The Australian Organisational Psychologist: An Update

Abstract

A survey of the current role of Australian organisational psychologists was carried out based on a previous survey conducted by Barkway and Kirby (1983). It was found that consulting with management, training, test interpretation, management development, and personnel counselling were still the core activities of organisational psychologists. However, there was evidence of new services such as managing conflict, establishing a creative climate or culture, counselling for retrenchment or redeployment, and job description specifications. Consulting had also replaced government as the most common form of employment. Educational qualifications had improved, but a more practical approach was seen as desirable in academic courses. An increase in the proportion of female organisational psychologists was also apparent. While there was generally greater optimism about employment prospects, some concern was expressed about the professional integrity of organisational psychology and, as in the previous survey, there was still concern about the need to improve the marketing of the services of organisational psychologists.