Describe some of the major activities and tasks an industrial/organizational performs. Which do you believe is most beneficial to the organization?

          Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology is a subfield of psychology. The concern of I/O psychology is the development and application of scientific principles to the work environment (Spector, 2012). I/O focuses on the efficiency of the work environment and the well-being of employees. I/O's goal is studying and understanding the behavior of employees in the work environment. Which is the responsibility of I/O psychologists. I/O psychologists perform numerous activities and tasks for organizations to enhance an organization's effectiveness, functioning ability, and to enhance the well-being of employees through job analysis, conducting analysis for determining solutions for organizational problems, conducting surveys of employee's feelings and opinions, and designing employee's performance appraisal systems (Spector, 2012). As well as designing employee's selection systems, designing training programs, developing psychological tests, evaluating the effectiveness of activities or practices, and implementing organizational changes (Spector, 2012).

           I believe the most beneficial activity of an I/O psychologist to an organization is to perform a job analysis or analyzing the nature of jobs. To be an effective I/O psychologist one must start with a job analysis. Analyzing a job or work environment provides significant information for an I/O psychologist, which enables him or her to determine what steps are necessary to maintain or enhance the effectiveness of a work environment and the well-being of an organization's employees. A job analysis allows an I/O psychologist to see what areas an organization has failed at or needs to improve in. A job analysis allows one to implement goals and to take necessary actions to rectify areas of failure or to enhance potential successful areas within an organization. I/O psychologist are an important and beneficial members of an organization, which can effectively enhance the well-being of an organization and its employees.       

Reference

Spector, P. E. (2012). Industrial and organizational psychology (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.