PSY 104 Workplace Psychology

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Focuses on a number of important factors for effective performance in the workplace. Includes interpersonal skill development and communication, understanding individual differences, developing conflict resolution skills, group behavior, problem solving and decision making, becoming an effective leader; motivation, goal planning, diversity, stress management, improving career management skills, enhancing ethical behavior, and managing various work conditions. Covers important workplace laws and regulations in the United States.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Utilize interpersonal skills of conflict resolution, organizational communication, leadership and cultural sensitivity in work settings.
Identify unethical or discriminatory practices in the workplace.
Apply critical thinking skills, creative problem solving, reasoning, and decision making to resolve workplace issues.
Apply legal considerations to behavior in the workplace.
Discuss the global forces that drive current workplace trends.
Discuss group behavior and employee motivation.
Demonstrate an understanding of the modern, globalized, and diverse workplace and apply it to workplace behavior.
Apply psychological concepts to interviewing and career goal planning.
Employ stress management techniques to balance the demands of work and home.

Content Outline

Introduction to Psychology in the Workplace
- History of work trends in America
- Cultural influences the workplace
- I/O psychology: research and application
Attitude, Goal Setting, and Life Management
- How attitude and personality influence the workplace
- Goal setting: benefits and best practices
Time, Stress Management, and Organizational Skills
- Stress in the workplace
- Time management: benefits and best practices
Ethics, Politics, and Diversity
- Enhancing ethical behavior
- Power in the workplace
- Workplace politics
- Diversity in the workplace
- Employee rights
Accountability and Workplace Relationships
- Accountability in the workplace
- Relationships in the workplace
Quality Organizations and Services
- Organizational structure
- Customer relations
Human Resources and Policies
- Role of the human resources department
- Employee expectations and appraisal
- Types of employment
Communication
- Communication process
- Workplace communication
Motivation, Leadership, and Teams
- Theories of motivation
- Leadership styles
- Leadership development
- Working as a team
Conflict and Negotiation
- Conflict in the workplace
- Conflict management
- Dealing with a hostile workplace
Interview Techniques
- Types of interviews
- Interview preparation
- Considerations during the interview