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Business Psychology

  • Module code: BH6007
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 6
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: Organizational Behaviour (Level 4)
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

Business psychology is the discipline of applying knowledge of psychological principles to the world of work. It explores real-world business issues associated with the efficiency, well-being and satisfaction of workers, by focusing on the fit between individuals, their job role, the teams they work in and organisational structures. Business psychologists work closely with organisations to make recommendations for improving people's work experiences.

This module will take an academic-practitioner approach to examining the key areas of business psychology. Along with covering the basic elements of topics not covered before on the undergraduate programme, you will be introduced to some of the advanced elements of research into more familiar domains, such as motivation, individual differences and stress. In particular, current themes within the discipline (such as work-family conflict, managing email, and health at work) will be studied, and you will be able to engage in practical activities to appreciate how business psychologists can best address such concerns within the contemporary workplace.

Students suited to this module will be interested in expanding their understanding of people, will wish to keep abreast of modern theses of work behaviour, and will be keen to apply this knowledge in practical settings. On completion of the module, you may wish to consider registering for the MSc in Occupational and Business Psychology offered by Kingston Business School.

Aims

  • To introduce students to the to the core topics and current trends relevant to the specialist area of Business Psychology
  • To introduce students to the skills and knowledge necessary to apply and communicate the science of psychology to people at work.
  • To develop students' ability to critically evaluate and reflect on how theory and evidence can be used to increase the effectiveness of the organisations and improve the job satisfaction of individuals

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • To identify key theories and approaches across four key domain areas in business psychology;
  • To illustrate the role of diversity, gender and cultural influences in achieving fairness in the workplace
  • To make good use of quality research to inform evidence-based management practices;
  • To adopt a scientist-practitioner focus to connect with various end-users of business psychology research;
  • To evaluate the reliability, validity, and significance of the latest evidence relevant to business psychology;
  • To synthesize theory and evidence to propose solutions for enhancing the effectiveness of organisations and developing people in the workplace.

Curriculum content

  • An introduction to theory, research and practice in Business psychology and the role of the Business Psychologist in industry;
  • Four domain areas of Business Psychology will be covered:

   1. The Individual

   2. The Organization

   3. Stress and Well-being at Work

   4. Professional Practice

 

Note that the key topic of Leadership is covered on the Level 6 modules for Leading and Change and Leading Organizations, and so is not repeated in this module.

Teaching and learning strategy

This module will be delivered by using a mix of formal lectures, class discussions, practical workshops, and group work, using activities and case studies. Sessions will be supported by materials posted onto Canvas. Students will be encouraged to form study groups to support their learning on this module, and will be expected to utilise Canvas to share information and work together on developing their scientist-practioner portfolio. This provides opportunities to demonstrate continuous learning, and receive formative feedback. Assignments will encourage students to apply a scientist-practitioner portfolio approach by including a practical proposal for a client-focused business psychology intervention, and a blog piece aimed at a broader audience of end-users. This also allows students to demonstrate employability skills by producing evidence-based reports that have real-world value and relevance. Students will demonstrate continuous engagement with course materials via the assignments, regular refresher quizzes (posted on Canvas), and opportunity for discussion and formative feedback through workshop-style sessions. Additionally, students will be strongly encouraged to attend the "research into practice" seminars run by the MSc Occupational and Business Psychology course team.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Lectures and workshops. Lecturer scheduled – 3 hours per week for 22 weeks. 66
Guided independent study Home study, study groups, preparation for class work, revision and assignments. 234
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

4

This module is summatively assessed through 2 coursework assignments

Coursework 1 (50%)

 3 x 300 word blogs. Three research-informed opinion pieces (blogs) will be produced from at least two of the Domain Areas covered in Teaching Block One.

Coursework 2 (50%)

1 x 1500 word Briefing Report, written for a fictitious 'client' will be produced based on content covered in the remaining two Domain Areas covered in Teaching Block Two

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
1) To identify key theories and approaches across four key domain areas in business psychology. Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in both coursework assignments.
2) Illustrate the role of diversity, gender and cultural influences in achieving fairness in the workplace. Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in Coursework 1 and 2.
3) To make good use of quality research to inform evidence-based management practices. Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in Coursework 2.
4) To adopt a scientist-practitioner focus to connect with various end-users of business psychology research. Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in both coursework assignments.
5) To evaluate the reliability, validity, and significance of the latest evidence relevant to business psychology. Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in both coursework assignments.
6) To synthesize theory and evidence to propose solutions for enhancing the effectiveness of organisations and developing people in the workplace. Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in Coursework 2.

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
1. Coursework 1: 3 x 300-word blog post Coursework 50%
1. Coursework 2: 1500-word Briefing Report Coursework 50%
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It is NOT a requirement that the element of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

  • McKenna, E. (2012). Business Psychology and Organizational Behaviour. Hove: Psychology Press.
  • Woods, S.A. and West, M. (2015). The Psychology of Work and Organizations. Hants: Cengage

Bibliography recommended reading

Recommended Reading:

  • Arnold, J., Randall, R. et al. (2016), Work Psychology: Understanding Human Behaviour in the Workplace, Sixth Edition., Pearson, Harlow, England.
  • Chmiel, N., Fraccaroli, F. and Sverke, M. (Eds.). (2017), An Introduction to Work and Organizational Psychology: An International Perspective, Third edition., John Wiley & Sons Inc, Hoboken, NJ.
  • Lewis, R. and Zibarras, L. (2013). Work and Occupational Psychology. London: Sage.

Academic Journals (to access the latest research on contemporary issues)

Academy of Management Journal

Academy of Management Review

Administrative Science Quaterly

Annual Review of Psychology

Applied Psychology: An International Review

British Journal of Psychology

British Journal of Social Psychology

Career Development International

Computers in Human Behaviour

Creativity and Innovation Management

European Journal of Work & Organizational Psychology

Human Relations

Human Resource Management

International Journal of Human Resource Management

International Journal of Selection and Assessment

International of Management Reviews

Journal of Applied Behavioural Science

Journal of Applied Psychology

Journal of Applied Social Psychology

Journal of Behavioural Decision Making

Journal of Career Assessment

Journal of Career Development

Journal of Change Management

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

Journal of Management Studies

Journal of Managerial Psychology

Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology

Journal of Occupational Health Psychology

Journal of Occupational Psychology

Journal of Organizational Behavior

Journal of Personality

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Journal of Vocational Behavior

Leadership Quarterly

New Technology, Work and Employment

Organisation Studies

Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes

Organizational Research Methods

Personality and Individual Differences

Personnel Psychology

Psychological Bulletin

Psychological Science

Work and Stress

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