Issues in Occupational Psychology
Module title | Issues in Occupational Psychology |
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Module code | BEMM268 |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
Credits | 15 |
Module staff | Dr Levke Henningsen (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 60 |
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Module description
The purpose of this module is to introduce Occupational Psychology – a branch of applied psychology that focuses on human workplace behaviours and organisational settings. Many theories and concepts are regularly applied in organisations to increase organisational effectiveness and ensure the satisfaction of people at work. Organisations want and need to select employees with the best fit, and to enable them to become more creative and engaged. Managers need to foster citizenship between team members and effectively deal with diversity issues, misbehaviour, and organisational changes to provide fair environments and to capitalize on the innovation potential among their employees.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The primary objective of this module is to introduce you to some of the core issues in the applied field of occupational psychology. The module is structured around several fundamental workplace issues that commonly require psychological expertise, including selection, performance, training, wellbeing, creativity, citizenship and counterproductive behaviours, gender diversity in leadership, organisational change, and future directions of the field. You will enhance your knowledge of concepts, models, theories, and research findings that are central to the study of human workplace behaviour and organisational settings. You will be encouraged to think critically about research and practical applications of theories in organisations and to engage with key debates in the field about issues such as providing enriching, healthy, and fair work environments for all employees. This course also focuses on developing analytical and practical skills to enable you to critically reflect future directions in the field.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Engage with major psychological and management theories and concepts to develop arguments about their application within organisations
- 2. Critically discuss debates about core issues in occupational psychology
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Outline key theories and published literature related to occupational psychology
- 4. Discuss behaviour of people in organisations
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Develop arguments and justify them effectively.
- 6. Research and present best practice solutions to potential organisational stakeholders.
Syllabus plan
This module makes use of a variety of learning methods, enabling students to gain a broad understanding of contemporary and future theory and practice in the field of occupational psychology. Starting with introductory material, we will move on to explore and debate a wide variety of issues that deal with the selection, training, wellbeing, and performance of people at work and close with an outlook to future directions in the field. Our taught sessions will cover the following major topic areas:
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An introduction to occupational psychology
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Selection and assessment
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Work performance
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Learning, training, and development
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Wellbeing at work
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Creativity at work
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Diversity management
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Gender and leadership
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Organisational culture and change
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Future directions
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Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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30 | 120 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 30 | Lectures, workshops, group activities, analysis of case studies and best practice examples, online content |
Guided Independent Study | 30 | Preparatory reading prior to taught sessions |
Guided Independent Study | 30 | Reflection and further reading following taught content sessions |
Guided Independent Study | 60 | Assignment preparation: Researching and writing your assignment |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Seminar discussions and presentations | in class | 1-6 | verbal in class |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Individual assignment | 70 | 2500 words | 1-6 | Written tutor feedback |
Group assignment | 30 | Short Presentation | 1-6 | Written tutor feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Individual Assignment | Re-workindividual assignment 2500 words (70%) and re-submit the original report (100%) | 1-6 | Next re-assessment period |
Group Assignment | Individual assignment (30%), recorded short presentation | 1-6 | Next re-assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Arnold, J., Coyne, I., Randall, R., & Patterson, F. (2020). Work psychology: Understanding human behaviour in the workplace (7th edition). Pearson.
Fraccaroli, F. & Sverke, M. (2017). An introduction to work and organizational psychology: An international perspective (3rd edition). Wiley
Furnham, A. (2005). The psychology of behaviour at work (2nd edition). Psychology Press
Ones, D. S., Anderson, N., Viswesvaran, C., & Sinangil, H. K. (2017). The SAGE handbook of industrial, work & organizational psychology: V1 Personnel Psychology and Employee Performance (2nd edition). Sage
Ones, D. S., Anderson, N., Viswesvaran, C., & Sinangil, H. K. (2017). The SAGE handbook of industrial, work & organizational psychology: V2 Organizational Psychology (2nd edition). Sage
Ones, D. S., Anderson, N., Viswesvaran, C., & Sinangil, H. K. (2017). The SAGE handbook of industrial, work & organizational psychology: V3 Managerial Psychology and Organizational Approaches (2nd edition). Sage
Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. (2019). Organizational behavior (18th edition, global edition). Pearson Eduction Limited
Stavroula, L. & Houdmont, J. (2010). Occupational health psychology. Wiley-Blackwell
Zibarras, L. & Lewis, R. (2013). Work and occupational psychology: Integrating theory and practice. Sage Publications Ltd
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Anderson, N., Poto?nik, K., & Zhou, J. (2014). Innovation and creativity in organizations: A state-of-the-science review, prospective commentary, and guiding framework. Journal of Management, 40(5), 1297-1333.
Demerouti, E., Nachreiner, F., Baker, A. B., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2001). The job demands-resources model of burnout. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(3), 499-512.
Heilman, M. E. (2012). Gender stereotypes and workplace bias. Research in Organizational Behavior, 32(0), 113-135.
Kremer, H., Villamor, I., & Aguinis, H. (2019). Innovation leadership: Best-practice recommendations for promoting employee creativity, voice, and knowledge sharing. Business Horizons, 62(1), 65-74.
Simha, A., & Cullen, J. B. (2012). Ethical climates and their effects on organizational outcomes: Implications from the past and prophecies for the future. Academy of Management Perspectives, 26(4), 20-34.
Tims, M., Bakker, A. B., & Derks, D. (2013). The impact of job crafting on job demands, job resources, and well-being. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 18(2), 230-240.
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
You will have access to an online searchable and resources database, with links to several ebooks available through the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE). Within this environment, you will also be supported through online discussion forums and activities.
Credit value | 15 |
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Module ECTS | 7.5 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 7 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 24/01/2023 |
Last revision date | 06/04/23 |