OVERVIEW

The course presents the contribution of psychology in the analysis of human behavior in work contexts and broader social contexts. The first part of the course will focus on the fundamentals of social psychology and the analysis of human behavior in offline and online social contexts. In particular, students will understand how people perceive others and form first impressions, the psychological mechanisms underlying social influence and conformity, and how persuasive communication influences people's attitudes and behaviors

The second part of the course will focus on the study of organizational behavior. Organizational behavior is a multidisciplinary field 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.

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 guide students in discovering the contribution of psychology to the study of human behavior, with particular attention to social and organizational contexts. In the first part, the course focuses on the fundamentals of social psychology, offering tools to understand how people perceive others, form impressions, and are influenced by mechanisms of social pressure, conformity, and persuasive communication, both in offline and digital contexts 

In the second part, the focus shifts to organizational behavior, a multidisciplinary field that explores the way individuals act within organizations. Students will analyze interactions between colleagues, individual and group behaviors, and the ways in which organizational structures influence work dynamics. The overall objective is to provide a psychological perspective useful for understanding and facing the challenges of social and professional life in a conscious and critical way 

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

• Understand the cognitive functioning of individuals in the context of social perception 
• Refine their critical skills and analysis of relevant social phenomena such as stereotypes, conformity, and persuasive communication 
• Describe the main dynamics inherent in organizational behavior 
• Apply theories and models to specific case studies 
• Analyze behavioral dynamics in contexts organized according to the notions of organizational behavior 
• 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

Social perception and cognition:

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

Social influence:

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

Social psychology in the digital age:

• Factors that favor the use of technology
• Psychosocial processes and digital technology
• Social influence in online relationships

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 teamwork
• Creativity
• Leadership 

Organizational processes:

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

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Andrighetto, L., & Riva, P. (a cura di). (2026). Psicologia sociale: Fondamenti teorici ed empirici (2ª ed.). Il Mulino.
• Cirella S. (2015). Teoria e pratica del Comportamento organizzativo. Carocci, Roma.*
• Slides and additional materials on Aulaweb.

* For an English version of this book, students can contact the professor

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The module will start in the first semester

For a detailed schedule of classes, please check this website

https://disfor.unige.it/didattica/orario-lezioni

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.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (SLD)

Students with disabilities, with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) or with a Special Educational Need (SEN) are reminded that in order to request adaptations during the exam, they must first file their certification with the  University's Services Sector for the inclusion of students with disabilities and SLD.

Subsequently, to request adaptations during the exam, those with a disability or SLD are required to fill out the form found on this page: Services for students with disabilities or SLD | UniGe | University of Genoa. Instead, students with SEN are required to send an e-mail to the teacher, including a copy of the School Referent for the inclusion of students with disabilities and SLD (laura.traverso@unige.it) and the "Student Inclusion" Sector <inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it>. In the e-mail you must specify:

• The name of the course
• the date of the exam session
• your surname, first name and matriculation number
• compensatory tools and dispensatory measures considered functional and required.

For everyone, requests for adaptation must be made significantly in advance (7 working days) of the exam date. Requests out of time may not be accepted.

Foreign students 

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