94244 - Work and Orientation Psychology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student:

• Is familiar with and understands the main concepts and theoretical approaches developed in the field of Work Psychology to analyze the interdependent relationships between the individual, work task and organization.
• Is capable of analyzing work contexts and relationships and selecting methodological and instrumental approaches to analyze and to intervene according to the characteristics of each specific context.
• Is able to identify the main psycho-social factors that pose a threat to individual and organizational well-being.
• Is familiar with the theoretical models involved in the study of career development across the lifespan.
• Is familiar with the main theoretical frameworks for understanding the construct of employability, flexibility, and job insecurity.
• Is familiar with the main functions, purposes, and methods associated with different types of career guidance interventions.
• Is familiar with the main intervention strategies aimed at career management and development.

Course contents

Course contents

The course aims to introduce students to the relevant concepts of work psychology and career guidance. Specifically, we want to encourage: the acquisition of knowledge of the two areas of study and interventions, providing useful elements to get to know the main study and research approaches in the field of work psychology and career guidance; know the issues related to the relationships between individual-group-organization in the construction of their work, also with a view to organizational well-being, protective factors and risk factors; know the theoretical reference models of career guidance for the study of career development throughout life; know the main functions and methods of guidance intervention and those in support of career development, to promote employability also in reference to situations of complex employability (weak categories); understand the main national standards and reference documents on employment and orientation.

Contents:

Module One:

• Main theories and research areas in work psychology
• Main theoretical approaches in career counseling psychology
• The psychological bond between individual and work
  
• The role of career guidance in relation to the current job market
• Career guidance and useful competencies for implementing them
• Traditional career and new career paths
• Employability
• Career anchors
• Intervention strategies at different career stages

Module Two:

• Job demands and resources
• Job satisfaction: well-being factors and models for understanding work-related stress
• Anomalous and counterproductive work behaviors

Readings/Bibliography

Chapters to be studied for each text are listed below.

1) Sarchielli, G. & Fraccaroli, F. (2023). Introduzione alla psicologia del lavoro. Bologna: Il Mulino

• Capitolo I. Lo studio psicologico del lavoro
• Capitolo II. Nuovi scenari per il lavoro
• Capitolo III. Lavorare oggi: domande e risorse
• Capitolo IV. Il legame psicologico tra individuo e lavoro
  
• Capitolo VII. Ricavi e costi del lavoro
• Capitolo VIII. Condotte lavorative anomale e controproducenti

2) Guglielmi, D. & Chiesa, R. (2021). Orientamento scolastico e professionale. Bologna: Il Mulino

• Capitolo I. Nuove sfide per l’orientamento
• Capitolo II.Psicologia dell’orientamento: approcci teorici
• Capitolo III. Funzioni dell’orientamento e competenze per attuarle
• Capitolo VI. Azioni orientative per l’inserimento, il reinserimento e lo sviluppo nel lavoro

3) Toderi, S. & Sarchielli, G. (2013). Sviluppare la carriera lavorativa. Bologna: Il Mulino.

• Capitolo III. Teoria delle ancore di carriera

Teaching methods

The course consists of frontal lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations and integrated with group discussions and other material available on

https://virtuale.unibo.it

The different topics will be presented first from a theoretical-conceptual point of view. Subsequently, for the main topics of a strictly applicative nature, projects and paths regarding the two areas of the course will be presented. In particular, projects will also be presented at a regional level relating to good practices connected to job reintegration and employability support. The viewing of videos on topics related to the course or even interventions by external guests, experts in the topics of the course, may be taken into consideration, even following requests or solicitation from students

Assessment methods

The final exam is written and consists of a series of multiple choice questions (40), which present four different answer alternatives. The exam lasts 30 minutes; the grade will be expressed in 30s.

The reference course books for the exam are those indicated in the bibliography.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities are invited to contact the teacher if they wish to take into consideration the possibility of an adaptation of the examination method (e.g. oral exam) or if they have particular needs in relation to the lessons too.

In order to take the exam, students must enrol through AlmaEsami application. Students who are unable to enrol by the expected deadline due to technical problems, are required to promptly notify the Teaching Secretariat and the Professor.

Teaching tools

Where possible, downloadable materials will be available at https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Office hours

See the website of Gaetano Vincenzo Giovanni Martorano

See the website of Giulia Paganin