07269 - Psychology of Organisations

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the main concepts and theoretical approaches developed by the discipline to analyse the interdependencies between individual, job tasks and the social and organizational context of work.

Course contents

Main topics covered by the course:

- Research and intervention methods in Work and Organizational Psychology

- Changes in the modern world of work and their psychosocial implications

- The latent functions of work and the meaning of work

- Work motivation

- Job satisfaction

- Job analysis

- Personnel selection

- Groups, leadership, hierarchies, and power in organizations

- Stress at work, psychosocial risk factors and stress-related outcomes

- Personality at work

- Health and safety at work

- Preventive interventions in organizations to protect workers health and well-being

All the topics will be presented by discussing the most important theories and models developed by the discipline and by examining relevant empirical evidence.

Readings/Bibliography

Sarchielli, G., e Fraccaroli, F. (2017). Introduzione alla psicologia del lavoro. Bologna: Il Mulino.

Balducci, C., e Fraccaroli, F. (2022). Stress e rischi psicosociali nelle organizzazioni. Bologna: Il Mulino.

Further material: powerpoint slides of topics presented during the course.

Teaching methods

The main method will be the traditional lecture. There will also be group discussions on specific topics, case studies (both organizational and individual case studies) and seminars given by colleagues working as self employed or researchers.

Assessment methods

Written examination based on 25 questions, of which 4 are open ended questions and 21 are multiple choice questions. Each open ended question assigns 2.5 points. Each multiple choice question assigns 1 point. Open ended questions require to write a small portion of text within the available space. The answer is assessed according to its relevance, completeness, and clarity. Multiple choice questions are composed of five different response alternatives. Wrong answers to multiple choice questions are not penalized by subtracting points to the final obtained score. The examination assigns a maximum of 31 points. To pass the examination, a minimum of 18 points must be obtained. To obtain 30 plus lode a total of 31 points must be obtained. The time available for the examination is 55 minutes. Foreign students (e.g., Erasmus students) are highly recommended to contact the lecturer to discuss the possibility of undertaking an oral examination. The examination may also be taken in English.

Students with disabilities (e.g., learning disablities) are invited to contact the lecturer at least 15 days before the exam to explore the possibility of a different assessment method that considers their personal difficulties.

Teaching tools

At the beginning of the course the slides will be available for download from the platform Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Cristian Balducci