UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit introduces students to some of the main contemporary areas of study and associated theories across industrial and organisational psychology. There is particular emphasis on the translation of basic research findings to work settings especially aimed at optimising human performance. For example, students are shown how basic theories of motivation, learning and cognitive psychology have influenced work practices and performance across a range of industrial settings from the aviation and power generation industries to the design of everyday pieces of office equipment. Students are introduced to the wider organisational context and to how findings in social psychology can be applied to the management of interpersonal behaviour in an organisational setting. Topics in this part of the course cover such topics as culture and diversity, as well as group dynamics and team performance. Through a series of cases studies and a problem-based approach, students are exposed to processes involved in planned change, the role of practitioners in equipment and work redesign including diagnosis, analysis of data and information, feedback of information and the collaborative design of interventions, implementation and evaluation.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 core unit in the Psychology major sequence
• Level 3 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate an understanding of the history and current status of the literature relating to the

application of psychology in industrial and organisational settings.

; (2) analyse the outcomes of basic industrial/organisational psychology

research.; and (3) apply the outcomes of basic industrial/organisational psychology

research..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) lab assessment; (2) report; and (3) examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Guy Curtis and Dr Simon Li

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Successful completion of

three Unit(s) PSYC1101 Psychology: Mind and Brain
and Unit(s) PSYC1102 Psychology: Behaviour in Context
and Unit(s) PSYC2203 Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Psychology

Incompatibility

Unit(s) PSYC2209 Industrial and Organisational Psychology

Contact hours

lectures: 12 x 2 hours
labs: 4 x 2 hours

Note

Enrolled students can access unit material via the LMS (Learning Management System).

Students are exposed to topics in psychology units that may cause some discomfort or distress in certain individuals (e.g. depression, suicide, trauma, eating disorders). They also require to demonstrate skills across a variety of different formats and contexts (e.g. written assessments, participation in practical work, contribution to group discussions, oral presentations, examinations), and so it is important to carefully consider whether they are able to cope with the demands of studying psychology and whether there is anything that would impact upon their ability to complete the requirements of the unit. Refer to individual unit outlines for more detailed unit information.

Texts

Current textbook information is available in the School of Psychological Science textbooks list.