Social-Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Area Coordinator: Dr. Chris Parker

Welcome to the Social-Industrial/Organizational (Social-I/O) area of the Department of Psychology. We offer a research-based Ph.D. program grounded in the theories and empirical literature of Social and Industrial/Organizational Psychology with rigorous training in statistics and methodology. Our program enables students to focus on either Social Psychology or I/O Psychology while receiving exposure to both disciplines. Below we describe Social and Industrial/Organizational Psychology as well as the career paths available to students earning a Ph.D. in each field.

Social Psychology

Social Psychology is the study of how we interact with, influence, and think about other people. At NIU, our faculty are interested in issues related to social judgment, autobiographical memory, cognitive representations of the self and others, social influence, resistance to persuasion, jealousy, and evolutionary psychology. Students with an interest in social psychology receive training that prepares them for a position in basic or applied research either in an academic setting (such as a four year college or university) or in a non-academic position in the public or private sector.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology is the application of psychology to corporate, governmental, and not-for-profit organizations. I/O psychologists develop and apply behavioral principles to improve organizational functioning and individual performance. At NIU, our faculty are interested in issues related to employee selection, newcomer socialization and mentoring, performance appraisal, group processes, employee work attitudes, leadership, climate and culture, workforce diversity, stereotyping and discrimination. Students with an interest in Industrial/Organizational Psychology receive training that prepares them for either an academic career in I/O psychology or for employment in a variety of non-academic settings such as consulting firms or corporations.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Social/IO grad program is January 15th.