Admission requirements
Both the ‘propedeuse’ and the bachelor course ‘Groepsdynamica’ (Group dynamics) are required. For information, please contact the study advisers of Psychology
Description
The aim of this course is to give students insight into the social psychological processes that play a role in the field of work and organisations with regard to culture and diversity. The world of people in organizations has changed dramatically in past years as more ethnic minorities are entering the labour force and as women are moving into traditionally male-dominated fields and into higher managerial positions. Organisations are also increasingly operating on a global scale, managing workforces consisting of many nationalities and in different countries. In the coming decades this diversity is expected to grow as these processes continue.
This course provides insight into classic and current theories and research regarding the impact of diversity on group processes, motivation and performance. It pays particular attention to the challenges that are presented by a diverse labour force in recruitment and selection, evaluation, leadership, and decision-making. It also addresses how stereotypes and prejudice can influence personnel decisions and career development; how group composition affects team work and how motivation is impacted by group processes.
Course objectives
By the end of the course students will be expected to understand the key concepts and theories presented in the course and their relationship to each other, and are expected to be able to apply these to issues relevant to culture and diversity at work.
Timetable
Culture and Diversity at Work (2011-2012):
Mode of instruction
The course will consist of a series of six lectures.
Assessment method
Students’ understanding and ability to apply the knowledge acquired in class will be tested in a 40-item multiple choice exam. The information presented in lectures will be part of the exam material.
Blackboard
Information on blackboard.leidenuniv.nl:
The syllabus for this course.
The class literature.
Sheets for each lecture (available just before each lecture commences).
A document with links and descriptions of websites where you can find more information and documents relevant to Culture and Diversity at Work.
A document with referrals to literature relevant to Culture and Diversity at Work.
Reading list
The reading consists of articles and chapters (typical examples below – readings available via ‘Blackboard’)
Stephan, W. G., & Stephan, C. W. (2001). Diversity initiatives in the workplace. In W. G. Stephan & C. W. Stephan (Eds.), Improving intergroup relations (pp. 75-101). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Kulik, C. T., & Roberson, L. (2008). Diversity initiative effectiveness: What organizations can (and cannot) expect from diversity recruitment, diversity training, and formal mentoring programs. In A. P. Brief (Ed.), Diversity at work (pp. 265-317): Cambridge University Press.
Braddock, J. H., & McPartland, J. M. (1987). How minorities continue to be excluded from equal employment opportunities: Research on labor market and institutional barriers. Journal of Social Issues, 43(1), 5-28.
Kanter, R. M. (1976). The impact of hierarchical structures on the work behavior of women and men. Social Problems, 23(4), 415-427.
Eccles, J. S. (1987). Gender roles and women’s achievement-related decisions. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 11(2), 135-167.
Thompson, M., & Sekaquaptewa, D. (2002). When being different is detrimental: Solo status and the performance of women and racial minorities. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 2(1), 183-203.
Seegars, L. (2007, February 23). Being the token: One person cannot represent an entire race. Harvard Crimson, http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=517242.
Major, B. (1989). Gender differences in comparisons and entitlement: Implications for comparable worth._ Journal of Social Issues_, 45(4), 99-112.
Wright, S.C. (2001). Restricted intergroup boundaries: Tokenism, ambiguity, and the tolerance of injustice. In J. T. Jost & B. Major (Eds.), _The psychology of legitimacy: Emerging perspectives on ideology, justice, and intergroup relations _(pp. 223-250). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Operario, D., & Fiske, S.T. (2001). Causes and consequences of stereotypes in organizations. In M. London (Ed.), How people evaluate others in organizations (pp. 45-58). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Schmitt, M. T., Ellemers, N., & Branscombe, N. R. (2003). Perceiving and responding to gender discrimination in organizations. In S. A. Haslam & D. Van Knippenberg & M. J. Platow & N. Ellemers (Eds.), Social identity at work: Developing theory for organizational practice (pp. 277-292). New York: Psychology Press.
Brewer, M. B. (1995). Managing diversity: The role of social identities. In S.E. Jackson & M. N. Ruderman (Eds.), _Diversity in work teams: Research paradigms for a changing workplace _(pp. 47-68). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Schofield, J. W. (2007). The colorblind perspective in school: Causes and consequences. In J. A. Banks & C. A. McGee-Banks (Eds.), _Multicultural education _(6th ed.) (pp. 271-295), New York: John Wiley.
Ely, R J. & Thomas, D. A. (2001). Cultural diversity at work: The effects of diversity perspectives on work group processes and outcomes. Administrative science quarterly, 46(2), 229.
Dovidio, J. F., Gaertner, S. L., & Bachman, B. A. (2001). Racial bias in organizations: The role of group processes in its causes and cures. In M. E. Turner (Ed.), Groups at work: Theory and research (pp. 415-439). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Chemers, M. M., & Murphy, S. E. (1995). Leadership and diversity in groups and organizations. In M. M. Chemers, S. Oskamp & M. A. Costanzo (Eds.), _Diversity in organizations: New perspectives for a changing workplace _(pp. 157-183). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Eagly, A. H., & Karau, S. J. (2002). Role congruity theory of prejudice toward female leaders._ Psychological Review_, 109(3), 573-598.
Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2007). The glass cliff: Exploring the dynamics surrounding the appointment of women to precarious leadership positions. Academy of Management Review, 32(2), 549-572.
Berry, J. W. (1997). Individual and group relations in plural societies. In C. S. Granrose & S. Oskamp (Eds.), Cross-cultural work groups: Claremont symposium on applied social psychology (pp. 17-33). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Registration
Registration for the (re)exam is not automatic. Students, who haven’t registered, cannot participate in the (re)exam
Contact information
Dr. Colette van Laar
Room 2A28
Tel.: +31 (0)71 527 3923
E-mail: cvlaar@fsw.leidenuniv.nl