Explore how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are influenced by the groups we belong to. Learn why in-group loyalty, social norms, and intergroup dynamics matter for cooperation, conflict, and community life.
Human Behaviour in Communities and Organisations
This is a Level 1 course from the Psychology minor, part of the Open Bachelor’s programme. It is worth 6 ECTS and takes place in Term 2 in Lisbon.
Course Summary
Discover how social psychology helps us understand the way people interact within organisations, communities, and societies. In this course, you’ll explore key concepts like group behaviour, leadership, organisational culture, and social identity. You’ll analyse real-world challenges such as organisational change and community development through evidence-based theories and research. Through a focus on applying psychology to social systems, you’ll develop tools to navigate and positively impact complex group dynamics and contribute effectively in collaborative settings, gaining the insight needed to lead and drive meaningful change in diverse social contexts.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
| Description | Mapped to Human Intelligence | |
|---|---|---|
| CLO 1 | Identify and describe key social psychology theories on group behaviour, leadership, and identity. | CI3 – Mastery of Theoretical Foundations |
| CLO 2 | Apply key social psychology concepts (including conformity, groupthink, or psychological safety) to real-world cases. | CI4 – Mastery in Knowledge Application |
| CLO 3 | Demonstrate understanding of social interaction through the analysis of group dynamics. | SEI5 – Collaboration |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Weighting of Course Grade | Group Assessment? | Invigilated? | CLOs Mapped | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Evaluative – Quiz | 20% | No | Yes | CLOs 1 & 2 |
| Assessment 2 | Digital – Digital Artefact | 40% | Yes | No | CLOs 1 & 2 |
| Assessment 3 | Written – Reflective Assignment | 40% | No | Yes | CLOs 2 & 3 |
- Assessment 1 Description: Combination of multiple-choice and short-answer questions testing understanding of key social psychology theories, such as group behaviour, leadership, social influence, and identity. and their application to real-life situations, administered around midpoint of the course.
- Assessment 2 Description: In small teams, students will deliver a 20-minute presentation on an issue of their choice related to a social psychology theory studied in class. Students should create a poster to display their analysis of the topic they selected, and give a presentation in class based on this poster.
- Assessment 3 Description: Individually, and in an invigilated setting, students will produce a reflective essay analysing the group dynamics and social behaviours they observed within their peer group during the previous assessment. Their analysis should be informed by relevant theoretical concepts studied in class. In addition, students will respond to a set of written knowledge questions designed to assess their understanding of key course content.
Indicative List
of Topics
Understand how people respond to social pressure, leadership, and authority. Study why teams sometimes make flawed decisions, and how to improve group outcomes through better communication and critical reflection.
Examine how leadership works in practice, not just through power, but through shared identity and meaning. Learn how norms, culture, and psychological safety influence whether people embrace or resist change.
Investigate how new ideas and behaviours spread through communities and organisations. Use real-world models to analyse social networks, innovation diffusion, and the barriers that slow down collective progress.
Apply social psychology to real-world problems like civic engagement, inequality, and local action. Learn how shared identity, group efficacy, and inclusive design can drive meaningful change in communities and organisations.
