Organizational & Indust Psych.

Catalog description

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to industrial and organizational psychology, examining how psychological theories and research inform behavior in workplace and market environments. Students will explore both micro-level and macro-level aspects of work life - ranging from individual aptitude and motivation to organizational culture, structure, and strategy. Topics include personnel selection, training and development, performance assessment, employee motivation, leadership, organizational change, group dynamics, work design, and the psychological underpinnings of consumer behavior and advertising. Students will analyze how organizational structure, communication, and management styles impact work behavior, and apply organizational theory to real-world challenges in employee relations, inclusion, ethics, and sustainability. The course also introduces foundational models from industrial organization economics- including market competition, firm strategy, and the role of antitrust regulation - providing students with a dual perspective on how both psychological and economic forces shape behavior in business settings. Through lectures, case studies, group projects, and applied exercises, students will develop practical skills to assess workplace behavior, recommend organizational improvements, and interpret strategic responses in real-world business contexts.