B9262 - Social Psychology: Personal Development, Communication and Team Building

Learning outcomes

He/She understands the main theoretical models of effective communication, identifying the dynamics that influence communication processes in professional and personal contexts Knows the fundamental models of leadership. Knows the socio-psychological processes underlying teams. He/She is able to use effective verbal and non-verbal communication. techniques, adapting their communication style according to the context and the audience, in order to improve interaction and team collaboration. Knows how to activate psychosocial resources for team management and effectiveness in achieving goals.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course (I.C.) B9090 SOFT SKILLS.

Upon completion of the Integrated Course “Soft Skills”, students understand the principles of effective communication, teamwork, leadership, and ethical dilemmas in the veterinary profession. They understand the historical development of Veterinary Medicine and its role in society, and are able to use digital tools, reflect critically on themselves, and act responsibly based on ethical and professional principles.

The Integrated Course B9090 SOFT SKILLS contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 1.7, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13

The syllabus of the teaching unit B9262 - PSICOLOGIA SOCIALE: SVILUPPO PERSONALE, COMUNICAZIONE E TEAM BUILDING is structured as follows:

Introduction to the course (2h)

• What is social psychology and its special contribution
• The role of social cognition and social influence (classical studies)
• Perception of self and others, biases, and stereotypes
• Communicating effectively with clients, patients, and colleagues

Practical Activity: guided reflection on expectations and concerns about the profession; small group discussion

Emotions, empathy, and relationships with clients, patients, colleagues (4h)

• Emotions and emotional self-regulation
• Empathy: distinguishing empathy from sympathy
• The veterinarian–client–patient relationship
• Handling difficult emotions (anxiety, grief, frustration)

Practical Activity: Role-play: Practicing active listening and handling difficult emotions (2h)

Interpersonal communication in the veterinary profession (4h)

• Verbal and nonverbal communication
• Active listening and managing conversations with clients and colleagues
• Assertiveness and effective communication in challenging situations
• Giving and receiving feedback among colleagues

Practical Activity: Peer-to peer activity: Giving and receiving feedback (2h)

Team building, collaboration, and negotiation (4h)

• Teamwork in veterinary practice
• Group dynamics: roles, norms, relationships
• Leadership styles, responsibility, and collaboration competencies
• Diversity and inclusion in groups – diversity management

• Strategies of negotiation and communication win-win

Practical Activity: Practicing conflict resolution skills & diversity management exercise (2h)

Stress, burnout, and psychosocial well-being (4h)

• What is work-related stress and burnout? Causes and signs in veterinary training and profession
• Coping strategies, time management, and burnout prevention
• The importance of giving and receiving social support

Practical Activity: Reflective journal on personal habits + sharing strategies in class

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ).

Required reading/studying materials for the preparation of the exam: teaching slides shown in class and provided on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en).

Supplementary readings for specific insights :

Introduzione alla psicologia della comunicazione, a cura di Lorella Lotto e Rino Rumiati Collana «Manuali», pp. 320, anno 2025.

Costello, K., & Hodson, G. (2014). Explaining dehumanization among children: the interspecies model of prejudice. The British journal of social psychology, 53(1), 175–197. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12016

Caviola, L., Kahane, G., Everett, J. A. C., Teperman, E., Savulescu, J., & Faber, N. S. (2021). Utilitarianism for animals, Kantianism for people? Harming animals and humans for the greater good. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 150(5), 1008–1039. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000988 [https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/xge0000988]

Leach, S & Dhont, K (2023) Non-Speciesist Language Conveys Moral Commitments to Animals and Evokes Do-Gooder Derogation. Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations. (2), e9869, https://doi.org/10.5964/phair.9869

Teaching methods

Teaching methods:

• In-person teaching and class discussion
• Structured and guided peer-to-peer or small group discussions
• Role-play activities
• Individual / group assignments on topics covered during the course

Students with disabilities or special needs requiring adaptations, accommodations, and modifications to the examination should express their needs to the teacher at the beginning of the course and/or contact the UNIBO service for students with special needs (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ).

Assessment methods

Integrated course exam

This course unit is part of the Integrated Course (I.C.) B09090 -SOFT SKILLS. The examination will be carried out for the entire I.C. and will include all the modules part of the I.C. In order to pass the exam, the student will need to achieve the sufficiency threshold (approx. 60%, i.e., 18/30) in each of the course units. If one or more thresholds are not met, the Candidate will need to repeat the whole exam.

The exam for the teaching unit B9262 - PSICOLOGIA SOCIALE: SVILUPPO PERSONALE, COMUNICAZIONE E TEAM BUILDING is structured as follows:

• Fifteen questions in total, including 14 multiple-choice questions and 1 short open-ended question, for a maximum of 30 points.
• The short open-ended question, if answered correctly, is worth up to 2 points and may result in honors (lode) if all multiple-choice questions are answered correctly.

The assessment will be carried out through a written test consisting of questions (with an approximate duration of about 20 minutes).
The exam is considered passed with a minimum score of 18 out of 30.

Teaching tools

Teaching Materials and Learning Support

• Lecture slides integrated with interactive online polls (Wooclap)

• Videos, online resources, and required readings

• Collaborative tools (e.g., digital whiteboard) for group brainstorming activities

All teaching materials are accessible on the Virtuale platform and can be reached via the link provided on the instructor’s webpage.

If students experience difficulty in understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification sessions upon request. Meetings must be scheduled in advance via email.

Office hours

See the website of Edita Fino