PY1PIW-Psychology in the Workplace

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Placement opportunity: Micro placement
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Marat Zagidullin
Email: m.zagidullin@reading.edu.my

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module presents an overview of how psychology is relevant and useful in the workplace. Students will examine how theories and methods based within the discipline of psychology can be applied to aid understandings of work and organisations.

This module is delivered at University of Reading Malaysia.

Aims:

This module aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the role of psychology in the workplace. Students will examine the theoretical background of topics such as leadership, team building, stress at work, and motivation, whilst gaining essential practical skills, including facilitation of small group activities and discussions. Students will have an opportunity to observe and apply their knowledge and skills in interactive lecture sessions and within a real-life setting in a work placement. The module also provides students with an opportunity to critically reflect on their own skills and performance.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Critically reflect and evaluate academic theory and research within a practical workplace context


• Demonstrate understanding of the techniques required for successful facilitation


• Understand how knowledge of psychology can be used to influence behaviour within the workplace

Additional outcomes:

The work placement enables students to discuss and reflect on their experiences. Students will translate their psychological skills and knowledge to practical applications.

Outline content:

Topics that will be covered in this module include facilitation of meetings, training and development, team building, psychological safety, selection and assessment, leadership, stress at work, workplace bias, and motivation.

Global context:

This module will consider the global context of the research and its approaches, with an aim to improve students’ understanding of how workplace psychology can be context-bound.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

• Interactive lectures and skills practice sessions


• Finding, organising, and completing a work placement


• Reading from recommended texts and journal articles


• Completion of an in-class facilitation task


• Completion of a reflective report on use of skills while on placement

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	5	5	2
Practicals classes and workshops	9	7
Work-based learning	80
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	15	15
Wider reading (directed)	9	9
Advance preparation for classes	2	2
Preparation of practical report	20
Group study tasks	10	10
Total hours by term	150	48	2
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	40
Report	60

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Students will sit an-hour long multiple-choice question exam in Summer term, which will assess their understanding of the material covered in lectures (40%).

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will also complete 80 hours of work placement and write a reflective report on the use of skills covered in the lectures by themselves and others in that organisation (60%).

Formative assessment methods:

Students will receive peer and staff feedback on their facilitation activity.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment is by a written assignment.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

N/A

Last updated: 22 September 2022