Industrial Organizational Psychology Exam
1 UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
How did William James define Psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER - the description and
explanation . . .that is, the study of the causes, conditions, and immediate consequences so far as
these can be ascertained, of states of consciousness . . .such as sensations, desires, emotions,
cognitions, reasonings, decision, volitions, and the like in human beings.
What is a more general definition of psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER - The scientific
study of thinking and behavior
What is Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
application of psychological principles and methods to the problems and processes of the
workplace.
Give the formal definition of I-O Psychology: - CORRECT ANSWER - An area of
scientific study and professional practice that addresses psychological concepts and principles in
the work world.
Between 2012-2022 the U.S. department of labor ranked I-O psychology the ______ of the 20
fastest growing jobs with a projected growth rate of _______%. - CORRECT ANSWER -
first, 53%
________________ Psychology focuses on human resource processes such as selection, training
and performance appraisal. - CORRECT ANSWER - Industrial
_______________ Psychology focuses on both micro-level (employee attitudes, motivation,
well-being) and macro-level (groups/teams, organizational development and change). -
CORRECT ANSWER - Organizational
,Explain how the "I" and the "O" in I-O Psychology are connected: - CORRECT
ANSWER - "I" and "O" topics are intertwined, just as they are in the workplace.
Leadership, for example, influences employee motivation (micro-O) and organizational
development (macro-O), but to develop leaders you need good selection and training tools (I).
Describe the difference between Scientists and Practitioners according to the Scientist-
Practitioner Model: - CORRECT ANSWER - As scientists, I-O psychologists learn basic
research techniques and processes, and use those processes to ask and learn about issues that face
organizations. As practitioners, they consider how these questions and research may be applied to
workplace settings.
Give the formal defineiton for the Scientist-Practitioner Model: - CORRECT ANSWER -
A model or framework for education in an academic discipline based on understanding the
scientific principles and findings evidenced in th discipline and how they provide the basis for
the professional practice.
Do most I-O Psychologists specialize in being a Scientist-Practitioner? - CORRECT
ANSWER - While I-O psychologists are trained in both, individuals typically choose one
path or the other.
What is the main difference Between courses to obtain a MS in I-O and to obtain a MBA? -
CORRECT ANSWER - I-O courses are more focused on specifics and people while MBA
generally focus on a more road business level.
What are the 3 main career paths for I-O psychologists? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Academics, consultants, and and research
What does the career of academics involve? - CORRECT ANSWER - teaching and
research in the I-O area
What does the career of consulting involve? What are the two types? - CORRECT
ANSWER - applying I-O expertise to workplace settings. This may be internal (work for
an business organization), or external (work as independent contractor or for a consulting firm)
,What does the career of research involve? - CORRECT ANSWER - some positions are
strictly research-oriented, working for the government or other organizations.
Although I-O psychology is a growing field only about ______% of all psychologists work in
this sector. What could be a cause of this low percentage? - CORRECT ANSWER - 6; the
general public is unaware of I-O psychology and many intro to psychology courses do not
mention the field of I-O.
List the 5 fields of I-O Psychology: - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Selection and Placement
2. Training and Development
3. Performance Management
4. Organizational Effects
5. Quality of Work Life
Describe the field of I-O psychology called "Selection and Placement" - CORRECT
ANSWER - develop assessment methods for the selection, promotion, and placement of
employees.
Describe the field of I-O psychology called "Training and Development" - CORRECT
ANSWER - identify employee skills that need to be enhanced to improve job performance.
Describe the field of I-O psychology called "Performance Management" - CORRECT
ANSWER - enhancing the contributions of the workforce to facilitate attaining the overall
goals of the organization; designing ways to assess employee work behavior & produce helpful
feedback to improve performance.
Describe the field of I-O psychology called "Organizational Effects" - CORRECT
ANSWER - broadest area; concerned with maintaining or improving the quality of the
workforce, but also the quality of relationships with customers and suppliers the organization
needs for its success.
, Describe the field of I-O psychology called "Quality of Work Life" - CORRECT
ANSWER - concerned with factors that contribute to a healthy and productive workforce.
I-O psychologists strive to enhance both the ____________ and the ____________. - CORRECT
ANSWER - institution and individual
I-O Psychology is the ____ APA division; list the things it focuses on: - CORRECT
ANSWER - 14th: Selection & Placement, Training & Development, Performance
Appraisal, Organizational Development, & Quality of Worklife
APA Division 14 is also called the ___________ _________ _____-______ ___________
(_________). - CORRECT ANSWER - Society for I-O Psychology (SIOP)
What is the name of the professional organization that represents I-O psychologists in the United
States? - CORRECT ANSWER - Society for I-O Psychology (SIOP)
_____________: the process by which a professional practice is regulated by law to ensure
quality standards are met to protect the public; do I-O psychologists need to go through this
process? - CORRECT ANSWER - Licensure; it depends on the state's laws.
What are some current topics in I-O psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER - Diversity -
Age, race, gender...
