Exploring Industrial Psychologys Role in HR Development and Distance Learning Opportunities

Hi Deepti,

Please share your view on Industrial Psychology. I am in the HR field for the past 1 and a half years now. I wanted to know how a study in Industrial Psychology would help me grow in the Human Resource field. Will a long-distance study in the same field add value?

Thank you.

Hi,

Industrial psychology will be very helpful for you and will also add more value to you. For every HR, psychology study is very important. Almost every HR can understand the psychology of employees in common. If you want to work in any manufacturing industry or any large production-oriented firm at the entry level, they will definitely ask for a psychology subject or law subject. If you have interest, you can learn.

What Can Industrial Psychology Do For HR?

There are a number of ways you can use psychology to improve your work performance, to build the job-related skills that will help your career, and to give you a competitive edge.

Many people think of psychology as a set of theories and skills to be used by counselors and therapists who deal with mental problems. Abnormal behavior and mental disorders are, in fact, major concerns for some people who have studied psychology. But there are many applications of psychological findings outside of counseling. One of the oldest specialties in applied psychology has nothing to do with therapy and abnormality. This specialty is the psychology of work behavior.

Consider how a class or two in industrial psychology could be useful to you. After graduation, you will very likely devote more time and energy to work and your career than you will to most other aspects of your life. During the coming years you will spend in the workplace, you will encounter psychological issues of all kinds. For example, as you move into positions of greater responsibility, you will be expected to know:

- How to assess people for promotion,
- How to determine training needs, and
- How to make decisions affecting the success of your organization.

In a world where conflict and miscommunication are common, you will need to develop skills as a sensitive yet effective manager.

One way to begin to prepare yourself for these responsibilities is through courses in industrial psychology. Industrial psychology provides a foundation for understanding the human elements of the workplace. It can give you the competitive edge you will need when you enter the job market and as you move along your career ladders.

Descriptions of these follow:

Social/Organizational Skills

- Address job attitudes, the motivation to work, leadership style, and a variety of other topics of a social nature.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

- Addresses a comprehensive survey of psychology applied to the workplace. Includes all the major topics: job analysis, employee selection, performance appraisal, industrial training, job satisfaction, leadership, and work conditions.

Human Factors and Environmental Design

- Addresses ergonomics or human engineering. Human characteristics and capacities are considered as we analyze the design of things people use and the environments in which they use them. Topics include: information processing, applied anthropometry, workspace arrangement, illumination, noise effects, and product safety.

So industrial psychology plays a significant part in HR development.

Regards,

LEO LINGHAM

Hi Srikant,

Thanks for your inputs. Do you have any idea which institute offers a good correspondence course in Industrial Psychology? Please share with me if you know of any.

~ Deepti.

Dear Deepthi,

I have heard that TISS Mumbai offers an Industrial Psychology course. I'm not sure. Yeah, I would also love to do a course in Industrial Psychology. If you ever come across one, please do let me know. Madras University conducts an Applied Psychology course. I will tell you if I know any more institutes. I assume you are looking for institutes in India, right?

Sree

I don't know about correspondence courses in India. Most leading universities offer this course, both full-time and part-time. You may check with the Xavier Institute in Jamshedpur.

Regards,
Leo Lingham

Hi Deepti,

I think psychology is a practical subject with a strong foundation. Unfortunately, in my area, there are no institutions that offer a comprehensive course in psychology.

Hi,

The best institute in India to provide study in industrial psychology is Delhi University, a central university. They offer it as a Master's in Psychology with specialization in Organizational Behavior. Other universities include Jamia Millia Islamia. They both have an entrance exam followed by an interview for admission, with the forms typically available around June, and both are regular courses.

For a distance learning course, one can opt for Annamalai University, which is the second-best university in distance education after IGNOU.

Certainly! Here is the revised version of your text:

Can you please let me know what kind of jobs we can get after completing a course in Industrial Psychology? Or is it something related to the HR field itself? Kindly, please let me know this information.

Hi, thanks Bruncha for your response. I have graduated with a degree in psychology and sociology and wish to pursue a career in psychology. I would like to understand the current scope of industrial psychology and the types of job opportunities available in companies at different levels after studying industrial psychology. I am aware that industrial psychology encompasses various fields, could you please provide me with some information on this? I appreciate your response.

But is it effective to study this course (Diploma) abroad like in the US? So that after a year, you can work there for 2 years, gain experience, and work in India. How many think that's effective? The reason is that in India, it's just a course, and we won't be able to work as a junior under some senior. So, what is the best option: studying abroad or in India? Please let me know.

Hi all, can anyone give me notes on social and industrial psychology, please?

Additionally, I need information on different accidental liabilities.

I am pursuing a Master's in Industrial Psychology. What is the scope of Industrial Psychology? I am also learning German. Would Industrial Psychology and German be a good combination?

Thank you.

