Explore Social Identity Theory, a fundamental paradigm for understanding how group membership influences our sense of self, attributions, and cognitive processes. Learn about the fundamentals of group dynamics, such as cohesion, social norms, roles, and intergroup interactions, and how they influence our decision-making and social behaviors.
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
Examine the concept of power, looking beyond formal authority to see how it is influenced by shared identity and purpose. Understand how power is strategically employed to achieve group interests, as well as how a social identity viewpoint may serve as the foundation for power-sharing and mutual empowerment.
Explore facilitation and loafing theories. Study concepts like coordination, cohesion, and transactive memory to learn how to develop and manage productive teams and collaborative conditions.
Learn about the psychology of helping others and community action. Look into the reasons for prosocial behavior, such as altruism and empathy, as well as how shared identity, group efficacy, and inclusive design may be leveraged to increase civic involvement and drive real change in groups and communities.