Emotions in the workplace
Adaptability
Genetics
Groups
Technology
Lifelong learning
Values and Justice (Equity vs. Equality standards)
Stress
Time and time management
1 UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
How did William James define Psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER - the description and
explanation . . .that is, the study of the causes, conditions, and immediate consequences so far as
these can be ascertained, of states of consciousness . . .such as sensations, desires, emotions,
cognitions, reasonings, decision, volitions, and the like in human beings.
What is a more general definition of psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER - The scientific
study of thinking and behavior
What is Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
application of psychological principles and methods to the problems and processes of the
workplace.
Give the formal definition of I-O Psychology: - CORRECT ANSWER - An area of
scientific study and professional practice that addresses psychological concepts and principles in
the work world.
Between 2012-2022 the U.S. department of labor ranked I-O psychology the ______ of the 20
fastest growing jobs with a projected growth rate of _______%. - CORRECT ANSWER -
first, 53%
________________ Psychology focuses on human resource processes such as selection, training
and performance appraisal. - CORRECT ANSWER - Industrial
_______________ Psychology focuses on both micro-level (employee attitudes, motivation,
well-being) and macro-level (groups/teams, organizational development and change). -
CORRECT ANSWER - Organizational
,Explain how the "I" and the "O" in I-O Psychology are connected: - CORRECT
ANSWER - "I" and "O" topics are intertwined, just as they are in the workplace.
Leadership, for example, influences employee motivation (micro-O) and organizational
development (macro-O), but to develop leaders you need good selection and training tools (I).
Describe the difference between Scientists and Practitioners according to the Scientist-
Practitioner Model: - CORRECT ANSWER - As scientists, I-O psychologists learn basic
research techniques and processes, and use those processes to ask and learn about issues that face
organizations. As practitioners, they consider how these questions and research may be applied to
workplace settings.
Give the formal defineiton for the Scientist-Practitioner Model: - CORRECT ANSWER -
A model or framework for education in an academic discipline based on understanding the
scientific principles and findings evidenced in th discipline and how they provide the basis for
the professional practice.
Do most I-O Psychologists specialize in being a Scientist-Practitioner? - CORRECT
ANSWER - While I-O psychologists are trained in both, individuals typically choose one
path or the other.
What is the main difference Between courses to obtain a MS in I-O and to obtain a MBA? -
CORRECT ANSWER - I-O courses are more focused on specifics and people while MBA
generally focus on a more road business level.
What are the 3 main career paths for I-O psychologists? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Academics, consultants, and and research
What does the career of academics involve? - CORRECT ANSWER - teaching and
research in the I-O area
What does the career of consulting involve? What are the two types? - CORRECT
ANSWER - applying I-O expertise to workplace settings. This may be internal (work for
an business organization), or external (work as independent contractor or for a consulting firm)
,What does the career of research involve? - CORRECT ANSWER - some positions are
strictly research-oriented, working for the government or other organizations.
Although I-O psychology is a growing field only about ______% of all psychologists work in
this sector. What could be a cause of this low percentage? - CORRECT ANSWER - 6; the
general public is unaware of I-O psychology and many intro to psychology courses do not
mention the field of I-O.
List the 5 fields of I-O Psychology: - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Selection and Placement
2. Training and Development
3. Performance Management
4. Organizational Effects
5. Quality of Work Life
Describe the field of I-O psychology called "Selection and Placement" - CORRECT
ANSWER - develop assessment methods for the selection, promotion, and placement of
employees.
Describe the field of I-O psychology called "Training and Development" - CORRECT
ANSWER - identify employee skills that need to be enhanced to improve job performance.
Describe the field of I-O psychology called "Performance Management" - CORRECT
ANSWER - enhancing the contributions of the workforce to facilitate attaining the overall
goals of the organization; designing ways to assess employee work behavior & produce helpful
feedback to improve performance.
Describe the field of I-O psychology called "Organizational Effects" - CORRECT
ANSWER - broadest area; concerned with maintaining or improving the quality of the
workforce, but also the quality of relationships with customers and suppliers the organization
needs for its success.
, Describe the field of I-O psychology called "Quality of Work Life" - CORRECT
ANSWER - concerned with factors that contribute to a healthy and productive workforce.
I-O psychologists strive to enhance both the ____________ and the ____________. - CORRECT
ANSWER - institution and individual
I-O Psychology is the ____ APA division; list the things it focuses on: - CORRECT
ANSWER - 14th: Selection & Placement, Training & Development, Performance
Appraisal, Organizational Development, & Quality of Worklife
APA Division 14 is also called the ___________ _________ _____-______ ___________
(_________). - CORRECT ANSWER - Society for I-O Psychology (SIOP)
What is the name of the professional organization that represents I-O psychologists in the United
States? - CORRECT ANSWER - Society for I-O Psychology (SIOP)
_____________: the process by which a professional practice is regulated by law to ensure
quality standards are met to protect the public; do I-O psychologists need to go through this
process? - CORRECT ANSWER - Licensure; it depends on the state's laws.
What are some current topics in I-O psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER - Diversity -
Age, race, gender...
Emotions in the workplace
Adaptability
Genetics
Groups
Technology
Lifelong learning
Values and Justice (Equity vs. Equality standards)
Stress
Time and time management
