The Role of Occupational Psychology in Our Society: Do We Value Creatures or Creature Comforts?

Occupational Psychologists are a privileged community, and their skills are well suited to contribute towards the mitigation of major social issues e.g., climate change (through change management, leadership and vision, and training). However, working within a capitalist economic system within which we position ourselves as objective, competitive, evidence-based and value-free is increasingly problematic for challenging the ongoing managerialist values that distort our work. As a result of these factors, we have been excluding important populations and themes from our research and practice, attributing more responsibility to individuals than organisations, and compromising our ability to drive social impact. Through education, reconsideration of our shared values, and direct action like activism, there is hope that Occupational Psychology can carve itself a renewed identity for challenging the wide problematic context it works within towards a more socially responsible community.