Industrial psychology is one of the branches of psychology that does not deal directly with therapy sessions in the hopes of getting an individual to come to term with physical and mental problems of the mind. Instead, psychologists in this field observe and report on workplace behavior and environment. This may or may not involve talking to people. Once finished, they offer changes that can be made or solutions to problems found in the workplace.
The research performed by industrial psychologists is wide, varied and focused on many different issues. For example, research may be done on the human factors of safety management compared to factors contributed by the workplace environment. Other topics of research can involve workplace culture and mergers, sexual harassment and stigmas in a workplace organization such as sex, religion and race.
The benefits that come from this research is important to maintaining a workplace that is able to run smoothly and efficiently as well as to improving the morale and productivity of employees. In particular, research has improved safety in many industries by making changes to safety codes and standards as well as implementing new safety procedures. The value of industrial psychology is also in the way it helps employees understand and work well with each other and with their employers, both individually and as a team.