PSYCHOLOGY OF WORK AND OF ORGANIZATIONS 1

Knowledge and Understanding (D1). At the end of the course, students will have acquired the fundamental concepts necessary to understand the dimension of work within complex organizations. They will be familiar with the historical and theoretical evolution of work psychology, from classical foundations to the most recent disciplinary and applied developments.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding (D2). Students will be able to use the conceptual framework and operational tools presented in the course to analyze real organizational situations, assess job characteristics, and apply psychological analysis models to the context of new organizational forms.

Making Judgements (D3). Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate the models and tools presented, identifying the most appropriate contexts for their use. They will be able to reflect independently on work dynamics in relation to organizational and social changes.

Communication Skills (D4). Students will be able to clearly and appropriately communicate theoretical concepts and practical tools related to work psychology, both in academic and professional contexts, using adequate technical language. Learning Skills (D5). Students will demonstrate learning abilities and continuous self-updating skills, also through independent study of scientific sources, in order to further explore issues related to work and complex organizations.

Lectures supported by multimedia presentations and guided discussions on case studies and scientific articles. Active participation of students will be encouraged in order to stimulate critical thinking and the practical application of course contents.

No formal prerequisites are required. However, it is desirable that students have basic knowledge of:
- Fundamental principles of general and social psychology;
- Basic skills in analyzing contexts and communication processes.

In any case, the theoretical and operational knowledge necessary for understanding the course contents will be provided during the lectures.

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended to facilitate a deeper understanding of the contents, encourage active participation in teaching activities, and achieve better overall learning outcomes.

The course is divided into 54 hours of classroom teaching, equal to 9 credits.

The course content covers the following topics:

Work psychology: levels of analysis, intervention, and new perspectives. The work environment and regenerative workplaces. Flexible organizations and new forms of work. Changing meanings and relationships in the workplace. Motivation in the work context. Emotions in the work context. Work-related stress and burnout. Engagement and psychosocial resources for organizational well-being. Teamwork and conflict management. Leadership as an organizational process. Organizational change and its management. Interventions for well-being and diversity management. Artificial Intelligence and ethics in the workplace. Neuroscience and its applications in the workplace.

The course contributes to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. The topics addressed relate specifically to the following goals:

Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Promoting psychological well-being in the workplace and preventing work-related stress, burnout, and psychosocial risks.

Goal 4 – Quality Education: Developing professional and transversal skills in human resource management. Continuous training and organizational learning.

Goal 5 – Gender Equality: Promoting inclusion and equal opportunities in the workplace. Managing and leveraging diversity within work groups.

Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Improving job quality, motivation, and active participation. Supporting sustainable and responsible organizational practices.

Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Valuing workplace differences, preventing organizational inequalities, and promoting inclusive environments.

Dina Guglielmi, Greta Mazzetti. Elementi di psicologia del lavoro. Teorie e strumenti per le professioni socio-educative e sanitarie. Il Mulino. 2025

     [Capitoli: I. Come cambiano i significati e le relazioni lavorative; II. La motivazione nel contesto lavorativo; III. Le emozioni nel contesto lavorativo; IV. Stress lavorativo e burnout; V. Engagement e risorse psicosociali per il benessere organizzativo; VI. Lavorare in gruppo e gestire i conflitti; VII. La leadership come processo organizzativo; VIII. Il Cambiamento organizzativo e la sua gestione; IX. Interventi per il benessere e la gestione della diversità

2.    Diego Bellini, Tiziana Ramaci, Barbara Barbieri. Temi Emergenti e Pratiche Professionali in Psicologia del Lavoro e delle Organizzazioni. McGraw-Hill, Inc. , 2025

Student learning will be assessed via a 45-minute written exam consisting of 31 closed-ended questions covering the course content. The exam aims to verify knowledge of the main theoretical models in work and organizational psychology, understanding of key concepts, and the ability to apply them to organizational contexts.

The evaluation criteria applied during the exam are as follows:

· Appropriateness of expression regarding content and method

· Lexical accuracy

· Breadth and awareness of the subject matter

· Ability to engage in critical analysis

· Ability to make interdisciplinary connections

· Ability to synthesize and re-elaborate acquired knowledge

· Ability to apply knowledge to operational contexts.

For each of the 31 questions, points will be awarded as follows:

- 1 point for each correct answer;

- 0 points for each incorrect or missing answer.

- The final grade will be expressed on a scale of 30.

- The exam is passed with a minimum of 18 correct answers, corresponding to a score of 18/30.

30 correct answers correspond to a grade of 30/30.

31 correct answers correspond to a grade of 30 *cum laude* (with honors).

To ensure equal opportunities and compliance with current regulations, interested students may request an individual meeting with the professor to agree upon any compensatory or dispensatory measures, taking into account educational objectives and specific needs.

Students may also contact the Department’s designated CInAP representative.

- What are flexible organizations?
- What does work psychology study?
- Work stress and burnout.
- Interventions for well-being and diversity management.
- Artificial Intelligence and the world of work.
- Ethics in the world of work.
- Neuroscience and its applications in the world of work.