Ch. 1 Definitions and History Flashcards
What is psychology?
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Industrial Organizational Psychology
Studies human behavior in work settings and the application of psychology principles to change work behavior.
What are the 2 objectives of the Science and Practice of Industrial Organizational Psychology?
1) Conduct research in an effort to increase our knowledge and understanding of human work behavior
2) Apply the knowledge to improve work behavior, the environment and psychological conditions of workers
What is the Scientist-Practitioner Model?
Industrial organizational psychologists who are trained to be scientists and practitioners
What is the Scientific Objective of Industrial Organizational Psychology?
Involves the study and understanding of all aspects of behavior at work
Who else studies work behavior?
Researchers in fields of management, sociology, political science, organizational communication, economics, and more
Organizational communication may be concerned with…
Understanding how the loss of nonverbal communication cues from face-to-face work teams may adversely affect the development of good working relationships
What is the applied objective of Industrial Organizational Psychology?
The applied objective Involves the applications of psychological principles and of knowledge gleaned from psychological research
Who was Hugo Munsterberg?
Experimental Psychologist interested in the design of work and personnel selection
Who was Walter Dill Scott?
- Pioneered the field of industrial psychology
- Studied salespersons and the psychology of advertising
- First professor in the field
- Started consulting company in 1919
Who was the first professor in the field of industrial organizational psychology?
Walter Dill Scott
Who was Frederick W. Taylor?
- An engineer
- Believed the study of work behavior could be used to help increase worker efficiency and productivity.
- Believed there was “one best method” for performing a particular job
- His work was narrow and limited to manual labor jobs
What is Time and Motion Studies?
Breaking the job down scientifically into measurable component movements and recording the time needed to perform each movement
What is Scientific Management (SM)?
- Applying scientific principles to increase work efficiency and productivity
- Not directly connected to I/O psychology, but did influence the development of I/O psychology
- Industrial engineers carry on the tradition of SM
Who developed time and motion studies?
Frederick W. Taylor
Who was Robert Yerks?
- APA President
- Worked with Army to develop intelligence tests for placement of recruits
- Developed the first mass testing efforts
In what year was the first doctoral degree in industrial psychology awarded?
1921
In what year was the first psychological consulting organizations began and by who?
Walter Dill Scott in 1919
Who was Elton Mayo and what did he study?
- Harvard researcher
- Explored the effects of lighting on productivity
- Break duration study
- Discovered the Hawthorne Effect
- Started the Human Relations Movement
What is the Hawthorne Effect?
Changes in behavior as a function of the knowledge that they are being observed and their expectations concerning their role as research participants
What was the Human Relations Movement?
Recognized the importance of social factor and “worker morale” in influencing productivity
What did Mayo believe that lead to the human relations movement?
Mayo believed that workers in low level positions, jobs that don’t provide satisfaction, would turn to social environment of the work setting for motivation
How did WWII contribute to industrial organizational psychology?
- The state of the art machinery and the need for people to know how to work it called for human factors psychology
- Industrial organizational psychologists were called to assist with selection and placement of military personnel
What was the Army General Classification Test?
- Developed to separate recruits into categories based on their ability to learn military duties and responsibilities
- Screening tests were also created to select candidates for officer training
What is U.S. Office of Strategic Services?
Currently known as C.I.A.
What journal was developed in 1948?
Personnel Psychology
What specialty area of industrial organizational psychology emerged during the Cold War years 1950s-1960s?
Engineering psychology
aka: Human Factors Psychology
What is human factors psychology also known as?
Engineering Psychology
What assisted in the creation of a sub-specialty known as organizational psychology?
Growth of defense industry
What historical event influenced industrial organizational psychology?
Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII
What did Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII do?
Banned discrimination in employment practices
Which legislation banned age discrimination in the workplace?
Age Discrimination in Employment Act 1967 and 1978
Which legislation banned discrimination against people with disabilities in the workplace?
Americans with Disabilities Act 1990
How does the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) define the field of industrial organizational psychology?
Defines the field as a way to enhance human well-being and performance in organizational and work settings by promoting the science, practice and teaching of I/O psychology
4 Key Trends in Industrial Organizational Psychology
- The Changing Nature of Work
- Expanding Focus on Human Resources
- Increasing Diversity and Globalization of the Workforce
- Increasing Relevance of I/O/P in Policy and Practice
Define: Organizational Downsizing
A strategy of reducing an organization’s workflow to improve organization efficiency, productivity and/or competitiveness
Define: Outsourcing
Contracting an external organization to accomplish tasks that were previously done, or could be done, within the organization
What are some reasons for Organizational Downsizing?
Technological advancements, general reduction of middle management, economic downturns (meltdown in 2007-2008), catastrophic events (9/11)
Why is outsourcing used?
To increase output and reduce overhead costs
What is a frequent buzzword in organizations?
Talent Management or War for talent
How does industrial organizational psychology see worker?
Sees the worker as a whole person and the overlap between work and home life
Who makes up the majority of the workforce?
Women and minorities
What are the advantages of Increasing Diversity and Globalization of the Workforce?
- Opportunity for different viewpoints and perspectives that will lead to organizational creativity and innovation
- Help organizations in understanding and reaching new markets for products and services
- Reduced organizational conflict, greater cooperation among workers, and increased flexibility and innovation.
What are some challenges to Increasing Diversity and Globalization of the Workforce?
Can create difficulties in functioning of work teams - increasing destructive conflict, inhibiting teamwork, and impeding performance
Fields of I/O Psychology: Six General Sub-Fields
- Selection & Placement
- Training & Development
- Performance Appraisal
- Organizational Development
- Quality of Work life
- Ergonomics
Dual Focus of IOP
- Efficiency/productivity of organizations
2. Health/well-being of employees
I/O interest has exploded over the past _____ years and accelerating
10 - 15 years
American consulting firms have become international, reflected in names…
DDI–Developmental Decisions Inc. to International and
PDI–Personnel Decisions Inc. to International
The Most Popular I/O Research Topics in US?
Career development, employee selection, leadership, and performance appraisal
