PSY 435 Week 1 DQ 1
Do you think I/O psychologists should focus primarily on employee skill and aptitude for work? Is Munsterberg’s idea applicable to the conditions of modern organizations?
Munsterberg seems to reflect directly upon employee skill and aptitude which I can agree are very important. However I do not believe Munsterberg takes into account how organizational aspects impact possible skill and aptitude on an individual working in a particular workplace. There are many more issues to consider than that of just psychological test and selection of an employee, which would have a profound impact directly on the workplace such as how the individual works with others, how the individual works in a group, productivity of the individual, motivational aspects of an individual etc. Certain aspects of how well a person may work in a group could directly impact a company’s ability to make money. For example: A female gets a job as a cake decorator at the local grocery store. (Using Munsterberg and his psychological testing along with her skill level) proves that she is outstanding in her field. However working in unity in the bakery is a high consideration. This female however (even though outstanding in making cakes) has a bad attitude with the other employees. The other employees don’t want to work with her which now directly impacts a profit margin. Her attitude is not so great with customers either. What this demonstrates, is that even though her skill level is high, it has not been taken into consideration the basic fundamentals of what makes a bakery work and that is (team dynamics).In 2006 a new organization of I/O psychologist came forward in promoting employee health, safety and well being (Spector, 2012) which I feel would be a high consideration to hiring individuals (in further depth then just that of skill and aptitude). While I admire what Munsterberg was trying to state the importance of skill and aptitude, I do however have to consider that (these
Munsterberg seems to reflect directly upon employee skill and aptitude which I can agree are very important. However I do not believe Munsterberg takes into account how organizational aspects impact possible skill and aptitude on an individual working in a particular workplace. There are many more issues to consider than that of just psychological test and selection of an employee, which would have a profound impact directly on the workplace such as how the individual works with others, how the individual works in a group, productivity of the individual, motivational aspects of an individual etc. Certain aspects of how well a person may work in a group could directly impact a company’s ability to make money. For example: A female gets a job as a cake decorator at the local grocery store. (Using Munsterberg and his psychological testing along with her skill level) proves that she is outstanding in her field. However working in unity in the bakery is a high consideration. This female however (even though outstanding in making cakes) has a bad attitude with the other employees. The other employees don’t want to work with her which now directly impacts a profit margin. Her attitude is not so great with customers either. What this demonstrates, is that even though her skill level is high, it has not been taken into consideration the basic fundamentals of what makes a bakery work and that is (team dynamics).In 2006 a new organization of I/O psychologist came forward in promoting employee health, safety and well being (Spector, 2012) which I feel would be a high consideration to hiring individuals (in further depth then just that of skill and aptitude). While I admire what Munsterberg was trying to state the importance of skill and aptitude, I do however have to consider that (these