Sample Psychology Coursework Paper on Industrial-Organizational Psychologist (I-O Psychologist)

[Insert company name]

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the human resource manager, the industrial-organizational psychologist (I-O psychologist) is responsible for overall workplace throughput by studying and comprehending employee behavior and how such affect organizational productivity. Therefore, the I-O psychologist oversees psychological and physical health of all employees and undertake steps towards improving such key determinants of organizational success (APA n.pag; Woller n.pag). Towards this end, h/she will apply different principles of human behavior, organizational development and management to initiate and oversee the implementation of human resource development programs including knowledge gap identification and training.

Work Activities

The work activities of the I-O psychologist is divided into two primary functional areas:

  1. Human Resource Behavior Activities
  2. Use current principles in relevant fields to test employee behavior, attitudes, skills, personality, talents, and leadership abilities
  3. Assess employee’s mental and physical well-being
  4. Develop tests for evaluating prospective employers
  5. Oversee change management within the organization
  6. Evaluate employee knowledge gaps and training needs
  7. Oversee the development and implementation of employee training programs
  8. Participate in dispute and conflict resolution as an expert
  9. Oversee the assessment of employee promotion 
  10. Supervise the development and implementation of employee assessment metrics
  11. Use scientific data to assess the effectiveness of organizational human resource development and productivity initiatives
  12. Assess organizational functioning indicators such as employee morale, workplace relations, motivation, and teamwork.
  13. Assess the effectiveness of organizational leadership structures
  14. Offer job-related counseling to employees
  15. Develop job performance standards
  16. Serve as an expert witness in legal proceedings involving the company and/or its employees
  17. Develop metrics and strategies for evaluating and effectively combating occupational stress
  18. Oversee the development of organizational occupational health and safety standards
  19. Ensure the organization’s work environment and practices meet the industry standards government regulations
  20. Develop metrics for assessing and improving employee job satisfaction  
  21. Assess the effectiveness of organizational social norms and culture
  22. Oversee team-building exercises within the organization
  23. Audit the organization’s group behavior including team effective functioning
  24. Develop job evaluation criteria and use them to evaluate employees for remuneration and compensation purposes
  25. Supervise the organization’s employee coaching and mentoring programs 
  26. Establish and implement strategies for enhancing employee productivity
  27. Assess the effectiveness of ergonomics in shaping organizational performance
  28. Provide expert advice to the management and other employees on human resource related issues
  29. Marketing Functions and Other Activities
  30. Conduct surveys and tests to gauge customer’s response to the organization’s new policies, directives, critical decisions or products
  31. Develop metrics for measuring the effectiveness of organization’s communication strategies
  32. Develop metrics for assessing consumer tastes and preferences for product position purposes
  33. Audit company’s marketing strategies
  34. Oversee the development of communication strategies of the organization
  35. Supervise the development of business proposals to new clients
  36. Participate the in development of sales pitch and presentations for different clients  
  37. Participate in the development of organization’s public relations strategies
  38. Liaise with relevant departments in developing official company communiques including press releases
  39. Develop metrics for measuring the company’s citizenship behaviors including corporate social responsibility initiatives
  40. Oversee the development of the company’s communication and feedback channels and customer relation strategies
  41. Advise the management on organizational statutory and administrative obligations    

Tools and Equipment Used

To effectively and efficiently execute these duties and responsibilities, the industrial-organizational psychologist will use the following tools and equipment:

  • Computer
  • Printer
  • Fax machine
  • Photocopying machine
  • Motor vehicle
  • A planner
  • Folding machine
  • Projector
  • Laptop
  • Office files
  • Cell phone
  • Whiteboard
  • Marker pen
  • Office papers
  • Video conferencing equipment
  • Office telephone

Works Cited

APA. Recognized specialties and proficiencies in professional psychology. American Psychological Association (APA), n.d. Available at: https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/recognized.aspx

Woller, Amanda H. A day in the life of an industrial organizational psychologist. American Psychological Association’s Psych Learning Curve, 8 May 2017. Available at: http://psychlearningcurve.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-an-i-o-psychologist/