I/O Psychology Overview

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Questions and Answers

What has increased in emphasis in organizational development interventions in recent years?

Employee empowerment and total quality management (correct)

Elimination of training programs

Monetary incentives for employees

Strict hierarchical management structures

Which of the following factors is currently impacting I/O Psychology?

High unemployment rates (correct)

Reduction in family-friendly work policies

Decrease in flexible work schedules

Technological disinterest among employees

Which setting do I/O Psychologists typically NOT work in?

Retail Stores (correct)

Private Sector

Consulting Firms

Public Sector

What is one of the roles of I/O Psychologists in consulting firms?

To help organizations select a high quality and diverse workforce Signup and view all the answers

Which technology has significantly changed how employees are trained in recent years?

E-learning and distance education Signup and view all the answers

What type of work environment does the public sector refer to for I/O Psychologists?

Local, state, or federal government agencies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a modern method for job seeking used by applicants?

Using social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter Signup and view all the answers

What trend reflects the need for accommodation in the workplace?

Rising number of employees with childcare and eldercare responsibilities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting surveys in research?

To gather opinions from people on the same topic Signup and view all the answers

What does the mean effect size signify in meta-analysis?

The average effect size across multiple studies Signup and view all the answers

How is a random sample characterized in research?

Every member of the population has an equal chance of selection Signup and view all the answers

What does practical significance refer to in research findings?

The actual impact of results on human behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a responsibility of debriefing in a research study?

Explaining the study's purpose to the subjects after participation Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a correlation coefficient in research?

It shows the relationships' direction and strength between variables Signup and view all the answers

What role does statistical analysis play in research studies?

It determines how likely results are due to chance Signup and view all the answers

What is a convenience sample in research?

A nonrandom selection based on accessibility Signup and view all the answers

What is the Ammerman Technique primarily focused on in job analysis?

Setting clear objectives and standards for job performance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method of job analysis mentioned?

Employee Reflection Signup and view all the answers

In the context of job analysis interviews, what does a Group SME Conference involve?

Interviewing a larger number of employees together Signup and view all the answers

What step follows after convening a panel of experts in the Ammerman Technique?

Identify the objectives and standards Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of the Job Participation method in job analysis?

The analyst gains firsthand experience of the job Signup and view all the answers

Which step is involved in the Task Inventory method of job analysis?

Rating tasks based on importance and time spent Signup and view all the answers

In the context of job observations for analysis, what is a crucial aspect of this method?

Observations should complement other job analysis methods Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Task Analysis?

Determining employees' training needs based on their tasks Signup and view all the answers

What type of information does O*NET provide regarding occupations?

Generalized work activities, worker characteristics, and labor statistics. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Critical Incident Technique in job analysis?

To find employee behavior that defines job success or failure. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits is NOT covered by the Threshold Traits Analysis?

Technical skills Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable feature of the Fleishman Job Analysis?

It requires job incumbents to rate various abilities needed for jobs. Signup and view all the answers

Which job analysis method is known for its unique questionnaire style and is developed by a specific consulting firm?

Threshold Traits Analysis Signup and view all the answers

What does the Job Adaptability Inventory assess?

The extent of adaptability required in a job role. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is emphasized in the Job Components Inventory?

Perceptual, physical, and decision-making skills necessary for jobs. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major disadvantage of the Threshold Traits Analysis?

It is not available commercially and is limited in accessibility. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the performance of previous applicants have on the scoring of an average applicant?

It can lead to a higher score for average applicants. Signup and view all the answers

What is the negative information bias in interview evaluations?

Negative information holds more weight than positive information. Signup and view all the answers

How does the similarity between an interviewer and an interviewee influence interview scores?

A greater similarity leads to higher interview scores. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor has been shown to positively affect an applicant's interview score?

Physical attractiveness and professional dressing Signup and view all the answers

What are nonverbal cues in the context of an interview?

Physical expressions like posture and eye contact. Signup and view all the answers

What purpose do clarifiers serve in an interview process?

To fill gaps and gather additional necessary information. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of disqualifier questions in interviews?

A specific incorrect answer leads to disqualification. Signup and view all the answers

What type of questions are designed to assess an interviewee's expertise and knowledge?

