| CODE | PSY3610 | ||||||
| TITLE | Psychology of Small Groups | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Psychology | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The goal of this study-unit is to provide students with a critical overview of recent theory and research on small groups. The study-unit aims to help students obtain a thorough theoretical understanding of the field of group dynamics and to develop an awareness of what happens in group processes. The methodology of learning is formal - a taught unit.. This unit deals with group work from an advanced theoretical perspective. At the end of the study-unit, students will be able to: - acquire a good broad understanding of the various topics related to the dynamics inherent in small groups; - articulate the various ways such dynamics inter-relate with each other; - appreciate the differences between effective and ineffective groups; - be able to analyse and interpret behaviour in small groups. Tentative Study-unit Outline: - The Science of Group Dynamics - The Individual and the Group - Group Formation - Cohesion and Development - Structure - Influence and Power - Conflict - Performance - Decision-making - Leadership - Intergroup Relations - Groups in Context - Groups and Change Required Text: - Forsyth, D.R. (2006) Group Dynamics (6th Edition)Thomson Wadsworth Reading List: - Brown, R. (2000) Group Processes (2nd edition) Blackwell Publishing. - Burn, S.M. (2004) Groups: Theory and Practice (1st Edition) Cengage Learning Wadsworth Publishing. - Corey, G. & Corey, M.S. (1997) Groups: Process and Practice. (5th edition) Monteray Calif: Brooks/ Cole. - Darmanin, A. (1985) The Skilled Leader: An Integrative Approach to Leadership. Malta: Media Centre. - Gershenfeld, M.K., Napier, R.W. (2004) Groups Theory and Experience (7th edition) Boston Houghton Mifflin. - Johnson, W.D. & Johnson, P.F. (2009) Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills. (10th edition) Pearson. - Levine, J. M., & Moreland, R. L. (1998) Small Groups. In D.T. Gilbert, S.T. Fiske, & Napier, R. W. & Gershenfeld, M.K. (1983) Making Groups Work: A Guide for Group Leaders. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. - Oyster, C.K. (2000) Groups: A User’s Guide Boston McGraw Hill. - Pennington, D.C. (2002) The Social Psychology of Behaviour in Small Groups. Routledge. - Posthuma, B.W. (1996) Small Groups in Counseling and Therapy. (2nd edition) USA: Allyn and Bacon. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | This study-unit is only offered to students with Psychology as an area of study. | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Georgina Debattista |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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