Research
Industrial/organisational psychology and human factors
Examining the human element of work to create better workplaces
In an increasingly technology-based world, workplaces and the nature of work have changed dramatically. The fields of human factors and industrial/organisational psychology deal with the human element of work, as well as the interactions of humans with the technological and social elements of systems.
This involves improving the organisational and physical structure of the workplace to accommodate the cognitive, physiological and motivational capabilities and limitations of humans.
Our work investigates the performance and wellbeing of workers in various roles by considering both system factors such as work design and management style, and individual factors such as fatigue, problem-solving abilities and situational awareness.
Our research seeks to answer questions such as:
- How do we attract and select job applicants to optimise person-role fit?
- How can we design workplaces and work roles to enable the workforce to perform effectively, efficiently and safely?
Research laboratories
- Attention and Human Behaviour Laboratory
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Our research is at the interface between key human cognitive abilities, such as attention and multitasking, and human behaviours across a variety of situations.
Over a century of 'basic' experimental research has taught us a lot about human cognition and perception, as well as their underlying neural mechanisms. However, we know much less about how these abilities differ across individuals and groups, or how these abilities influence everyday behaviours, like driving, or performance in specialised jobs, like the military or air-traffic control.
The goal of our work is to answer these questions by breaking through traditional divides between basic and applied research, and to focus on building a reciprocal relationship in which basic research can guide practical questions, and practical outcomes can give new insights into basic processes.
Attention and Human Behaviour LaboratoryContact us
- Cognitive Abilities Laboratory
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Research in the Cognitive Abilities Laboratory is devoted to the topics of intellectual and emotional intelligence, in addition to the non-intellective factors that may affect test score performance. Recent work undertaken with honours and postgraduate students has attempted to understand the nature of individual differences in test-taking motivation, as well as their potential impact on cognitive ability and achievement test scores.
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- Human Factors and Applied Cognition (HUFAC) Laboratory
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The Human Factors and Applied Cognition (HUFAC) Laboratory conducts theory-driven research to understand the cognitive mechanisms that underlie human performance in safety-critical work contexts. To achieve this we conduct both basic experimental psychology research and research using simulations of air traffic control, submarine track management, unmanned vehicle control, and driving.
The core aim is to strengthen the link between psychological science and practice by publishing in world-class journals, and transferring knowledge and skills as directly as possible back to industry.
Core questions addressed in the HUFAC Laboratory include:
- How can task automation be designed to maximise operator and system efficiency/safety?
- How do individuals remember to perform delayed intentions when multi-tasking (prospective memory), and how can the negative impact of task interruptions be minimised?
- What are the mechanisms by which individuals develop understanding the current state of their tasks and anticipate the future (situation awareness), and to what extent can this be trained?
Funding
The HUFAC Laboratory has received more than $6.2 million dollars in funding from bodies such as:
- Australian Research Council
- Air Services Australia
- Defence Science and Technology Group
- Defence Research and Development (Canada)
- Neurotrauma Research Program
- Department of Airforce (Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development)
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- Associate Professor Shayne Loft
- Dr Stephanie Chen - Research Associate
- Leadership, Ethics and Individual Differences (LEAD) Lab
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The Leadership, Ethics, and Individual Differences (LEAD) is an applied psychology lab. We investigate issues in leadership, organisational behaviour, ethical and social behaviour with a focus on individual differences and effective applications. The behaviours of interest to this lab appear in dynamic social environments where one person’s actions often have a significant influence on other people. Because of this, our research aims to have a positive impact on society through helping to improve organisational leadership effectiveness and enhance compliance with ethical principles.
Some questions that the LEAD lab explores include:
- How are individual differences related to leadership styles and leadership behaviour?
- How can leadership enhance employee performance?
- Can we increase ethical behaviour in industry and educational environments?
- How do we prevent unethical behaviour such as cheating and plagiarism by university students?
With specific expertise in leadership development, the LEAD lab welcomes industry collaboration aimed at enhancing leadership effectiveness through assessment, training, workshops, coaching, and executive education.
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- Psychology at Work Lab
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Industrial and organisational psychology is a specialist area that applies psychological knowledge and skills to workplaces with the aim of improving organisational effectiveness and the quality of work life.
The Psychology at Work Lab is staffed by Organisational Psychologist practitioners, academics, and postgraduate students (under the supervision of experienced academics and registered psychologists). The lab conducts research, consultancy, industry placement activity and training with a wide range of industry partners, including government, national and multinational corporations, and not-for-profit partner organisations. We collaborate by developing an in-depth understanding of the partner organisation's situation and needs, and applying science-driven approaches, using a multifaceted team of academics, practitioners and students.
We work with individuals, teams and organisations to improve work-related outcomes such as performance, job satisfaction, safety and wellbeing.
Our areas of focus to achieve such improved outcomes include:
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Selection and assessment
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Diversity
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Personality, attitudes and motivation
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Work behaviour
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Training and development
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Job and organisational design
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Team composition and processes
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Leadership
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Organisational culture
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Change management.
Our research methodologies include field- and lab-based studies as well as online studies, where data is collected through surveys, interviews, observations, meta-analyses, large industry databases, or a combination thereof, and analysed based on a thorough understanding of available and applicable statistical methods.
Our team can offer customised, up-to-date training in all of the focus areas listed above. If you are interested in partnering with us for research, consulting, placement activity, or training, please do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss opportunities.Contact us: psychologyatwork-sps@uwa.edu.au
- Liz Pritchard, Organisational Psychologist
- Jill Latham, Organisational Psychologist
- Dr Serena Wee
- Dr Lisette Kanse
- Dr Laura Fruhen
- Dr Darja Kragt
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