Skill-level determinant questions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Structured Interviews

Organizational downsizing, diversity concerns, and increased emphasis on employee empowerment have impacted structured interviews
In the 2000's, rapid technological advancements led to online administration of tests, recruitment, and screening
Social media outlets (Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook) are used for job seeking
E-learning and distance education are common methods for employee training
Cyberspace meetings are replacing in-person meetings
I/O Psychology is influenced by high unemployment rates, flexible work schedules, family-friendly policies, and the accommodation of employees with childcare and elder care responsibilities

Employment of I/O Psychologists

I/O psychologists typically work in four settings: colleges and universities, consulting firms, the private sector, and the public sector

I/O Psychology in Colleges and Universities

Professors typically teach and conduct research
Administrative roles (deans, provosts, vice presidents) are also held

I/O Psychology in Consulting Firms

I/O psychologists help organizations become more productive
They select, train, and motivate employees
They ensure legal and ethical treatment of applicants and employees

I/O Psychology in the Private Sector

I/O psychologists work for a single company

I/O Psychology in the Public Sector

I/O psychologists work for local, state, or federal government agencies

Surveys

A method of conducting research that asks people their opinions on the same topic
Methods include mail, personal interviews, phone calls, emails, and the internet

Meta-Analysis

a statistical method for reaching conclusions based on previous research
Effect size indicates the amount of change caused by an experimental manipulation
Mean effect size is the average effect size across all studies included in the analysis
Correlation coefficients (r) indicate the magnitude and direction of relationships
Difference score is an effect size used when comparing two groups, indicating the difference in standard deviations between the mean scores of the experimental and control groups
Practical significance (d) depends on various factors and even a small effect size can have significant financial benefits for an organization; it refers to the real-world impact of the study results

Sample Subjects

Random sample: Every member of the relevant population has an equal chance of being chosen to participate in the study
Convenience sample: Nonrandom sample that is easily available
Random assignment: unbiased assignment of subjects to experimental and control conditions

Running a Study

Debriefing: Informing participants about the study’s purpose and providing relevant information
Statistical analysis helps determine the reliability of results and the probability that they are not due to chance; results with a probability of 5% or less are considered statistically significant

Job Analysis Interviews

Individual interview: Job analyst interviews one employee at a time
Group interview: Several employees are interviewed together, known as a SME Conference
Guidelines for Interview:
- Prepare
- Open
- Conduct

Ammerman Technique

A job analysis method that identifies objectives and standards for the ideal worker
Steps:
- Convene a panel of experts from all organizational levels
- Identify objectives and standards for the ideal worker
- List behaviors necessary for meeting each objective/standard
- Identify critical behaviors
- Rank objectives based on importance

Observations

A job analysis method where the job analyst observes job incumbents performing their tasks
Often used alongside other job analysis methods, such as interviews

Job Participation

A job analysis method where the job analyst performs the job being analyzed
Useful when the analyst has prior experience with the job

Step 2: Write Task Statement

Task inventory is a questionnaire listing tasks that job incumbents rate on scales like importance and time spent

Step 3: Rate Task Statement

Task analysis identifies the tasks for which employees need training

Individual

O*NET is a database that includes information on occupations, worker characteristics, and labor market trends
O*NET can be used for employee selection and career exploration

Critical Incident Technique

Job analysis method developed by John Flanagan that uses written reports of good and bad employee behavior
Used to identify behaviors that distinguish successful from unsuccessful performance

Job Components Inventory

Provides information about the skills needed to perform a job, including perceptual, physical, mathematical, communication, decision-making, and responsibility skills

Threshold Traits Analysis

A 33-item questionnaire developed by Lopez that identifies essential traits for job success

Fleishman Job Analysis

A job analysis method that rates jobs based on the required abilities
Based on extensive research and uses ratings for 73 distinct abilities

Job Adaptability Inventory

Measures the extent to which a job involves eight types of adaptability

Interviewer Biases

Contrast Effect: An applicant's performance is judged relative to the performance of previous interviewees.
Negative Information Bias: Negative information weighs more heavily in an employment decision than positive information.
Interviewer-Interviewee Similarity: Interviewees who share similarities with the interviewer (e.g., personality, attitude, gender, race) tend to receive higher scores.
Interviewee Appearance: Physically attractive and professionally dressed applicants generally receive higher interview scores.
Nonverbal Cues: Nonverbal behaviors like smiling, eye contact, and posture influence interview scores.

Creating Interview Questions

Clarifier: Questions that clarify information from the resume, cover letter, and application.
Disqualifier: Questions that require a specific answer, with incorrect answers resulting in disqualification.
Skill-Level Determinant: Questions designed to assess an applicant's knowledge or skills.

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Description

This quiz explores the key aspects and current trends in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, including structured interviews, technological advancements, and the employment of I/O psychologists. It highlights the impact of social media, e-learning, and changing workplace dynamics on the field. Test your knowledge on the various settings where I/O psychologists operate.