Chaminade University of Honolulu

PSY 434 – Organizational Psychology

ONLINE

 

 

Instructor:                            Patricia  O’Neal, MSCP

Email:                                    [email protected]

Alternate Email:                    [email protected]

 

Term Dates:                         APRIL 3, 2006 THROUGH JUNE 12, 2006

 

Required Text:                     Work in the 21st Century, An introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology:  Landy, F. & Conte, J., 2004.

 

This course develops and assesses the skills and competencies for the program student learning outcome of Applied Psychology.  In addition, this course also addresses

the program student learning outcomes of 1) Scientific Method and its Application in the Field of Psychology and 2) Cross-Cultural Psychology.

 

 Catalog Course Description:

Psychology 434 Organizational Psychology - The subfield of psychology that deals with work in commercial and industrial settings. Areas covered include job morale, satisfaction, organizational effectiveness, growth, and change. The field covers the individual worker plus the worker in a group setting.

 

Students with Disabilities:

Chaminade University will provide assistance for any student with documented disabilities.  Any student who believes he or she
needs special accommodations must contact Dr. June Yasuhara at 739-4603 at the Chaminade Counseling Center to determine whether the
student meets the criteria for documented disability in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Please contact Dr. Yasuhara
as soon as possible.

 

Chaminade University is a Catholic Marianist University, which:

  • Educates for formation in faith

Catholic Universities affirm an intricate relationship between reason and faith.  As important as discursive and logical formulations
and critical thinking are,  they are not able to capture all that can be and ought to be learned.  Intellectual rigor, coupled
with respectful humility, provide a more profound preparation  for both career and life.  Intellectual rigor characterizes the
 pursuit of all that can be learned.  Respectful humility reminds people of faith that they need to learn

 from those who are of other faiths and cultures, as well as from those who may have no religious faith at all.

  • Provides an Excellent Education

In the Marianist approach to education, “excellence” includes the whole person, not just the technician or rhetorician.  Marianist
universities educate whole persons, developing their physical, psychological, intellectual, moral, spiritual and social qualities.  Faculty and students attend to fundamental moral attitudes, develop their personal talents and acquire skills that will help them learn all their lives.  The Marianist approach to education links theory and practice,  liberal and professional education.   Our age has been deeply
shaped by science and technology.  Most recently, information and educational technologies  have changed the way
 faculty and students research and teach.  At Marianist Universities, two goals are pursued simultaneously:  an appropriate use
of information technology for learning, and the enhancement of interaction between students and teachers.  As Catholic,
 Marianist Universities seek to embrace diverse peoples and understand diverse cultures, convinced that ultimately, when such
 people come together, one of the highest purposes of education is realized: a human community that respects every individual within it.

  • Educates in Family Spirit

Known for their strong sense of community, Marianists have traditionally spoken of this sense as “family spirit.” 
Marianist educational experience fosters the development of a community characterized by a sense of family spirit that
accepts each person with loving respect, and draws everyone in the university into the challenge of community building.
 Family spirit also enables Marianist universities to challenge their students, faculty and staff to excellence and maturity, because

 the acceptance and love of a community gives its members the courage to risk failure and the joy of sharing success.

  • Educates for Service, Justice, and Peace

The Marianist approach to higher education is deeply committed to the common good.  The intellectual life itself is undertaken
 as a form of service in the interest of justice and peace, and the university curriculum is designed to connect the classroom
with the wider world.  In addition, Marianist universities extend a special concern for the poor and marginalized and
promote the dignity, rights and responsibilities of all people.

  • Educates for Adaptation to Change

In the midst of rapid social and technological change, Marianist universities readily adapt and change their methods
and structures so that the wisdom of their educational philosophy and spirituality may be transmitted even more fully. 
“New times call for new methods,” Father Chaminade often repeated.  The Marianist University faces the future confidently,
on the one hand knowing that it draws on a rich educational philosophy, and on the other fully aware for that philosophy

to remain vibrant in changing times, adaptations need to be made.

 

Selected from Characteristics of Marianist Universities: A Resource Paper, Published in 1999 by Chaminade University
of Honolulu, St. Mary’s University and University of Dayton

 

** Each of these characteristics is integrated, to varying degrees, in this course

 

Course Description:

This course will explore the concept of organizational structure from a psychological perspective, to include the application of
psychological principles, theory, and research to the work setting.  The focus of this course surrounds not only the physical
 boundaries of the workplace, but takes into account the interdependence  of individuals, organizations, and society. 
This course will also explore:  psychology and organizations; the influence of personality on work behavior; social implications

 of work behavior (emotions, motivation, attitudes, leadership, and stress management); the individual-organizational fit; work performance;
 staffing, evaluation, training and development; and organizational change.

 

Student Learning Outcomes: 

 

Student will demonstrate an understanding of:

 

1.  The scientific method and its application to the field of organizational psychology.

2.  Multicultural and cross-cultural issues in industrial and organizational psychology.

3.  How ethics and ethical practice contribute to the field of organizational psychology.

4.  How to conduct and interpret research relevant to organizational psychology through an assigned research project.

5.   How the course may be addressed by the five Marianist values.

6.  The concept of “good work” and the importance of work in people’s lives.

7.  How to study and interpret worker behavior.

8.  Personality and individual interests/differences that apply to organizational psychology.

9.  The historical contributions and current trends associated with organizational psychology.

10.  The meaning and importance of motivation in the workplace.

11.  Health, stress, and safety in the workplace.

 

 

Through the use of the discussion board, web activities, text reading, homework assignments, research project, and examinations,
students will explore the concepts, related theories, and ideas that parallel organizational psychology.

