07269 - Psychology of Organisations

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student: a) knows the main reference theoretical models in W&O Psychology; b) is able to relate his/her knowledge to the main domains of professional intervention; c) knows the typical features of the main intervention methods.

Course contents

The course is given in the 2nd term (End of February to May 2018).

The course is divided in three parts.

The first one discusses the main areas of intervention of W&O psychology, with a special attention for job and task analysis, including the role of operator's personal characteristics.

The second part is devoted to theories and methods in Occupational Safety & Health, with a special focus on work-related stress and to counter-productive behaviours.

The third and last part introduces models and techniques for the evaluation of interventions, using training programmes as the main example.

Readings/Bibliography

The teacher may present and discuss complementary documents (scientific papers; scales; diagnostic tools). In case of, such complementary documents will be made available for students at the institutional platform. Such documents will be elegible for the final examination test.

Mandatory documents for the final examination :

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

2) Fraccaroli F., Vergani A. (2004). Valutare gli interventi formativi. Roma: Carocci.

3) Burke, L.A., Hutchins, H.M. (2007). Training transfer: An integrative literature review. Human Resource Development Review, 6 (3), 263-296.

Teaching methods

Lessons and guided discussions will be used: despite the large number of students expected in the classroom, they will be encouraged to comment and discuss topics, as well as to stimulate relationships with learning experiences in other courses of the same undergraduate programme.

Examples of the most used tools and techniques will be presented. Filmed documents will serve as a basis for group discussions in the classroom.

Assessment methods

The final examination will be a written test that will be presented in a closed-ended, and open-ended questions (six questions of each type) format. Duration: 50 minutes.

Questions aim to test whether students have acquired a basic knowledge in the three main areas above mentioned.

Open-ended questions:

• are formulated not to rely mainly in memorized notions, but rather on student’s ability to apply theories and models to concrete situations proposed;
• because of their greater difficulty, contribute four times more in average than the closed-ended ones to the final mark;
• are assessed against a mix of: a) precision (they require specific answers, not only to "talk about" the topic); b)  adequate and proper terms; c) quality of comments/explanations, and (when requested) presence of adequate examples.

Closed-ended questions :

• come with three options to choose;
• every wrong answer pays 1/3 of what would be gained by a correct answer;
• no penalty for missing answers.

Students may at every moment decide to withdraw from the exam, without any penalty.

 

IMPORTANT: Please consider that on line registration to the exam list is mandatory (registration will be closed 3 working days before the day of the exam). For further info about rules and procedures for examinations, please read the F.A.Q. section in prof. Depolo's institutional website.

EXCHANGE STUDENTS may answer open-ended questions in English, Spanish or French upon previous agreement with the teacher

Teaching tools

Audiovisual tools. Other documents to be downloaded by students from the dedicated platform.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Depolo