Definition of the field as an applied discipline - theoretical definition and history. Work and its conditions: analysis of work, efficiency, job training. Personality and work - the ability to work motivation and job attitudes, job satisfaction, etc. The work and organization - organization theory, corporate culture, job loss. Fields of application of psychology of work.
Aim of the course
Last update: Mgr. Ivana Šípová, Ph.D. (10.10.2019)
The aim of the course is to get students familiar with the definition, history and the basic topics of psychology of work and organisation, with the options and examples of applications in various areas of society. The course emphasizes interdisciplinar relationships. Practical examples of problem solving will be demonstrated during the seminars with regards to the theoretical background of the subject.
Acquired knowledge: student understands the limitations, focus and thematic structure of one of the basic applied psychological disciplines, can name the theoretical foundations of the phenomena connected to work, understands the diverse context of the work conditions on the individual, group/team and organisational level, is able to name the specific areas of possible applications and the possibilities of using psychology in work-related problems.
Acquired skills: student is familiar with the basic discipline problematics, can attribute the theoretical knowledge to the important work psychology phenomena, is capable of comparing and evaluating different approaches and opinions on the general and specific questions related to the relationship of a person and the work activity, to define and formulate the work psychology problems, can process an assigned topic and create a presentation including an explanation, comparison, discussion and argumentation.
Requirements to the exam
Last update: Mgr. Ivana Šípová, Ph.D. (21.09.2023)
Foundations of psychology of work and organisation. Theoretical basics – subject of interest – application areas – relation to other disciplines (sources n. 1, 2).
The development during the 20th century. Important milestones of development – significant personalities and approaches to the study of the work activity (sources n. 1, 2).
Development in Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Important milestones of development – significant personalities and institutions (sources n. 1, 2).
Work psychologists and their job profile. Typical psychologist job activities – professional requirements – ethical context (source n. 2).
Work and its conditions. Work and its environment – influencing factors and its characteristics – conditions of work safety (sources n. 1, 2).
Work analysis. Its meaning and aims – focus and procedures of work analysis – options and practical application (source n. 1).
Work productivity. Definition of work productivity – observation of the work results – criteria and evaluation of work productivity – analysis of problems in the employee productivity (sources n. 1, 2).
Workload. Theoretical concepts and models of workload – work environment and stressors – stressor classification (source n.1).
Work changes. The causations and consequences of the work changes – the influence of new technologies and work organisation – information technologies and communication (source n. 1).
Work adaptation. Defining work adaptation – levels of adaptation – factors influencing adaptation – manifestations of non-adapted work behavior – possibilities of practical application (sources n. 1, 2, 3).
Job satisfaction. Theoretical approaches – factors influencing satisfaction – manifestations in the work behavior – work and life satisfaction (sources n. 1, 2, 3).
Work motivation and approaches to work. Theory of work motivation – forms of performance promotion in organisations – approaches to work and organisation and their manifestation in work behavior.
Career. Theoretical approaches to work career – types of career – management and development of career – aims of the professional development and the career counseling (sources n. 1, 2, 3).
Employee development. Strategies of organisations and psychological aspects of the employee development – process and methods of the development – contemporary trends (sources n. 2, 3).
Work group. Definition of work group – group typology – specifics of the work group structure and dynamics – group processes (sources n. 1, 2, 3).
Manager and leadership – position and the role of a manager – competence and authority – leadership styles (sources n. 2, 3).
Psychological aspects of the loss of employment. Psychological consequences – unemployment management and quality of life – the effect of redundancy in organisation on the employee behavior (source n. 1, 2).
Organisational culture. Definiton and key elements of the organisational structure – different types – inner, outer and practical manifestations of the organisational culture (source n. 3).
Organisational changes and innovation. Social and psychological aspects of the changes – motivating towards a change – barriers of changes – subjective reactions of the employees on the changes – factors supporting the changes in organisation (sources n. 2, 3).
Personnel psychology. Subject and development – system of personnel management and psychology applications (source n. 1).
Engineering psychology. Subject and development – operator job description – systems and simulators (source n. 1).
Managerial psychology (the psychology of management). Subject and development – management processes – leadership styles – motivating employees towards productivity – the competence and authority of a leader.
Traffic psychology. Subject and development – traffic systems and its reliability – transportation management, choosing means of transport (source n. 1).
Market and consumer psychology. Subject and development – models of consumer behavior – factors influencing consuming behavior – rational vs. emotional decision-making of consumers (sources n. 1, 2).
Economical psychology. Subject and development – behavior in an economical environment – typical topics of economical psychology and its characteristics (source n. 1).
Syllabus
Last update: Mgr. Ivana Šípová, Ph.D. (21.09.2023)
Definition and aims of work psychology, position of a psychologist in an economical organisation
History of work psychology – stages of development
Psychological characteristics of an individual necessary for work participation.
Work and health
Employee training and skills development
Evaluation of employees
Work motivation and attitude to work
Psychology in the context of human interactions related to work
Life stages and professional career development
Identification with work and job satisfaction
Work group and conditions of its efficiency
Individual in organisation
People and technical systems
Economical behavior
Psychology of management
Areas of application
Entry requirements
Last update: Mgr. Ivana Šípová, Ph.D. (23.01.2022)
