Description

Advances and Methods in Social and Organisational Psychology

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

In this module you will explore the cutting edge of research in both social psychology and organisational psychology. You will obtain a thorough understanding across a range of topics of both traditional and contemporary approaches to the key issues facing the fields of social and organisational psychology and develop a critical lens through which to view these exciting fields. You will develop knowledge and understanding of the ways in which social and organisational psychological theory are used to inform, persuade and change the behaviour of others.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to acquaint you with the cutting edge of research in the fields of both social psychology and organisational psychology. Working together to discuss and present both theory and recent empirical research, we will acquire a thorough understanding of both traditional and contemporary approaches to the key issues and themes in both social psychology and organisational psychology. Over the course of the module, we will learn how to evaluate critically both the research itself and the direction(s) in which these fields, as a whole, are moving.

Through attending the weekly sessions and completing the assessments, you will further develop the following academic and professional skills:

• problem solving (linking theory to practice, developing your own ideas with confidence, showing entrepreneurial awareness, being able to respond to novel and unfamiliar problems)
• managing structure (identifying key demands of the task, setting clearly defined goals, responding flexibly to changing priorities)
• time management (managing time effectively individually and within a group)
• collaboration (respecting the views and values of others, taking initiative and leading others
• supporting others in their work, maintaining group cohesiveness and purpose), and audience awareness (presenting ideas effectively in multiple formats, persuading others of the importance and relevance of your views, responding positively and effectively to questions).
• evaluate and assess interventions for issues in the workplace and other organisations.

The teaching contributions on this module involve elements of research undertaken by module staff, such as work on social identity, emotion, and behaviour change (Livingstone), teamwork, leadership and well-being in the workplace and  organisations (Schilling). Moreover, you are encouraged to engage critically with original research and interventions through the seminars and the assessments.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe extensively current research in social psychology
• 2. Describe extensively current research in organisational psychology
• 3. Evaluate critically research in social and organisational psychology

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Ask good research questions and construct good theoretical answers
• 5. Command an extensive variety of research skills to address research questions
• 6. Demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of a range of qualitative and quantitative research techniques
• 7. Conduct high quality empirical research
• 8. Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively, fluently and professionally by written, graphic and oral means

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 9. Deliver short presentations making use of modern visual aids
• 10. Integrate complex material as you develop critical arguments in response papers and essays
• 11. Debate competently arguments presented in class in open discussion

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

Indicative structure of topics is as follows:

Social Psychology (Term 1):

• Introduction to social psychology, followed by core topics relating to intergroup relations, social identity, behaviour change, stereotypes, and gender

Organisational Psychology (Term 2):

• Introduction to organisational psychology, followed by core topics relating to  leadership, teamwork, motivation, well-being, burnout, diversity management, career transitions, communication, conflict and negotiations.

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Assessment

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The module mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit further assessments based on which assessments were failed originally. The module mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Ellemers, N., Spears, R., and Doosje, B. (1999). Social identity: Context, content, and commitment. Oxford: Blackwell
• Haslam, S. A. (2004). Psychology in organisations: The social identity approach. London: Sage

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page:  (specific readings for both Social Psychology and Organisational Psychology will be assigned for each week and will be available on the Exeter Learning Environment Module Homepage)

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Methods, social psychology, organisational psychology