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Unit outline_

PSYC4004: Applied Psychology in the Workplace

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Most of us will spend at least one third of our lives in the workplace. Psychology has given us considerable insights into how people think, feel and behave as they do, and this has great implications for the workplace. Workplace psychology, sometimes called business psychology, refers to the practice of applying psychological principles and practices to a work environment. The goal is to identify and solve problems, increase employee satisfaction and well-being, improve workplace dynamics and to generally make the workplace a better place in which to spend one third of your life. In this unit of study there will be a particular focus on using positive psychology in the workplace. You will be equipped to use psychological principles in the workplace to make the workplace a more productive, fairer and a more need-satisfying experience. Drawing on Self-determination Theory you will explore the concept of the Positive Built Workplace Environment and how the interface between leadership, building design and workplace culture can produce sustainable, flourishing workplaces. You will also explore issues like overcoming procrastination and increasing productivity; positively influencing and leading people in organisations; the formation of effective teams; the psychology of negotiation and conflict resolution; facilitating wellness; preventing stress and burnout; psychopaths in the workplace and the creation of positive workplace experiences. You will also cover issues such as the evaluation of positive workplace interventions with data collection methods including questionnaires, surveys, focus groups, interviews and case studies. This theoretically-grounded but very practical unit of study gives you the tools to enhance the work experiences of yourself and others.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(144 cp of which a minimum needs to be 24 cp of 3000-level or 4000-level units of study) or (12 cp PSYC3XXX)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PSYC4730
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students should have the ability to read and interpret findings from scientific research, and have a basic familiarity with the empirical process

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michael Cavanagh, michael.cavanagh@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam hurdle task Final Exam
See Canvas for details.
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation group assignment Presentation and Participation
See Canvas for details.
10% Ongoing See Canvas for details.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Tutorial quiz Tutorial Quiz
See Canvas for details.
15% Week 05 See Canvas for details.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Assignment Report
See Canvas for details.
45% Week 13
Due date: 23 May 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 20 Jun 2022
See Canvas for details.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Presentation and Participation: Given that this is ongoing across the semester, Special Consideration would only be suitable if your absence affected your ability to present/participate, and the only outcome would be an excusal of absence.
  • Tutorial Quiz: If you do not attempt the Tutorial Quiz, you may apply for Special Consideration, from which the only outcome is a replacement assessment. If you do not attempt the Tutorial Quiz and are not awarded Special Consideration, you will just receive 0 for the Tutorial Quiz.
  • Report: If you do not attempt the Report by the closing date, you may apply for Special Consideration, from which the only outcome is a replacement assessment. If you do not attempt the Report by the closing date and are not awarded Special Consideration, you will just receive 0 for the Report.
  • Final Exam: If you do not attempt the Final Exam, you will need to apply for Special Consideration, from which the only outcome is a replacement exam. If you do not attempt the Final Exam and are not awarded Special Consisderation, you will receive an Absent Fail (AF) grade for this unit, as the Final Exam is a compulsory assessment.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction – Systems as a frame for understanding psychology in the workplace. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 02 The Psychology of teams Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Motivation, Vroom and Self Determination theory Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Leadership Mindful leadership and indigenous leadership . Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Communication: Listening for effect in the workplace, Tutorial quiz this week Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Persuasion and influence. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 07 Negotiation and Conflict. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Psychopaths and bullying in the workplace Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Cognitive Bias Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Groupthink, Social loafing and Procrastination Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Positive workplaces. Class presentations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Understanding measurement at work (and Class Presentations) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Review and summary Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Appraise the core principles of psychology in the workplace.
  • LO2. Critically evaluate and classify models of applied psychology in the workplace.
  • LO3. Evaluate positive workplace environments.
  • LO4. Apply psychological theories to real life workplace situations.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Increase in practical activities will be included this year to enhance application of theories.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.