Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.
Sample of reported job titles:
Consulting Psychologist, Industrial Psychologist, Industrial/Organizational Psychologist (I/O Psychologist), Management Consultant, Organizational Consultant, Organizational Development Consultant (OD Consultant), Organizational Psychologist, Research Scientist
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs.
- Analyze job requirements and content to establish criteria for classification, selection, training, and other related personnel functions.
- Observe and interview workers to obtain information about the physical, mental, and educational requirements of jobs as well as information about aspects such as job satisfaction.
- Write reports on research findings and implications to contribute to general knowledge or to suggest potential changes in organizational functioning.
- Advise management concerning personnel, managerial, and marketing policies and practices and their potential effects on organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:Assessment Systems Corporation XCALIBRE,IBM SPSS Statistics,Muthen & Muthen Mplus,Psychometric testing software,SAS statistical software,Scientific Software International BILOG-MG,Scientific Software International HLM,Scientific Software International LISREL,Scientific Software International MULTILOG,Scientific Software International PARSCALE,Scientific Software International TESTFACT,Winsteps
- Computer based training software:Padlet
- Data base user interface and query software:Microsoft Access
- Document management software:Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Electronic mail software:Microsoft Outlook
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems:Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Analyzing Data or Information:Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization:Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Detailed Work Activities
- Administer standardized physical or psychological tests.
- Advise others on business or operational matters.
- Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
- Conduct scientific research of organizational behavior or processes.
- Confer with clients to exchange information.
Work Context
- Electronic Mail:96% responded"Every day"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:86% responded"Every day"
- Telephone:83% responded"Every day"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:68% responded"Every day"
- Structured versus Unstructured Work:66% responded"A lot of freedom"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Complex Problem Solving:Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Judgment and Decision Making:Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Knowledge
- Psychology:Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Personnel and Human Resources:Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Administration and Management:Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Education and Training:Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 48%Doctoral Degree
- 47%Master's Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Written Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Interests
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Enterprising:Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
- Artistic:Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Work Values
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
- Relationships:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Work Styles
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Initiative:Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Achievement/Effort:Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
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