IO_Psych

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

A branch of psychology that studies how human behavior and psychology affect work and how they are affected by work.

Industrial Psychology

Focuses on job characteristics, applicant characteristics, employee training, and performance appraisal.

Organizational Psychology

Studies interactions between people working in organizations and the effects of those interactions on productivity.

Human Factors Psychology

Studies how workers interact with the tools of work and how to design those tools to optimize productivity, safety, and health.

Hawthorne Effect

The increase in performance of individuals when they are observed and paid attention to by supervisors or researchers.

Job Satisfaction

Results from how we think and feel about our work; influenced by multiple factors like work content and communication.

360-degree Feedback Appraisal

An appraisal system where an employee's performance is rated by supervisors, customers, peers, and the employee themselves.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

The U.S. agency responsible for enforcing federal laws that prevent employment discrimination.

Bias in Hiring

Selecting candidates based on group membership when it does not directly affect potential job performance, which is considered discriminatory.

Work-Family Balance

Occurs when individuals manage the demands of work life with family life, aiming for a harmonious relationship between both.

Sexual Harassment

Sexually-based behavior that is unwanted and adversely affects a person’s employment or job performance.

Workplace Violence

Includes violence or the threat of violence against workers; can encompass physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other disruptive behavior.

Job Stress

Stress caused by specific stressors in an occupation, leading to negative effects on health and job performance.

Cognitive Task Analysis

Breaking down the elements of a cognitive task to understand how decisions are made.

Performance Appraisals

Evaluations of an employee’s job performance, aimed at motivating and guiding future performance improvements.

Mentoring

A process where an experienced employee guides a new employee's work, enhancing career satisfaction and growth.