Aligning industrial and organisational psychology education with its dual mandate: A significant learning approach

Abstract

Orientation: Industrial and organisational psychology (IOP) is both a scientific discipline and a caring profession. Preparing graduates for this dual mandate requires pedagogical approaches that develop scientific competence alongside ethical awareness, interpersonal effectiveness and a commitment to human flourishing.
Research purpose: This opinion article argues that Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning provides a more comprehensive framework than traditional cognitive taxonomies for designing IOP curricula.
Motivation for the study: While Bloom’s Taxonomy remains influential in higher education, its emphasis on cognitive outcomes may under-represent the interpersonal, ethical and affective capabilities required of contemporary IOP practitioners. Given the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s emphasis on both scientific rigour and human flourishing, there is a need to reconsider the pedagogical frameworks that underpin IOP education.
Research approach/design and method: The article adopts a conceptual and reflective approach, drawing on educational theory, pedagogical scholarship and professional guidelines to examine the value of Fink’s taxonomy for IOP education.
Main findings: Fink’s taxonomy integrates foundational knowledge, application, integration, the human dimension, caring and learning how to learn. These dimensions closely align with the competencies expected of IOP practitioners and support the development of reflective, ethical and practice-ready graduates.
Practical/managerial implications: The article demonstrates how Fink’s taxonomy can guide curriculum design, teaching and assessment to foster both disciplinary expertise and professional capability.
Contribution/value-add: The article reframes pedagogy in IOP as a scholarly endeavour and offers a holistic framework for preparing graduates to address the complex human and organisational challenges of contemporary workplaces.