Work and organizational psychology (2011/2012)

Learning outcomes

Part A - Work Psychology
The Course of Work Psychology provides students with the knowledge of the main phenomena that characterize the human behaviour in productive structures and organized social systems.
This course will review the evolution of the history of work psychology which is necessary to understand the headway of this discipline and the 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.

Part B - Organizational Psychology
The course aims to introduce and develop the theoretical aspects on organizational behavior of individuals and groups in organizations. Starting from the definitions of organization and organizing, the course will deepen the principal theories of Organizational Psychology, the psychosocial processes of the team, the relationships between individuals and organization, the learning and development of competences in organizations.

Program Part A - Work Psychology
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).

Program Part B - Organizational Psychology
A. Definition of organization and organizing. Definition and research and application areas of organizational Psychology.
B. Theories in Organizational Psychology.
C. Attitudes and behaviors in organizations: organizational commitment, organizational support, organizational citizenship behaviors.
D. The system of competences and development of human resources.
E. Team work.
F. Organizational climate and psychosocial risks (stress, mobbing, burnout).

Textbooks:

Written examination:
M. Depolo, Psicologia delle organizzazioni, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2007.

Oral examination:
P. Argentero, C.G. Cortese, C. Piccardo (a cura di), Psicologia delle organizzazioni, Raffaello Cortina, Milano, 2009 (chapters: 1 - 2 - 3 -4 - 7 – 8 - 9 - 10 - 12 - 13 - 15).

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