the workplace. This might cover such things as job analysis, employee safety, employee training, job performance measurement, and employee hiring systems.
The organizational side of industrial and organizational psychology, on the other hand, focuses on the organization and workplace as a whole. Increasing productivity and maximizing the performance of n organization as a whole is often covered under this area of industrial and organizational psychology. For example, professionals concerned with this aspect of I/O psychology will often look at how an organization might affect a worker’s individual behavior. This might include studies on interpersonal relationships in the workplace, as well as workplace environments and organizational policies.
Both sides of industrial and organizational psychology became prominent during two different points in history. Industrial psychology, for example, came about during the first World War. Theories and techniques of this type of psychology were applied in order to assign soldiers to jobs and duty stations that suited them best.
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What Are the Education Requirements to Become an Industrial and Organizational Psychologist?
Below is the complete educational path for the Psychologists:Psychologist Educational TrackSchool ProgramsAverage Education LengthChoosing Online or Campus1.Earn a Bachelor’s DegreeView Programs4 YearsOnlineorCampus2.Earn A Master’s DegreeView Programs2 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus3.Earn a PHD or PsyDView Programs2-4 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus
Psychologist Educational TrackSchool ProgramsAverage Education LengthChoosing Online or Campus1.Earn a Bachelor’s DegreeView Programs4 YearsOnlineorCampus2.Earn A Master’s DegreeView Programs2 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus3.Earn a PHD or PsyDView Programs2-4 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus
Because there are very limited job opportunities for industrial and organizational psychologists holding only bachelor’s degrees, though, the majority of these professionals will also go on to earn advanced degrees. Those with master’s degrees in this area will often be able to start their industrial and organizational psychology careers in entry level positions. Those with Ph.D.’s, however, will usually be considered for even more employment opportunities in this field, and they will have an edge over the competition.
In order to become a Industrial Psychologist one must earn aBachelor’s Degree, move on to aMaster’s Degree, and finally complete aDoctoral Degree.
If you are interested in finding programs in your area that offer these degrees visit ourFind a School Pageor read more aboutindustrial organizational degrees;IO psychology bachelor.
What Do Industrial/Organizational Psychologists Do?
Some of the main responsibilities of an industrial and organizational psychologist are to study the results of existing research or conduct original research. In order to conduct original research, an I/O psychologist might use a number of different methods. He might observe employees in action or conduct surveys, for instance. An I/O psychologist might also study workplace policies and other similar documents.
By looking closely at the results of research done on workplaces and organizations, an industrial and organizational psychologist might be able to solve any number of problems. For instance, he might be able to:
While working, industrial and organizational psychologists will typically work closely with a number of different people. This might include business owners, CEOs, supervisors, and employees.
Where Do Industrial/Organizational Psychologists Work?
An industrial and organizational psychologist might work in several different areas and all different types of organizations. They might work in blue collar organizations, like factories, plants, and construction sites. They might also work in white collar organizations, such as office buildings.
Many industrial and organizational psychologists work directly for companies in human resources departments. Others, however, might work as independent consultants, coming onto the scene only when they are needed.
What Is the Salary for an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists earn a median salary of$139,280as of May 2022.
I-O psychologists working for local government agencies earn a mean salary that far exceeds their colleagues in other industries at $156,940. Mean salaries for I-O psychologists in other industries included:
Additional Resources and Further Reading
Society for Industrial and Organizational PsychologyU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - 19-3032 Industrial-Organizational PsychologistsAlliance for Organizational PsychologyCanadian Society for Industrial and Organizational PsychologyO*NET OnLine - 19-3032.00 - Industrial-Organizational PsychologistsYouTube.com - Industrial / Organizational Psychology2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures forindustrial-organizational psychologistsare based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures forindustrial-organizational psychologistsare based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.
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