Final answer:
Industrial and Organizational (I-O) Psychology is the field dedicated to the study and management of people at work, which includes industrial psychology, organizational psychology, and human factors psychology (ergonomics).
Step-by-step explanation:
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
The interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding and managing people at work is Industrial and Organizational (I-O) Psychology. This field applies scientific methods to study work and the workplace. It encompasses three broad areas: industrial psychology, organizational psychology, and human factors psychology, also known as ergonomics particularly in Europe. Industrial psychology is concerned with job analysis, applicant testing, and employee training. Organizational psychology focuses on social dynamics at work, including job satisfaction, workplace culture, and management styles. Human factors psychology specifically focuses on how workers interact with the tools and machines they use, aiming to optimize productivity, safety, and well-being.
For example, a human factors psychologist may study the ergonomics of a workstation or workers' interactions with software, striving to create environments that support health and efficiency. They might examine how to design chairs or desks for better posture, or analyze user interfaces for software to make them more intuitive. In this way, human factors psychology seeks to understand and improve the human-machine interface in various work settings.
Frequent applications in the field include designing better tools, machines, and workspaces to fit human requirements. By focusing on physical and cognitive integration, human factors psychologists aim to enhance the workplace for better efficiency and worker satisfaction.