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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Understand and explain basic research methods, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation that applies to industrial and organisational psychology.
- 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.
- Communicate and explain the distinctive role of organisational psychology in addressing whole-of-organisation functioning.
- Have effective written and oral communication skills facilitated through report writing, small group discussion, and presentations to class.
Indicative Assessment
- Course Reading Assessment where students will be asked a specific question in labs based on the Course Reading listed in this handout (15) [LO 1,2]
- A group presentation outlining an Assessment and Selection Process for Staff Recruitment (20) [LO 2,3,4,5,6]
- A Essay or Laboratory Report on an organisational topic (25) [LO 1,2,4,6]
- Final Exam (multi-choice and/or short answer and/or essay questions). (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,6]
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Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 1 x 2 hour lecture per week and 6 x 2 hours of laboratories spread across the semester.
- Approximately 94 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
There is no textbook for this course.
Assumed Knowledge
The course will assume an understanding of core areas of psychological research methods in Psychology and how to conduct, analyse and interpret quantitative findings. This would be consistent with students having completed PSYC2001 and any other two second-year units.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 4B
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7775 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |
