Industrial and organisational psychology is an area of psychology that concerns the scientific study of employees, workplaces, and organisations.  It involves the application of core areas of psychology (personality, motivation, learning, health, group processes, intergroup relations) to understanding and improving performance and well-being in an organisational context.  This course will cover the main topics in this field including personnel selection, performance management, training and development, motivation, teams, leadership and organisational culture and change.  A distinctive aspect of the course is the continual focus on industrial and organisational psychology as being oriented to whole-of-organisation purpose, performance and sustainability.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Have a broad understanding of key concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in  industrial and organisational psychology  from lectures, readings, assignments and interactions with the course convener, tutors and peers.  (LO1)

2.  Have a deep understanding of personnel assessment and selection and how organisational identity and culture (norms, practices)  can affect employee and organisational functioning. (LO2)

3. Have a broad understanding of basic research methods, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation that applies to industrial and organisational psychology. (LO3)

4. Have a broad understanding of the way theory and research in Industrial and Organisational Psychology applies to real-world issues and challenges and practice of industrial and organisational psychology. (LO4)

5.  Have effective written and oral communication skills facilitated through  report writing, small group discussion, and presentations to class. (LO5)

Group work designing a selection process 25% (LO1, LO2, LO4)

Presentation of selection process to the class 15% (LO2 - LO5)

Weekly learning diary 15% (LO1, LO2)

Exam 45% (LO1 - LO4)

26 hours of lectures, 18 hours of laboratory classes (overall expected workload of 10 hours per week, including personal study time).

PSYC2001 and any two of 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009 or permission of the coordinator. Other backgrounds in management fields will be considered on merit. PSYC3026, PSYC3002 and PSYC3020 would complement this course.

The course will assume an understanding of core areas of psychological research methods in Psychology and how to conduct, analyse and interpret quantitative findings.  This would be consistent with students having completed PSYC2001 and any other two second-year units.

Reading brick will be provided with key readings for the course

Powerpoint