Introduction to Industrial Psychology

Course Overview

• Course Code: IPS11A1
• Course Title: Introduction to Industrial Psychology
• Lecturer: Dr. Nadia Morton
  • Department: Industrial Psychology & People Management
  • Email: nmorton@uj.ac.za
  • Office: D Ring 422, Kingsway Campus
  • Consulting Hours:
  • Mondays: 10:00 - 12:00
  • Tuesdays: 09:00 - 11:00
  • Thursdays: After the lecture
  • Note: Email for appointments.

Communication Guidelines

• Professional Email Structure:
  1. Subject Line: Use initials, surname, student number, and qualification name.
  2. Greeting: Start with a professional greeting.
  3. Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself.
  4. Conciseness: Keep the email short.
  5. Tone: Avoid humor or emoticons.
  6. Structure: Ensure logical flow in the email.
  7. Professional Sign-off: Use sign-offs like "Sincerely" or "Kind Regards."
  8. Signature: Include a simple signature with full name, surname, and student number.
  9. Response Time: Aim for a 24-48 hour turnaround time.

Class and Tutorial Information

• Lecture:
  • Day: Thursdays
  • Time: 12:10 - 13:50
  • Location: John Orr Building Room 3407
• Tutorials:
  • Compulsory for all students!
  • Day: Wednesdays
  • Time: 09:40 - 10:25
  • Location: John Orr Building Room 3306
  • Start Date: 18 February 2026
  • Tutor: Ms. Anah Makhate

Academic Development Workshop

• Facilitator: Mr. Thabiso Mphilane
• Day: Tuesdays
• Time: 08:50 - 09:40
• Location: John Orr Building Room 7309
• Start Date: 17 February 2026
• Compulsory for all students!

Class and Study Format

1. Overview of work found in study guide and reader.
2. Responsibility of students to study the work.
3. Formative assessments may occur at the end of certain classes.
4. Learner guide specifies focus areas for tests and exams.
5. Slides will be made available on Moodle.

Important Notice

• Expectations:

  • Leave excuses at the door.
  • Admit when homework is undone or concepts are unclear.
  • Accept grades if unprepared, and resolve to improve next time (with help if needed).
  • Follow rules set by the lecturer to avoid consequences.

• Instructor's Mission:

  • Teach, inspire, and help students grow.
  • Personal responsibility is emphasized.

Learning Schedule (Term 1)

Learning Schedule Continued (Term 2)

Mark Allocation

• Continuous assessments carried throughout the course include:
  • Semester Test 1: 35% of semester mark
  • Semester Test 2: 35% of semester mark
  • Tutorial Attendance: 5% of semester mark
  • Academic Development Workshop Attendance: 5% of semester mark
  • Group Assignment: 20% of semester mark

Prescribed Books

• 1st-Year Readers available at Jutal Book Stores and Library
  • Prescribed Material:
  • Industrial Psychology 1A & 1B, University of Johannesburg
  • Study guide, University of Johannesburg
  • Publisher: PEARSON

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe five areas of basic psychology.
2. Examine the relationship between basic psychology and work psychology.
3. Describe the key features of psychoanalytic, trait, behaviourist, phenomenological, and social cognitive traditions in psychology.
4. Identify similarities and differences among these traditions.
5. Specify how each tradition contributes to work psychology.
6. Identify topics covered by work psychologists.
7. Describe major sources of information regarding research and practice in work psychology.
8. Outline recent changes in the workplace.
9. Identify how work psychologists address changing work dynamics.

Overview of Basic Psychology

• Definition of Psychology:

  “Science of mental life”: Involving behaviours, thoughts, and emotions.

  • Multiple sub-disciplines collectively referred to as Basic Psychology.

• Understanding Individuals:

  • Diverse views leading to different interpretations of a person. These views may be contradictory but are essential to understand individual differences.

Basic Psychology Sub-Disciplines

• Physiological Psychology:

  • Study of the relationship between mind and body.
  • Investigates behaviour, feelings, thoughts, and physiological systems (e.g., genes, brain).

