Teaching code

4S007375

Teacher

Elena Trifiletti

Coordinator

Elena Trifiletti

Credits

9

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-PSI/05 - SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Period

Sem. 1A, Sem. 1B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

This course focuses on group processes in organizational contexts. The course will examine group processes and intergroup relations, with a special focus on group formation and cohesion, inclusion and identity, decision making, productivity in groups, intergroup relations and conflict, effects of majority and minority group belonging, and diversity management. The course aims to provide students with skills, such as critical reflection, analysis, and interpretation of group dynamics, especially those occurring within organizational contexts. Students will learn how to observe groups and to understand their dynamics; they will have a firm grasp of the main theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of groups, and will learn how to manage relationships between minority and majority group members. By the end of the course students will be able to: - develop a sound knowledge of group processes in organizational and social settings; - develop management skills for complex organizational processes with a specific focus on diversity management; - plan and evaluate interventions aimed at developing harmonious relationships within organizazions.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Social Psychology (bachelor) is recommended.

Program

The course will be held in Italian and will cover the following topics:
-group formation
-social categorization and social identity
-cohesion and inclusion
-social influence and conformity
-obedience and power
-leadership
-group decision making
-group productivity
-intergroup relations and conflict
-majority-minority relations within organizations
-stereotype threat in the workplace
-diversity in social and organizational contexts
-diversity management
-diversity training
Readings:
1. Forsyth, D. R. (2019). Group dynamics (7th Ed.). Cengage Learning. Capitoli: 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,12,13,14.
Students can benefit from a discount of 30% through Cengage’s online store by using a discount code. The code will be valid from September 5th until December 5th and can be applied to either the print or eBook versions. Further info can be found at: https://www.cengage.uk/c/group-dynamics-7e-forsyth/9781337408851/
2. Ellemers, N. & Haslam, S. A. (2019). La teoria dell’identità sociale, in Van Lange, P. A. M., Kruglanski, A. W., & Higgins, E. T., Psicologia sociale: Teorie sui processi psicologici, intraindividuali, interpersonali e intergruppi (pp.187-202). Traduzione italiana a cura di Pagliaro, S., Sacchi, S., & Vezzali, L. Milano: Edra.
3. Turner, J. C. & Reynolds, K. J. (2019). La teoria della categorizzazione di sé, in Van Lange, P. A. M., Kruglanski, A. W., & Higgins, E. T., Psicologia sociale: Teorie sui processi psicologici, intraindividuali, interpersonali e intergruppi (pp. 203-216). Traduzione italiana a cura di Pagliaro, S., Sacchi, S., & Vezzali, L. Milano: Edra.
4. Pratto, F., Sidanius, J., & Levin, S. (2006). Social dominance theory and the dynamics of intergroup relations: Taking stock and looking forward. European Review of Social Psychology, 17, 271–320.
5. John F. Dovidio , Samuel L. Gaertner & Tamar Saguy (2007) Another view of “we”: Majority and minority group perspectives on a common ingroup identity, European Review of Social Psychology, 18:1, 296-330.
6. Roberson L. & Kulik C. T. (2007). Stereotype Threat at Work. Academy of Management Perspectives, 21, 24-40.
7. Casad, B,J. & Bryant, W.J. (2016). Addressing Stereotype Threat is Critical to Diversity and Inclusion in Organizational Psychology. Front. Psychol.7:8. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00008
8. Anand, R., & Winters, M. F. (2008). A Retrospective View of Corporate Diversity Training from 1964 to the Present. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 7, 356-372
9. O’Donovan, D. (2017). Inclusion: Diversity Management 2.0. In C. Machado, & J. P. Davim, Managing Organizational Diversity: Trends and Challenges in Management and Engineering. Springer.
Chapters and journal articles will be available on the moodle platform. Non attending students who might find it difficult to study in English are invited use power points on moodle as supplementary materials (not substitutes).

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Lectures and in-class assignments aimed at developing students’ skills of group observation and analysis, understanding of group processes, management of diversity-related processes. Attending students will have the opportunity to participate into a project work concerning diversity management in organizational contexts.
Lectures will be in presence. Materials such as power points and texts of in-class assignments will be made available in moodle for students that will be unable to attend some lectures.

Learning assessment procedures

For attending students, the exam will consist of a work-project (optional) and written exam test; for non attending students, the exam will consist of written exam test. The content and modes of completion of the work-project will be agreed upon by the lecturer and (attending) students. In the written exam test, (attending/non attending) students will be asked 3 open-ended questions. Each question will be awarded up to 10 points/marks.

Evaluation criteria

Knowledge of theoretical constructs will be assessed, as well as the ability to understand, analyze and communicate and interpret social and organizational behaviors in the light of the theories and concepts covered by the study program.
Participation to the project work (optional) will be awarded up to 3 points which will be summed to the marks of the written exam test.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

For attending students participating in the project work, the final grade will consist of the grade/mark of the written exam test plus the points obtained in the project work. For all other students, the final grade/mark will correspond to the grade/mark obtained in the written exam test.

Exam language

italiano