Units
Advanced Organisational Psychology
Unit code: PYB405
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
Students explore the role of organisational psychologists as both internal and external consultants who are skilled psychological researchers. Special attention is given to the interaction between organisation systems, community needs, and human beings in differing cultural, political and economic environments.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Organisational Psychologists have traditionally been involved in private corporations and businesses, government departments, and private consultancies as internal project managers, external change agents, trainers, human resource officers, assessors and researchers. More recently their role has expanded to include community consultancies and international projects.
As we progress into the new century, organisations will look to psychologists in order to understand how to have happier and more productive workplaces, community groups, professional associations, and virtual organisations. Psychologists will need to be very clear in explaining the well-founded scientific principles that underlie their services, as well as demonstrating generic, specialist and global competencies.
The vision of possibilities will be driven by an appreciation of core issues involved in the area (communication, leadership, empowerment, change and group identification) which will assist participants in critiquing their own practice and creating a future for the discipline.
Aims
It is intended that the 4th year psychology trainees will successfully negotiate their own learning with reference to the transfer of skills (as an organisational psychologist) to the world of work and research.
Objectives
During your involvement in this training unit, with respect to learnings relating to theory, research and process, you will:
- Explain the main scientific principles in several areas of organisational psychology.
- Describe the implications of those principles for organisations.
- Discuss how scientific principles underpin the practice of organisational psychology.
- Identify useful academic and professional resources.
- Extend your consultancy skills in making organisational presentation
- Critically analyse the organisational psychology literature with respect to current work issues.
Content
- Self assessment of competencies and capability;
- Understanding organisations and communities;
- Group dynamics;
- Global competencies and cross cultural consultancy skills - research and practice skills;
- Organisational structure, climate, culture, leadership styles, communication channels;
- Stress;
- Management of conflict;
- Negotiation styles;
- Coaching and mentoring; new teams for a changing world;
- Impact of industrial relations, legislation, awards, and the role of unions;
- Training and development;
- Transferability of skills;
- Impact of change, technology, and internationalism of organisations;
- Visioning: tools for organisation
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The focus in this fourth year course is on maximising participant learning, so that you may become familiar with a variety of experiences which will maximise the transfer of skills and knowledge to the workplace. Participants will be expected to adopt the perspective of a organisational consultant and researcher during the 13 weeks of seminar attendance. The approach of the trainers is to combine consultancy, research and training within the delivery and facilitation process.
Tools: Seminars, presentations, practical exercises, case studies, surveys and discussion, workplace and professional contact, assessment, and continuing self and peer feedback on performance.
Assessment name:
Essay
Description:
Short critical review of the theoretical (Essay 2500 words)
Relates to objectives:
1, 3 & 5
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 6
Assessment name:
Consultancy Project Report
Description:
Change Agent's/Consultant's Report on group organisational psychology Project. (Must be linked back to psychological theory base.) Individual report: 3000 words (45%). Scheduled class time Project Group presentation of findings mandatory but unassessed.
Relates to objectives:
2, 4, 5 and 6
Weight:
45%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 13
Assessment name:
Examination (Theory)
Description:
Multiple choice and short answer responses based on lecture content and set reading materials.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3 & 6
Weight:
35%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End of semester
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
All required reading for this unit will be posted on the Blackboard site.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 31-Oct-2012
