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Appendix B Psychology at Work

Work and Life Satisfaction

B-1 What is flow?

Flow is a completely involved, focused state of consciousness with diminished awareness of self and time. It results from fully engaging one’s skills.
Work may be just a job, a somewhat fulfilling career, or a calling, which produces the highest levels of satisfaction.

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B-2 What are the key fields and subfields related to industrial-organizational psychology?

Industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology’s key fields and subfields are human factors, personnel, and organizational psychology:
- Human factors psychologists, now in a distinct field allied with I/O psychology, explore how people and machines interact for optimal safety and effectiveness.
- Personnel psychologists use psychology’s principles to select, place, train, and evaluate workers.
- Organizational psychologists consider an organization’s goals, environments, and management styles in an effort to improve worker motivation, satisfaction, and productivity.

B-3 Why is it important to motivate achievement?

Achievement motivation is a desire for significant accomplishment; for mastery of skills or ideas; for control; and for attaining a high standard. High achievement motivation leads to greater success, especially when combined with determined, persistent grit.
The most satisfied and engaged employees tend to be the most productive and successful. Managers motivate most effectively when they make clear what is expected, provide needed materials, allow employees to do what they do best, affirm employees, and ensure opportunities to learn and develop.

B-4 How can leaders be most effective?

Leaders can harness strengths, by matching tasks to talents and reinforcing positive behaviors. They can set specific, challenging goals that stretch employees, but not beyond what they can do.
Leaders can also choose an appropriate leadership style for the situation, such as task leadership when a more directive style is needed, or social leadership when a more democratic style fits best. The most effective leaders often combine task and social leadership styles.