• Cognitive Psychology:

  • Focused on cognitive function: thought processes.
  • Research in areas like intelligence, problem-solving, reasoning, decision-making, creativity.

• Developmental Psychology:

  • Examines psychological growth and changes across the lifespan.
  • Concerned with age-related changes.

• Social Psychology:

  • Studies how behaviours, thoughts, and emotions are affected by others.
  • Focuses on human social interaction and influence of beliefs and feelings among individuals.

• Personality Psychology:

  • Investigates characteristic tendencies to behave, think, and feel in certain ways.
  • Analyzes consistent behaviour patterns across time and situations.

Integration of Basic and Work Psychology

• Work Psychology:
  • An applied field of psychology defined by its context of application.
  • Utilizes concepts, theories, and techniques from basic psychology.
  • Focused on problem-solving rather than knowledge for its own sake.

Psychological Paradigms

Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Tradition

• Founder: Sigmund Freud
  • Originated from clinical therapy of mentally ill patients.
  • Key concepts: Behaviour determined by unconscious forces (id, ego, superego).
• Id:
  • Instinctual energy, operates on pleasure principle; seeks gratification without reality distinction.
• Ego:
  • Regulates id impulses, operates on reality principle; allows delays in gratification.
• Superego:
  • Conscience representing morality; sets ideal standards.
• Anxiety and Defence Mechanisms:
  • Individuals use defence mechanisms to reduce anxiety, which consumes energy and may impair realism.

Critiques of Psychoanalytic Theory

• Criticism of negativity and irrational emphasis on sexuality.
• Post-Freudian developments focused on social behaviour (e.g., Carl Jung's collective unconscious).

Trait Tradition

• Focused on stable psychological characteristics (traits) that differentiate individuals.
• Trait Classification:
  • Cardinal traits: Pervasive across all situations.
  • Primary traits: Evident in many situations.
  • Secondary traits: Present in specific, limited contexts.
• Big Five (Five Factor Model):
  • Dimensions include extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to experience.
• Traits have genetic influences, but tendencies to express them vary.

Phenomenological Tradition

• Emphasizes how individuals perceive and construct meaning from experiences.
• Rooted in philosophy; reality is interpreted through mental faculties.
• Humanistic Focus:
  • Influenced by Maslow and Rogers stressing self-actualization and meaning.
  • Unconditional positive regard fostered by supportive environments.

Behaviourist Tradition

• Observes only observable behaviours, excluding internal thought processes.
• Key Figures: B. F. Skinner
• Principles: Behaviour is determined by environmental factors via reinforcement and punishment.
• Implications for Work Psychology: Training and behaviour modification models can be implemented in organizations.

Social-Cognitive Tradition

• Focused on interaction of thought processes and social behavior.
• Key terms: Reciprocal determinism, self-efficacy.
• Schemas: Knowledge structures aiding in understanding situations, leading to motivation at work.

Overview of Work Psychology

• Names in Different Regions:
  • Industrial Psychology, Industrial/Organisational Psychology, Occupational Psychology, Organizational Psychology.
• Scope:
  • Distinctions between individual vs. group-oriented topics.
  • Work psychologists serve as teachers, researchers, and consultants.

Applications of Work Psychology

• Personnel Selection and Assessment:
  • Involves employing various methods for assessing candidates (e.g., tests, interviews).
• Training:
  • Identify needs, design, deliver, and evaluate training programs.
• Performance Appraisal and Career Development:
  • Develop systems for assessing job performance.

Organizational Development and Change

• Analyzes systems, relationships, cultures, and promotes human-machine interaction.

Emerging Trends in the Workplace

• Changing Demographics: Aging workforce, need for diversity, and fair selection processes.
• Technological Advancements: Remote working, employee well-being, and virtual communication challenges.
• Cost Management: Job design and knowledge management for stress reduction and increased innovation.

Conclusion

• This document outlines fundamental aspects of Industrial Psychology, covering communication practices, class schedules, psychological traditions, and current workforce dynamics. Students are advised to engage actively and utilize all available resources for success in this course.