04875 - Psychology of Groups

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will:

• know the main psychological theories involved in the dynamics and conflicts between groups;
• know the theoretical and methodological aspects involved in group processes;
• have the skills to manage group dynamics;
• have the theoretical and methodological skills to build a business network with different professionals and other agencies in the area.

Course contents

The course aims to provide theoretical knowledge and analytical tools for understanding the main group processes within the field of Social Psychology. Particular attention will be paid to the meaning of group belonging in individual and social life, showing how groups contribute to the construction of personal and social identity, influence perceptions, emotions and behaviours, and represent a central dimension of educational, community and social experience.

The first part of the course will focus on the processes of group formation and functioning. The mechanisms through which a set of individuals becomes a group will be analysed, with specific attention to interdependence, social categorisation, social identity, socialisation and entry into groups. The course will also examine structural and dynamic aspects of group life, such as roles, status, norms, communication, leadership, cohesion, conformity, deviance, conflict and productivity.

The second part of the course will focus on relations between groups. Topics will include prejudice, stereotypes, discrimination, moral exclusion, intergroup conflict, and the processes through which inequalities can be maintained, justified or challenged. Particular attention will be devoted to collective action, rebellion, social change, intergroup contact, reconciliation and processes of acculturation in contemporary societies.

The course will also include an in-depth focus on sense of community, empowerment and social support networks, with the aim of connecting group processes to educational planning and interventions in local and community contexts.

The monographic section will address the relationship with authority, through the analysis of obedience, disobedience and resistance. The course will discuss the processes that foster obedience to authority, diffusion of responsibility and indifference, as well as the conditions that make civil disobedience, moral responsibility and resistance to unjust authority possible.

The skills to be acquired concern the ability to critically interpret group phenomena, recognise dynamics of belonging, influence, power and conflict, understand one’s own role within groups, and design educational interventions oriented towards participation, empowerment, the construction of networks and social change.

The programme includes the following topics:

• the meaning of group belonging in human life;
• personal identity, social identity and intergroup behaviour;
• group formation: interdependence, categorisation, socialisation and entry into groups;
• structural group phenomena: status, roles, leadership, norms and communication;
• dynamic group phenomena: cohesion, conformity, deviance, productivity and conflict;
• stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination and moral exclusion;
• intergroup conflict, inequalities and justification of the status quo;
• collective action, rebellion and social change;
• intergroup contact, reconciliation and acculturation;
• sense of community, empowerment and social support networks;
• obedience, disobedience and resistance to authority;
• contemporary societies, moral responsibility and the risk of indifference.

Readings/Bibliography

• R. Brown, S. Pehrson, Psicologia sociale dei gruppi, Il Mulino.
• S. Passini, D. Morselli, Psicologia dell’obbedienza e della disobbedienza, Carocci. Chapters 1, 2 and 5.
• Community Psychology textbook, to be defined.
  The chapters concerning sense of community, empowerment and social support networks will be indicated during the course.
• Additional teaching materials available on the online platform, focusing in particular on roles, status and communication in groups.

Books may be used in any edition.

Teaching methods

Besides the lectures, some exercises will be carried out (paper-pencil, role-playing) in order to illustrate certain aspects of group life.

Assessment methods

At the end of the lessons, the student have to take an exam (the assessments will be with scale 30). The exam will be a writing with four open questions to be answered in one hour and an half. A positive result is conditional on answering all four questions. 

In order to take the exam, electronic registration is required, in compliance with mandatory deadlines.

In case of exams with a large number of participants, correction before the next exam may not be guaranteed. However, the six annual exams per student will be guaranteed.

ERASMUS students can choose to perform a written or oral form, always with the same modalities.

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be a useful tool to support individual study through further exploration, summaries and self-assessment activities. As far as the assessment of learning is concerned, the use of AI is prohibited during the in-person examination. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity

Teaching tools

Lessons will be accompanied by PowerPoint slides. 

Students with DSA or disabilities: it is recommended that they contact the responsible University office as soon as possible. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, considering the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Passini