01353 - Psychology of Work and Organisations

Learning outcomes

At the end of the training activity, the student:

- knows and understands the main concepts and theoretical approaches developed in the field of Occupational Psychology to analyze the interdependent relationships between the individual, work task and organization;

- develops specific interpersonal skills for group interaction and management of work conflicts;

- is able to analyze work contexts and relationships and to choose methodological and instrumental orientations of analysis and intervention according to the characteristics of specific contexts.

Course contents

Module 1.


1. Efficiency and effectiveness


2. Working groups


3. Conflict


4. Emotions


Module 2.


5. Motivation to work


6. Leadership in work contexts


7. When work can hurt: well-being, malaise, job security and interventions


8. Counterproductive work behaviors


9. Careers and orientation

Readings/Bibliography

The reference text is:
Daniele Malaguti FARE SQUADRA Psicologia dei gruppi di lavoro (2018) Chapters 1-2-3-4-5-6

Guido Sarchielli, Franco Fraccaroli. Introduzione alla psicologia del lavoro (3rd edition, 2023) Chapters III-IV-VI-VIII

Other materials will be pointed out by the lecturers for possible further study and made available in the course's online platform.

A recommended reading (not required for the final exam) and which may be of great interest in the Master Degree in question is: Guglielmi, D., & Chiesa, R. (2021). Orientamento scolastico e professionale: Modelli, metodologie, strumenti. Bologna: Il Mulino.

Teaching methods

Course content will be covered through lectures and guided discussions. Students will be encouraged to offer comments and discussions.


Examples of major operational problems and intervention techniques will be presented. Videos will propose situations to be commented on in the classroom.

Assessment methods

The difficulty of the tests is calibrated always on the possibility of obtaining up to the maximum marks in the given time. The student may at any time withdraw from the test at his or her discretion, appearing - if he or she wishes - already on the next test.

IMPORTANT: Please note that registration is a prerequisite for access to the exam. The registration list closes without exception 7 days before the examination date to allow adequate preparation for the written tests. These, especially in the case of particularly large numbers of candidates, are in fact organized by equivalent parallel versions.The assessment test (the only final test, valid for both modules) is conducted exclusively in written form. It includes six closed-ended and six open-ended questions and has a duration of 60 minutes.The set of questions is designed to test the presence of basic information in the three different areas of the course described above.

The open-ended questions:- are formulated in such a way as to require not simple mnemonic ability, but rather the application of studied models and theories to concrete situations;


- because of their greater difficulty they are worth on average four times more than pre-determined response questions;


- are assessed with reference to a mix of: a) accuracy of the answer (these questions ask for specific answers, not to “talk about” a topic); b) argumentative and terminological correctness (synthesis cannot obscure the clarity and precision of the answer); c) quality of the explanation of the answer and, when required, presence of appropriate exemplifications.


Pre-determined response questions:


- are presented with three response alternatives;


- error is penalized by subtracting 1/3 of what would be acquired by answering exactly;


- non-response is not penalized.

The difficulty of the tests is calibrated always on the possibility of obtaining up to the maximum marks in the given time. The student may at any time withdraw from the test at his or her discretion, appearing - if he or she wishes - already on the next test.

IMPORTANT: Please note that registration is a prerequisite for access to the exam. The registration list closes without exception 7 days before the examination date to allow adequate preparation for the written tests. These, especially in the case of particularly large numbers of candidates, are in fact organized by equivalent parallel versions.

Teaching tools

Audiovisual materials, documents indicated in class and/or made available for download in the dedicated platform.

Office hours

See the website of Dina Guglielmi

See the website of Giulia Paganin