TEAM PSYCHOLOGY (PSYC 411)

AIM

This course aims to develop knowledge about group dynamics and skills in interpersonal behaviour and communication by analysing potential problems in team processes and reflecting on interpersonal behavioural tendencies in order to be able to create and maintain a professional working environment.

Soft skills such as communication, teamwork and conflict resolution are an essential part of a successful business and being a professional. Soft skills are detrimental for an efficient output from employees and improves leadership abilities such as negotiating, motivating and empathy. This makes it an essential skill for our graduates where they need to have clear insights in their own behaviour and the theories of group dynamics in order to maintain and influence professional relationships, create efficient team processes and successfully manage teams.

  • COURSE DESCRIPTION
  • ROLE IN CURRICULUM
  • LEARNING OUTCOMES
  • STUDY PLAN
  • TEACHING METHODS
  • ASSESSMENT AND GRADING
  • TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on group dynamics, interpersonal behaviour and communication by using theories of social psychology, team roles according to the theory of Belbin, and active listening techniques.

Credit: 1
Lecture Hours: 15

Self-Study Hours:

  • Reading: 5 (Articles:
    Team Dynamics and Processes in the workplace
    Introduction to Belbin Team Roles
    Active Listening)
  •  
  • Group practices: 15 (Both individual and group practices)
  • Assignment: 15 (Self-analysis, writing, analyzing team compositions)

Total Study Hours: 50

ROLE IN CURRICULUM

Prerequisites

Students should have successfully finished Psychology before entering the course Team Psychology.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The learning outcomes of this course focuses on three main area’s: Group Dynamics, Interpersonal behaviour and communication. On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1  Knowledge

Level of Learning PLO CLO Learning Outcome
Understand PK1 CK1 Discuss basic definitions of teams in organizations.
Understand PK1 CK2 Explain the IMOI model of group dynamics in teams

2  Cognitive Skills

Level of Learning PLO CLO Learning Outcome
Apply PC2 CC1 Apply theories of social influence and group dynamics in the context of teamwork
Apply PC2 CC2 Apply interventions in the team processes according to discussed factors of social influence and group dynamics.
Create PC2 CC3 Develop ways to reduce common team decision making fallacies
Apply PC2 CC4 Apply theories of conflict management

3  Communication, Information Technology, and Numerical Skills

Level of Learning PLO CLO Learning Outcome
Apply PCIT4 CCIT1 Report self-reflective information in a professional manner.

4   Interpersonal Skills and Responsibilities

Level of Learning PLO CLO Learning Outcome
Evaluate PIP2 CIP1 Reflect on your own interpersonal behaviour in teams and be able to adjust this behaviour as needed.
Apply PIP2 CIP2 Use active listening as a way to prevent miscommunication and strengthen the team process.

STUDY PLAN

The course targets the 9 lessons in the study plan below. Each lesson is 1.5 class hours each; there are a total of 15 class hours. The study plan below describes the learning outcome for each lesson, described in terms of what the student should be able to do at the end of the lesson. Readings should be done by students as preparation before the start of each class. Implementation of this study plan may vary somewhat depending on the progress and needs of students.

No  Lesson Learning Outcomes Teaching and Learning Activities, Assessment
1

Course introduction Teams, Team Effectiveness & Teamwork

  1. Defining Teams, Team Effectiveness & Teamwork (CK1)
 Lecture Kahoot Group Discussion Reading: Team Dynamics and Processes in the Workplace pp 1 – 4
2

Team Dynamics: The IMOI Framework

  1. Describe the team process according the IMOI Framework (CK2)
 Lecture Group Discussion Video Demonstration ‘Google’ Reading: Team Dynamics and Processes in the Workplace pp 6 – 7
3

IMOI framework: Inputs – Team Roles

  1. Identify different group roles and the need of diversity (CK2, CIP1)

 

 Lecture Group Discussion Video demonstration ‘Team roles’ Reading: Team Dynamics and Processes in the Workplace pp 7 – 9 Introduction to Belbin Team Roles
4

IMOI framework: Inputs pt.2 – Team Roles and Characteristics

  1. Explain Team – Role combinations and their effect on teamwork (CC1, CC2, CC3, CIP1)
  2. Create interventions based on Team – Characteristics (CC1, CC2, CC3, CIP1)
 Lecture Kahoot Group Discussion Reading: Team Dynamics and Processes in the Workplace pp 9 – 12
5

IMOI Framework: Inputs pt. 3 – Team and Task Characteristics

  1. Explain different task characteristics
  2. Evaluate Effective Team Characteristics according specific Task Characteristics (CK2, CC1, CC2, CC3, CIP1)
 Lecture Group discussion Reading: Team Dynamics and Processes in the Workplace pp 9 – 12
6

IMOI Framework: Mediators

  1. Explain ‘Mediators’ according the IMOI Framework (CK2) 
  2. Explain Conflict management styles (CK2, CC4)
 Lecture Review test Group Discussion Video Demonstration: ‘Conflict management’ Reading: Team Dynamics and Processes in the Workplace pp 13 – 16
7

IMOI Framework: Mediators pt. 2 – Conflict Management

  1. Identify own conflict management styles. (CIP1)
  2. Create Interventions that effectively solve conflicts. (CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, CIP1)
 Lecture Group problem: ‘Assertiveness’
8

IMOI Framework: Mediators pt. 3 – Communication

  1. Describe Active Listening
  2. Apply Active listening skills (CC2, CC3 & CIP2)
 Lecture Video demonstration Group Practice: ‘Questions’ Group Discussion Reading: Active Listening
9

IMOI Framework: Outputs

  1. Describe ‘Outputs’ according the IMOI Framework (CK2)
 Lecture Kahoot Group Discussion Reading: Team Dynamics and Processes in the Workplace pp 17 – 19
10 Review (all CLO’S) Lecture Review test Kahoot
Total Hours 15  

TEACHING METHODS

This course is primarily lecture based. Assigned readings will support topics covered in class and a workbook will further support learning. Lectures will have an emphasis on interactive group practices where around half of the lecture will be lecture based and the other half will focus on class assignments, group discussions and practising with soft skills.

During the term there will be one assignment.
For this assignment students have to reflect on their own interpersonal behaviour and put this in context of group dynamics. The assignment will be an essay describing own team role preference according to the theory of Belbin and an analysis of the potential strengths and challenges this can give in teams when taking group dynamics into account.

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

Grades will be determined based on a grading score, calculated using the following assessments and score allocations:

Assessment Weight of each assessment Learning Outcome Assessed
CLO PLO
Participation 25% CK1, CK2, CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, CIP1, CIP2 PK1, PC2, PIP2
In-class tests 20% CK1, CK2, CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4 PK1, PC2
Assignments 30% CK1, CK2, CC1, CC2, CC3, CCIT1, CIP1 PK1, PC2, PCIT4, PIP2
Final Project 25% CK1, CK2, CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4 PK1, PC2
Total grading score 100%  

 

TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

Reading Material

  1. Bisbey, T., & Salas, E. (2019). Team Dynamics and Processes in the Workplace. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.013.13
  2. An introduction to Belbin Team Roles
  3. Active Listening

References

  1. Levi, Daniel, Group Dynamics for Teams, 5th Edition, Sage Publications, London, 2016.

Education Resources