MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
APPLIED ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (BRM 1204)

Blis year one

 COURSE OUTLINE
This course is structured to help in developing ability to identify, analyze and
modify one’s own behaviour and the behaviour of others in organization. It
introduces students to the area of applied psychology relating to people at
work and in organizations. A number of terms can be used to represent this
area depending on context of usage. It is sometimes addressed as
Occupational Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Business Psychology,
Work Psychology or Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
 Aim
The aims is to applying psychological theories, techniques and findings to

develop the abilities to identify, analyse and modify one’s own behaviour and

the behaviour of others in organisations.

 Objectives of the course .
At the end of the course, students should be able to understand how to applying

psychological theories, psychology applies to management of employee relations and

motivation, learn skills on how to improve employee productivity, offer work counselling

and personal development, design work environments that promote health, safety and

wellbeing, understand change management within organizations and appreciate the

various personnel management functions Communication: functions and process,

communication flow, barriers and breakdowns, effective communication

 Assessment
The course will be assessed at three levels. The first level of assessment
will be coursework, which will either be done at individual or group level
depending on nature of the work to be done. This level of assessment will
carry a score of 15%. The second level will be a test, this will happen at
the middle of the semester and will also carry a score of 15%. The final
level of assessment will be the examination at the end of the semester.
This will carry a total score of 70%.
 Mode of delivery

A mixed method of delivery will be used for better learning. The course will 70% rely

on the learners who will be required to make presentations at some point, conduct

group discussions or participate in a given intervention. The facilitator will also

conduct traditional lectures

 Chapter One
Understanding Organizational Psychology
Theory and Practice.
Psychology Defined
• The scientific study of the human mind and its
functions, especially those affecting behaviour in a
given context.
• Psychology deals with observing, understanding,
predicting and controlling behavior.
Organizational Psychology
• The branch of Psychology concerned with human behaviour in work
and organizational settings (British Psychological Society).
• It is about applying the science of psychology to people at work.
• Most organizational psychologists work as: Human resources
personnel, internal consultants, external consultants, researchers,
work counsellors or health and safety personnel.
• Work in this context refers to paid employment.
Brief history of Organizational Psychology
• Originated in the US as far back as 1900. Promoted by Hugo
Munsterberg and Dill Scott.
• In the UK it dates back as early as 1915 in the UK when numerous
studies began. For example; investigating industrial fatigue and factors
influencing health and efficiency of workers in factories.
• In Uganda it has existed for close to 15 years.
• its practical application developed largely through the work of American
industrial engineer Frederick W. Taylor (Scientific management).
• I-O psychology grew rapidly after World War I and even more so
after World War II.
Areas covered by Organizational Psychology
• Personnel selection
• Recruitment
• Training
• Occupational Counselling
• Motivation and improving work morale
• Performance management
• Job satisfaction and productivity
• Employee wellness
• Ergonomics
• Diversity management etc.
Organizational Psychology
• Organizational Psychology is directed at the behavior of individuals,
groups and organizations in the work situation.
It focuses on:
• Individual differences and diversity management.
• Individual differences refer to variances amongst people regarding
any characteristic, such as a
personality trait, through which an individual could be distinguished
from
• others
• Diversity includes the combination of numerous scopes which make
people
• unique and different from each other.
• Motivation. The term motivation refers to the factors which regulate
or control behaviour.
Communication. Communication is process by which a person, group
or
• organization transmits information to another person
 Leadership. Leadership is the process whereby one person influences
other group members towards the achievement of clear group or
organizational goals.
Group dynamics. Group dynamics refers to the dynamics of interaction
in social groups.
Health, safety and well-being. A safe work environment is defined as one in
which all the physical, electrical and mechanical conditions are of a sound
nature.
• Wellness is a way of life oriented towards optimal well-being in which
body, mind and spirit are integrated by the individual to live more
fully.

Organizational design and organizational development:

Organizational design is a formal way of communication, responsibility
and authority. adopted by an organization which constitutes its internal
structure.
Organization development is a long-range effort to improve an
organization’s ability to cope with change and its problem solving and
renewal processes through effective management of the organizational
culture
Personnel Psychology

• Personnel psychologist work with human resources.

In areas such as:
• Recruitment
• Analyzing jobs
• Determining salary
• Evaluating employees
• Training employees
Factors that influenced the field of OP
• Technology
• Changing nature of careers
• Legislation
• Demographics
• Employment trends
• Generational differences
• Work life
• Psychological contracts
• Diversity
• Economic landscape and globalization
 Chapter Two.

Employee Relations and Motivation