1.1. Field of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (I/O Psychology) - Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the notes on the Field of Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Industrial and Organizational Psychology (I/O Psychology)

The scientific study of behavior at work in organizations; aims to improve organizational success and employee well-being. Also called 'occupational psychology' in the UK and 'work psychology' in Europe.

Occupational psychology

UK term for I/O psychology; the same field focusing on behavior at work.

Work psychology

European term for the field; focuses on managing people in the workplace.

Borman et al. (2003) description

I/O psychology studies behaviors that improve organizational success and employee well-being.

Rothmann and Cooper (2022) emphasis

Emphasize the relationship between individuals and organizations to boost efficiency and effectiveness; research centered on both worker and organization.

Human Resource Management (HRM)

Managing people in organizations; goals include aligning employees with objectives, building a high-performance culture, ensuring skilled employees, maintaining good relationships, providing positive experiences, and promoting well-being.

Aligning employees with organizational objectives

HRM goal to ensure employees’ work supports the company’s goals.

High-performance culture

A work environment that promotes productivity, motivation, and excellence.

Attracting and retaining talented workers

HRM aim to hire skilled individuals and keep them in the organization.

Maintaining good relationships

HRM activity promoting trust, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

Providing positive experiences

HRM aim to improve employee satisfaction and loyalty.

Promoting well-being

HRM focus on physical and mental health of employees.

Human resource planning

Ensuring enough employees with the right skills are available to meet organizational needs.

Job analysis

Process of understanding roles, responsibilities, and required qualifications.

Job descriptions

Documentation of roles, responsibilities, and qualifications for a position.

Recruitment and selection

Attracting and choosing suitable candidates for jobs.

Induction, training, and development

Onboarding, learning, and growth opportunities for employees.

Career development

Guiding employees in their long-term growth and progression.

Job evaluation

Assessing the relative value of jobs to determine fair pay.

Compensation

Pay and rewards given to employees.

Performance management

System for monitoring and improving employee performance.

Organizational Behavior (OB)

Studies how people act in workplaces to understand, explain, predict, and improve actions; focuses on micro (individuals), meso (groups/teams), and macro (whole organization) levels.

Micro level

The level of individuals within the organization.

Meso level

The level of groups and teams within the organization.

Macro level

The level of the whole organization.

Individual differences and inclusion

Study of diversity in the workforce and strategies to foster inclusion.

Motivation

What drives performance and behavior at work.

Communication

Sharing information effectively within the organization.

Leadership

Guiding and influencing others to achieve goals.

Group dynamics

How teams function, interact, and perform.

Health and well-being

Employee wellness and protection of physical and mental health.

Organizational design and culture

Structure and culture of the workplace that shape behavior.

Managing ethically

Practices that ensure fairness and build trust in the workplace.