ABSTRACT
Humanitarian work is perhaps the quintessential example of an activity devoted to the greater good. This chapter concerns the growing sub-field of humanitarian work psychology (HWP) and the implications of that sub-field’s emergence for industrial-organizational psychology. We define “humanitarian work psychology” as the synthesis of I-O psychology with deliberate and organized efforts to enhance human welfare. These efforts prominently include many punctuated and short-term activities such as humanitarian aid and disaster relief as well as more long-term and systemic activities such as poverty reduction, the promotion of gender equality, and the reduction of corruption. It is important to point out that while these efforts often span national boundaries and are aimed toward “developing” countries, they also include intra-national activities and activities within “developed” countries. Moreover, while many of these efforts to enhance human welfare are carried out by or take place within a formal organization, many others involve teams, communities, various types of personal and professional associations, complex organizational alliances, and international systems. Therefore, HWP is a good example of I-O psychology that is not limited by national or organizational borders.
