Prospectus

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Social Psychology in Organisations

Course
2018-2019

Entry requirements

All 60 ec of the first-year in Psychology obtained.

Description

People work together in organisations. When they work together, problems are bound to arise. As social and organisational psychologists we can help people to overcome these problems, and we can help them to collaborate in an efficient and effective way. The course builds on insights from the domain of social psychology and applies them to organisational contexts. We will discuss key topics of organisational psychology such as motivation, leadership, conflict, cooperation, diversity, stress, and organisational culture. In the parallel workgroups, students will learn how to apply this knowledge to organisational problems.

Course objectives

Upon completion of the course, the student has:

  • Acquired specialised knowledge of social psychological processes in organisations;

  • Learned to apply this knowledge to organisational settings;

  • Learned to challenge other students to similarly apply this knowledge to organisational settings; and

  • Improved his or her presentation skills.

This course contributes to the foundations of students’ development as future practitioner, e.g. as manager, consultant, policy advisor, researcher, trainer, recruiter, mediator, or coach. Students will learn to apply insights from the field of social and organisational psychology to various practical settings.

Timetable

For the timetables of your lectures, workgroups, and exams, select your study programme.
Psychology timetables

Semester 1: Lectures Work group sessions Exams

Semester 2: Lectures Work group sessions Exams

Registration

Course

Students need to register for lectures, workgroups and exams.
Instructions for registration in courses for the 2nd and 3rd year

Elective

Elective students have to enroll for each course separately. For admission requirements contact your study advisor.

Exchange/Study abroad

For admission requirements, please contact your exchange coordinator.

Examination

Students are not automatically enrolled for an examination. They can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date; students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination.
Registering for exams

Mode of instruction

The course is given in 8 lectures of 2 hours each, 8 work group meetings of 2 hours each, and a series of online tutorials. Weblectures will be made available, however this is subject to change.

Assessment method

Students need to deliver a group presentation and write an individual paper, which combine into a single work group grade. The course also includes an exam. The exam grade (50%) and the work group grade (50%) contribute equally to the final course grade.

Reading material for the exam: Both articles mentioned below and chapters 1-4 and 6-14, 16 from Social Psychology and Organizations (2012) edited by David de Cremer, Rolf van Dick and J. Keith Murnighan. Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group

The Institute of Psychology uses fixed rules for grade calculation and compulsory attendance. It also follows the policy of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences to systematically check student papers for plagiarism with the help of software. Disciplinary measures will be taken when fraud is detected. Students are expected to be familiar with and understand the implications of these three policies.

Reading list

Social Psychology and Organizations (2012) edited by David de Cremer, Rolf van Dick and J. Keith Murnighan. Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group

Articles:

  • Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review Of General Psychology, 9(2), 111-131. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.9.2.111

  • Nakamura, J., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2009). Flow theory and research. The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology (2nd ed.), edited by S.J. Lopez and C.R. Snyder. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195187243.013.0018

Contact information

Dr. E.A.C. Van Leeuwen
e.a.c.van.leeuwen@fsw.leidenuniv.nl