PSYCHOLOGY & WORK

Question

1.   Describe I-O Psychology, and state the focus of I-O psychology

2.   Outline the scope and history of I-O psychology

3.   Explain how I-O psychologists conduct research

4.   Explain the contemporary challenges facing I-O psychologists

5.   Describe the problems faced by I-O psychologists

Answer 1

1. Industrial–Organizational (I-O) Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior in workplaces and organizations. It applies psychological theories, methods, and principles to understand and improve how people behave at work and how organizations function.

2. A. Scope (Major Areas)

I-O psychology is typically divided into two main branches:

✔ Industrial Psychology (Personnel Psychology)

Focuses on the individual employee, including:

✔ Organizational Psychology

Focuses on the organization and social environment, including:

B. History

3. I-O psychologists use scientific, evidence-based methods to study workplace issues.

4. Modern workplaces have changed dramatically, creating new challenges:

A. Globalization

B. Technology & Automation

C. Workforce Diversity and Inclusion

D. Employee Well-being & Mental Health

E. Ethical Concerns

F. Changing Nature of Work

5. I-O psychologists face challenges both in their practice and within the organizations they serve:

A. Resistance to Scientific Methods

B. Ethical Dilemmas

C. Limited Access to High-Quality Data

D. Misuse of Psychological Tools

E. Rapid Workplace Changes

F. Balancing Multiple Stakeholders

G. Cross-cultural Challenges