#OrganizationalCognitiveNeuroscience expands the practice of #OrganizationalPsychology, #ConsultingPsychology,

Organizational cognitive neuroscience (OCN) is a new term used to describe the intersection, integration and application of neuroscientific discoveries with organizational and consulting psychology.

OCN is being defined in business leadership and marketing research. "…taking a wider neuroscientific approach to researching marketing or business-relevant problems and decisions will allow a greater understanding of why in general we behave or react the way we do, and a correspondingly greater ability to predict this”, (Lee, N., Butler, M., & Senior, C., 2010, p. 130).  

Organizational cognitive neuroscience (OCN) is an interdisciplinary study incorporating social psychology, organizational psychology and neuroscience. Neuroimaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies allow us to measure brain activity. It does so by showing the changes of blood flow associated with neural activity, (Butler, M. J.R., O'Broin, H. L.R., Lee, N. and Senior, C., 2016).

​This brain imaging technology has allowed scientists to map activity within regions of the brain to examine human behaviors and responses. These discoveries are expanding organizational psychology towards more neurobiological based interventions and assessments. 

“The organizational cognitive neuroscience approach … is not concerned with only the application of neuroscience methodologies to organizational research questions. Instead, the term ‘organizational cognitive neuroscience’ designates a genuinely multidisciplinary approach, in terms of both theory and method … organizational cognitive neuroscience is not simply the study of brain systems themselves but may also incorporate the use of prior knowledge of brain systems to develop new hypotheses about organizationally relevant issues…”, (Butler, M. J.R., O'Broin, H. L.R., Lee, N. and Senior, C., 2016).

We now have a greater understanding and insight into the process of emotional arousal and response patterns for individuals. Brain science imaging techniques are able to teach us and show us the neurological process of decision-making. “By combining this approach with functional brain scanning it is possible to understand which areas of the brain generated that specific emotional response—and whether distinct brain regions are involved in other types of decision making”, (Lee, N., Butler, M., & Senior, C., 2010, p. 130).  

Organizational cognitive neuroscience (OCN), while still in its infancy, is quickly forging a new way of thinking about human behavior and decision making from a neurobiological brain systems approach.

References
Lee, N., Butler, M., & Senior, C. (2010). The brain in business: neuromarketing and organizational cognitive neuroscience. Journal of Marketing. Volume 49; pp. 129–131. doi: 10.1007/s12642-010-0033-8

Butler, M. J.R., O'Broin, H. L.R., Lee, N. and Senior, C. (2016). How Organizational Cognitive Neuroscience Can Deepen Understanding of Managerial Decision-making: A Review of the Recent Literature and Future Directions. International Journal of Management Reviews. Volume 18; pp. 542–559. doi:10.1111/ijmr.12071