Founders of Industrial and Organizational Psychology

The founders of industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology were men and women who were interested in applying the principles of psychology to problems within organizations. The following is a discussion of a few key individuals who helped to shape the field.

The two individuals credited with being the main founders of I-O psychology are Hugo Munsterberg and Walter Dill Scott. Both were trained as experimental psychologists and were involved in applying psychological principles to organizational problems. Hugo Munsterberg (1863–1916) played a key role in the development of applied psychology, especially industrial psychology. Munsterberg was interested in employee selection and the use of psychological tests in [Page 513]industry. He was the best-known psychologist in America at the time of his death due to his applied work and ...