Industrial Psychology: An Identity Crisis And Future Direction1

Abstract

The ontological and epistemological dimensions of Industrial Psychology originated from disparate psychology theories and multi-disciplinary attempts at solving problems related to employee satisfaction and productivity. From these developments, two notional clusters of competencies emerged to represent Personnel Psychology and Organisational Psychology. Industrial Psychology teaching, however, includes conflicting psychological theories which may potentially create something akin to an identity crisis among academics and practitioners. Educational strategies and the Industrial Psychologist’s role in industry, should therefore be revised. Against the scenario of this background, the article offers guidelines which allude to competency based training; the influence of information technology on Industrial Psychology teaching; and a new anticipated role for the Industrial Psychologist.

Opsomming
Die ontologiese en epistemologiese dimensies van die Bedryfsielkunde vind sy oorsprong in uiteenlopende sielkundige teorieë en multi-dissiplinêre pogings om probleme m.b.t. werknemertevredenheid en produktiwiteit op te los. Vanuit hierdie ontwikkelings het twee hoofgroeperings van bevoegdhede ontvou wat Personeelsielkunde en Organisasie-sielkunde verteenwoording. Bedryfsielkundige opleiding bevat egter teenoorstaande sielkundige teorieë wat potensieel ‘n identiteitskrisis onder akademici en praktisyns kan skep. Opleidingstrategieë en die rol van die Bedryfsielkundige in die bedryf vra dus om hersiening. Teen die agtergrond van hierdie scenario, bied die artikel riglyne m.b.t. bevoegdheidsgebaseerd