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Psychology

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Industrial and organizational psychology (alsoknown as I-O psychologyorwork psychology) isthe scientific study of employees, workplaces, andorganizations. Industrial and organizational

psychologists contribute to an organization'ssuccess by improving the workplace and theperformance, satisfaction and well-being of itspeople. An I-O psychologist researches andidentifies how employee behaviors and attitudes

can be improved through hiring practices, trainingprograms, and feedback and managementsystems.[

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Industrial psychology is a branch ofbehavioral science that directs its researchand courses of study to business. It is not anew science. In fact one of the earlier bookson the subject, Hugo Munsterbergs ThePsychology of Industrial Efficiency waspublished by Houghton Mifflin in 1913.Departments of management, design,

production, pricing, marketing and distributionall benefit from knowledge of industrialpsychology.

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The psychology of work behavior is one formof industrial psychology. Attitudes ofemployees as related to their performance isa main theme. Variables in employeepersonalities and abilities are listed andsituational and background differences arestudied. The industrial psychologist alsostudies human mental and physical abilities,

administering tests and assessing values andestablishing job-related criteria. Human-errorfactors also are monitored, as are costs andcauses of accidents.

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Many management skills fall under the umbrella ofindustrial psychology. Managers must be educatedconcerning the area of employee supervision.Expertise in perception and assessment is

required in order to make proper decisions as towhether to promote or admonish. Determination oftraining needs and abilities to resolve conflict areskills that managers would learn in their study ofindustrial psychology. Motivational tactics are

imperative to the success of industry, thus theindustrial psychologist also may devise financial orother incentives.

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Environmental design is another area of

industrial psychology. The psychology of

the work space concerns the environment

of the worker. Performance can be affected

adversely or positively depending upon the

employees surroundings. The industrial

psychologist recommends physicalarrangements, colors, noise, lighting and

ergonomics.

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Product design is another avenue ofindustrial psychology that is important to asuccessful business. A product that has

been designed bearing safety, efficiencyand desirability in mind may have a higherchance of being successful in themarketplace. The industrial psychologistcan collect data and analyze buying trendsto make recommendations for a feasible,salable design.

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The overall function of the business may

be evaluated by the industrial psychologist.

Data relating to job descriptions and

hierarchy may be studied and

recommendations put forth.