How Do Industrial Psychologists and Human Resource Management Practitioners Perceive Their Status and Job Satisfaction?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the perceived status and job satisfaction of registered industrial psychologists with that of human resource management (HRM) practitioners who are not registered as industrial psychologists. In South Africa, registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is a statutory requirement which entitles one to call oneself an industrial psychologist and to perform certain psychological acts. However, many personnel who are not registered psychologists also work in the field of HRM and are not required to register with a statutory body. Despite differences in the minimum qualifications required and statutory registration requirements, there is a great deal of overlap between the roles of industrial psychologists and other HRM practitioners in organisations. This raises issues regarding the perceived benefits of registration. This research focuses on perceptions of status as a potential intrinsic benefit of registration. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 46 participants who were registered with the HPCSA and 45 HRM practitioners who were not registered (n = 91). Results found no significant difference in status or job satisfaction between registered and non-registered participants. The findings are discussed in terms of the motivation to qualify and register as an industrial psychologist and implications for professional identity and practice.