[ Industrial/Organizational Psychology ]

Course Offerings

2009–2010

PSY 501 Applied Psychology of Personnel Management
An in-depth overview of all areas of industrial psychology: ethical guidelines, case and statuary law, job analysis, selection,  training, motivation, and job satisfaction. Students analyze and design presentations of research reports, case studies, and  application readings.

PSY 511 Problem-Solving Methods in I/O Psychology
A seminar on problem-solving research methods used in I/O psychology. Topics include: ethics in research, quasi- experimentation design, program evaluation, use of appropriate statistical method, and workplace applications.

PSY 512 Problem-Solving Analysis in I/O Psychology
An overview of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques for problem solving and decision making in I/O applications.  Students will use the Excel Spreadsheet and SPSS software to gain familiarity with various univariate and multivariate  statistics.

PSY 517 Small Group Theory and Process
Introduces and demonstrates small group theory, research, and practice. Emphasis is on improving students’ ability to  interact in work groups through simulations of workplace situations. Topics to be covered include: group leadership, power,  conformity, conflict resolution, and group decision making.

PSY 520 Employee Selection Procedures
A survey of job selection procedures used to assess individuals for hiring, promotion, and other employment decisions.  Topics include decision theory and the lawful, ethical, and professional basis of such procedures as interviews, ability tests,  personality inventories, and other less-structured methods.

PSY 521 Criterion Theory, Job Analysis, and Performance Appraisal
A study of the methods used to develop measures that evaluate the performance of individuals, groups, and the overall  productivity of organizations. Students will gain experience conducting job analyses and constructing performance appraisal  measures.

PSY 523 Training: Theory, Design, and Evaluation
An examination of the design, implementation, and evaluation of effective training programs in organizations based on  modern learning theory and principles of adult learning.

PSY 525 Measurement of Individual Difference
An examination of classical test theory, measurement, and standards of psychological testing that is the foundation for the  ethical and professional assessment of individual difference. Topics include the application to the areas of employee  selection, performance, and training.

PSY 530 Organizational Theory
An examination of the structures and social systems of organizations through current theories and case studies. Topics  include: organizational power and politics, organizational roles and norms, policy formation, and organizational justice or the fair treatment of employees in organizations.

PSY 531 Organizational Development
An examination of the theories, research, impact, and practice of organizational change, particularly the effects of such  changes on employees. Students will gain experience at formulating change strategies through work with case studies and  research reports.

PSY 537 Assessing Job Attitudes, Opinions, and Beliefs
An examination of the determinants and consequences of job satisfaction, involvement, culture, commitment, and other  job-related attitudes. Questionnaire development and use as well as other methods of measurement will be addressed.

PSY 539 Work Motivation
A study of the major theoretical areas of work motivation: need, cognitive, and social learning. Emphasis is on the  application of these theories to an increasingly diverse workforce.

PSY 590-593 Internship/Experiential Component
Supervised field work in an industrial/organizational work setting. Three alternatives are available to students: 1) internship in a new organization, 2) intern project in a current work setting, and 3) intern project with work brought to Elmhurst by I/O
faculty. Topics and sites are to be developed with I/O faculty and submitted to the Department of Psychology for final  approval. Upon completion of this component, students will submit a manuscript that conforms to department criteria for  experiential component papers. Students must complete all four courses.

PSY 599 Thesis (Optional)
An independent research project conducted under the guidance of an I/O faculty member, with the approval of the  departmental committee, and conforming to departmental criteria for theses. For students who plan to attempt further  education at the doctoral level.