What are careers in social psychology?

An industrial-organizational psychologist, human resource specialist, or social services representative are careers in social psychology.

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

  Using the tenets of social psychology, an industrial-organizational psychologist can help businesses to function more effectively and efficiently.

  For example, they might devise a reward system for employees to help motivate them (and to help them motivate one another) to complete their job tasks to a higher standard of excellence. Additionally, industrial-organizational psychologists look at problems in the workplace and identify solutions to those problems.

  For example, they might spend a month studying interactions between employees and members of management and make recommendations for improving the quality of those interactions to strengthen relationships between workers and their superiors.

  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Industrial-Organizational Psychologists earn an average (mean) wage of $113,320 annually as of May 2021.

• Human Resources Specialist

  Another career option in social psychology is a human resource specialist. Human resource specialists recruit, screen, and interview job applicants and place newly hired workers in jobs. They may also handle compensation and benefits, training, and employee relations.

  While it may seem strange to have a human resource specialist on a list for a career in social psychology, it actually plays a very important role at the time of recruitment, taking disciplinary action, or resolving disputes between employees. The focus of human resources lies mainly in dealing with people.

  This means knowing how to read the person in front of you, observing their behavioral attributes, and conducting yourself accordingly. Process, competencies, and technology come into play, but really, it is all about people skills. Social psychology not only helps to bring challenges to light but also solutions.

  Placing the right person in the right position based on their strengths and building a sense of flow and engagement in work not only boosts productivity but contributes to the loyalty and well-being of the worker. Human resource specialists can apply psychology to find ways to increase workplace productivity.

• Social Services Representative

  A social services representative functions to assist children, adults, and families in finding the resources they need to lead healthy and safe lives. They might work with a family in which the parents are both out of work to help them find jobs to support their children.

  They may provide services like job coaching or job training as well as providing information for assistance programs and workforce centers that can assist with filling out job applicants, writing resumes and cover letters, and preparing for interviews.

  Another area in which a social services representative may work is in substance abuse or behavioral conditions. For example, part of their job may be to connect individuals that are recovering from a psychological or behavioral condition with the appropriate community resources.

  They may help their client find a place to live that is clean and safe. They can also connect their clients with counselors or therapists that specialize in treating their specific disorder or condition or arrange for their clients to take part in support groups.

  Additional opportunities within social psychology may include:

  • Political strategist

  • School counselor

  • Public relations specialist