Description

Occupational Psychology: An Applied Approach introduces students to the essential theories in this area, from motivation and wellbeing to group roles and individual differences. The book explores the impact of every topic from the perspective of the individual, management, and the organisation as a whole, encouraging the reader to consider the consultancy process at each stage.

Features

• A focus on employability throughout emphasizes the relevance of occupational psychology to everyday experiences of work
• Each chapter features a fictional case study, allowing readers to put their skills into practice
• Real case examples highlight the application of theory in the context of actual organisations
• Reflective questions and Questions for thought help to reinforce learning by encouraging readers to engage with the theory
• Short answer questions at the end of each chapter allow students to check their understanding

Table of Contents

1. Preface

   Acknowledgements

   List of contributors

   Guided tour

   Publisher’s acknowledgements

    

   1. Introduction to occupational psychology

   Learning outcomes

   1.1   Introduction

   1.2   Occupational psychology in the pre-First World War era

   1.3   Occupational psychology in the First World War

   1.4   Post-First World War and pre-Second World War

   1.5   Occupational psychology in the Second World War

   1.6   Occupational psychology in the 1940s to 1960s

   1.7   Occupational psychology from the 1970s to the present

   1.8   Challenges for occupational psychology in the 21st century

   1.9   Conclusions

   Short-answer questions

   Further reading

    

   2. Becoming a practitioner occupational psychologist and the consultancy cycle

   Learning outcomes

   2.1   Becoming a practitioner occupational psychologist

   2.2   Consultancy

   2.3   The consultancy cycle

   2.4   Writing a business/consultancy report

   2.5   Ethics

   2.6   Conclusions

   Short-answer questions

   Websites

   Further reading

    

   3. Legislation applied to the workplace

   Learning outcomes

   3.1   Introduction

   3.2   United Kingdom law

   3.3   European law

   3.4   Types of discrimination

   3.5   Protected characteristics

   3.6   Avoiding discrimination

   3.7   Summary

   Short-answer questions

   Websites

   Further information

    

   4. Personnel selection and assessment

   Learning outcomes

   4.1   Introduction

   4.2   Job analysis

   4.3   Job description

   4.4   Person specification

   4.5   Job advertisements

   4.6   Selection process

   4.7   Fairness in selection

   4.8   Decision-making

   Multi-level impact of personnel selection and assessment

   Legal context

   Short-answer questions

   Case study: Personnel selection and assessment

   Further reading

    

   5. Performance appraisal, career development, counselling and coaching

   Learning outcomes

   5.1   Introduction

   5.2   Performance appraisal

   5.3   Career development, counselling and coaching

   Multi-level impact of performance appraisal and career development

   Legal context

   Short-answer questions

   Case study: Performance appraisal and career development/counselling

   Further reading

    

   6. Well-being, stress and work-–life balance

   Learning outcomes

   6.1   Introduction

   6.2   Well-being

   6.3   Stress at work

   6.4   Causes of stress at work

   6.5   Consequences of stress

   6.6   Outcomes of stress reduction

   6.7   Healthy workplace

   Multi-level impact of stress

   Legal context

   Short-answer questions

   Case study: Well-being, stress and work–life balance

   Further information

    

   7. Individual differences

   Learning outcomes

   7.1   Introduction

   7.2   Personality

   7.3   Intelligence

   7.4   Values, individual beliefs and behaviour

   Multi-level impact of individual differences

   Legal context

   Short-answer questions

   Case study: Individual differences

   Further reading

    

   8. Training

   Learning outcomes

   8.1   Introduction

   8.2   Models of training<

Back Cover

“A book that should be on the shelves of all aspiring Occupational Psychologists.” Bridget Hanna, Chartered Psychologist, Glasgow Caledonian University

 

‘…a welcome addition for students of Occupational Psychology, this is an immensely readable and informative account of most of the issues facing Occupational Psychologists today…it offers plenty of opportunity to engage with the material whilst not compromising on depth of information.’  Dr Sandi Mann, University of Central Lancashire

 

Occupational Psychology: An Applied Approach introduces students to the essential key theories in this area, from motivation and well-being to group roles and individual differences. The book explores the impact of every topic from the perspective of the individual, management, and the organisation as a whole, encouraging the reader to consider the consultancy process at each stage. Written in a clear and concise style, with an emphasis on the application of these theories and skills in the real world, readers can use this book to move beyond theory and into practice.  

 

Key features:

• Each chapter features a fictional case study, allowing readers to put their skills into practice
• Real case examples highlight the application of theory in the context of actual organisations
• Reflective questions and Questions for thought help to reinforce learning by encouraging readers to engage with the theory
• Short answer questions at the end of each chapter allow students to check their understanding
• A focus on employability throughout emphasizes the relevance of occupational psychology to everyday experiences of work

Both practical and theoretical, this is a book that will equip students with a complete and applied understanding of the area.

 

Gail Steptoe-Warren is Senior Lecturer and Course Director in Occupational Psychology at Coventry University

Author

Gail Steptoe-Warren is Senior Lecturer and Course Director in Occupational Psychology at Coventry University

Reader Review(s)

"This is a reader friendly and up-to-date text that stands out in the field because of its UK focus. It is clearly written with good examples and includes useful exercises that will help students further consolidate their learning." -

Dr. Lindsey Burns, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University