Module Information

Module Identifier
PS35120
Module Title
Psychological Wellbeing in the Workplace
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Reading List

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Short Report  The production of a short report intended for a professional applied audience. The report will include an executive summary and systematic review relating to an aspect of psychological wellbeing in the workplace. 3000 Words  60%
Semester Assessment Reflective Portfolio  2000 Words  40%
Supplementary Assessment Reflective Portfolio  2000 Words  40%
Supplementary Assessment Short Report  The production of a short report intended for a professional applied audience. The report will include an executive summary and systematic review relating to an aspect of psychological wellbeing in the workplace. 3000 Words  60%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Critically evaluate traditional and contemporary approaches to the study of work and organisational psychology.

Analyse and synthesise theory and evidence about human behaviour and wellbeing in the workplace.

Demonstrate an understanding of research methods and analysis relevant to evidenced-based practice and workplace interventions.

Understand and apply theoretical ideas to the development and evaluation of practical strategies relevant to promoting well-being at work.

Show critical self-awareness and reflection in placing your own skills and development in the context of the module content.

Brief description

Most people will spend a considerable amount of their life working and so therefore being healthy in work is a fundamental part of psychological health. In this module, we will explore key concepts of organisational behaviour and apply them to psychological wellbeing. In particular, the module will support students in recognising how psychological concepts and theory have been used in the practical setting, to both develop interventions and guide policy and practice. The module will encourage critical engagement with contemporary issues such as equality, inclusivity, and diversity and burnout. As a key employability module, self-reflection and the articulation of employability skills will be an integral part of the module as the students situate themselves, and the wellbeing of others, in the context of the module content and their future graduate career.

Aims

The module aims to consider how psychological theory and concepts can be applied to understand better psychological wellbeing in the workplace. The module will support students in better understanding how the range of skills developed in a psychology degree can be applied across employment sectors and job roles.

Content

Example Content:

1. Group processes and Leadership
2. Organisational Change and Resilience
3. Productivity and Burnout
4. Crisis Management and Decision making
5. Evidenced-based Practice and Interventions
6. Inclusivity and Bringing Your Whole Self to Work.
7. Stress and Trauma
8. Happiness and Fulfilment

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Adaptability and resilience The module aims to promote personal adaptability and resilience through the delivery of content and activities directly relating to these psychological concepts. The critical awareness and reflection encouraged by the module will also support you to think about yourself and others in the context of adaptability and resilience.
Co-ordinating with others The module will encourage group participation and co-ordination with others. We will also consider theoretical concepts relating to group work/teams and you will be supported to apply this knowledge/understanding to your own experiences of working with others.
Creative Problem Solving Independent project work and problem solving is a central goal of the module. Group activities will encourage reflection about organisational behaviour together with opportunities to problem solve in these contexts.
Critical and analytical thinking The module content, activities, and assessment will support you to critically appraise a range of material; this will include appraisal of evidence-based practice and interventions in the context of the contemporary workplace and psychological well-being.
Digital capability This module develops IT skills, as part of the assessment and through module activities. You will be encouraged to explore a range of tools, such as: seeking sources through electronic information sources (such as Web of Science, PsychLit, and PsychInfo) and use of NVIVO for systematic review.
Professional communication The module will introduce theory, research, and practice relating to professional communication. Students will build on their experience of how to present their ideas in writing and through verbal presentation together with a consideration of audience.
Real world sense A key component of the module is to apply the psychology of human behaviour to wellbeing in the workplace. Therefore, embedded into the module are the skills of applying theoretical concepts to the applied setting or "real world". Throughout the module students will be given the opportunity to practice the articulation of these applications and place them in the context of their own life experience.
Reflection Students will explore reflective practice in academic and work settings. Through lectures, seminars, and assessment, students consider their own skills and experiences in the context of organisational behaviour. In particular, the module will encourage the articulation of skills and what these skills mean in the contemporary context.
Subject Specific Skills The module includes a range of subject-specific skills as outlined in the section above.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6