organizational psychology
Organizational Psychology
Organizational Psychology/PSYCH 570
September 1, 2014
Organizational Psychology
Why are some organizations successful? Why do others fail? Ever heard of “Android”? How many times did you “google” something today? Between 1983 and 1986 commodore dominated the computer hardware industry; where are they now? Organizational psychology seeks to understand the dynamic processes occurring within a complex organizational system. This paper will define organizational psychology, summarize the evolution of this field, compare organizational psychology with a related disciple and describe the role of research and statistics within this field.
Terminology
Individuals affect one another. Individual poses a collection of personality propensities. The tendency we select to display is activated by varying context. Organizational psychology focuses on the scientific study, psychological theories and principles related to the individual as they interact with formal organizational settings. Organizational psychology is concerned with making accurate prediction regarding behavior within an organizational setting.
Katz and Kahn (1978) suggest the essence of organizations corresponds with individual behavior. People are social by nature and will perform to increase their sense of self-worth and belonging (Fiske, 2010). Individuals are affected by the presence of others: actual, implied and imagined within their organizational environment (Fiske, 2010). Core motives align with developing effective group efforts. Belonging, understanding, control, self-enhancement and trusting are the common thread laced across situation context. Combining personality with context (formal organization) has been found to predict certain behaviors (Fiske, 2010).
Societal norms, organizational structures, role expectations, and management styles influence individual behavior within the organization. By understanding these factors individual
Organizational Psychology/PSYCH 570
September 1, 2014
Organizational Psychology
Why are some organizations successful? Why do others fail? Ever heard of “Android”? How many times did you “google” something today? Between 1983 and 1986 commodore dominated the computer hardware industry; where are they now? Organizational psychology seeks to understand the dynamic processes occurring within a complex organizational system. This paper will define organizational psychology, summarize the evolution of this field, compare organizational psychology with a related disciple and describe the role of research and statistics within this field.
Terminology
Individuals affect one another. Individual poses a collection of personality propensities. The tendency we select to display is activated by varying context. Organizational psychology focuses on the scientific study, psychological theories and principles related to the individual as they interact with formal organizational settings. Organizational psychology is concerned with making accurate prediction regarding behavior within an organizational setting.
Katz and Kahn (1978) suggest the essence of organizations corresponds with individual behavior. People are social by nature and will perform to increase their sense of self-worth and belonging (Fiske, 2010). Individuals are affected by the presence of others: actual, implied and imagined within their organizational environment (Fiske, 2010). Core motives align with developing effective group efforts. Belonging, understanding, control, self-enhancement and trusting are the common thread laced across situation context. Combining personality with context (formal organization) has been found to predict certain behaviors (Fiske, 2010).
Societal norms, organizational structures, role expectations, and management styles influence individual behavior within the organization. By understanding these factors individual
References: Fiske, S. T. (2010). Social beings: a core motives approach to social psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: J. Wiley. Jex, S. M., & Britt, T. W. (2008). Organizational psychology: a scientist-practitioner approach (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley. Katz, D. & Kahn, R. L. (1978). The social psychology of organizations (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley. Lowman, R. L. (2012). The scientist-practitioner consulting psychologist.. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 64(3), 151-156.