The Early Years of Industrial and Organizational Psychology

This book provides a comprehensive history of the early years of industrial and organizational psychology from an international perspective.

Andrew J. Vinchur (Author)

9781107065734, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 November 2018

370 pages, 9 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.8 x 2 cm, 0.72 kg

'This is, in one sense, a very ambitious book, aiming to provide a 'comprehensive picture' of the early years of what is now known as industrial-organizational (IO) psychology. It has a global scope (although the United States receives most attention) and covers roughly half a century, from the late 1800s to the 1930s … it is impressive in its offerings and scope.' Maarten Derksen, Isis

This book provides a history of the origins of industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology, focusing on the late nineteenth century and early twentieth centuries. Taking an international perspective, The Early Years of Industrial-Organizational Psychology examines the context in which the field emerged, and its origins in the measurement of individual differences. Andrew J. Vinchur covers the initial applications of psychology in advertising, the study of fatigue, and especially employee selection, as well as the role industrial psychology played in World War I and the post-war expansion of the field. He also examines the education of industrial psychologists, their efforts to establish industrial psychology as a profession, and the beginnings of the organizational side of the field.

1. Work, psychology, and history
2. Historical context and influence
3. Measurement, individual differences, and psychological testing
4. Initial forays into industry
5. Industrial psychology and the Great War
6. The post-war expansion of industrial psychology
7. Employee selection in the 1920s
8. The education of industrial psychologists
9. Establishing a profession
10. The beginnings of organizational psychology
11. Reflections on the early years of I-O psychology.

Subject Areas: Educational psychology [JNC], Psychological methodology [JMB], Psychology [JM]