1.4 Tasks and Competencies of Industrial and Organizational Psychologists

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering tasks, challenges, and key competencies of Industrial and Organizational Psychologists as described in the notes.

Industrial and organizational psychology

A field applying psychological principles to understand and improve workplace behavior, team dynamics, and organizational processes across individual to organizational levels, using evidence-based interventions to boost productivity and well‑being.

Explain individual, group, and organizational behavior

Apply theory to explain how individuals, teams, and organizations function; address stakeholder concerns by solving issues like turnover and identifying training needs.

Measuring behavior and predicting potential (employee selection)

Study employee behavior using reliable tools (e.g., intelligence and personality tests) and compare results with research to inform decisions such as candidate selection.

Design interventions and strategies

Develop interventions to improve individuals, teams, and organizations, considering potential resistance and diverse needs to create positive outcomes.

Translate research findings and empower potential users

Promote psychological research in the workplace and present findings clearly to non-psychologists, addressing barriers like limited knowledge and organizational culture.

Fraudulent practitioners

Harm trust in the field; fraud or poor practice can occur despite well-trained professionals, underscoring the need for integrity and verification.

Credentials and certifications

Certifications indicate qualifications, but relying solely on degrees may not fully reflect abilities or quality of work.

Communicating with management

Simplify complex psychological concepts and present them persuasively to management.

Resistance to change

People may reject new ideas; psychologists must address resistance and adapt their approaches accordingly.

Balancing act between research and practice

Manage competing demands of conducting valid research while meeting practical constraints in time and resources, aided by good communication.

Good communication

Key skill in balancing research and practice and in conveying findings clearly to stakeholders.

Knowledge of theory and research in I/O psychology

Understanding key theories in work and organizational psychology and how research methods are used.

Assimilation of new knowledge

Ability to locate the latest research and apply it practically in real-world settings.

Ethical, legal, and diversity considerations

Understand ethical, legal, and diversity issues and know how to address them properly in practice.

Research methods and statistics

Understand research methods and be able to use statistical tools to analyze data.

Understanding published research

Know where research is published and how to interpret key points from studies.

Critical thinking about research

Assess the quality of research and judge whether its conclusions are trustworthy.

Effective communication in I/O psychology

Explain complex ideas clearly and persuasively, in both writing and speaking.

Awareness of career options

Understand your skills and know career opportunities that match them.

Apply knowledge to real-life situations

Know how to use your theoretical knowledge in everyday work situations.