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Syllabus:

The influence of organizational environment on individuals and groups, 15 Credits

Swedish name: Organisationsmiljöns betydelse för individer och grupper

This syllabus is valid: 2012-10-01 valid to 2017-12-31 (newer version of the syllabus exists)

Course code: 2PS058

Credit points: 15

Education level: Second cycle

Main Field of Study and progress level: Psychology: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

Grading scale: VG Pass with distinction, G Pass, U Fail

Responsible department: Department of Psychology

Revised by: Head of Department of Psychology, 2015-02-02

Contents

The aims of the course are to give profound and advanced knowledge on how individuals and groups interact and how groups function in organisations. A variety of theoretical points of views are used to reflect different aspects of these phenomena. A number of issues concerning social-, group- and organisational psychology are addressed, for example: the relation between context and behaviour, attitudes, conformity, group conflicts, group roles, stereotyping and leadership. In order to give a useful platform for further studies and for instant use in organisations, theoretical knowledge and practical training are both important parts of the course. Part 1: Theories and research on individuals, groups, and organisations (7.5 hp) The first part of the course starts with theories and research that is of special interest for understanding individual and group interaction and leadership in different settings. In addition, the student trains the ability to critically evaluate research and is expected to produce a research plan that includes important research questions in the area. Part 2: Theory testing and applications (7.5 hp) The second part of the course includes research application and theories on individual and group interaction and leadership in different settings. This part of the course further emphasizes critical research evaluations and includes a scientific study that is reported both orally and in writing

Expected learning outcomes

Part 1: Theories and research on individuals, groups, and organisations (7.5 hp) After the course part the student will: - have a profound knowledge about the relation between context and behaviour, attitudes, conformity, group conflicts, group roles, stereotyping and leadership - be able to critically evaluate research - be able to plan a research study to answer research questions that concerns social-, group-, and organisational psychology. Part 2: Theory testing and applications (7.5 hp) After the course part the student will: - be able to distinguish leadership styles and group performances - have knowledge to analyse and diagnose group behaviour - be able to conduct and present, written and orally, a scientific literature study.

Required Knowledge

Univ: 90 credits (hp) in a behavioral science subject or related subject. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish Upper Secondary course English A. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies

Form of instruction

The teaching forms include summarizing lectures, seminars, group exercises and supervision.

Examination modes

The examination includes active participation in seminars, group exercises, and oral presentations and written reports. The grading scale includes failed, passed, and passed with distinction. A student who has failed twice on an examination can request from the Board of Under-graduate Studies in Psychology that another teacher is appointed to grade the project work. The student is entitled 5 examinations within two years after the first registration occasion. To pass the entire course all tests and compulsory parts must have been passed. The grade is an integrated judgement of the results from all examination parts, and is given when all parts have been passed.

Other regulations

Crediting will be tested on an individual basis. The application should be sent by the student to the university registry (Registrator, Umeå universitet, 901 87 Umeå) that will provide a registration number. The application will thereafter be sent to the responsible department. The responsible Study Director will decide on credit transfer or a course/course part. Confirmed copies of course certificate or corresponding certificate should be included, in which information about education establishment, date, subject area, level and number of credits is provided. In addition, the application should include the course syllabus and literature list for the course/course part, and, when appropriate, a copy of the project report.

Literature

Valid from: 2015 week 6

Avolio, B., Walumbwa, F., Weber, T. Leadership: Current Theories, Research, and Future Directions Ingår i: Annual review of psychology Palo Alto,Calif : Annual Reviews Inc., 1950- http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.psych.60.110707.163621 (2009) 60:421-449 Mandatory

Ajzen I
Nature and operation of attitudes
Included in:
Annual review of psychology (Print)
Palo Alto,Calif : Annual Reviews Inc. : 1950- : pages 27-58 :
Mandatory

Attitudes and persuasion
Crano W. D.,, Prislin R.
Included in:
Annual review of psychology (Print)
Palo Alto,Calif : Annual Reviews Inc. : 1950- : pages 345-374 :
Mandatory

Mintzberg H.
The manager’s job: folklore and fact
Jul.-Aug : Harvard Business Review : 1975 : 49-61 :
Mandatory

Tengblad S
Is there a “New Managerial Work”? : A comparison with Henry Mintzberg’s classic study 30 years later
Journal of Management Studies : 2006 : pages 1437-1461 :
Mandatory

Zimbardo Philip G.
The Lucifer effect : understanding how good people turn evil
1. ed. : New York : Random House : cop. 2007 : xx, 551 s. :
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0704/2006050388-b.html
ISBN: 978-0-8129-7444-7 (pbk.)
Mandatory
Search Album, the University Library catalogue

Wheelan Susan A.
Creating effective teams : a guide for members and leaders
2. ed. : Thousand Oaks, Calif. : SAGE : 2005 : 151 s. :
ISBN: 1--41291376-4 (pbk.)
Mandatory
Search Album, the University Library catalogue

Publication manual of the American Psychological Association
6. ed. : Washington, D.C. : American Psychological Association : cop. 2010, [eg. 2009] : xviii, 272 p. :
ISBN: 978-1-4338-0561-5 (pbk)
Mandatory
Search Album, the University Library catalogue

Leadership: Current Theories, Research, and Future Directions
Avolio, B., Walumbwa, F., Weber, T. , Palo Alto,Calif : Annual Reviews Inc., 1950-
Included in:
Annual review of psychology (Print)
Palo Alto,Calif : Annual Reviews Inc. : 1950- : 60:421-449 :
http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.psych.60.110707.163621
Mandatory