Knowledge in organisational and industrial psychology is vital whether you work in human resources, own a business or desire to pursue a career as a business psychologist. 

The Certificate of Industrial and Organisational Psychology will teach you how to apply psychological principles in the workplace to improve organisational effectiveness and the quality of work-life in organisations.

Throughout this course, you will explore theories of psychology and behaviour, discover how employees think, how to improve the performance of teams and individuals and how to increase effectiveness and productivity in the workplace.

If you’re considering studying to become a business psychologist, read on to discover the definition and history of this exciting profession, roles and responsibilities, where you can expect to work, other career opportunities and remuneration. 

 

Learning Outcomes 

The following learning outcomes and knowledge in industrial and organisational psychology will be achieved on completion of this course. 

• Free will versus determinism
• Developmental and interactive expressions of behaviour
• Nature versus nurture
• Influence of environment on learning behaviour
• Modelling and conformity
• Conditioning, environmental factors and learning
• Classical conditioning
• Operant conditioning
• Reinforcement and punishment
• Sensation and perception
• Thinking and daydreaming
• The gestalt approach
• Unconscious and conscious psychic elements
• Explaining behaviour
• Knowledge of brain processes
• Personal interpretation of a given situation
• Terminology 
• The application form
• Psychological tests
• Interviews
• Intelligence tests
• Laws of learning
• Devising tests
• Selecting appropriate tests
• Ways of seeking applicants
• Types of interviews
• Maslow’s model of self-actualisation
• Security
• Money
• Ambition
• Companionship
• Social reinforcement
• Labour wastage
• Qualities of managers
• Understanding morale
• Discipline and training

 

And more … 

 

What is a Business Psychologist?

A business psychologist is not unlike a coach, but with the advantage of understanding the science of human behaviour in workplaces and organisations. 

Business psychologists help individuals, teams and workplaces operate at a peak level to enhance the performance of an entire organisation. They are crucial in assisting leaders in managing and performing with clarity to achieve organisational goals. 

Organisational and industrial psychology is a rapidly growing area in psychology and one that helps businesses increase their efficiency and improve the quality of work-life for employees. 

Organisational and industrial psychology involves understanding the individual and the intersecting work environment and culture to promote success and harmony within a workplace. It is the role of the business psychologist to identify how internal factors pose obstacles to business success and to overcome them. 

 

History of Industrial and Organisational Psychology

Hugo Munsterberg, a German who headed the Harvard psychology laboratory in 1892, was likely the first industrial-organisational (I-O) psychologists. 

Munsterberg researched and developed the idea that it was possible to select the best worker for a job and to design jobs to best suit workers. He applied experimental approaches to practical business issues in his comprehensive text, Psychology and Industrial Efficiency (1913).

Walter Dill Scott is also regularly credited as the founder of I-O psychology due to his early texts on advertising and founding the first personnel consulting firm. 

Another leading character that had an indirect impact on I-O psychology was an industrial engineer, Frederick W. Taylor. While Munsterberg and Scott focussed on individuals, Taylor brought the organisation into the spotlight with his text Principles of Scientific Management (New York. 1911). 

 

What do Business Psychologists Do? 

Business psychologists perform many tasks within an organisation, including:

• Assisting with recruitment 
• Designing harmonious, productive work environments
• Facilitating employee training and motivation
• Performing employee assessments and evaluations
• Increasing employee morale
• Providing counselling
• Establishing employee health and well-being initiatives
• Providing leadership training and development
• Improving organisational structure
• Enhancing business efficiency
• Studying the workplace environment 
• Implementing workplace health and safety guidelines
• Maintaining employee records

 

Where Do Business Psychologists Work? 

Business psychologists work in private and public establishments, from small companies in the private sector to large government organisations. I-O psychologists are often in leadership roles working in human resources, management, counselling or training and development. 

 

What Other Careers Can I-O’s Pursue? 

As a business psychologist with training in I-O psychology, you can expect to work across several industries, such as government departments; marketing, advertising and sales; human resources; and as academics at universities. 

Government Departments 

Business psychologists can play an essential role in developing policies and human resource services for government departments. Their knowledge is valuable in that these departments rely heavily on strong policies and guidance to work with the public.  

Marketing, Advertising & Sales 

Understanding what motivates people to purchase products and services is the foundation of successful marketing, advertising and sales efforts. So, whether it’s analysing buyer behaviour or anticipating consumer thought processes, business psychologists are a valuable member of a marketing or sales team to achieve sales targets and business goals. 

Human Resources 

As a human resource professional, business psychologists develop policies and procedures that drive recruitment and retention efforts within a business or organisation. Their highly-skilled understanding of what motivates people helps O-I psychologist to mobilise an organisation’s most valuable asset – their employees! 

Universities 

Business psychologists with master’s level qualifications can work as academics at universities in a research capacity or teaching role (or both). 

 

Organisational & Industrial Psychologist Salary 

The average salary for an organisational psychologist in Australia is $84,739. However, earnings can vary with experience and location from $61k to $158k per year.

Total average compensation by experience:

Early career (1 – 4 years) $77,994

Mid-career (5 – 9 years) $96,448

Experienced (10-19 years) $121, 428

 

Are you interested in becoming a business psychologist? Study our Certificate of Industrial & Organisational Psychology and gain foundation knowledge about this fascinating and rapidly growing area of psychology.