What is the primary focus of industrial-organizational psychology?

The primary focus of industrial-organizational psychology is the application of psychological principles to improve workplace performance. This field examines how various psychological factors influence the behavior of individuals and groups in organizational settings. Industrial-organizational psychologists apply theories and practices from psychology to address issues such as employee motivation, performance, job satisfaction, and leadership.

By leveraging psychological principles, these professionals aim to enhance productivity, improve employee well-being, and create a more effective workplace environment. This could involve developing training programs, improving hiring processes, and implementing performance management systems, all geared toward optimizing both individual and organizational outcomes.

The other options, while related to some aspects of psychology, do not capture the essence of industrial-organizational psychology. For example, focusing exclusively on mental illnesses in the workplace is too narrow and does not encompass the broader applications of psychology in organizational settings. Understanding consumer behavior is more aligned with marketing psychology rather than the dynamics of workplace performance. Finally, investigating historical psychological theories might provide context and background but does not directly relate to the application of psychology for improving workplace functionality.