Work and organizational psychology - PSICOLOGIA DEL LAVORO (2010/2011)

Learning outcomes

The Course of Work Psychology provides students with the knowledge of the main phenomena that characterize the human behaviour in productive structures and organizaed social systems.
This course will review the evolution of the history of work psychology which is necessary to understand the evolution of this discipline and emerging themes. Primarly it will focus on the individual variables that make up the background of work behaviour.
A special consideration will be given to the comprehension of various consequent phenomena, to external and internal changes of organizations and to their consequences on working behaviours.

The goal of this course is to introduce students to themes which are relevant historically. Furthermore it deals with emerging themes of work psychology, such as inter-individual variables, contextual variables, work motivation and personnel selection. Specifically it will deal with the following points:
A. reviews of some of the theories and practice of Work Psychology including his evolution;
B. personnel aspects at work (personnel differences, cognitive and psychomotor aspects, personality traits, self-interest, values); individual decision making; job variables; role variables; leadership;
C. work motivation:
• a brief history of the construct evolution and identification of the major work motivation theories (e.g. content theory and process theory)
• new applications (goal setting, self-regulation, social-cognitive theory, expectancy theory, self-determination theory)
D. personnel evaluation, personnel recruitment, personnel selection, personnel training (e.g. Assessment Center)

Textbooks:

Written examination:
G. Sarchielli (2008), Psicologia del lavoro, Il Mulino, Bologna

Oral examination:
P. Argentero, C.G. Cortese, C. Piccardo (2008), Psicologia del lavoro. Raffaello Cortina Editore, Milano (chapters: 1 - 2 - 4 - 5 -6 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 12)*.

*Upon agreement with the teacher, it will be possible to propose a book of interest to the student, thus replacing this book.

Written exam (multiple choices) on mandatory textbook and oral exam on mandatory textbook.