SUBJECT

Dynamics of Groups and Organizations

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master

Faculty of Education and Psychology

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2 Semester

Spring semester

Aim of the course

The aim of this course is to provide participants with a knowledge of the most important models of group and organizational dynamics and to develop their ability to observe and interpret group dynamics and their relationship to the processes of organizations.

Learning outcome, competences

Knowledge:

Students will gain a general knowledge of the most important group dynamic models.

They will gain an overview of organizational dynamic models.

Attitude:

• Openness and neutral approach during observations of group and organizational processes
• Critical thinking

Skills:

• Ability to observe group and organizational phenomena objectively and the presentation of these observations without interpretations
• Ability to distinguish between objective observation and interpretations
• Ability to interpret observations of group and organizational processes based on different theoretical models

Content of the course

Topics of the course

• The main purpose of the existence of groups
• Group formation, organization of groups, group structure, boundaries of groups, external effects, group-size effect
• Group-dynamic models
• Group cohesion, roles in groups, norms and their effects on the motivation system
• Stages of the group process
• Resistance and defense mechanisms during group work
• Crisis during the group process
• Relationship between group dynamics and organizational decisions
• Interventions that help to develop group cohesion and work processes
• How you can help to develop the work and processes of the group and organization

Learning activities, learning methods

• Lecture
• Demonstrations and exercises
• Group analytical work in study group
• Observation and analysis of the processes of the study group                                            

Evaluation of outcomes

Learning requirements, mode of evaluation, criteria of evaluation:

Requirements

• Team-work: Analysis of video-recorded group processes of the study group
• Interpretation of observations based on different theories
• Presentation of the project work

Mode of evaluation:

• Evaluation of the contribution to the project work

Compulsory reading list

• Cytrynbaum, S. and Noumair, D. A. (2003). Group Dynamics, Organizational Irrationality and Social Complexity. Group Relations Reader 3. Karnacbooks.
• Forsith, D. (1999). Group Dynamics. Brooks Cole.
• Foulkes, S. H. (1983). Introduction to Group-Analytic Psychotherapy: Studies in the Social Integration of Individuals and Groups. Maresfield Reprints.
• Klein, R.H. , Schermer, V. L. and Rice, C. A. (). Leadership in a Changing World: Dynamic Perspectives on Groups and Their Leaders. Lexington books.
• Lewi, D. (2001). Group Dynamics for Teams. SagePub.