Module PSYC42115: Power and Influence

Department: Psychology

PSYC42115: Power and Influence

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the psychology of individual- and group-based power and social influence
• Analyse how these dynamics operate within diverse social and organisational contexts
• Apply theoretical and empirical insights to address practical issues, including communication and personal effectiveness

Content

• Indicative contents include:-
• foundations of individual- and group-based power, including key concepts, theories, and empirical research
• status, leadership, influence, and persuasion dynamics across social and organisational settings
• conceptual, methodological, and historical issues in psychology and behavioural science relevant to power and influence
• application and consolidation of theory through practical activities.

Learning Outcomes

• Detailed knowledge of a range of specific research topics and methods in the field of behavioural science on the topic of power and influence.

• Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of literature on the topic of power and influence.
• Ability to apply knowledge of theories and empirical studies on power and influence to a range of problems.

• Good written communication skills
• Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation
• Ability to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Students' acquisition of detailed knowledge will be facilitated by weekly seminars
• Teaching includes elements of small group work and student-led discussions, which will enable students to learn independently and develop their oral communication skills
• The use of group discussions / small group work will ensure that students are exposed to a range of different theoretical positions, and encouraged to understand their inter-relations
• Discussions and small group work will also give students the opportunity to interpret and evaluate the significance of empirical work
• In addition, there will be one interactive workshop to provide students with opportunities for experiential learning
• Audio-visual materials and reading lists will be used as learning aids
• These modes of teaching provide students with detailed knowledge of the key theories and the skills needed to evaluate different theoretical positions in light of current empirical evidence
• The module’s learning outcomes will be assessed by one summative assessment consisting of a written case study.
• Students will produce a written report on a supplied organisational case, outlining their analysis of the situation and proposing evidence-based recommendations.
• The assessment will examine students’ ability to apply relevant theoretical principles and empirical research to the case scenario, to formulate and justify evidence-based recommendations, and to demonstrate critical subject knowledge on power and influence through clear and coherent written analysis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Case analysis activity with collective verbal feedback

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.