Hey Deepthi,

Have you decided on a university to pursue the IS course? I am interested in taking up the IS course, but can't decide between distance learning or full-time. If you have enrolled anywhere, please let me know how it is. Maybe that information would help me decide whether to opt for distance learning or full-time.

Thanks, Deepak Nambiar

Hi Deepthi,

I have a PG in Industrial Psychology from Andhra University (Regular Mode). My university also offers a Distance mode.

Regards,
Bhaskar

Subjects in 2nd year if specializing in IP:

INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANISATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (OPTIONAL 3)

MPCE 031 Organisational Behaviour

Block 1 Organisational Psychology

Unit 1 Introduction of Organisational Psychology

Unit 2 Organisational Behaviour, definition and importance

Unit 3 Fundamental concepts Organisation Behaviour

Unit 4 Different models of OB (autocratic, custodial, supportive, collegial, etc.)

Block 2 Personality and Attitudes in OBY

Unit 1 Job satisfaction

Unit 2 Work motivation

Unit 3 Content theory, process theory and schedule of reinforcement

Unit 4 Organisational commitment

Block 3 Leadership and Team Building

Unit 1 Definition of leadership and importance of team building

Unit 2 Change Management

Unit 3 Team Management

Unit 4 Resolving Conflicts

Block 4 Learning process and motivation in Organisational behaviour

Unit 1 Principles and Process of learning

Unit 2 Behavioural management

Unit 3 Motivation in Organization

Unit 4 The process of motivation for higher morale and productivity

MPCE 032 Organisational Behaviour

Block 1 Human Resource Planning

Unit 1 Assessment of Human Resource in Organization and Human resource Planning

Unit 2 Human Resource Management

Unit 3 People dimension in HR management and short term human resource planning

Unit 4 Short-term programmes in HR and evaluation

Block 2 Steps in HUM

Unit 1 Introduction to HUM, Planning and management

Unit 2 Training and Development

Unit 3 Workforce diversity and multicultural factors

Unit 4 Globalisation and changing economy and their effects on HUM

Block 3 Human Resource Laws

Unit 1 Intellectual Property rights

Unit 2 Labour laws (Indian and International)

Unit 3 Laws related to workplace violence and harassment

Unit 4 Laws related to Human Rights Violation

Block 4 Importance of HR Planning

Unit 1 Goals and objectives of Human Resource Planning, corporate social responsibility

Unit 2 Business strategy and operational strategies (technology and innovation in HRS)

Unit 3 Retention of qualified and technical personnel (competency mapping and performance appraisal)

Unit 4 Planning investment in development (including corporate counselling)

MPCE 033 Organisational development (OD)

Block 1 Introduction

Unit 1 Definition and introduction to Organisational development

Unit 2 Foundations of Organisational Development

Unit 3 Conceptual framework of OD

Unit 4 First order and second order Change

Block 2 Assumptions, beliefs and values in OD

Unit 1 Participation and Empowerment

Unit 2 Teams and teamwork

Unit 3 Parallel learning structures

Unit 4 A normative re-educative strategy of change

Block 3 Analysing and Managing the OD Process

Unit 1 Components of OD Process

Unit 2 Diagnosing the system, sub units and processes

Unit 3 Models for managing change (including six-box organisational model)

Unit 4 The programme evaluation process in OD (Including third wave consulting)

Block 4 OD Interventions

Unit 1 Definition, factors to be considered, Nature and classification of OD interventions

Unit 2 Selection and organising of intervention activities

Unit 3 Typology of interventions based on target groups

Unit 4 Human process interventions: individual, group and inter-group, coaching, counseling, training, behavioral modeling, mentoring, motivating, etc.

Too good for an HR career

Mumbai University Department of Applied Psychology offers a full-time Master's Program in Industrial Organizational Psychology. I myself have completed my M.A. in I-O Psychology. Just thought to share.

Hi @sweta.gosalia,

Can you please tell me whether you have completed this course? How has it helped in your career and overall thinking, and how important is it in the HR field? I mean, if I complete this course, is it considered good when I go for an HR interview?

Please guide. :)

Hi @coolguysarvesh,

I have completed my course in M.A II with Industrial Organizational Psychology. This course has definitely helped me a lot. Just for your information, I still haven't got my result, but I am employed in one of the leading chain of retail stores in their Corporate office (not Store) as a Management Trainee in the Learning and Development department. I think if taken seriously, this course is very good.

To respond to another question of yours, yes, it's important in the HR field. Following are the 4 papers offered in the course:

1. Personnel and Human Resource Development
2. Organizational Behavior
3. Organizational Development
4. Practicum which includes field visits, internship, case discussions, and much more.

I hope this information has cleared your doubts. For any other information or further doubts, you can approach me anytime.

Regards,
Sweta Gosalia

Thank you very much, Sweta! :)

I guess you've done it full-time. I'm thinking of pursuing it from IGNOU just to obtain a degree for the sake of my name, but I will take it seriously. Would you consider any value for the same?