Work Psychology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
In line with the general purposes of the Degree Course in Labour and Management (LAM), this course aims to provide the students with theoretical and methodological tools to understand and analyze the subjective dimensions involved in work activities. Specifically, the first objective is to illustrate the main psychological theories that explain how individual differences (e.g. abilities, mindset and beliefs, values, needs, traits of personality) can affect work experiences. The second objective is to improve knowledge about the antecedents and consequences of work motivation process and stress process, by emphasizing the interactive effects of personal, job and organizational characteristics. The emergent psychosocial risks and the impacts of new forms of organization on employee wellbeing will be also explored. The third objective is to enhance a critical understanding of the approaches at the basis of intervention plans designed to improve employee wellbeing and to prevent stress at workplaces.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of this course, the students will be able to:
-Illustrate the main individual differences that can affect work experiences.
-Explain why and how specific organizational, social and personal factors can affect employees' health and wellbeing as well as their performance.
-Explain how employees' job satisfaction, work engagement, burnout, citizenship behaviors or counterproductive behaviors can be generated.
-Apply the psychological theories to evaluate the presence of psychosocial risks and to identify personal and organizational resources that can help to enhance employee wellbeing and individual-level performance.
-Critically evaluate the main interventions able to improve employees' well-being and performance.
-Design a strategy to evaluate working conditions and improve employee well-being.
-Illustrate the main individual differences that can affect work experiences.
-Explain why and how specific organizational, social and personal factors can affect employees' health and wellbeing as well as their performance.
-Explain how employees' job satisfaction, work engagement, burnout, citizenship behaviors or counterproductive behaviors can be generated.
-Apply the psychological theories to evaluate the presence of psychosocial risks and to identify personal and organizational resources that can help to enhance employee wellbeing and individual-level performance.
-Critically evaluate the main interventions able to improve employees' well-being and performance.
-Design a strategy to evaluate working conditions and improve employee well-being.
Lesson period: First trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Due to COVID-19 emergency, lessons will be online
Synchronous lessons will be held via ZOOM, following the official schedule of the first trimester. During these lessons, the students will be connected, and they will be able to interact with the professor. There will be the opportunity to deepen the topics, analyze cases, ask questions, work in groups.
These lessons will be recorded and later available on the web page of the course on ARIEL.
The program will be the same as written in the syllabus.
In case of extension of the COVID-19 emergency, the exam will be via ZOOM and it will be oral.
Updates, details, and further information will be available on ARIEL.
Synchronous lessons will be held via ZOOM, following the official schedule of the first trimester. During these lessons, the students will be connected, and they will be able to interact with the professor. There will be the opportunity to deepen the topics, analyze cases, ask questions, work in groups.
These lessons will be recorded and later available on the web page of the course on ARIEL.
The program will be the same as written in the syllabus.
In case of extension of the COVID-19 emergency, the exam will be via ZOOM and it will be oral.
Updates, details, and further information will be available on ARIEL.
Course syllabus
The following topics will be analyzed:
1) How Work Psychology studies organizational issues: Aims, topics, methodologies, main intervention fields, ethical issues.
2) Individual differences and their impact on individual-level job performance.
3) Motivational and stress processes: the main theories.
4) Personal and situational antecedents of job satisfaction and counterproductive behaviors.
5) Psychosocial risks and mental health at the workplace: methodological approaches and ethical issues.
6) How to plan a monitor of work engagement and burnout at the workplace: contributions from the Job demand-resources theory.
7) The main psychological theories on safety at the workplace.
8) Models and types of intervention to prevent work distress and promote employee wellbeing.
1) How Work Psychology studies organizational issues: Aims, topics, methodologies, main intervention fields, ethical issues.
2) Individual differences and their impact on individual-level job performance.
3) Motivational and stress processes: the main theories.
4) Personal and situational antecedents of job satisfaction and counterproductive behaviors.
5) Psychosocial risks and mental health at the workplace: methodological approaches and ethical issues.
6) How to plan a monitor of work engagement and burnout at the workplace: contributions from the Job demand-resources theory.
7) The main psychological theories on safety at the workplace.
8) Models and types of intervention to prevent work distress and promote employee wellbeing.
Prerequisites for admission
Prerequisites for admission are not required.
Teaching methods
Teaching methods include frontal lessons, workgroups, analysis of case studies, contributions from professionals on their managerial experiences.
Attending students will be organized in small groups and engaged in the preparation of short reports and presentation of their analysis to the class.
Attending students will be organized in small groups and engaged in the preparation of short reports and presentation of their analysis to the class.
Teaching Resources
Textbooks (for attending and non-attending students):
Argentero P. e Cortese C.G. (2016). Psicologia del lavoro. Milano: Raffaello Cortina.
Balducci C. (2015). Gestire lo stress nelle organizzazioni. Bologna: Il Mulino.
Argentero P. e Cortese C.G. (2016). Psicologia del lavoro. Milano: Raffaello Cortina.
Balducci C. (2015). Gestire lo stress nelle organizzazioni. Bologna: Il Mulino.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam is a written test with open questions aimed at evaluating: a) knowledge of theoretical and methodological frameworks explaining human behavior at the workplace and their empirical evidence; b) ability to critically apply theoretical and methodological frameworks to analyze psychosocial risks at the workplace and to design monitor systems of employee wellbeing; c) ability to properly use the specific disciplinary language of work psychology.
The exam lasts for 1 hour. The evaluation is up to 30 cum laude.
In case of extension of the COVID-19 emergency, the exam will be via ZOOM and it will be oral.
The exam lasts for 1 hour. The evaluation is up to 30 cum laude.
In case of extension of the COVID-19 emergency, the exam will be via ZOOM and it will be oral.
M-PSI/06 - WORK AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Gilardi Silvia
Professor(s)
Reception:
Mondays: 4 pm - 7 pm (by appointment via email).
via Conservatorio 7, room n. 11