General provisions

The course is compulsory within the program for a specialisation in staff and work issues, 180 credits.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Learning outcomes

Module 1. Introduction (7.5 HE credits)

After completing the sub-course, the student should be able to:

- define and describe central subject areas within psychology

- present the essential fundamental features of the most common theoretical methods within the above mentioned subject areas

- have discussions of and make connections between theory and everyday situations,

- identify and suggest ways to prevent methodological problems of scholarly studies of human behaviour in connection with choice of method and design

- account for basic theoretical principles and concepts in descriptive statistics and elementary statistical inference and apply these principles on methodological issues

Module 2. Personality psychology (7.5 HE credits)

On completion of the course, the student should

- be able to account for central personality theories and place these in a context regarding psychological theorising

- be able to account for relevant arguments in the discussion regarding if and how personality can be measured

- be able to account for methodological methods in the study of personality for example within biological personality research and by means of personality tests,

- be able to account for the principles of the operationalisation of personality psychology concepts by means of a scale with covarying items and in a simple report comment the outcome when data have been collected with a self-made scale and some established instrument.

Module 3. Health psychology (7.5 HE credits)

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

- account for central basic concepts and theories within health psychology with special emphasis on stress

- conceptualise and apply general principles within a behavioural medicine, health-psychological model

- outline an action programme to prevent chronic pain and sick leave and

- describe behavioural medicine principles in treatment with individuals that are - or at risk for becoming sick-listed.

Module 4. Communication technique and psychological testing methods (7.5 HE credits)

After completed module, the student should be able to

- account for advantages and disadvantages associated with using psychological tests for investigations concerning study and career guidance at working life and recruitment/selections,

- describe the difference between tests that measure "maximum achievement" and those that measures "typical performance",

- account for what administrative or technical standardisation implies, including different reliability - and validity concepts and regularisation,

- describe the Foundation for Applied Psychology 's (STP' s) review model and how one reads STP ' s test reviews,

- present what is the most important consideration when choosing a test for guidance and recruitment/selections,

- use the conversational skill of active listening,

- carry out initial talks with employees and document these with dialogue reports.

Content

Module 1. Introduction (7.5 HE credits)

The module that is given for first-cycle studies presents, at a general level, the central subject areas, research methods and application of psychology in society. Teaching sessions are given in cognitive psychology, emotion and motivation, social psychology and personality psychology. In addition to these subject areas, basics of perception psychology, developmental psychology and neuropsychology are also reviewed. The module also gives an introduction to method and statistics.

The module is divided into two parts.

1) Psychology as a Science and Subject Area (6 credit points). The subject contents is of an introductory nature at this level.

2) Basic method and statistics parts (1.5 HE credits). This part contains basic method and statistics.

Module 2. Personality psychology (7.5 HE credits)

The course first gives a general theoretical introduction to the basis of personality psychology. The theories and methods of measurement within trait psychology are considered, as well as psychodynamic personality theory. A cognitive/social-cognitive and socio-cultural perspective on personality is presented. Personality in relation to biology and health, as well as personality and mental disorders are presented and discussed. Space is devoted to the personality concept and - measurement in practical activities. The course also contains a laboratory session in personality psychology, worth 3 HE credits.

Module 3. Health psychology (7.5 HE credits)

The aim of the module is to give an introduction to research relevant for working life and its theoretical basis, and give basic knowledge about applications within health psychology and behavioural medicine.

Module 4. Communication technique and psychological testing methods (7.5 HE credits)

The aim of the module is to give an introduction to research relevant for working life and theoretical basis and give basic knowledge about applications within the fields communication technique and psychological testing methods.

The module is divided into two parts:

1) Psychological testing methods (5 HE credits)

2) Communication technique (2.5 HE credits). This part of the course is mainly devoted to practical training through role playing and video recordings

Instruction

Module 1. Introduction (7.5 HE credits)

The teaching consists of teaching sessions and group work.

Module 2. Personality psychology (7.5 HE credits)

Teaching consists of teaching sessions, seminars and supervision in connection with the applied part.

Module 3. Health psychology (7.5 HE credits)

Teaching is given in the form of teaching sessions and seminars with compulsory attendance.

Module 4. Communication technique and psychological testing methods (7.5 HE credits)

The teaching consists of teaching sessions, seminars and supervision in connection with the applied parts.

Assessment

Module 1. Introduction (7.5 HE credits)

The module is examined in writing. Each part is examined separately For examination, the grades used are passed with distinction, passed, and failed.

Module 2. Personality psychology (7.5 HE credits)

The module is examined by written and oral tests, including a report. At examination, the grades used are passed with distinction, passed, and failed.

Module 3. Health psychology (7.5 HE credits)

The module is examined by written examination. For examination, the grades used are passed with distinction, passed, and failed.

Module 4. Communication technique and psychological testing methods (7.5 HE credits)

The theoretical part is examined by written examination and the applied part with role playing and reports. At examination, the grades used are passed with distinction, passed, and failed.

To receive the grade Passed with distinction in the whole course, the grade pass with distinction is required on at least three of the following four parts: Introduction, Psychology as science and subject area, Personality psychology and Health psychology and Communication technique and psychological testing methods.

The contents of lectures can constitute a basis for examination even when the lectures are not compulsory.

Other regulations

Requirement of compulsory attendance is evident from course syllabus, schedule or of other information before the module.

Students that miss sessions with compulsory attendance are usually given occasion to re-do this part the following semester.