Industrial-Organizational Psychology

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards related to the field of Industrial-Organizational Psychology, covering key concepts, theories, and historical developments.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies how human behavior affects work and how work affects human behavior.

What do Industrial Psychologist do

Studies job and applicant characteristics, employee training, and performance appraisal.

Organizational Psychology

Focuses on the interactions between people within organizations and their impacts on productivity.

Human Factors Psychology

Studies how workers interact with their work tools and how to design those tools for optimal productivity and safety.

Ergonomics

The study of people's efficiency in their working environment.

Hawthorne Effect

The increase in performance of individuals who are noticed and observed by supervisors.

Job Analysis

Accurately describing a job's tasks and the characteristics required of a worker.

O*Net

A database of job analyses for various occupations.

Structured Interview

An interview format with the same questions asked in a predetermined order for all candidates.

Unstructured Interview

An interview format where different questions are asked of different candidates without a set structure.

Performance Appraisal

The evaluation of an employee’s performance at work to motivate improvement.

Bias in Hiring

Discriminatory practice of selecting candidates based on non-performance-related group membership.

EEOC

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; enforces federal laws against employment discrimination.

Equal Pay Act

Law requiring equal pay for men and women performing equal work.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ)

A legitimate job requirement that allows for employment discrimination under certain conditions.

Job Satisfaction

The extent to which one enjoys their work and finds it fulfilling.

Autonomy

The level of independence and control an individual has over their work.

Work-Related Stressors

Factors leading to stress that negatively affect health and job performance.

Work-Family Balance

The equilibrium between work duties and family responsibilities.

Theory X

Management style presuming that employees are inherently lazy and need strict control.

Theory Y

Management style assuming that employees are self-motivated and seek responsibility.

Strength-Based Management

An approach focusing on identifying and utilizing individual strengths within an organization.

Team-Based Approach

Structuring an organization so that work can be delegated to teams focusing on specific tasks.

Workplace Culture

The values, beliefs, and behaviors that shape the social and psychological environment of a workplace.

Sexual Harassment

Sexually-based behavior that is unwanted and negatively affects a person's work environment.

Workplace Violence

Any act of violence or threat of violence against employees during their work.

Cognitive Engineering

The study of worker interactions with software systems, especially in decision-making.

Workplace Safety

Practices and regulations designed to protect the health and safety of workers.

Checklists in Safety

Tools used to minimize errors and accidents in the workplace by systematically verifying task completion.

Mental Resources

Cognitive capabilities that support task performance and attention maintenance.

Task Analysis

Breaking down tasks to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Interpersonal Relations

The way in which individuals connect and interact within a work environment.

Motivation in Organizations

Factors that stimulate employees to perform and engage actively in their tasks.