PSYCHOLOGY OF CONFLICT AND COOPERATION

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

PSISOC04

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020

Year of supply:

2020/2021

Type of Course:

Characterising

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in PSYCHOLOGY

Disciplinary Sector:

Social Psychology

Language:

Italian

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

MAIOLO MARIA ELISA

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

136

Prerequisites:

There is no preliminary requirement

Objectives

The course contributes to the realization of the educational objectives MA in Psychology providing the tools for the understanding of in-depth knowledge of workgroup dynamics, conflict, and cooperation.

Expected learning outcomes:
Knowing how to analyze the organizational culture; knowing how to form a workgroup; knowing how to manage a conflict; knowing how to cooperate.

Knowledge and capacity to understand: at the end of the course, the student will acquire the knowledge of the work psychology and psycho-social theories about the topics above described.
Capacity to apply knowledge and comprehension: the student will acquire the capacity to analyze and understand the phenomena and the psycho-social dynamics within intergroup contexts and multicultural work settings.
Independent judgment: the student will analyze independently psycho-social and organizational phenomena and be able to infer practical implications.
Communication skills: the student will be able to communicate in a clear and concise way the themes presented during the course.
Learning ability: the student will be able to go deep into the themes presented during the course in an independent way.

Contents

Today, organizations are characterized by the need to manage change. Since the late 1970s, m&a, downsizing, layoff, etc. become part of the common language of an organization.
Today we are observing a reduction in hierarchical levels and the growing need to work in a team and to increasingly master soft skills. To name a few: emotional intelligence, communication, conflict management, team working, leadership, openness to change.
The course starts from providing participants with the elements to investigate the concept of organizational culture as an issue to manage change in the company (in the case, for example, of mergers or acquisitions), often cause of conflict. Subsequently, the processes leading to the formation of the working groups are addressed, with the aim of knowing the ways in which to elicit cooperation processes. Lastly, the importance of soft skills in working contexts and the strategies for their consolidation are illustrated.

Extended Syllabus

In detail, the course program includes the discussion of the following topics:
1. What is culture and why it is important
2. Artifacts, values and tacit assumptions
3. How to evaluate the culture
4. Cultures and sub-cultures
5. Basic concepts of communication
6. Conflict and Communication in Conflict Management
7. Leadership and workgroups
8. Emotions and leadership
9. The social brain
10. The skills of the leader
11. Fundamentals of the negotiation process
12. Types of negotiation
13. Team work

Recommended Bibliography

Schein, E.H. (2000). Culture d'impresa. Come affrontare con successo le transizioni e i cambiamenti organizzativi. Raffaello Cortina
Goleman, D. (2013). Leadership emotiva. Una nuova intelligenza per guidarci oltre la crisi. Milano: Bur.
Malaguti, D. (2018). Fare squadra: psicologia dei gruppi di lavoro. Società editrice il Mulino.
Chapters from 4 to 8.
Pietroni, D., Rumiati, R. (2004). Negoziare. Raffaello Cortina
Scientific papers provided by the professor and uploaded on the e-learning webpage.

Methods of Provision

Conventional

Teaching Methods

Lectures. Simulations. Exercises. Discussions. Project works. Cases and testimonials of relevant business realities.
The Teaching is structured in 48 hours of frontal teaching, divided into lessons of 2 and 3 hours, twice a week, according to the academic calendar. Attendance is optional, but it is strongly recommended to attend the course.
During the course, 16 hours of practical guided exercises (EPG) are also planned to consolidate the theoretical knowledge acquired. Attendance is not compulsory, however, given the added value of active experience for a solid internalization of the topics covered, it is suggested that the course be attended.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

Type of exam:
Written and oral

Learning assessment procedures:
The exam will focus on the teaching program carried out by the teacher in the classroom and on the topics of the texts treated during the lessons.
The exam consists of three parts.
The first part – that will be held in the middle of the course – will consist of a multiple choice test, with some open-ended questions.
The second part will take place on the date established by the teaching secretariat and will be oral.
The third part of the exam involves the creation of a group work as a Guided Practical Experience (EPG), to be presented during the course.
Each of the three parts will be evaluated in 10/30.
The final mark, in thirtieths, will be calculated by adding the scores obtained in the three parts.
The evaluation criteria will be: theoretical knowledge, critical thinking and originality and appropriateness of the project carried out during the practical exercises.
For students who have not attended the practical exercises, the teacher will provide some scientific articles that will be analyzed in a written essay (to be sent 5 days before the exam date), and discussed orally on the exam’s date.

Contacts/More Information

All information relating to the course, handouts, support materials and all communications will be made through:
- the University notice page www.unich.it
- the email from the teacher me.maiolo@unich.it
- Microfoft TEAMS

Erasmus Students are invited to contact the Professor to agree on the study program.

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree