Group Dynamics

Period 3

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• To familiarize students with key theories, concepts, and research in group dynamics
• To familiarize students with the main research methods for studying group dynamics
• To apply knowledge from social, organizational and evolutionary psychology to the study of group dynamics
• To analyze group and team dynamics in real-life from a psychological perspective.

COURSE CONTENT
This course offers an introduction into group dynamics from a joint social, organizational, and evolutionary psychology perspective. We analyze and discuss important themes in group dynamics such as conflict and cooperation, power and leadership, social identity, conformity and obedience, group performance and decision-making, prejudice and intergroup relations. We draw on theory and research from social psychology, neuroscience, organizational and biological sciences to investigate why humans form groups and how group dynamics affect individual and social functioning. The course uses examples from group dynamics in a variety of domains such as business, sports, politics, education, and religion to address such questions as "Are humans basically selfish?" "Do cohesive groups perform better" "Does power corrupt?"and "Are there differences between men and women in group behavior?"

TEACHING METHODS
Lecture, seminar

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
A written examination, containing a mixture of multiple choice and open end questions.