Learning objectives
The Laboratory of Groups Psychology applied to the helping professions fits into the Teaching of Psychology applied to group and social dynamics.
It aims to raise students awareness and understanding that the interpersonal dynamics which underlie a group are related to group processes that have been studied and identified in the literature and are predictable related to contextual factors (type of organization, mission, roles, leadership, climate, communication styles, etc..). It also aims to have the students acquire social competence and management skills and be able to identify and cope with the onset of situations of work-related stress.
At the end of the course the student should be able to use the acquired knowledge in order to improve self-efficacy and collective efficacy in their team and to contribute to organizational well-being.
Prerequisites
Nothing to report
Course unit content
The lessons series provides basic knowledge of social and work psychology and management with reference to groups functioning . Literature data are presented as a reference in order to better understand processes and dynamics in each one’s work context.
The topics of organizational well-being and prevention of work-related stress, moral distress, burn-out and mobbing are also developed with reference to Italian laws.
Full programme
The disciplinary module is divided into 3 areas:
1. From the working group to a team in the organizational context: roles and processes:
• Leaders and Leadership
• Ways of communication and decision-making processes
• Conflicts negotiation
• Social identities and affiliations
2. organizational well-being
• Law 81-2008 and work-related stress
• Burn-out / moral distress
• Mobbing / equal opportunity
3. Development of interpersonal skills in a professional environment
• E.I. (Emotional Intelligence)
Bibliography
-S. Dello Russo (a cura di): Leadership e gruppi di successo. La ricerca per la pratica organizzativa – Franco Angeli, Milano, 2010.
-B. Bertani, M. Manetti (a cura di), Psicologia dei gruppi. Teoria, contesti e metodologie d’intervento, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2007. -S. A. Haslam, S. D. Reicher, M. J. Platow, Psicologia del leader. Identità, influenza e potere., Il Mulino, Bologna, 2013. -P. De Sario, Far funzionare i gruppi. Risolvere le situazioni complesse con la Facilitazione esperta e il Face-model, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2010.
Slides and teaching materials used during the lessons, provided by the teacher.
Teaching methods
Lectures using slides and discussion in the classroom with the students in an interactive dimension. Those lessons are integrated with practical exercises aimed at the development of social and interpersonal skills which are fundamental for helping professions (empathic nearness and listening, emotional control, conflict management)
Assessment methods and criteria
The degree of learning is checked by a written exam, with open-ended answers to questions regarding the topics of the lessons. The students must demonstrate that they haven’t only acquired the theoretical knowledge. They have to show they have improved their own social skills.
Each student will pass the final exam if he responded correctly at least to 70% of questions. The evaluation will take into account the student's ability to answer questions by showing how to relate what they learn to their own professional context.
The final evaluation will be formulated based on the total of marks of the Teaching to which this module belongs.
Other information
