Business psychology, also called ?industrial-organizational? (I-O) psychology, is the study and practice of how people interact in business and on the job. The field dates back to the late 19th and early 20th century with early pioneers like Frederick Taylor and Lillian Gilbreth, who was also a noted female engineer and product designer. I-O psychology is one of the fastest-growing fields in psychology, helping businesses to discover more effective ways of work. Business psychologists can work as clinical counselors in the workplace or consultants for management and leadership, or they can conduct research in marketing, human resources, or employment-related training. I-O psychologists also work with engineers and product designers to create ergonomically designed technology and environments. The nature of work and business is changing rapidly, thanks to new technology and ever-evolving human factors. From discovering the advantages of workplace diversity to studying the impact of virtual workspaces and teams, I-O psychologists work in one of psychology?s most vital and challenging fields.
