Course Resources Archive

This module introduces the principal theories and applications of occupational psychology.  It enables students to develop a critical understanding of how psychological theory can be applied in a workplace setting.  It examines a wide variety of topics in Occupational Psychology such as recruitment, development, motivation and stress.  It develops a critical approach within students and promotes their marketable skills that apply their psychological knowledge to the workplace.

Occupational psychology is the application of psychology to individuals, groups and organisations.  The module starts by examining the historical perspective of occupational psychology so an understanding of its need is developed.  Specific topics then include job satisfaction, training, job analysis, assessment, selection, stress, stress management, careers counselling, personal development, management, leadership, organisational change and consultancy. All of these topics are explored from an academic and practitioner angle.  For instance in assessment, several ways of assessing individuals ranging from interviews to psychometric testing are considered.  The module is useful for employability as it outlines how firms operate via the individuals who work there.  It also uncovers features about the workplace, such as the hidden dangers of being unhappy at work, and as such will contribute to a students understanding of work and organisations.

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

1.  Demonstrate knowledge of how psychology has contributed to our increased understanding of the workplace;
2. Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of methodologies used by occupational psychologists;
3. Understand how psychology can be used to improve an individual’s experience of work and benefit organisations; 
4. Apply cognitive skills to integrate theory and practice in selected work contexts;
5. Display marketable skills that apply the study of psychology to an organisational and workplace setting;
6. Demonstrate analytical skills to investigate an applied problem

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.