 

Requirements:

 

  1. Homework assignments – Weekly assignments at 10 points each = 100 points. Due Each Sunday by 8 pm HST.

ALL assignments shall be submitted weekly, via the assignment submission forum, which is located within the assignment icon.

Students will UPLOAD the assignment into the forum by the weekly submission deadline.

 

  1. Discussions – Weekly discussion assignments at 10 points each = 100 points.

ALL discussions are required to be posted weekly.  This shall serve as the “conversation” in the class.  Students are REQUIRED
to reply to the initial question AND respond to another student. This means that two CONSTRUCTIVE posts are required
each week for full points. 

 

  1. TWO exams – Midterm and Final exams at 100 points each = 200 points. No late final exams accepted, without prior approval
     from the AUP department  (This requires written documentation from doctor, military, etc. – only serious inquiries
     will be considered)

 

  1. Research project / paper  at 100 points = 100 points.  DUE week 8.  Read Below for instructions.

 

  1. Total course points  =   500   points.

 

Grading Points:

455   -  500  =  A             401  - 454  =  B       350  - 400  =  C       300 -  349  =  D      Below 300 =  F

 

Research project / paper:  A Personal Exploration of Customer Service.

This research project will integrate your own personal observations with documented, peer-reviewed journal research
concerning the concept of customer service.

You are required to physically visit four (4) businesses / organizations.  Examples of businesses / organizations include
Wal-Mart, the Commissary, Times Supermarket, Your Bank, Chaminade University Bookstore, Starbucks, the PX/NEX,
Fantastic Sams, etc.  You are to observe the level of customer service shown to you. 

You shall name the organization and indicate the services provided, describe the nature of the organization – upon entry,
how does it appear? (crowded, clean, accessible, adequate amount of product).

You will also observe and note the following:

  • Employee job skills – Is the employee knowledgeable? Organized? Dressed appropriately?
  • Employee social skills – Do they greet you cheerfully, use your name, chat with you, behave rudely?, etc.
  • Employee emotional status – Does the employee(s) smile, frown, appear angry, sad?, etc.
  • What impact does their job skills, social skills, and perceived emotional status have upon you and other customers?
  • On a scale from 1-10, how do you rate the level of customer service? (10 being excellent).
  • Observe the cultural (and ethnic) status of the employees.  Does the customer’s race, age, emotions, or appearance appear to
     have any effect upon  how the customer is treated?  Explain your answers.
  • From your observations, what does the customer service of each organization tell you about how they relate to and
     feel about their customers?
  • Does the organization have a business website?  Is the site easily accessible, provide an abundance of information,
    provide any information related to customer service?
  • Does the employee appear to be satisfied with his or her job?
  • List areas you feel could be improved upon and make suggestions.

 

This research project shall begin with an introduction paragraph.  You will research the concept of “customer service” online,
utilizing Chaminade’s EBSCO Journal search via the Chaminade.edu website.

To search for articles, click on: http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=ehost&defaultdb=aph

USER ID is:  Sullivan    and the   PASSWORD is ahinahina.

 

You are required to summarize TWO journal articles relevant to the concept of Customer Service.  You will use the APA style of writing,
12 point font, 1-inch margins, and the paper must fill a minimum of six (6) double-spaced, and no more than seven (7) full double-spaced
pages.  You MUST include an APA style reference section at the end of your paper (which does not count toward your total page count). 
If you do not own the Fifth Edition of the APA Writer’s Manual, you may find pertinent information on the following website:   http://valencia.cc.fl.us/lrcwest/apapaper.html

 

****  This paper / project is DUE by  11  PM  on Sunday,  May 28th, END OF WEEK 8

 

No late papers will be accepted for full points.   IF paper is submitted late, points will be deducted each day the
 paper is late.  (PRIOR APPROVAL REQUIRED)

 

 

COURSE  SCHEDULE:

 

Week 1:
--- Introduce Yourself. Read Chapter 1. Homework assignment and discussion posting due this week
Sunday, by 8 pm.

Week 2:
--- Read Chapters 2 & 3. Homework and discussion posting(s) due this week Sunday by 8 pm.

Week 3:
---Read Chapters 4 & 5. Homework and discussion postings due Sunday by 8 pm.

Week 4:
---Read Chapters 6 & 7. Homework and discussion due by Sunday 8 pm.

Week 5:  MIDTERM  DUE
--- Read Chapter 8. Homework, discussion postings, and MIDTERM answers are all due on
Sunday, May 7, 2006.   Midterm covers Chapters 1 – 8.

Week 6:
---Read Chapters 9 & 10. Homework & discussions due Sunday by 8 pm.

Week 7:
---Read Chapters 11 & 12. Homework and discussion due Sunday by 8 pm. 

Week 8: PAPER / PROJECT  DUE THIS WEEK
--- Read Chapter 13 & 14. Homework, PAPER, and discussion due Sunday, May 28, 2006.

Week 9:
---Read Chapters 15 & 16. Homework & discussion due by Sunday 8 pm.  

Week 10:
---Review for final exam. *** Homework and discussion due Sunday, June 11, 2006.

MANDATORY FINAL EXAM is Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 1 and 3 pm at the main campus.


If you have military base access, you must reserve a seat at one of those locations in writing, via email.
Otherwise, you will take your exam at the Chaminade Main Campus.

If you live off-island, you will make a reservation with an exam proctor.  Exam proctors must receive approval
from the AUP office - Contact Donna Yoshimura, the AUP secretary, at 808-739-8524.

Work smart and good luck.