Work and organisational psychology (BPS210)

Content

The course sheds light on human behaviour, interaction and experiences in the workplace and in organisations. The students learn about different theoretical perspectives on personality in a work and organisational context. The course focuses on the individual employee, including: selection, motivation, performance, stress and development; how work and tasks are organised; relationships in the workplace; dyadic interactions, team relationships and leadership; organisations, their structure, culture, dynamics and development.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course, students will

• have knowledge of a selection of concepts, theories and empirical data from the fields of work psychology and organisational psychology
• have knowledge of theories, concepts and empirical data that are relevant to elucidate a given problem related to working life and organisations
• have knowledge of the causes and effects of problems in working life and organisations
• have knowledge of relevant interventions and preventive measures in the fields of work psychology and organisational psychology for described problems
• have knowledge of the relative strengths and weaknesses of various interventions and preventive measures in the fields of work psychology and organisational psychology

Skills

On successful completion of this course, students will

• be able to provide an account of a selection of concepts, theories and empirical data from the fields of work psychology and organisational psychology
• be able to discuss key similarities and differences between the concepts, theories and empirical data covered in the course
• be able to identify and discuss the causes and effects of problems in working life and organisations
• be able to provide an account of various relevant interventions and preventive measures in the fields of work psychology and organisational psychology
• be able to explain and discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of various interventions and preventive measures in the fields of work psychology and organisational psychology

General competencies

On successful completion of this course, students will

• be able to discuss key similarities and differences between various concepts, theories and empirical data

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Recommended prerequisites

BPS110 Introduction to psychology, BPS120 Psychology - before and now, BPS130 Personality psychology, social psychology and psychological methods, BPS140 Biological psychology, developmental psychology and cognitive psychology

Exam

Course teacher(s)

Study Program Director:

Bianka Anna Karshikoff

Method of work

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, role play and case studies. Students are expected to prepare for lectures by reading relevant literature. The recommended reading is indicated in the lecture plan. The teaching will make extensive use of role play and case studies. The course will include visits to companies, where the students can meet relevant employers and encounter real-life issues in working life. In seminars, the different theoretical topics and methods are presented using a variety of different learning activities. Role play and case studies may be used in the seminars. The seminars will also be used as an arena for initiation of informal peer review of take-home examinations.

Open for

Admission to Single Courses at the Faculty of Social Sciences

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course coordinator, the student representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature