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Definition of Practice Areas

Adapted from the Definitions of Practice Areas written by the College of Psychologists of Ontario

Industrial and Organizational Psychology

All members of the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists require the following minimum working knowledge base:

• knowledge in the core areas of psychology (MRA standards);
• knowledge of learning;
• knowledge of all relevant ethical, legal and professional issues;
• knowledge of research design and methodology;
• knowledge of statistics; and
• knowledge of psychological measurement.

Industrial and Organizational Psychology is the field of psychological practice and research that aims to further the welfare of people and the effectiveness of organizations by: understanding the behaviour of individuals and organizations in the workplace, helping individuals pursue meaningful and enriching work, and assisting organizations in the effective management of their human resources.

In addition to the above minimum knowledge base, members practising Industrial and Organizational Psychology require the following:

• knowledge of organizational behaviour;
• knowledge of psychological adjustment/lifespan development;
• knowledge of personality/individual differences;
• knowledge of assessment for selection, promotion and career development;
• knowledge of the psychology of training in organizations;
• knowledge of intervention procedures within the context of the organization; and
• knowledge of evaluation of change.

For members practising Industrial and Organizational Psychology the following minimum skills are required:

• the ability to perform an appropriate assessment;
• the ability to identify individual clients in need of referral for diagnostic purposes or clinical treatment; and
• the ability to plan, execute and evaluate an appropriate organizational intervention.