PSY6032 - Psychology and Work

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:

(1) explain and assess the changing nature of work, the new working practices it has produced, their potential impact on employees and proposed solutions to the challenges posed;
(2) critically appraise the contribution of psychological theories and research to understanding employee reactions and the likely success of interventions;
(3) discuss the likely future nature of and meaning of work for individuals;
(4) use this knowledge and understanding to evaluate specific cases.

Content:

The past and future of work: metaphors of organisation: the mechanistic, organic and brain metaphors; forces for change and their consequences; the psychological vs the transactional contract.

Characteristics of the changed workplace: the “flexible” workforce, the “knowledge worker”, innovation, teamwork, transformational leadership, 360 degree feedback, women in the workforce, teleworking, employability, job insecurity, occupational stress, adult bullying, and unemployment.

Evaluation of psychological theories and the challenges to organisational/occupational psychology: theories of motivation, job satisfaction, job design, leadership, stress and control.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures/practicals
Contact hours 28
Number of groups 1

Seminars
Contact hours 10
Number of groups 2

Assessment: