module specification

PY7190 - Work and Business Psychology (2019/20)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2019/20
Module status DELETED (This module is no longer running)
Module title Work and Business Psychology
Module level Masters (07)
Credit rating for module 10
School Faculty of Life Sciences and Computing
Total study hours 100
 
76 hours Guided independent study
24 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 100%   Written coursework (2500 words)
Running in 2019/20

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
No instances running in the year

Module summary

The module covers the area of work psychology which includes occupational, work, business, consumer, industrial and organisational psychology. This field of study is concerned with using psychology in all areas of work and business to ensure more productive workplaces and organisations. The topics cover a wide range of issues such as personnel selection and development, careers, training, well-being, stress, organisational change, organisational behaviour, work systems and human factors, and marketing. The module develops a critical appreciation of existing theory and practice, key debates and future trends in work and business psychology.

Prior learning requirements

PY7184 Individual Differences and Social Psychology (prerequisite)
PY7185 Research Methods and Biological Psychology (prerequisite)
PY7186 Cognitive and Developmental Psychology (corequisite)

Module aims

The aims of this module are to (1) enable students to develop a critical understanding of how psychology can be applied to workplace and business settings; (2) develop an in-depth understanding of existing theory and practice in this area and the evidence-base for this practice; and (3) promote an awareness of current developments, issues and debates in work and business psychology.

Syllabus

Topics will be drawn from: epistemology and methodology in work and business psychology, application of psychological theory to personnel selection and development, talent managements, coaching, assessment, selection, training, organisational change and development, performance, stress at work, well-being and work/life balance, work systems, human factors, consumer psychology.

Learning and teaching

Given the focus on a scientist-practitioner model, there is a strong experiential focus with students engaging with the research base of the field. Students will be researching key issues and, in seminars and presentations, critically analysing and exploring the leading issues in the field. There will be seminars, research driven workshops and presentations by students. The contact time will be supplemented and enhanced by online activities via weblearn.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will:
1. have a critical understanding of the epistemology and methodology in the area of work and business psychology;
2. have an in-depth understanding of the core theory and evidence base of work and business psychology;
3. be able to apply psychological theory to manage and resolve work related issues/problems.

Assessment strategy

Students will research an allocated issue, present a critical appraisal of the key issue in class via a seminar and receive feedback on this from class and tutor. This will be written up on an individual basis and submitted as a piece of written coursework.

Bibliography

Arnold, Cooper and Robertson (2012) Work Psychology: Understanding Human Behaviour in the Workplace. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.
Chmiel, L., (ed) (2008) Introduction to Work and Organisational Psychology,
Blackwell
Cook, M. (2009) Personnel Selection: Adding Value through people. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons.
Cooper,C. and Locke, E. (eds) (2000) Industrial & Organizational Psychology :
Blackwell
Doyle, C.E. (2003) Work and Organizational Psychology. Hove, Psychology Press.
Haslam, S. (2004): Psychology in Organizations: Second Edition. SAGE publications.
Lewis, Rachel and Zibarras, Lara, eds. (2013) Work and occupational psychology: integrating theory and practice. London, U.K. : Sage Publications Ltd. ISBN 9781446260708
McCormick, E.J. and Ilgin, D. (2012) Industrial & Organizational Psychology London: Hyman
McKenna, E. (2012) Business Psychology and Organisational Behaviour: A Student's Handbook.  Psychology Press ISBN: 0863776671
Millward, L. (2005) Understanding Occupational & Organizational Psychology. London: Sage Publications.
Warr, P. (2002) The Psychology of Work Harmondsworth, Penguin