Managerial Psychology

Abstract

Managerial psychology is a sub-discipline of

Psychology or Management, focusing on

understanding organization behaviour. Managerial

psychology draws from frameworks and

descriptions about the psychology and sociology

of organizations and the institutional context of

work and careers. This chapter introduces the

reader to behavioural science concepts, constructs,

theories, methods, and tools that are used and

applied to issues that people encounter in their

work and career. The chapter provides an

overview of work and organizations in

contemporary industrial society. It considers

individual behaviour, then moves to behaviour in

groups or teams, and finally discusses

organizations as a whole. After reading the

chapter, the reader is expected to, among other

things: (a) know something about managerial

psychology, including its meaning and scope; (b)

know and appreciate people’s needs in

organizations; (c) understand social influence in

organizations; and (d) develop skills for decision

making, and organizational analysis. The chapter

highlights perceptions and attitudes, cognitive

style, decision making, motivation, creativity,

networking, negotiation, social influence, group

dynamics, group decision making, organizational

culture, organizational learning, leadership and

power, organizational change, and organizational

analysis. The aforementioned are areas relevant to

managerial psychology.