Industrial and Organisational psychology are areas of psychology that concerns the scientific study of human behaviour in workplaces and organisations. They are specialist areas that apply psychological knowledge to the work context, with the aim of improving organisational effectiveness and the quality of work life. This 6 unit course involves the application of core areas of psychology (personality, motivation, learning, health, group processes, intergroup relations) to an organisational context.

 

This course will cover the main topics in these fields including personnel selection, performance management, training and development, motivation, teams, leadership, and organisational culture and change. A distinctive aspect of the course is a focus on the social psychology of organisations and as a result the role of group psychology and processes in organisational functioning. There is a recognition that Industrial and Organisational psychology are concerned with the impact of organisational strategy and culture, structures, and processes on the motivation and behaviour of the individual (and vice versa) and not the study of the individual in isolation (e.g., individual counselling in a work context).

 

In lectures students can expect to gain an overview of key topics in Industrial and Organisational Psychology and in the laboratory program more practical know-how about how to effectively work with others in a team environment (team work, leadership dynamics, giving and receiving feedback). Many aspects of the laboratory program will mirror management-type training with group exercises followed by discussion and exploration of team dynamics. Students will be required to translate relevant theory and research to practical settings and problems and to give a group presentation to the laboratory class on a recruitment process.

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand and explain key concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in industrial and organisational psychology from lectures, readings, assignments and interactions with the course convener, tutors and peers.
2. Have a deep understanding of personnel assessment and selection and how organisational identity and culture (norms, practices) can affect employee and organisational functioning and be able to demonstrate and apply this knowledge.
3. Understand and explain basic research methods, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation that applies to industrial and organisational psychology.
4. Evaluate the way theory and research in Industrial and Organisational Psychology applies to real-world issues and challenges and the practice of industrial and organisational psychology.
5. Communicate and explain the distinctive role of organisational psychology in addressing whole-of-organisation functioning.
6. Have effective written and oral communication skills facilitated through report writing, small group discussion, and presentations to class.

Required Resources

CHAPTER: Haslam, S. A., (2010). Organizations and their psychology. Psychology in Organisations: A social identity approach. (pp. 1-16). London, UK: Sage.

Recommended Resources

Haslam, S. A., (2004). Psychology in Organisations: A social identity approach. London, UK: Sage.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 1 Introduction to the Course Lecturer: Kate Reynolds Lecture: Introduction to the Course Approaches to organisational psychology Lab: No lab class –wattle sign-up
2	Week 2 Lecturer: tbc Lecture: Leadership and influence in the workplace Lab: LAB 1: Leadership
3	Week 3 Lecturer: Kate Reynolds Lecture: High-performing Teams in organisations (engagement, decision-making, diversity) Lab: No lab class –
4	Week 4 Lecturer: Suzi Keser Lecture: Resilience and well-being: Building sustainable organisations Lab: LAB 2: Group processes
5	Week 5 Lecturer: Kate Reynolds Lecture: Organisational identity and culture Lab: No lab class –
6	Week 6 Lecturer: Kate Reynolds Lecture: Organisational Change: Theory and Practice Lab: LAB 3: Organisational culture Survey & Interview results
7	Week 7 Lecturer: Kate Reynolds Lecture: Organisational strategy, culture and Strategic HR Lab: No lab class –
8	Week 8 Lecturer: Kate Reynolds Lecture: Attracting the ‘right’ talent: Job analysis, job descriptions, recruitment Lab: LAB 4: Job analysis group work
9	Week 9 Lecturer: tbc Lecture: I/O Personnel Assessment & Selection I Lab: No lab class –
10	Week 10 Lecturer: tbc Lecture: I/O Personnel Assessment & Selection II Lab: LAB 5: Job description & selection processes group work
11	Week 11 Lecturer: tbc Lecture: Performance development and management (including training) Lab: No lab class –
12	Week 12 Lecturer: Kate Reynolds Lecture: Hot topics industrial and organisational psychology: Technology and Work Lab: LAB 6: Presentation group work	SELT Discuss Exam

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Research Essay	35 %	03/09/2021	*	1,3,4,6
Lab engagement and participation	15 %	*	*
Mid-semester Exam	25 %	30/08/2021	24/09/2021	1,2,3,4,5
Final Exam	25 %	04/11/2021	02/12/2021	1,2,4,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

In order to help manage workload where full-time students are enrolled in 4 courses, a guide is that a 6 unit course should require on average 10 hours of work a week (including lectures and laboratory classes PLUS preparing for and revising lectures, readings). IT IS EXPECTED THAT ALL STUDENTS WILL ATTEND LECTURES EACH WEEK  (2-hours each week), as well as 6 x 2 hours laboratory classes. Research shows students learn BEST and achieve higher marks when they attend lectures and revise and review the material afterwards. The laboratory program is not designed necessarily to follow the lecture program but to further develop certain knowledge, concepts and skills in a small-group teaching setting. 

Examination(s)

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date for a mid-semester exam indicates the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held; the due and return date for end of semester exams indicate the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of Semester results are released on ISIS. Students should consult the course wattle site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Research Essay

You will be asked to write a research essay answering a question from a choice of three questions. The essay will be 2500 words in length and needs to be formatted using the guidelines set out by the American Psychological Association (APA).  The essay topics and information about “how” to write a research essay and the marking criteria will be outlined in Laboratory Class 1.

The essay will be due last week before the mid-semester break. Exact dates will be negotiated in class and posted to the course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 2

Lab engagement and participation

Value: 15% of your final grade – .

Complete lab tasks throughout the course (15%) 

Assessment Task 3

Mid-semester Exam

There will be two exams which will be held during the mid-semester (25%) and final university examination period (25%). It is likely to consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. The exact format will be discussed in class closer to the exam date.

Word limit (where applicable):NA

Value: 50% of your final grade

Presentation requirements: NA

Estimated return date: Exams are not returned; students can contact the course authority to view their exam papers if they wish to do so.

Assessment Task 4

Final Exam

There will be two exams which will be held during the mid-semester (25%) and final university examination period (25%). It is likely to consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. The exact format will be discussed in class closer to the exam date.

Word limit (where applicable):NA

Value: 50% of your final grade

Presentation requirements: NA

Estimated return date: Exams are not returned; students can contact the course authority to view their exam papers if they wish to do so.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Essays that have been submitted on-time will be marked and available to download from the Turnitin link on Wattle, approximately 3 weeks after the due date. The exact return date will be posted on the PSYC3028 Wattle page. Late assignments will not be marked within this 3-week timeframe. Marking of the late essays will commence once all the on-time essays have been marked and returned and we will aim to get the late assignments back before the end of semester. 

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments (for remark): From the time your assignment is made available on Wattle, you have two weeks in which to request a formal re-mark if you so choose. There is a standard procedure for requesting a re-mark within the Research School of Psychology. When you get your assignment back, read through the comments and look at the mark. If you think your assignment deserves a higher mark, you need to meet with your marker and tell that person in writing why you feel you deserve a higher mark (the marker’s contact details can be obtained from the Course Coordinator). Based on your reasoning, your marker will then decide to alter your mark or not.

If you remain unhappy with the marker’s decision, you can formally request a re-mark, in which case a new independent marker will be assigned. The mark awarded by the second marker for your assessment becomes your final mark, regardless of whether it is higher, lower or the same as your original mark.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students