OVERVIEW

The course presents the contribution of psychology in the analysis of human behavior in work contexts and in broader social contexts. The first part of the course will be dedicated to the study of organizational behavior. Organizational behavior is a multidisciplinary field of study that deals with understanding and explaining human behavior within organizations. It examines how people interact with each other, how they behave individually and collectively, and how organizations themselves influence the behavior of their members.

The second part of the course will focus  on the fundamentals of social psychology and, therefore, on the analysis of human behavior in extended offline and online social contexts. In particular, we will discuss how individuals perceive others and form first impressions, what are the psychological mechanisms underlying social influence and conformism, how persuasive communication influences people's attitudes and behaviors.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to analyze, through a psychological perspective, the intertwining between the working dimension and the outcomes on society.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide an introduction to the dynamics that characterize the interactions between individuals and the systems in which they live and work, addressing in particular issues related to people's behavior and motivation, teamwork, creativity, leadership and organizational development. The illustration of the main theories of organizational behavior will be articulated at the three levels of analysis of individual, group and organization.

The course will then continue by expanding the analysis from work contexts to the dynamics inherent in perception and social cognition (processes of formation of first impressions online and offline; social categorization; the formation of stereotypes) and social influence (the development of social norms; offline and online conformism; persuasive communication and change of attitudes).

At the end of the course students will be able to:

• describe the main dynamics inherent in organizational behavior
• apply theories and models to specific case studies
• analyze behavioral dynamics in organized contexts according to the notions of organizational behavior
• understand the cognitive functioning of individuals within the framework of social perception
• refine their critical skills and analysis of relevant social phenomena such as, in particular, stereotypes, conformism and persuasive communication
• demonstrate awareness of their preferred learning strategies, organization and evaluation of personal learning according to what has been understood and learned

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

• Lectures
• Case studies
• Group discussion
• Classroom exercises

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to organizational behavior

• The theoretical roots of organizational behavior and its evolution
• Organizational behavior and learning

Individual processes

• Perceptual mechanisms
• Motivation

Interpersonal processes

• Team and Team Working
• creativity
• leadership

Organizational processes

• Organization and organizational culture
• Organizational change, development and learning

Perception and social cognition:

• Online and offline first impression training processes
• Social categorization
• Formation of stereotypes

Social influence:

• The birth of social norms;
• Offline and online conformism;
• Persuasive communication and changing attitudes

Social Psychology in the digital era:

• Factors promoting uses of technology
• Social psychological processes and digital technologies
• Social influence within online relationships

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Andrighetto, L., & Riva, P. (2020, a cura di). Psicologia Sociale: Fondamenti teorici ed empirici. Il Mulino: Bologna. Capitoli: 1,2,3,4
• Cirella S. (2015). Teoria e pratica del Comportamento organizzativo. Carocci, Roma.
• Slides and additional materials on Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FABRIZIO BRACCO (President)

LUCA ANDRIGHETTO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11417

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam

Quiz with multiple choice questions and open questions

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written test will evaluate the mastery of the elements defined in the program, in relation to the expected training results.

This modality was chosen because the written exam guarantees an objectivity of treatment of students, as well as stimulating them to write a logical discourse in a clear, synthetic but exhaustive way (competence that will also be useful in the case of the drafting of the degree thesis and future documents relating the professional profile).

Multiple choice questions will assess not only knowledge, but also comprehension and analysis. The open questions will not merely address notional knowledge, but allow students to demonstrate the ability to link theories and concepts, critical analysis, ability to global vision of approaches, as well as terminological mastery.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with certification of SLD, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact both the contact person for students with SLD and disability of Disfor, and the teacher, at the beginning of the course, to agree on teaching and examination methods that, in compliance with the objectives of the course, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory tools.

Foreign students can request teaching materials in English and will be allowed to take the exam in English